10 Best Things to do in Madrid as a TEFL student
Madrid is a city with so much history, culture, and other fun activities, it could take a lifetime to get through them all. People dream of coming to Spain to get a taste of what is at your doorstep when you train to become a TEFL Teacher at TE Madrid.
From Picasso to Goya, from the Palacio Real to the Catedral de Isidro, whether you support Real Madrid or Atletico de Madrid, this exciting historical metropolis is ready to be your captivating new normal.
Perhaps you’re one to discover the quintessential masterpieces of Diego Velasquez or Pablo Picasso, or take a peek at some of the many corners and buildings that marked the Spanish Revolt against Napoleon, or you enjoy some of the simpler things like maybe a café con leche, or a bocadillo de jamon.
Let’s take a look at some of the must-see sights and sounds that you can experience while you’re studying for your TEFL Certification at TEFL Madrid:
1. The Prado
The Prado is probably the first place that comes to mind after placing Museum and Madrid in the same sentence. Marked by the seminal works of famous Spanish artists like El Greco and Francisco Goya, The Prado is home to thousands of paintings that defined the ages, from the Renaissance to the Baroque era. Some of the most famous pieces on display at the Prado are Las Meninas by Diego Velasquez and The Third of May by Francisco Goya and The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymous Bosch.
Location: Metro Estacion del Arte
Cost: 15€
TIP: You can enter The Prado Museum for free Monday to Saturday from 6pm to 8pm, and on Sundays and Holidays from 5pm to 7pm. It’s also free to enter on November 19th and Museum Day (in 2020, it’s May the 18th).
2. The Reina Sofia
Do your artistic tastes fall away from the historical? The second museum in Madrid’s Golden Triangle honors the Spanish art mainly from the 20th Century. The best reason (and often the only reason) is to come and experience the vast array of Modern masterpieces by Picasso and Dali. The Guernica, one of Picasso’s famous paintings, is on display here, and shouldn’t be missed.
Location: Metro Estacion del Arte
Cost: 10€
TIP: Entry is free for individuals on Mondays, and Wednesdays – Saturdays from 7pm – 9pm, and Sundays from 1:30 – 7pm. It’s free all day on April 18th, May 18th, October 12th, and December 6th in 2020.
3. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum of Art
If you’re in the neighborhood, and you have in unquenchable thirst for art after the Prado and the Reina Sofia, head over to the Thyssen and round out your experience on Madrid’s Golden Triangle. Impressionist pieces from famed European Artists like Rembrandt, Monet, Van Dyck and Tintoretto are on display.
Location: Metro Estacion del Arte
Cost: 13€ General, 9€ Students and Senior Citizens
4. Puerta del Sol
It is not only one of the most popular meeting places in Madrid. It is also the very centre of the country. Place a foot just outside the Main Doors of the Casa De Correos (the Post Office Building), and you’ll be at Kilometre Zero. You’ll also catch the El Oso y El Madroño statue (symbolic to Madrid since the Middle Ages) outside the Apple Store.
Come here on New Year’s Eve to commemorate a well-observed Spanish ritual, and don’t forget to bring twelve grapes with you. With every chime, place one in your mouth for good luck.
Location: Metro Sol
5. Plaza Mayor
If Puerta del Sol is Madrid’s modern meeting place, then Plaza Mayor (not even a five minute walk away) is the classical meeting place. Built in the 1600s, it has seen its day from the height of the Spanish Empire, being the host venue for bullfights, executions, and concerts. Order a café con leche, or even a plate of some Spanish jamon and chorizo, and do some of the most necessary people watching from the outdoor patios enveloped by symbolic 17th century buildings. Stroll to the centre to catch a glimpse of the statue of King Philip III, who ruled Spain at the very height of the Spanish Empire.
Location: Metro Sol
6. Mercado San Miguel
A hop, skip and jump away from Plaza Mayor is this picturesque marketplace that was built in 1916. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, familiar with Spanish Tapas, or trying it for the first time, there is no shortage of options here. From Spanish cured meats, to fish, to cheese, to paella, to local wine and beer, and even hamburgers, tacos and fruit juices, there is a tapa here for everyone, a window to Authentic Spanish cuisine.
Location: Calle Mayor
7. Palacio Real
A true centrepiece of the baroque era, this is the largest royal palace in Western Europe. A walk through its elegant hallways will regale you with a look into the lives of the Spanish Royal Family, passed down from one generation to the next. From the collection of paintings by Goya and Velasquez, to the displays of vases, jewelry and cutlery. Another thing that will hold your attention is the Royal Armoury that proudly exhibits Charles V’s weapons that he used in the 16th century.
Cost: 17€
Location: Palacio Neighborhood, Calle de Bailen.
8. Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
You may not be a fan of the club, or even a soccer fan at all. It doesn’t matter. There is barely a soul on the planet who doesn’t know who Real Madrid is, and the iconic venue that they call their home ground. The list of their achievements is ongoing, including the three UEFA Champions League Finals, and eleven European Cups. Taking the tour here will show you the gargantuan panoramas, the dressing rooms, the trophy collection, and even the exclusive presidential box.
Cost: 18€
Location: Metro Santiago Bernabeu
9. Retiro Park
One of Madrid’s most popular meeting places, Retiro Park is full of beautiful gardens, well-lined pathways for those looking to go for a run, the Grand Pond marked by the monument to Alfonso XII. Its vibrant energy is great for those looking to go for a run or go on a picnic. Come in June, and you’ll see endless rows of kiosks selling books of all types (some are even in English) at the Madrid Book Fair.
Cost: Open to the Public
Location: Metro Retiro
10. Calle de Gran Via
Looking to do a bit of shopping while you’re studying at TE Madrid? Gran Via is the place for that! It is the centre of Madrid’s cultural and shopping, a street that doesn’t sleep (not even at night). Come here during the day to shop at bustling stores like H&M, Zara, Adidas, or Primark, as well as many lesser-known, high-end boutique shops. If you’re looking for something a bit more familiar, there’s the twenty-four hour McDonald’s or the Five Guys burger joint. If you’re here at night, you’ll see couples holding hands, going to a musical or a late-night movie at one of Gran Via’s theatres, not to mention the vibrant, pulsating energy of Madrid’s most popular nightclubs.
Location: Metro Callao or Metro Gran Via
Even the very basic of things to see and experience in Madrid opens the door to so many interesting possibilities. When you come to study at TE Madrid, all of these (not to mention a lot more) will be at your doorstep.
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