Overview & visitor information
Like any other place, Madrid comes alive on this day. Plaza Mayor becomes the central attraction for shopping and festivities.
Festival
Christmas
Like any other place, Madrid comes alive on this day. Plaza Mayor becomes the central attraction for shopping and festivities.
City guide
More festivals in Madrid
Keep exploring Madrid.
madridLa Candaleria (feast of the candles)
Activity
All over Madrid, parades, feasts and festivities mark this religious anniversary of the day when Jesus was taken to the Temple in Jerusalem by Mary and Joseph. The celebration comes in the form of farmers carrying wooden bulls and bullfighters adorned in colorful garbs entertaining the city by amusing mock bull fights. At the end a wooden bull is killed at town plaza and sangria (a red wine based Spanish drink) is served to all.
madridMadrid en Danza (Madrid Dance Festival)
Activity
April is a month of dance and music in Madrid. Featuring assorted events including the International Dance Festival and the Flamenco Festival, the city livens up with performances par excellence. Participants hail from all over the world and the events showcase fully booked venues.
madridRomeria de la Virgen de Gracia.
Activity
Termed as a religious pilgrimage, it is about carrying the statue of Virgin Mary to a sanctuary place for final resting and mass. Later festivities include traditional dances and offerings.
madridFiesta Nacional de España (National Day)
Activity
This festival celebrated on the 12th commemorates the birth of the Spanish unified nation. The main feature of this festival includes a parade by the military which is attended by the Spanish King. Various notable dignitaries attend the parade and aerobatics show.
madridFestival de Otono, major performing arts festival in Madrid
Activity
The autumn season's biggest cultural show is put up with theatre, dance and musical performances attracting masses. Traditional dances including flamenco and classical are part of the event. Opera performances top the list.
madridReyes (Epiphany or Three King's Day)
Activity
Evening processions brighten the city with celebration. Kids are showered with sweets and later given gifts known to have come from Santa through the three wise men. A religious event by nature, it relates to the advent of the Three Wise Men in Bethlehem who worshiped the Christ child.
madridJueves Santo (Good Thursday) and Viernes Santo (Good Friday)
Activity
A week long religious celebration with processions taken out each night by men dressed in long hooded velvet and silk gowns. Weighty, abundantly adorned sculptures of Virgin Mother are carried with bugles and drum playing with religious songs being sung. Onlookers may take respite by stopping at stalls put up throughout the procession route.
madridSemana Santa (Easter)
Activity
The Easter celebrations in Madrid depict religious passion with many processions enlivening the streets. Statues of Jesus and Mary are taken out from Churches and paraded on the streets.
madridFiestas del 2 de Mayo
Activity
Specific to Madrid, this festival is an amalgam of sports, music, dance and bullfights that go on the entire day and till late night attracting huge crowds. Performers dressed up in green, red and white costumes dance to folk music. Colorful egg shells with confetti inside are thrown at family and friends by kids.
madridFiestas de San Isidro
Activity
Dressed in their national dress, Spaniards perform a pilgrimage to San Isidro's meadows in honor of the patron saint of Madrid. The country side features a picnic ambience with people thronging here with picnic baskets in tow. Food delights include barquillos (rolled wafers), bunuelos (fritters) and rosquillas (doughnuts).
More places in Madrid
Keep exploring Madrid.
madridWhat to do with children in town
Activity
Aquopolis - If you and your children enjoy having some water related fun, then Madrid's two water theme parks are the place to go. Here you will find all the different rides that make water parks so much fun. One of the parks is located in San Fernando de Henares, 15 km (10 miles) from Madrid. The other is in Villanueva de la Canada, a 35 km drive (20 miles) from Madrid.
madridMuseo Arqueologico Nacional
Museum
Another historical feast for the visitors that unfolds pieces from the royal collection belonging to prehistoric times, Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and Mudejar Spain. As of the year 2008, the building is under reconstruction hence only highlights from the collection are being shown.
madridCentro de Arte Reina Sofia
Museum
This museum unfolds the very best in historical art and modern contemporary work. The works on display usually range from the 20th century up to the 1980s. The most famous is Picasso's Guernica, with plenty more on display.
madridThe Center
road
This forms the traditional sphere of the city with plenty of attractions awaiting the visitors. It features churches, historical landmarks, museums and many more. Madrid's majestic spirit is most evident at Plaza Mayor, the town square designed in 1619 by Juan Gomez de Mora. A must visit for travelers; it is a vast expanse with iconic structures and plenty of entertainment at hand. Located in the east of the Plaza Mayor, the semicircular way is famous for its variety of shops and cafes. Known to be one of the busiest places in the city, it often experiences throngs of visitors who come here for a feel of history. The Sol features the Capital building of the community of Madrid. The giant neon Tio Pepe post over the plaza is a famous icon of this site. New Year celebrations usually herald from this point. Gran Via forms the city's main street offering an array of cinemas, department stores, banks and corporations. It winds up at the Plaza de Espana, where bronze figures of Don Quixote and his faithful squire, Sancho Panza, are displayed.
madridGaleria Moriarty
Gallery
Another iconic gallery with a variety of artistic work on display. Ideal for art fans in particular and general visitors alike. It provides a glimpse into today's most modern and contemporary art pieces from the local and international market.
madridMuseo Thyssen-Bornemisza
Gallery
A hot favorite among the art aficionados, this art gallery showcases the works of predominantly European art. With works of big painters and artists including Monet, Sisley, Renoir, Constable and Van Gogh on display, the gallery offers an interesting peak into the many colors of modern and traditional art.
madridEl Rastro Market
Market
This colourful Sunday flea market is a must visit for its variety of items including souvenirs and bargain priced treasures. The ambiance is full of vibrant, local charm and has a lot to offer visitors in terms of eating and shopping. The real flavor of Madrid unfolds here.
madridMuseo del Prado
Gallery
It came under transformation in 1819 from a historical museum to an art gallery that carries acclaimed work of over 7000 varieties. The most interesting collections are the 17th and 18th century Spanish paintings featuring the likes of Velazquez, Goya and Ribera. It unfolds an artistic vision for visitors and is termed as a must-see place.
madridParque del Buen Retiro
Garden
This outdoor retreat is ideal for the young and old who would like to experience and marvel at the beauty of outdoor gardens. With marbled monuments, beautiful landscaped gardens and elegantly designed buildings with plenty of greenery; it has its unique flavor that is unleashed on weekends.
More restaurants in Madrid
Keep exploring Madrid.
madridEl Corral de la Moreria
The oldest Flamenco restaurant, it was inaugurated in 1957. Visitors have a choice of choosing a variety of menus in prices ranging from 43 Euros to 99 Euros, the show included.
madridZalacain Restaurant
Caters to the rich and famous of Madrid; consequently, there is a great emphasis laid on the cutlery and glassware. The food offered is traditional but cooked to extremely high standards.
madridJockey Restaurant
This restaurant has catered to the elite not only of Spain but some of the most important visitors to the Spanish capital for over 40 years. The menu exhibits qualities of both French and Spanish influences. And although you might find the food to be conventional, the extremely efficient service will make you feel pampered.
madridSuntory
This restaurant is for the Japanese food aficionado who is willing to pay the price as well. The interior does its utmost to transport you to Japan, having been done in true Japanese minimalist style. And although it is usually full of large tour groups, it exudes calmness peculiar to the Japanese. Portions are also meagre but the luxurious ambiance is something to experience.
madridHorcher
This restaurant has over the years become a specialist in serving central European dishes to the upper middle class. When there don't forget to try the Roast Pheasant and a variety of Austrian desserts.
madridTse Yang
The most exclusive and luxurious Chinese restaurant in Madrid, it is located in Hotel Villamagna. You will definitely want to try the lacquered duck which is the house specialty. Also ask the waiter to help you out with what to order, as there are items on the menu which are not generally offered by most Chinese restaurants.
madridAl Norte
Located near one of the oldest churches in the city in the colonnade of a bland building you will find this restaurant offering the best in Spanish cuisine. Actually it specializes in Asturian and Galician dishes, so look out for a variety of soups, stews, meats and salads.
madridOam Thong Restaurant
Rated as one of the best Asian restaurants in Madrid, this is the place to go if you are one for authentic Thai food. You will be able to select from an array of no less than 20 authentic curries. Everything here is authentic Thai, and the restaurant lays no aspirations to Europeanize itself. The location in the centre of Madrid is also ideal.
madridDantxari Restaurant
What is a trip to Spain without tasting authentic Basque food. And this is the place to go where you can savor traditional Basque food such as the whole bread ice cream which consists of brown bread and brown sugar accompanied by coffee cream. And when there don't forget to try authentic Basque grilled meats, stews, and delectable fish.
madridAnnapurna
For those who want to have a taste of home while in Madrid, this elegantly decorated Indian restaurant is the place to be. For love birds it offers the best possibility of a night out. You will be able to savor a variety of tandoori dishes accompanied with rice. Also it is one of the few Indian restaurants in Spain.