Madrid: A city to feel
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On the way to the Prado Museum / Korea Times photo by Jung Min-ho
The artistic, passionate, delectable city will inspire you
By Jung Min-ho
MADRID ― It is hard to describe what makes Madrid magically attractive.
Don’t get me wrong. The beautiful Spanish capital has plenty of attractions that I can write about all day ― from tapas restaurants to art and football. But after my week-long trip in the city, I realized that what I miss most about it is the sunshine, breeze and the scene of people sitting by the fountains at Plaza Puerta del Sol. So perhaps, one can say the biggest charm of Madrid is indescribable.
Other than that, the highlight of my trip was watching the flamenco shows at the Corral de la Moreria, which sums up the Spanish spirit like no other.
The flamenco restaurant was also where I got the most inspirational quote during the trip. When asked what the most important thing is for flamenco dancers, the restaurant manager said, “Feelings are more important than technique.” This philosophy also applies to making the most of your stay in Madrid ― knowing the city matters, but feeling it more so.
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Graffiti murals near the Plaza Mayor, a grand arcaded square in the center of Madrid / Korea Times photo by Jung Min-ho
Walking through the trees and the arts
Madrid has the highest number of trees per resident among cities in Europe, and everyone lives within 15 minutes’ walk of a park.
Thus, travelers, regardless of where they come from, will appreciate the abundance of green on their way to the Prado Museum, which is a great place to start a city tour.
Along the way, they will also see some of the city’s cultural attractions, including a plethora of statues, fountains and street musicians and painters.
Areas like the Barrio de las Letras and Huertas pay tribute to the great writers they have produced, such as Miguel de Cervantes and Francisco de Quevedo, by carving their names on sidewalks. Travelers will also run into breathtaking graffiti murals from time to time.
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A night of flamenco at Corral de la Moreria / Courtesy of Corral de la Moreri
All these elements make Europe’s third most populated city all at once artistic, genteel and welcoming.
The Prado Museum is highly recommended for visitors, museum fans or not. The museum has one of the world’s finest collections of European art, including dazzling display of works by the great European masters such as Velazquez, Goya, Raphael, Rubens and Bosch that will most likely blow your mind.
The Prado Museum, along with the two other world-class museums nearby ― the Reina Sofia National Museum, which also contains some of the world’s most famous paintings, including “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum ― create the magic triangle called “The Art Walk.”
Not enough time for all three? Then, go with the Prado Museum, the most visited tourist attraction not just in Madrid but the entire nation.
In short, Madrid is a great city to walk in, while feeling the beauty of nature and the arts. On most days, you won’t have to worry about the weather in Madrid because it has more cloudless days than almost any other European city.
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A panoramic view of Estadio Santiago Bernabeu / Korea Times photo by Jung Min-ho
The greatest football club of 20th century
Football is one more good reason to visit Madrid.
If you are visiting the city at the right time, you can have the privilege to be part of the so-called “Madridistas” (Real Madrid supporters) at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, the home stadium of one of the most successful football clubs in the world.
Even if you are visiting the city during the offseason, you still can visit the stadium, which is open for self-guided tours year round.
The tours show visitors a lot about the stadium. The tours first take visitors up to the stands for a panoramic view of the stadium; then, at their own pace, travelers can pass through the team’s history room, dressing room, media room and to the pitch, where they can even sit on the players’ benches.
Featuring a great deal of information as well as some of the club’s most important trophies, balls, uniforms and shoes from over the past hundred years, the history room is the most impressive part of the tours.
However, the most exciting part of the tours happens outside the stadium ― at Tatel Madrid.
The stylish restaurant serves delicious traditional Spanish food, including “jamon,” or dry-cured Spanish ham.
The restaurant's high-quality food and wine draw many customers, including some of the world’s finest football players, such as Cristiano Ronaldo who visits the place “about once a week,” according to a restaurant employee.
Tatel Madrid is definitely well worth 20-minute walk south from Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Who knows? You might come across Ronaldo in the restroom.
Spaniards eat late and long
Eating is one of the biggest pleasures in Madrid, which is among the richest culinary capitals of Europe.
However, it is important to remember that lunch and dinner times in Spain differ from those in other parts of the world. Lunch is normally between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., while dinner is usually after 8 p.m.
For those who want a combination of awesome food and an extraordinary show, Platea Madrid, which is a cinema-turned gourmet food hall on the Plaza de Colon, comes highly recommended.
Most restaurants are open at the aforementioned times, but if you are hungry in between, tapas bars, which are open around midday, are a great option.
It is also important to note that many restaurants and bars close on Sundays and Mondays, and some require reservations. This might be a surprise to travelers from cultures where money works anywhere anytime. Well here, it doesn’t. If you want to make sure you have seats at a certain restaurant or a bar for a certain time, you better make a reservation.
Being dazzled by flamenco _ the soul of Spain
Nights in Madrid are full of energy, and one perfect way to experience this energy is to watch flamenco shows.
Corral de la Moreria, established at Calle Moreria 17 in 1956, is considered one of the oldest and best places to do so.
The performance I watched was beyond spectacular. The remarkable combination of dancing, singing and guitar-playing left everyone in the place mesmerized.
Flamenco, which is often referred to as the soul of Spain, consists of a dance accompanied by guitar music and song. Originating from Andalusia, the nation’s southernmost part, it is a unique form of Spanish art and an alluring expression of Spanish culture.
There are many debates about the origin of flamenco, which is still unclear, because it was just passed down from generation to generation without formal documentation until the late 18th century.
Despite its 150 seats, Corral de la Moreria feels so intimate that the audience can hear the sound of the performers’ breathing.
Its interiors, decorated by furniture and 18th- and 19th-century lamps that emit a dim red light create a dreamlike atmosphere. Most impressively, artists perform just in front of a gorgeous painting.
If performed well, flamenco is known to evoke “duende,” a heightened state of emotion, both among the artists and audience, an emotion that lasts well after the show.
The details
The Prado Museum
https://www.museodelprado.es/en
Santiago Bernabeu Tour
https://www.realmadrid.com/en/tickets/bernabeu-tour
Tatel Madrid
Platea Madrid
Corral de la Moreria