Madrid, the city that never sleeps.

Wild at night

On my first night in Madrid, the American waitress gave me advice I'd never heard before: "You have to learn to say no." She meant that the food was excellent, but Madrid's culture of dancing, drinking, eating, and late nights was easily intoxicating. It was only when your body started begging you to return to your senses that you panicked: You're in a place where people usually eat dinner at 11 pm and skip their morning coffee before 8 am!

Madrid is truly special; everything here seems to work around the clock. And few places in the world, especially in Europe, can match this city in terms of cultural diversity, historical preservation, and vibrant nightlife.

Like many European cities, the center of Madrid is made up of countless squares and shopping malls. Connecting these majestic buildings are wide, clean boulevards. City maps seem to lose their usefulness as the entire city becomes a pedestrian zone. The subway system, meanwhile, can instantly relieve tired feet, no matter where you are. With its constant subway service, you won't have to wait for a train when traveling to the suburbs.

When visiting Madrid with the elite, the first place they want to stay is either the Westin Palace or The Ritz – both located on Plaza de las Cortes, overlooking the Neptune fountain. The Westin Palace was built by the king in the 1900s to accommodate guests attending his daughter's wedding. Today, this building, modeled after an 18th-century European palace, is considered Madrid's premier hotel.

With its "reasonable" price, Catalonia Hotel Gran Via, a boutique hotel located right in Madrid's most vibrant shopping district, is a great place to stay. The bedrooms are spacious, with modern and airy furnishings that still retain a touch of traditional Spanish style. For budget-conscious travelers, it's easy to find accommodation, as Madrid has more guesthouses than any other city in Europe.

Madrid will definitely disrupt your daily routine. First, you need to understand that dinner in Madrid, like in many parts of Spain, doesn't start earlier than 9 pm. If you manage to find a "hot table" at 8 pm, that's fine, just you'll be the only diner in the restaurant. Since dinner is late, evening cocktails naturally have to be postponed until midnight. Bars are usually less crowded before midnight. And if you want to find nightclubs, never show up before 3 am.

Bustling during the day

When you think of a city without a night, you might imagine life to be quiet and boring during the day as a matter of course. But you'd be wrong. Madrid is just as bustling and vibrant as any city in the world. However, in a city that never sleeps, and as a tourist, you'll naturally face some difficulties if you want to enjoy the city's sights during the day. If you sleep until 8 am, you won't have the chance to visit museums. Only a few of the city's famous tourist attractions are open until 8 or 9 pm. Therefore, the first rule when traveling here is to assess your capacity for nighttime activities if you want to explore the city during the day.

Upon arriving in Madrid, the first place you should visit is the museums. The city boasts 73 museums covering various fields. Among them, the Prado Museum stands out, housing some of the world's most valuable works of art. The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum holds over 800 paintings, sculptures, and tapestries. It is currently hosting an exhibition showcasing the influence of Spanish art through the designs of Balenciaga. The Reina Sofía National Art Center houses contemporary works by renowned artists such as Picasso, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí, and Juan Gris.

Another place well worth a stop is Mayor Square, right in the heart of the city. It's been used for many purposes, from executions to royal weddings. Today, its courtyard has been transformed into cafes for tourists. A few minutes' walk away is the Royal Palace, with over 2,000 rooms built by Spanish kings in the 18th century. The Spanish government allows tourists to visit 50 rooms with unique architecture and original artifacts.

After a busy day of exploring, leisurely strolls around the city will make you fall even more in love with it. Madrid boasts some of the continent's finest and most exquisite cuisine. However, you must adjust your stomach accordingly, as Spanish meal times are quite different from most other countries. To start the day (breakfast seems to be a non-existent concept here), a simple pastry and a cup of coffee might suffice. Lunch is usually between 1 PM and 4 PM, with restaurants busiest around 3 PM. This is the main meal of the day and ensures you have enough energy until night, or even until 9 AM the next morning, as dinner is most likely skipped.

I'm not exaggerating at all because I've had trouble finding a table in restaurants at 11 pm, especially on weekends. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, we were crammed into a table packed with people at 11 pm and had to wait. However, the wait was worth it because Spanish cooking is fantastic. The dishes are full of spices and meticulously prepared. The best must be the garlic shrimp on Puerta del Sol paired with red wine; the French fries with red pepper sauce; and the grilled mushrooms served with smoked meat, fresh parsley, and garlic. In addition, the most typical Spanish dish, tapas, comes in all varieties from ham to various fish, shrimp, and cheeses… it's also very enjoyable.

Picalagartos Rooftop Bar

This is a familiar restaurant for tourists in Madrid, not only because it serves delicious food but also because it's a popular check-in spot where you can admire the panoramic view of the Grand Via - the most vibrant area of ​​Madrid.

If you're looking for something different, visit Sobrino de Botín, located near Mayor Square. It's the world's oldest restaurant according to Guinness World Records, specializing in roasted suckling pig and Segovian lamb. And if you love Mediterranean and Asian food, head to the Bazaar. You're guaranteed to have plenty of delicious food to eat in this city all year round.

The people are one of the things that make this city so interesting. In Madrid, the people are genuinely friendly; even if they aren't as fluent in English as many people in Europe, they still make an effort to chat with you and welcome you to their city. While very proud of their native language, Madridians are often embarrassed, even apologetic, if they can't speak English with you. However, you should be prepared to meet many people from all over the world here, because Madrid's reputation attracts many international visitors for work and tourism.

On weekend evenings throughout the summer, hardly anyone drinks in bars; instead, they all spill out onto the streets. In the bustling markets, people sit around with glasses of wine in hand until 5 a.m. Meanwhile, the Chueca sidewalks are filled with hundreds of people, causing traffic jams. Once you've been to Madrid, I'm sure you can't help but think about returning, even if you haven't left this land yet.

Before saying goodbye to Madrid, don't miss the chance to enjoy authentic Spanish tapas and flamenco.

Additional information

Visa:Spain is a country within the Schengen Area, so you can apply for a Spanish visa or simply possess a Schengen visa to travel to Madrid.

Trip:

- The 5-star airline Qatar Airways has daily flights (one morning, one evening) from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Madrid (Spain). However, Qatar Airways flights from Vietnam to Madrid do not have direct flights; passengers must transit in Doha for approximately 2.5 hours.

- Qatar Airways was named "World's Best Airlines 2019" by Skytrax.

- Doha International Airport is one of the most modern and convenient airports in the world. It is also a popular check-in location for tourists, featuring the giant golden bear statue, Lamp Bear, worth $7 million.

Time:Madrid is a city in southwestern Europe, near the Mediterranean Sea, so the weather in Madrid is warmer than the rest of Europe. The best time to visit Madrid is around April-May or September-October. July and August are the peak hot months in Madrid, but still much more pleasant than the humid heat of Vietnam. Winter in Madrid is very cold, with snow covering many streets, making sightseeing inconvenient.

Means of transportation:After landing at Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD), located approximately 12 km north of the city center, you can travel to the center by metro, taxi, or airport shuttle bus.

Madrid's public transport system is quite clean, safe, and convenient. Metro tickets are also quite cheap and can be used on all public transport. Single tickets cost between 1.50 and 2 EUR, while a 10-trip card costs only 12.2 EUR. However, most attractions in Madrid are relatively close together, so you can easily walk; only distant locations like the Bernabeu stadium require a metro ride.

If you're staying in Madrid for 3-5 days and will be doing a lot of traveling, you might consider buying a Tourist Pass for unlimited travel on public transport. Passes are sold by the day at the following prices: 1-day pass: €8.40; 2-day pass: €14.20; 3-day pass: €18.40; 5-day pass: €26.80; 7-day pass: €35.40.

In addition, you can also experience Madrid Vision buses, which are hop-on hop-off buses. These buses have two main routes: Historic Madrid (running around the city center) and Modern Madrid (passing through the northern and central areas where there are large hotels, office buildings, and bustling shopping malls).

Accommodation:Hostel prices in Madrid aren't too high, around 10-25 EUR per night per bed, while private rooms cost around 45-60 EUR per night. Hotels and hostels here tend to increase prices on weekends or during peak seasons and festivals.

Accommodation around Plaza Santa Ana is a popular choice for many travelers due to its central location, close to attractions, metro lines, and bus routes. The Lavapiés area is a favorite among backpackers because rooms are cheaper than in other areas, but it also has plenty of small shops and street food stalls. If you're not worried about your budget, Barrio Salamanca – an upscale and arguably the safest area in Madrid – would be a good option.

Cuisine:The most famous dishes are tapas – traditional Spanish cuisine – followed by seafood. However, because it's not located on the coast, seafood in Madrid is relatively expensive compared to other foods, but it's transported quickly so it's very fresh. At some restaurants, you get free tapas if you order beer or wine, but not if you order seafood.

Money:Spain uses the Euro (EUR), with 1 EUR worth approximately 28,000 VND.

Some of the attractions include:

- Royal Palace (Palacio Real De Madrid): This is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family and also the largest palace in Western Europe. Admission fee: approximately 10 EUR, free on weekend evenings (from 6-8 pm).

- Plaza Mayor: The main square and considered the heart of Madrid. This vast square is a hub for cultural exchange and a popular tourist attraction, drawing millions of visitors every year.

- Santiago Bernabeu Stadium: For football fans and supporters of the famous Real Madrid club, this is a fantastic place not to be missed when visiting the city. Located near Nuevos Ministerios and the end of Metro line 8 from the airport to the city, this stadium with a capacity of up to 100,000 people is a treasure and a beautiful symbol of Madrid. Ticket price: 20 EUR/tour. Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 7:30 PM, Monday to Saturday; 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM on Sundays and public holidays.

Cost of the trip:Aside from slightly high airfare and accommodation costs, other expenses in Madrid are generally quite reasonable. The total cost for 5 days and 4 nights was approximately 40,200,000 VND.

Bui Anh Tuan