Teeming with culture and life, it’s hard to fit the marvels of this gorgeous Spanish city into just a couple of paragraphs. If you want good food, amazing nightlife, and friendly locals make sure you add Madrid to your bucket list! This vibrant destination is also easy to get to with direct international flights from various major airports throughout the US.

Best Times to Visit: The best time to visit Madrid is in the fall (September to November) or spring (March to May), when balmy temps blow through the city, making it come alive. If you don’t mind cooler temperature, winter offers the best pricing for hotels.

Things to do:

Catch a football game. Whether you are a soccer fan or not, catching a soccer game at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is a must in Madrid. The local team, Real Madrid, holds a record breaking 11 European Cups making it one of Europe’s most successful soccer teams! If you don’t want to catch an actual game, the stadium is open to guests for a small admission fee.

Go on a tapas and wine tasting tour. Spain rivals Italy with it’s incredible food and wine selections so make sure to sample the local fare. There are numerous tours that will take you through some of the city’s popular restaurants while learning about the local ingredients.

Explore the Prado. Prado is one of the most famous art museums in the world and an absolute must do while in Madrid. Whether you are into art or not, this beautiful museum is a beautiful way to spend an afternoon.

See the city from above. Strolling the streets is always one of the best ways to explore a city, but another great way is from above! Ride the cable car from the north side of the city to Casa Campo. Fun fact: this is also a great way to miss the cities traffic.

Dance the Flamenco. This authentic style of Spanish dance is native to the southern part of the country. It involves a lot of body movements, hand clapping, and passion – aka an absolute must try while you are in the city. If you aren’t one to bust a move, don’t worry! There are still plenty of shows where you can watch the pros!