I fell in love with Madrid in June this year when I visited for the first time. Geographically and culturally, it is the centre of exciting possibility and unmistakable Spanish tradition. It is an entirely unpretentious city not trying to be like any other European capital, and it's working.
Although the city doesn’t have a skyline littered with iconic buildings and structures there is so much more to the city than its buildings. Having said this, the grandiose architecture of 'Cibeles' and 'Sol' far from disappoint. It's a lively city, with infinite cultural, gastronomic opportunities not to mention the seemingly infinite numbers of 'terrazas' and restaurants packed with locals and tourists alike enjoying a ‘caña’ (a half-pint for us Brits) and some tapas in the open air all year round.
Art, media, tradition and innovation come together in a Spanish melting pot. The 'Reina Sofia' centre for contemporary art and 'El Prado' are established galleries home to some of the country’s best works. Newer institutions like the ‘Matadero’ exhibition centre, previously a slaughterhouse in the outskirts of the city, and 'La Casa Encendida' allow for a new exciting insight into Spain’s cultural discourse. One which has been constantly evolving and coming into its own since the end of the country’s dictatorship in 1975.
'Casa de Campo' with its cable car offering views of the Palacio Royal and the city’s cathedral and the world-famous 'Retiro' Park are noteworthy in providing green space in an otherwise bustling centre. 'El Templo de Debod', an Egyptian structure gifted to the city in Franco’s time, is now a fabulous meeting point for Madrileños to watch the sunset over the city regardless of the season.
European shopping doesn’t get much greater than on Gran Via, Spain’s answer to Oxford Street not to mention the many intersecting avenues of shops and the boutiques of 'Malasaña' and 'Chueca'. Sundays means the ‘barrios’ of 'Embajadores' and 'La Latina' come alive with the 'Rastro' market lining the hillside.
‘Madrid tiene todo’, (‘Madrid has everything’) and I have to say I agree. I love this city.