Spain as a holiday destination

So you have chosen Spain to be your holiday destination, and the next question is where to go? The country itself is so diverse and vast that choosing which places to visit itself can be stressful. Information overload is what a lot of travellers deal with and I am here to help you demystify your choices. One thing I will say from the outset is that Spain is very affordable in comparison to its European neighbours both in terms of accommodation and food. I know that most people’s first choice would be the Catalan city of Barcelona, however, I urge you to reconsider and make Madrid your alternative big city choice. Great museums, better weather and extraordinary food makes this capital hard to beat. 

Where to stay

I would always say stay in the centre if you have a few days, this would usually mean near the Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real de Madrid) and I found a gem of a hotel which is a four-minute walk to the Palace and its stunning gardens. 

The hotel

Recently awarded 1 Michelin Key, the Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques in the city centre. From the moment you walk in, the experience is impeccable; even serving you a crisp glass of ice cold Spanish cava whilst you check in. Everything in this hotel has been visually planned, it oozes 19th century aristocracy, adorned with art in every corner. The aesthetic seems to obsess over the paintings of Velázquez, so much so that our room was hidden behind a blown up print of his iconic painting, Las Meninas. Their commitment to this artist was interpreted sculpturally in the gardens as well which I thought was truly unique. This is a little on the pricey side but is fully worth the money. Every room has a luxurious bath and shower, heavenly bedding, cosy robes, slippers and a morning and evening turndown service. Tick tick tick. 

But this might not be everyone’s first choice; there is a myriad of beautiful and affordable accommodations like the NH collection with multiple hotels across the city and of course, much to the dismay of Spanish citizens, many Airbnbs. Be warned, using Airbnbs in Spain puts you on the back foot with the local residents. Another thing to look out for every time you book is that the prices rarely include a city tax fee (which can be nominal) but is added on every bill when you check out. I’ve rarely come across this in any other country but it is commonplace across Spain. 

What to eat; standout meals

Jardin de los Duques (The garden of the Dukes)

The Jardin de los Duques, which is the very excellent restaurant in the Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques. This restaurant is located in the stables of the palace and the interiors and the exteriors are so beautiful and tasteful. The menu is a wonderful elevation of Spanish classics, with an almost Michelin level execution. We started with the Gilda (made with mackerel), the tuna tartar and the cod fish croquettes which were everything you hoped they would be, true to the origins of the dish but beautifully presented. I have started what I would call a Gilda infatuation and these did not disappoint. Some standout dishes are the suckling pig, the suckling goat, and the red prawn. What really stood apart for me was their Idiazabal cheesecake, which, even after just being in San Sebastian and eating its iconic cheesecake, was hands down one of my most favourite cheesecakes I have ever eaten in my life. 

Sala De Despiece in Chamberi

One of the most unique and special experiences any foodie can have in Spain. And in an area that not many tourists would find themselves in, this converted butchery still holds on to its roots and this is expressed through its interiors. The entrance looks very industrial, and from the outside it would be hard to understand that this is one of the city’s most iconic restaurants but when you see this menu, it smacks you in the face with its opulence. For the obsessed foodie, the technique used to create dishes on this menu is so advanced, it brought tears to my eyes. This menu is one-of-a-kind. It is on the surface a highly elegant tapas menu; each item is sold by piece or grams, and is worth its weight in gold. The highlight dishes are simply named Artichoke, Rolex and finally Mussels. 

Bibo Dani Garcia

What a venue. The stunning interior is brought to life by 7000 bulbs. And for a photophile like me, I was immediately drawn in by it! The food is based on Andalusian cuisine but it takes inspiration from many parts of the world and is reflected by its travel themed decor. The cocktails are fantastic too, very classic but delivers on flavour. Dishes that stood out were the freshly made guacamole, sliced cured scallops and the roasted cod which was an ode to Andalusia! 

Chocolateria San Gines

Literally one of the most famous chocolaterias in Spain, historic and is over 120 years old. It is Instagram famous, which usually deters me from going to a cafe, but is definitely worth the hype. There are queues to get in which is VERY BORING but when you get in, what a stunning cup of hot chocolate, generously covered is whipped cream served with a side of churros for dipping.

HanSo Café

 This is a little cafe that produces some excellent Asian fusion brunch. I know, fusion can be a very dirty word these days but this team delivers. It is also amazing for gluten-free diets producing some of the most delicious waffles I have had in a while. Their Turkish eggs, simply put, triumphant. The coffee and drinks list is vast and delivered with precision, every gram of coffee is weighed. Unfortunately this is walk-in only, but fully worth going to. Try and grab a seat as soon as you see someone finish their plate!

Mercado de San Miguel

This 100-year-old wholesale market has become a chic food hall, and it is essentially a tourist trap but one well worth the visit. The interiors are beautiful harking back to 19th century interiors but with a modern, lux twist. The thing is this market is a little overpriced much like these kinds of markets across Europe, but they do sell amazing Iberico Ham, Spanish Cheeses and my favourite seafood snack, oysters and champagne. Check out Daniel Sorlut in the Mercato.

Tapas cafes and Tabernas around Plaza de la Armería

Traditional eateries known around the country as ‘Tabernas’ are scattered around every city. The ones in Madrid are great, and also very affordable. There are many options, and they serve cold beer and small plates as well as the famed paellas. A few that I can suggest are El Anciano Rey de los Vinos and La Carmen Cervecería-Tapería. Cafes that serve more mainstream European dishes are Café de Oriente Palacio Real. 

Another thing to look out for, other than for very high end restaurants like the ones listed here, is that every other eatery will charge you a bread fee which usually equates to one Euro per person - its mandatory service charge that is hidden in bread form, so even if you refuse it, you will pay it! And also be warned, in Spain, bartenders free pour alcohol in most establishments and they are a Sri Lankan single (50ml) so be careful not to order a double. Like I said, they are very generous in Spain. 

What to do?

The Gilded Museums of Madrid boasts every kind of period and collective made famous world over. The standout museums for me are Museo Nacional del Prado which houses classical, baroque and renaissance paintings with rovering exhibits and also the Reina Sofia Museum which is more contemporary and takes its roots in multidisciplinary art forms. Both buildings are stunning, even if you aren’t an art lover, exploring their structures is time well spent. 

Walking the streets of Madrid is a pastime of its own and one that I would highly recommend. The impressive sculptures and squares dotted around the city are picturesque and for the shopping, Gran Via is where it is at for all things clothes, bags and shoes. All the best Spanish brands are here including the wonderful El Corte Ingles which is a department store across Spain. In the basement of their Gran Via Centro location they house one of the most gourmet supermarkets I have set foot in. Gorge yourself in olives, hams, cheese, anchovies and basque wines. I walked out having spent a small fortune on food. 

If you are a football fan, why not book a tour of the Real Madrid Stadium; you may not be lucky enough to get to a game in, but why not see the home stadium of one of the best football teams in the world? 

One of the most touristy things to do is to see a Flamenco show, and do not let that deter you from going. There are incredible shows housed in beautiful 19th century buildings and they are truly spectacular. We went to the highly awarded and celebrity frequented Corral De La Moreria which had some of the best flamenco artists and musicians I have seen. If you want to splash out this venue has a Michelin star restaurant but you can also opt in for just simply watching the show instead. They do have a lovely selection of wines and soft drinks to pick from whilst you watch. The artform can be enjoyed by all ages; the singing, the dancing, the music is simply unmissable. 

Madrid is one of the most vibrant and interesting cities to visit, so when in Spain, I think this is one of the places to spend the most amount of time in. It has something for everyone, and in spades.