Madrid is a city that knows how to live. It offers amazing architecture, world-class galleries, plenty of history, amazing food and a fantastic nightlife. If you are into all of these things mentioned, then no doubt you’ll fall in love with Madrid. Over eighty museums and more than two thousand monuments contribute to the city’s richness, a cultural heritage.
Whether you’re looking for a cultural, historic or foodie experience, Madrid has something unique in store for you. With so much to offer, Madrid is one of the best places to visit in Spain for first-timers.
To give you a hint of what this amazing city has to offer, here’s a selection of some of the best museums and restaurants in Madrid.
Museo Nacional del Prado
The Prado is a collection of Spanish and international masterpieces. Designed by the architect Juan de Villanueva, this museum is one of his biggest masterpieces.
Art historian Jonathan Brown, referenced Museo del Prado as “the most important museum in the world for European painting.” The collection of European art ranges from the 12th to the 20th centuries; the most famous works are “Las Meninas” by Diego Velázquez and “Third of May 1808” by Francisco de Goya.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
The Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, once an aristocratic mansion, has an enormous collection – nearly 1000 paintings – of European art with pieces from Dalí, El Greco, Monet, Picasso, and Rembrandt. Some works date back to the Medieval period; others are from the 20th century. What´s so amazing about this museum is that its reasonable size and organization allows you to see it chronologically, by starting on the top (second) floor and working your way down.
The Tyssen-Bornemisza Museum offers thematic tours and exhibitions which is a great way to explore its rooms if you don’t have a lot of time.
Restaurante Botín
Botin restaurant was founded in 1725 by Cándido Remisis and it is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest restaurant in the world.
The restaurant occupies all four floors of the building and the wood-burning oven, where they roast the famous suckling pigs and lambs in the Castilian style is the same as that of 1725.
Botín was ranked by Forbes magazine at number 3 on the list of the world’s classic restaurants and is currently run by the fourth generation of the González family, successors to the founding family.
Casa Lucio
Casa Lucio was founded in 1974 and is considered one of the best restaurants in Madrid. Many are the personalities that have visited Casa Lucio – from Bill Clinton to the former king of Spain Juan Carlos I or Tom Cruise amongst others, have been tempted to try this amazing place.
Casa Lucio is famous for its eggs. The New York Times has published an article about them. Another must try is Callos a la Madrileña (Madrid style tripe).
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