The Travel Listicle

Tag: europe

  • Madrid Sightseeing: The Best Things to Do, Eat & See

    Madrid Sightseeing: The Best Things to Do, Eat & See

    My Travel Listicle Recommendations

    Things to Do

    • Estadio Santiago Bernabéu – Real Madrid’s home soccer stadium. If you happen to be in Madrid between August and May, try to catch a game! It’s a one-of-a-kind experience, but if there are no games, the stadium also offers tours so you can grab a picture with the Champions League trophy!
    • Retiro – Madrid’s Central Park. Here you can find the Crystal Palace, a free art museum, and plenty of green space. You can also rent row boats for a truly unique and romantic experience.
      • Inside Retiro, check out the Crystal Glass houses for free art exhibits and great pictures.
    • Museo del Prado – If you love art, this museum is a must. It’s the best collection of Spanish art, with works ranging from El Greco to Velázquez. All museums in Spain are required to offer free hours; the Prado has free admission every evening until close, as well as on Sundays.
      • If you are more into modern art, check out the Reina Sofía.
      • The Prado is located on the Paseo del Prado, which is a great place to find local art, souvenirs, and other museums and monuments.
    • Must visit Plazas:
    • Mercado de San Miguel
      • A food market located in the heart of Madrid. Here you can try all of Madrid’s delicacies and get a crisp copa (beer), all under one roof. Great place to get lunch!
    • Templo de Debod
      • An actual Egyptian temple gifted to Spain from Egypt, located in Parque Oeste. During park hours, you can enter the temple for free to learn about Spain and Egypt’s history.
        • Near the Templo, in Parque Oeste, there is a Teleférico that takes you to an overlook with a bar and a small theme park.
    • Palacio de Cibeles
      • Great view of the city from the rooftop!

    Food

    • Restaurante Colosimo – One of the best Tortilla Españolas
    • El Tigre – Fun bar with large tapas portions
    • El Sobrino de Botin – The oldest restaurant in the world according to the Guinness World Record, also mentioned in a Hemingway novel
    • Museo de Jamón – for Jamón Ibérico at a reasonable price. You can find one on every corner, and it’s 100% worth the experience.

    Shopping

    • Casa de Diego – Handmade Spanish fans right in the heart of Plaza Sol

    Continuing on to Spain’s coast? Check out my Valencia Sightseeing guide, or read my Spain Travel Tips for advice on tapas culture, transportation, and free museum hours.

  • Valencia Sightseeing

    Valencia Sightseeing

    My Travel Listicle Recommendations (by Neighborhood)

    Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences)

    • Walk around this area. There are some beautiful sculptures and buildings that are marvels of engineering and architecture. There’s also an elevated walkway with some great views of the reflective pools.
    • Go to the art or science museum. It’s the largest aquarium in Europe. Tickets can be pricey, but if you purchase a tourist card, it comes with discounts.

    El Carmen

    • A neighborhood with many murals and street art, plenty of bars and restaurants as well.
    • Quart Towers – towers from the 1400s that were once part of a series connected by walls that protected the city. If it’s not raining, you can climb to the top for some great views and pictures.

    El Centro

    • The Central Market of Valencia – the biggest market in Valencia. Yes, people buy their groceries here, but you can also grab small plates and try different wines or tapas. Great place to try a ton of different foods for 1–2 euros.
    • The Silk Exchange – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside, you can take a self-guided audio tour of the building and gardens.
    • Tons of plazas, winding roads, little restaurants, and cobblestone-lined streets. Great area to explore.

    Colón

    • Mercado de Colón – market with shops and cafés. A little pricey because it’s a tourist attraction, but still a beautiful visit.

    Beach Area

    • Amazing paella restaurants in this area, and beautiful beaches.
    • Take a catamaran on the Mediterranean and enjoy the Valencian sunsets.

    Exploring more of Spain? Don’t miss my Madrid Sightseeing guide and my Spain Travel Tips for tapas culture, transportation, and more.

  • Spain Travel Tips: How to Live Like a Local

    Spain Travel Tips: How to Live Like a Local

    My Travel Listicle Recommendations

    One of the most wonderful things about Spain is that they truly know how to relax. Everything moves at a leisurely pace. Dinners and lunches might take 2–3 hours, even during work hours. You’ll see the relaxed mindset in every facet of life in Spain.

    Eating

    • Eating at a restaurant in Spain takes time, so if you’re in a rush, it might be best to stop at a café or panadería to grab a quicker bite.
    • At many restaurants during lunchtime (La Comida), they will have a “Menú del Día,” aka the special of the day. The daily special is a 3–4 course meal, often served with wine, for 10–15 euros. It has always been the biggest bang for your buck in terms of food. Often, the Menú del Día will be posted on a chalkboard outside, which makes it easy to see the options.
    • Cafecito is a way of life in Spain. It’s meant to be sipped at a leisurely pace, so it may be hard to find coffee to go. If you want American-style coffee, you’ll have to order an “Americano,” or else they’ll just serve you an espresso.
    • Tipping isn’t required, but you can still tip if you’d like. All hospitality-related jobs are well paid.

    Tapas

    • If you buy a drink at any bar, they’ll give you tapas, a small snack. Tapas can be anything from olives, potato chips, or bread and cheese to something heavier, like a plate of paella. Each bar has its own assortment, and they’ll bring you a new tapa with each drink you order.

    Public Transportation

    • In Spain, the high-speed rail called the AVE (Alta Velocidad España) is operated by a company called RENFE. These trains take about half the time it would take to drive the same distance. It’s also very affordable and easier than flying if you’re planning to travel within the country.
    • The metro and buses are also a great way to get around locally and to get to and from all the airports. The last metro usually runs around midnight to 1 a.m., and it starts back up around 6 a.m.

    Museums

    • Most museums have free hours. Check online before buying tickets. For specific recommendations, see my Madrid and Valencia sightseeing guides.