GOTA

Only the best spots to shop, wine, dine and get hyped up in the Spanish capital - a modern city that honors its historical heritage. Passionate people from Madrid are all about getting together, enjoying life and art in all its forms. Regardless of the season, Madrid abounds in art venues, cultural manifestations and night life. However, a little bit of shopping won’t hurt either. 😉 Highlights: 🐻 El Oso y el Madroño (the Bear and the Strawberry Tree) - the symbol of the city, is a sculpture from the 2nd half of the 20th century, that represents the coat of arms of Madrid and is found on the east side of the Puerta del Sol, between Calle de Alcalá and Carrera de San Jerónimo, in the historical centre of the capital. 🐂 Corrida de toros - Spanish-style bullfighting, involves a physical contest with humans (and other animals) attempting to publicly subdue, immobilize, or kill a bull. The most common bull used is the Spanish Fighting Bull (Toro Bravo), a type of cattle native to the Iberian Peninsula. This style of bullfighting is seen to be both a sport and performance art. In a traditional corrida, three toreros (or matadores) each "fight" against two out of a total of six "fighting" bulls to death. 💃🏻Flamenco - is an art form (incorporating poetry, singing, guitar playing, dance, polyrhythmic hand-clapping and finger snapping) strongly influenced by the Gitanos, but which has its deeper roots in Moorish musical traditions. Flamenco culture originated in Andalusia, but has since become one of the icons of Spanish music and even Spanish culture in general. 🍖Jamón - is a kind of dry-cured ham that’s at the heart of Spanish culture and cuisine. There exist two great traditions of artisanal cured hams in Spain, both of which are a source of enjoyment and great pride among Spaniards: 1. Jamón Serrano - a cured country ham made from conventional pork. 2. Jamón Ibérico - produced from non-acorn fed pigs (Cerdo Ibérico) or acorn-fed variety which results in Jamón Ibérico de Bellota (considered the world's finest ham). 🥨 Churros - is a type of fried dough, made with choux pastry dough piped into hot oil with a piping bag and large closed star tip or similar shape. They can either be thin (and sometimes knotted) or long and thick, where they are known as porras or jeringos in some regions. Normally eaten for breakfast dipped in champurrado, hot chocolate, dulce de leche or café con leche. 🏟️ Football fans should be very excited about Madrid, as it hosts one of the best teams ever - Real Madrid. Visit Real Madrid’s home by taking a tour on their stadium, Santiago Bernabéu.

Madrid has a special place in my heart and I love visiting Madrid every couple of months. I of course have some favorites there, from food to bars, let's dive in.

Madrid may not have Barcelona’s reputation for excellence in design, but its broad sweep of architectural history provides a glorious backdrop to city life, from medieval mansions and royal palaces to the unimagined angles of Spanish contemporary architecture, from the sober brickwork and slate spires of Madrid baroque to the extravagant confections of the belle époque. En fin, Madrid done right never disappoints. This itinerary outlines the best way to spend a few days exploring my city with a range of restaurants and activities to choose from. Everything you need in one place so you can focus on enjoying your trip without the stress. Unlock for access to: Unforgettable Experiences Phenomenal Places to Eat Sweet Treat Stops Coffee Shops to Enjoy Concept Stores and quality Souvenir Shops Each item in this curated collection includes notes that will help you plan avoid unexpected hiccups and enjoy like a local. Check out the guide or use the interactive map to peruse the collection. It’s mobile friendly and easy to use on-the-go. My collection is a living guide. You will receive updates in real-time as I continue to curate this guide, including new places and additional tips without paying more for additional content. Please reach out to me if you have any questions.