Where can you sleep?
If you're planning to travel to Madrid, the first thing you need to take into account are the dates you will be staying, and that you will need to find accommodation in advance. Staying in the capital will be an almost impossible quest if you don't do it in advance, and backed up with a very wide offer of quality tourist accommodation, with options such as hotels and hostels to choose from.
But what we really recommend is to stay in the outskirts of the cit, which are close enough to be able to spend the day in the capital and, at the same time, enjoy of the other more calm and comfortable side of Madrid.
We recommend doing tourism in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, and its monastery that you mustn't forget to visit; a true landmark of Madrid's identy. Another must is Alcalá de Henares, the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, and with its characteristic stone-paved streets, and landmark monuments.
Aranjuez and its Palacio Real, the main square and the air of tradition of Chinchón, or the castle and the Pedriza in Manzanares del Real, are some of the options for a perfect trip around the province.
If you would like to know about some other charming destinations, we have a few options for you.
What to do in the area?
If you would like to enjoy exploring the province some more, and discovering each of its hidden spots, we have some ideas for you to do in the city, where you can't miss checking out Gran Vía, one of the busiest spots in Madrid, or Puerta de Alcalá.
For the more romantic ones, we recommend seeing the sun set in Templo de Debod, or enjoy of a boat ride rowing in the waters of El Retiro when its warmer, are great options for a perfect day plan.
Other places where to discover are the three UNESCO world heritage sites that you can find in the province: the Monasterio and Real Sitio de San Lorenzo, in El Escorial; the Universidad de Alcalá, and the Paisaje Cultural de Aranjuez.
Patones de Arriba is one of the villages in the province where you can still find some examples of a traditional black slate architecture known as the Arquitectura Negra, and together with the impressive greenery that surrounds it, make this a visit that we recommend doing, even though it cannot be accessed by car.
Amongst the natural spaces in the province, the mountains in Sierra de Guadarrama, and the Hayedo de Montejo are excellent choices to enjoy being close to nature, just like La Pedriza.
You will see there's always something new to discover here.
What typical foods are recommended?
Who hasn't heard of Madrid's gastronomy? You won't be able to resist the flavours that this region can offer.
Traditionally, the gastronomical tradition in Madrid has always been associated with very filling and caloric recipes, and with vegetable produce. And if there's something that the local people of Madrid are experts at doing, that is adapting the recipes and dishes from the rest of Spain and preparing them Madrid-style: 'a la madrileña'.
One of the most popular dishes of the local gastronomy in Madrid is the 'cocido madrileño', a chunky stew elaborated with local products such as vegetables and beans, and meat such as 'chorizo' and 'morcilla'.
Another classic here in Madrid are the 'calamares a la romana' (batter fried quis , very often served in bars and tabernas, which are then also used to prepare the so famous 'bocadillo de calamares', a whole institution here in the capital of Madrid.
And, of course, we cannot forget to mention 'tortilla de patatas' a classic that is neve missing in every kitchen here in Madrid. Another local delicacy here are pickled and preserved foods, which are a perfect option for a midday evening aperitif, together with a 'caña', or a glass of wine.
Where are the festivities?
You will find a calendar full of dates and special occasions to discover and celebrate the culture here, where the streets are filled with life, gastronomy and tradition.
The regional festivity of the autonomous community is celebrated the 2nd of May, commemorating the uprising of Spain that to the Peninsula Wars of independence from the French dominance in 1808.
The Feria de San Isidro is one of the most popular ones, which has traditionally taken place in the Plaza de las Ventas, where bullfighting events are held. This is one of the occasions most widely celebrated amongst bullfighting lovers. Also, in this special date, the San Isidro meadows become crowded with people dressed in the traditional chulapa and chulapo costumes, dancing the traditional chotis, and eating 'rosquillas de vino' and churros.
If we move away from the capital, you can also find many singular festivities are also celebrated in Alcalá de Henares. Amongst the most important ones are Easter week, which has always been widely celebrated. And another special celebration here is the Octubre Cervantino, considered of Regional Tourist Interest, with many celebrations being held during the month of October, honouring the literary figure of Miguel de Cervantes.
