Looking to book your next weekend city break? Look no further – from architectural wonders to shopping promenades and gastronomic delights, the destination of the season is Madrid.
Gran Vía
The best way to explore what Madrid has to offer is undeniably by foot, taking in local sights and hidden treasures among the hustle and bustle of the busy city, and the Gran Via is the perfect place to start. Translated as ‘the Great Way’, this street is the main shopping and tourist hub for the city. Gran Vía started out as the direct connection between Calle de Alcalá with the Plaza de España, a celebrated example of early 20th century revival architecture. Gran Vía contains many notable buildings but one standout would be the Telefónica Building built in 1926, one of Europe’s first sky scrapers.
Palacio Real de Madrid
After strolling down the Gran Vía, it is well worth a visit to the Palacio Real de Madrid, or the Royal Palace of Madrid. It serves as the official residence of the Spanish Royal family and is also used for state ceremonies. Construction of the palace began in 1738 and took 16 years to complete but it wasn’t before 1764 until it became the official residence of King Charles III. The palace has an impressive weekly changing of the guard ceremony throughout the spring to autumn months of the year, but best get there early to snag a spot with a good view!
El Rastro market
Something a little different from the typical tourist attractions of Madrid is the El Rastro market. Held every Sunday, its long history makes El Rastro one of the oldest street markets in the world. Hundreds – and we mean hundreds! – of stalls pull in locals and tourists alike, creating an infectious bustling atmosphere. Huge varieties of new and used products can be bought in the market, ranging from antiques to clothes, and a bargain can often be picked up from the side streets running off the main market. After a hard morning of bartering many decamp to the historic La Latina district to enjoy well-earned drinks and tapas.
Platea Madrid
When it comes to food, Platea Madrid is the go-to place for hundreds of wonderful places to eat. Platea ticks all the boxes for a unique, mouth-watering experience, essentially made up of a large complex of food stalls in the centre of Madrid – a true gastronomic delight for any foodie. The indoor market is host to a Michelin-starred restaurant and includes a stage in the middle of the centre – allowing diners to catch a show and tapas at the same time.
IAG Cargo ships perishables like fresh salmon and meat via its Madrid hub from destinations all over the world and has just opened a new pharmaceutical handling centre, exclusively used to process time- and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical shipments. Last year alone IAG Cargo shipped over 25,000 tons of live saving medicines and vaccines. To learn more about Constant Climate and how to make a booking click here.