Wander the Madrid of the Austrias and other Madrid, Spain Things to Do Tips

The Madrid of the Austrias, also referred to as La Latina, is one of my favourite neighborhoods to wander. It's the part of old Madrid built by the Habsburgs during the 16th and 17th centuries which includes many typical and well known squares and streets, as well as off the beaten path charming places you'll find by getting lost.

Stroll around the Plaza Mayor, the Plaza de la Villa and the San Miguel market; wander to and around the Plaza de la Paja and Plaza de la Cebada. And don't forget to bring your camera and several rolls of film, cause if you're like me you might end up taking a lot of pictures!

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Directions: Metro La Latina

The San Miguel market, located in the Madrid of the Austrias, is one of my favourites. Right next to the Plaza Mayor, the charming little Plaza San Miguel and the calle de los Cuchilleros, this market should imho be seen and visited; because of its architecture: the building is beautiful and dates from the XIX century; but also because I think every visitor should visit the inside of a small typical Spanish market such as this one.

Visiting a market is indeed a unique experience. As soon as you walk in, you find yourself in another world, surrounded not only by the different food stands of all sorts of fruits, meats, fish and typical national products, but also by an authentic atmosphere. This is definitely the 'true' Madrid, where the locals come every day to buy their groceries. A true and complete inmersion...

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Address: Pza. San Miguel
Directions: Behind plaza Mayor. Metro: Sol or Latina

The renown Plaza Mayor, in the very heart of Madrid, is a big closed square surrounded by five story buildings. This square has had many changes in architecture and has served many functions over the centuries, such as religious, social or popular celebrations, bullfights, king proclamations, etc... Today, many concerts take place here.

Seeing Plaza Mayor during your visit to Madrid is obviously a must. Walk around the square, observing the buildings and their architecture, have a coffee on one of the many terraces (paying double its price though) and see the Felipe III statue in the middle of the square. As one of the main tourist attractions though, expect to see many people, tourists as well as locals.

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Address: Main square of Madrid
Directions: Metro Sol & Opera

The Calle del Factor(Street of the postman) is a lovely little street which you should take while in the Royal Palace area. Not only does it give you panoramic views of the Palace but it also has a charming small park where to rest while you enjoy the views.

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Address: Calle del Factor
Directions: Royal Palace area.
Metro: Opera

The Atocha train station, is amazingly so, worth a visit even if you are not taking a train. First built in 1851, the station was rebuilt in iron in 1892 and its architecture is superb.

Inside, you will find a 4000 square meter tropical garden with 7000 different plants and trees. It even has palm trees for God's sake!
There's definitely nothing I can miss from Miami then is there? ;-)

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Address: Glorieta del Emperador Carlos V
Directions: Metro: Atocha Renfe

Another view of Atocha but this time from the outside.... to give you an idea of its architecture.

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While wandering the Madrid of the Austrias and find yourself on the Plaza de los Carros (above the Plaza de la Puerta de los Moros and the fountain), you will see the Baroque Capilla de San Isidro (Chapel of San Isidro, the patron of the city of Madrid.)

If you are lucky you will stumble just like me on guests arriving or leaving a wedding and will thus be able to witness some typical Spanish 'pija elegancy' ;-)

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Address: Plaza de los Carros
Directions: Metro La Latina

After your heavy round of museums, art galleries and city wandering, a stroll in Madrid's loveliest public garden, the Retiro, is one of the best ways to end the day, or simply spend your entire day if your visiting time permits.

Once the private playground of royalty, the Retiro is a vast mix of green gardens, fountains, lakes, exhibition halls, children's play areas, and outdoor cafes. It gets especially lively on weekends, when it fills with street musicians, jugglers, clowns, gypsy tarot readers, and painters along with hundreds of Spanish families out for a walk.

What not to miss:
The Gran Estanque . The artificial lake at the park's centre with the massive Alfonso XII's mausoleum and the sphinx-laden Fountain. You can rent a boat and row around the lake.
La Rosadela . The beautiful rose garden.
El Angel Caido . A dramatic and beautiful statue of the Fallen Angel.
El Palacio de Cristal . The superb palace entirely made out of crystal, where you might be lucky to see an exhibit.
El Palacio de Velazquez . A beautiful building that also holds exhibits from the Reina Sofia.

The park hosts a book fair in May and occasional concerts in summer.

For more pictures please visit my travelogue

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Directions: Metro Retiro or Ibiza

The fiestas of Madrid (Verbena de la Paloma) are on during the month of August... the fair turns Madrid into a summer village and rotates neighborhoods weekly. The streets turn into a big party, with the bars serving drinks directly on the sidewalks, the streets becoming pedestrian, people dancing everywhere, etc.

Definitely a must see activity and an ideal way to see how we party in Madrid! ;-)

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Directions: I would especially recoommend the Fiestas of the Lavapies and La Latina districts, approximately beginning to mid-August.