Still looking for the perfect location to catch some winter sun? Why not check out beautiful Madrid?
9 First hand tips for Madrid in Winter for fashionistas and women who travel:
1. Glutenfree Christmas cookies
Cake, cookies, muffins, waffles… having to eat glutenfree is even more difficult in winter with all its comfort foods. When in Madrid, you are spoilt for choice. Celicioso offers glutenfree treats that make more than happy, whether you HAVE TO eat glutenfree or not.
2. Feasting at the Mercado de San Miguel
Feasting to your heart’s content… local ham, delicious tapas and even the famous Portuguese Pasteis de Belem with a glass of matching port. A culinary round-trip in comfy, alas crowded atmosphere – sheltered under one roof at the San Miguel market.
3. A view of the Royal Palace of Madrid
Have a spectacular view of the Palacio Real from the Templo de Debod without all the crowds – now that’s something you only get in winter.
4. Art for free at the Prado and Reina Sofia Museum
Bosch, Tizian, El Greco, Goya – every evening from 6pm and on Sundays from 5 pm for free at the Prado. Even if it seems to be a long queue – don’t fret, you’ll be queueing for 20 minutes tops. Admiring Picasso’s Guernica: for free and in winter still without queueing for ages is possible for example on Sundays from 10 to 2.30 pm.
5. Christmas Shopping in Madrid in Winter
Jewelry from Italy, perfumes from France, FlipFlops from Brasil and of course a whole range of gorgeous Spanish labels like Zara, Mango, Sfera as well as Desigual and Stradivarius plus Massimo Dutti, Aldofo Dominguez and Hoss Intropia. And don’t forget the shoes: Camper, Chie Mihara, to name but a few… Madrid is great for shopping, too!
Where else in Europe can you buy golden Havaianas in winter?
Absolute Must: Le Marché aux Puces (C/ San Fernando VI, 2 Madrid Tel: 91 319 80 19, Bild oben links in der Collage) with a small but exquisite collection for women, too.
6. Winter sun in the church windows
The cathedral Almudena, dedicated to Maria of the Almudena (from the arab. al-mudayna ‚citadelle‘; the city patron saint of Madrid), was only completed in 1993. Inside the low standing winter sunlight gorgeously alights a plethora of church windows, in modern interpretations of the icon painter Kiko Argüello (on the occasion of the wedding of the Spanish royal couple Felipe und Letitia).
7. Ham, ham, ham
Nowhere as good and nowhere as good value as here: Pata Negra ham from black iberico pigs (pata negra).
8. Paella
Yes, Spanish food is often greasy. But don’t let this keep you from having at least one paella a day. Makes happy and full.
9. Pre-Christmas mood in Madrid
Days in T-shirts, cold nights with Christmas lighting in the alleys. Cava instead of mulled wine. You see: there is a way of being in a (pre-) Christmas mood without snow and icy rain. Is there a better way of easing into the holiday season when it’s 17 degrees Celsius outside?
You would like to have it even warmer? Why not try Tunis in winter?
