New Year’s Eve celebrations in Madrid can be summed up in two words: totally crazy! The parties and festivities can’t seem to start soon enough – or last long enough for locals’ tastes. Actually, the New Year’s Eve holiday is considered a real opportunity to let one’s hair down with friends, as it is buffeted by the more family-oriented holidays of Christmas on December 25 and Three Kings’ Day (known as Spanish Christmas, when Spain’s children traditionally receive their gifts) on January 6.

The Day Before

New Year’s Eve in Madrid essentially starts the day before with the New Year’s Eve rehearsal held in the Puerta del Sol. With lots of lights and the ringing of the famous chimes, it’s almost as well attended as the real event.

Puerta del Sol

The Puerta del Sol is the place all Spanish eyes naturally turn to for New Year’s Eve and partygoers gather there every year for fun and merriment.

The New Year’s Eve holiday is traditionally rung in with the 12 chimes of the clock from the Casa de Correos tower presiding over Madrid’s Puerta del Sol. The event is broadcast on television to millions of people all across Spain who follow along and eat their grapes.

(Note that to keep things under control, the local police confiscate glass bottles from anyone wishing to enter the Puerta del Sol on New Year’s Eve.)

Grapes

According to Spanish tradition, you will have abundant good luck in the new year if you eat one grape for each of the twelve chimes (doce campanadas) counting down to midnight on New Year’s Eve. Some people even suggest that it’s bad luck not to try.

Managing to eat one grape per chime of the clock is actually a feat few people can do (popping all twelve in your mouth at the same time doesn’t count), but that doesn’t stop millions of Spaniards every year from trying.

As part of the festivities, the Spanish like to liberally wash down their grapes with bottles of cava – the drink known as Spanish champagne from Catalunya.

Parties

The good news for party people is that most of Madrid’s bars and nightclubs host their own New Year’s parties, some of which can be quite elaborate and wild. The bad news is that all of them charge a premium price for their parties – expect to pay at least 50 euros per person for the entrance fee and one drink, and even more than that if you’re buying tickets at the door that night.

[Photo: volantwish]

A glass of bold red wine, a plate of fine sliced ham, a crisp salad bowl dressed to perfection… Need I go on? A trip to Madrid is the ideal destination in which to unleash your inner foodie.

Though the Spanish capital is teeming with places to tickle your palate, the neighborhoods of Sol, La Latina and Chueca are particularly worth your time.

Sol

Sol’s foodie cred is infinitely bolstered by the presence of San Miguel Market. The market features attractive stalls of quality and gourmet foods, mostly from across Spain but from abroad as well. Sample the wine, tapas and other small bites on site, or take them away for relishing later. Afterwards, follow your foodie radar and try some of the smaller restaurants directly south of Sol, too.

La Latina

Madrid’s neighborhood of La Latina has some of the best and most creative restaurants in the city. A good bet is trying one of the places lining Cava Baja street. Another surefire recommendation is to hit up the many tapas restaurants located in the La Latina neighborhood. The only downside is that even with a pretty serious tapas crawl you couldn’t possibly try them all.

Chueca

Chueca has the honor of being Madrid’s trendiest neighborhood. Here quirky and fashionable clothing stores rub elbows with a number of stylish eateries – some of which transcend the success of their décor to become true foodie havens. Bazaar is one such restaurant I like.

[Photo: Herry Lawford]

Madrid is known for its plethora of awesome museums. But while you may be drooling over the chance to see Picasso’s masterpiece Guernica at the Reina Sofia, the kids may not be. When you have the kids in tow, consider some of Madrid’s more kid-friendly museums:

• Train Museum: An 1880 station filled with historic trains, equipment and memorabilia, the Train Museum is a favorite among both kids and adults. The snack bar is on board a 1920s era train.
• Atlético Museum: The guided visit takes in the Atlético team’s Vicente Calderon stadium, where you are allowed to sit on the team’s game bench, as well as the museum (considered one of the best sports museums around) with cases of the team’s trophies and jerseys.
• Naval Museum: This museum charts Spain’s history as a naval power and traces battles, naval campaigns and the development of nautical instruments. The ship cabin reproductions will be a favorite.
• Natural Science Museum: Here you’ll see dinosaur reproductions as well as almost four million animals that have been preserved and stuffed. There are free workshops on the weekends.
• Wax Museum: Though a far cry from the world-class art museums that make Madrid a must-see destination, the Wax Museum is a popular place for the kids with Spain’s bullfighters and monarchs on display.

[Photo: M. Peinado

Madrid is a sophisticated, fast-paced city, and sometimes you just need a little perspective on the matter. Check out the best views to be had of the Spanish capital at these five neat locations.

In the Open Air: Cerro del Tío Pío

If you’re not on a tight schedule and want to do as the locals do, consider heading to Cerro del Tío Pío, perhaps with a picnic. Madrilenos flock there when the weather’s good for walking, getting some fresh air and taking in what are arguably known as the best views of Madrid. The Vallecas-area hill is in what is known as Seven Tits Park (Parque de las Siete Tetas), named for the shape of these hills. You can find Cerro del Tío Pío off of Avenida de la Albufera in Vallecas.

Up High and Coming Back Soon: Faro de Moncloa

Once considered one of Madrid’s premier places to see the skyline, the Moncloa Lighthouse (Faro de Moncloa) in the Moncloa neighborhood has been closed for renovation since 2005. Luckily, it is slated to open back up later this year. Visitors will once again be able to ride the elevator to the enclosed platform at the top for a great panoramic view of Madrid.

An Urban View: The Penthouse

A perennial favorite among locals and visitors alike, the swanky open-air Penthouse bar on top of the ME by Melia hotel presiding over Santa Ana Square has spectacular views of the Madrid urban skyline by night. If you’re lucky enough to find a seat or are willing to pay for the reserved seating while you sip your cocktail, it makes for a spectacular prelude to a great night out on the town.

Fun Bird’s Eye: Teleférico

The Teleférico is Madrid’s gondola. It starts at Paseo del Pintor Rosales on the western edge of the city, briefly takes in Madrid’s skyline and then provides great views of the forest and parkland of the Casa del Campo. You can take a picnic, traipse around and enjoy the views of Madrid from the hill where the gondola drops you off, or just come right back for the ride if time is short.

Romantic and Mysterious: Templo de Debod

Approach Madrid’s own ancient Egyptian temple (Templo de Debod) close to sunset and you will see a spectacular view: the sight of the temple against the light of the changing sky and the valley below it. Just don’t forget your camera!

[Photo: Jorge Díaz]

If you’re entertaining in Madrid, you can’t go wrong with a restaurant that is traditionally Spanish and either totally fun (like Champagnería Gala or Museo del Jamón) or historically significant (like Sobrino de Botín).

Within its cavernous walls that channel medieval Spain, Sobrino de Botín serves traditional Spanish specialties like suckling pig and garlic soup. The 1725 restaurant is expensive, but it is certainly an experience. Consider the facts that the famed Spanish painter Francisco de Goya once worked there as a waiter and Ernest Hemingway mentioned the restaurant in the novel The Sun Also Rises.

Champagnería Gala is a good place to bring a group with its large paellas, big round tables and communal dessert wine (served in a traditional Spanish glass porrón that never touches your lips). Part of the restaurant is decorated like a curious outdoor patio and feels a bit like an informal Andalusian party without the flamenco and the guitars.

A Madrid-based restaurant chain, the Museo del Jamón is best known for the copious amounts of whole ham legs lining its walls. Though Spanish ham is clearly its specialty and namesake, the reasonably-priced restaurants are dedicated to all types of typical Madrid and Spanish fare. Sit down in the back dining room with your guests, but know that when by yourself you can also eat at the bar or grab a sandwich to go.

[Photo: Chris Brown]

A city sitting on a plain surrounded by mountains, Madrid gets quite hot in the summer and downright chilly in the winter. In fact, due to the elevation of the city, the winter lows tend to feel like a mountainous cold. It also typically snows for at least a few days in Madrid each year, though the snow doesn’t tend to stay on the ground long at all.

While there are plenty of interesting places in Madrid to keep warm, out of the cold and with sangría and hot chocolate available, it’s best to be prepared for that outside winter bite. So without further ado, here is our recommended packing list for getting the most out of a fun winter visit to Madrid:

• Layers of clothing: Dress in layers. They don’t have to be thick layers, but multiple layers of clothing will keep you warm as well as give you the ability to peel off the excess when you need to. Think sweaters and shirts as well as stockings or thermal underwear under your pants or jeans.
• Winter coat: Invest in a good, thick winter coat to keep you warm but also stylish. Madrid is a big city that appreciates fashion.
• Winter accessories: Bring a warm hat, scarf, gloves and pair of boots. And if you don’t have fashionable leather boots, you can easily acquire those in Madrid.
• Umbrella: While it won’t rain every day, it’s good to be prepared for the inevitable winter sprinkle.

[Photo: Emi Yañez]

You know that she is the one for you! Now there’s no better time to propose than on your upcoming trip to Madrid, Spain. Think of a truly palatial square, a garden of roses, a stunningly beautiful restaurant, a romantic park or an impressive historic square. These are just a few of the locations in the Spanish capital that would make a great place to pop “the” question:

West Square (called Plaza de Oriente) is a splendid square in a privileged position. It sits in the shadow of the Royal Palace and next to Spain’s opera house. An equestrian statue of King Felipe IV graces the middle of the square and is surrounded by a pleasant stretch of manicured paths and gardens and two rows of statues depicting Spain’s past kings and queens. Perhaps you’ll ask her to be your queen.

La Rosaleda in Retiro Park is a formal, circle-shaped rose garden. While it is certainly most lovely in summer when the roses are in bloom, it is still an intimate garden the other three seasons of the year. And its circle shape is just as symbolic as the ring you likely have for her hand!

While well-known for the menu created by famed Spanish chef Ferran Adria, La Terraza del Casino is a quite elegant restaurant in an historic downtown building featuring a panoramic view of the city. Ask your sweetheart to put on one of her best dresses, take her arm and show her the setting for a meal to remember!

Though beautiful and idyllic, the Campo del Moro Gardens are a bit hidden for being the Royal Palace’s main gardens. They actually sit behind and below the palace with public access on Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto. There you will see peacocks, pheasants, manicured gardens and views of Spain’s white stone Royal Palace. It is certainly a delicate and romantic setting in which to declare your love and commitment.

Madrid’s Main Square (Plaza Mayor) is one of those places that makes you feel small in an important way – and it is an awestruck sensation best experienced together with your sweetheart. The Plaza Mayor feels beautiful and imposing when you stand on the cobblestones in the middle of the square and intimate and intriguing under the arches. Maybe you’ll tell her how you both will stand the test of time too.

In the comments section I’d love to hear how and where you proposed to your sweetheart in Madrid…

[Photo: Tela Chhe]

Maybe you’re in town for a business conference. Maybe you have a long layover. For whatever reason, you only have one day to enjoy the Spanish capital, but there are so many things in Madrid to see. What do you do to make the most of that day? Use our one-day Madrid plan!

Start at the entrance to the Metro stop Banco de España where the Paseo de Recoletos from the north meets the Paseo del Prado to the south and Calle de Alcalá from the west and east. At this crossroads you will see beautiful Cibeles Palace (also known as Communications Palace) to the southeast, the Bank of Spain at the southwestern corner, and in the middle, the city’s symbolic fountain featuring a statue of the goddess Cibeles.

Walk west on Calle Alcalá and past the pretty Metropolis building dome towards the Puerta del Sol. Don’t forget to look up and admire the unique architectural details of these buildings.

In the Puerta del Sol take a minute to look at the Bear and Strawberry Tree statue, Madrid’s symbol and local meeting spot, and admire the absolute center of Spain. The Kilometer Zero plaque in front of Casa de Correos, the red government building with the bell tower, marks this. Then walk southwest to the Plaza Mayor.

Madrid’s Plaza Mayor (Main Square) is an historical and stunning square. After you’ve had a good look, head next door to San Miguel Market to sample local foods, tapas and wines. Then head west along Calle Mayor until you reach Almudena Cathedral. Next walk a little north to the Plaza de Oriente.

The Plaza de Oriente is a charming square with the Royal Palace to the west side and the opera house to the east. There you will find statues of kings, manicured garden and stone benches.

For dinner, head south along Calle Bailén and then take a left at the large church of San Francisco El Grande. Try one of the interesting restaurants lining Calle Cava Baja.

[Photo: Greenwich Photography]

You should always be looking up in Madrid to capture the rich architectural details on display. From historical churches and beautiful palaces to grand Art Nouveau and Art Deco specimens scattered through the city, the Spanish capital definitely contains a number of architectural jewels. For starters, here are a few of Madrid’s buildings I encourage you to get to know better:

Spain’s Royal Palace: An opulent 18th century building of white stone, Spain’s Royal Palace is a grand feature of Madrid’s western side and historic core, surrounded by gardens, squares and other beautiful buildings. Spain’s current royal family does not actually reside in the Royal Palace (they live at La Zarzuela Palace), but state dinners are held there.

Longoria Palace: While some confuse it with an Antoni Gaudí creation, it is an exquisite, curvy Art Nouveau building the color of sand. Today the palace is the headquarters of Spain’s General Society of Authors and Editors (SGAE).

Cibeles Palace (also known as Communications Palace): A fantastic structure that looks like a cross between a white sandcastle and a wedding cake, this palace houses a portion of Madrid’s city hall offices and overlooks emblematic Cibeles fountain.

Atocha Station: A major transportation hub as Madrid and Spain’s main train station, it features a large, distinctive 19th century greenhouse structure housing a small tropical rainforest and tons of turtles swimming below. The station’s newest feature is the glass March 11 monument commemorating the victims of the 2004 attacks.

Spain’s Lower House of Parliament at the Palacio de las Cortes: Where Spain’s MPs debate and have it out is a beautiful and formal neoclassical building with two bronze lions in front. And in case you were wondering, Spain’s Upper House of Parliament (the Senate) can be found near the Royal Palace, but it isn’t as splendid a building as the first.

[Photo: Konstantinos Dafalias]

Spend Halloween in Madrid this year and you can join in on the holiday fun, Spanish style.

Admittedly, the spring season’s Carnival holidays are the annual time for costumed revelry in Spain, while in Ireland and the United States, that time is autumn’s Halloween on October 31. But in recent years, Madrid locals have embraced the Halloween holiday with secular fervor as another great opportunity to dress up in fun or macabre costumes and simply party!

Look for Halloween-themed parties at bars and nightclubs throughout the Spanish capital like Kapital, Olé Lola, The Irish Rover and, for their Voodoo Night, Areia. Don’t forget to wear a scary costume for the contests some places are having. As an additional stop, you might want to consider the possibilities of gothic-themed nightclubs like Saturday night’s 666 Gothic Club at Sala Wind and The Sideral Club.

Another option for spending Halloween, or any part of October, in Madrid is to go get scared at one of the local theme parks. Both Warner Park and the Madrid Theme Park (Parque de Atracciones) will have a whole month of Halloween-themed attractions.

Then if you want to make your own Halloween jack-o-lantern in the days before Halloween, you can find pumpkins for sale at a number of the local produce shops. For starters, try the one on the Plaza de Chueca.

[Photo: Antonio Tajuelo]