Our European journey started in Madrid, a captivating (and easily walkable) city. As art enthusiasts, our primary highlight in Madrid was the iconic Museo del Prado, a treasure trove of artistic masterpieces. However, being our first time in Madrid, we were also keen on mixing in some fun experiences, such as seeing the Flamenco show.
Plaza Mayor, Chocolateria San Ginés, The Royal Palace
In the morning, we set out on a walk to Plaza Mayor, a short ten minute walk from our accommodation. From there the Royal Palace was another short 5-10 minutes walk – again Madrid is a walkable city where major attractions are clustered together around the city center (make sure to bring comfy shoes!)
We tasted a local favorite breakfast, churros with dark chocolate, at a place called Chocolateria San Ginés. We learned about this place from one of our favorite Netflix shows, Somebody Feed Phil. For those seeking authentic dining experiences beyond the typical tourist spots, this show is a fantastic guide, taking you to those “off the beaten path” establishments where locals love to gather. Chocolateria San Ginés is open for 24 hours – definitely a rarity in Madrid, which also shows the popularity of this spot. See this page for the restaurants from Somebody Feed Phil‘s Madrid episode.
Museo del Prado
This was the highlight of our Madrid tour! Museo del Prado is considered one of the top art museums in Europe, not just in Spain. You need to make online reservations. Also note that the museum has a very strict “no photos” policy. It took us about 4-5 hours to see the museum with a self-guided audio tour, although you can easily spend the whole day or even multiple days here.
The museum prominently features top Spanish artists – Goya, Velasquez, and El Greco, among others. If you’re into post-Renaissance Spanish artists, Museo del Prado is a must-visit destination.
For me (CK), the favorite part of this museum tour was seeing so many of Goya’s works in one place, chronologically. At this museum, you can see the early works of Goya all the way to his “apartment paintings” (his later works that he created right before he died.) When I see art, I try to see the person behind it, as well as appreciating the art itself (the lighting, the expressions, etc.) Goya’s early works are full of joy and optimism; his later works are dark and ghostly. It was interesting to see the transgression of an artist in one physical place, namely at the Prado.
The paella cooking class
After taking a pasta cooking class in Florence on Christmas 2021 and enjoying it so much, we developed a habit of checking out local cooking classes when we go to a new city. We took a fun class in Madrid at a newly opened place called The Cooking Clubhouse. Our paellas came out quite nicely, but the most fun part wasn’t the cooking, but sharing the food with other fellow tourists from all over the world and developing friendship with them. Coming together over food, exchanging stories, and learning about different cultures is undoubtedly fun!
Flamenco Show
We enjoyed a Flamenco show at a famous place called Flamenco Tablo 1911. Flamenco is undoubtedly one of the quintessential highlights of traveling to Spain, and attending a live performance offers an authentic glimpse into the country’s rich cultural heritage.
The show can be a bit intense with loud, powerful tap dances, so don’t bring your sleeping baby to the show!
