How to spend top weekend in Madrid - ideas on extraordinary attractions and sites

Shopaholics love, foodies adore, and romantics worship Madrid. The reason for that is simple – the magnificent city never ceases to amaze all of them. If you have visited Madrid more than once and are well-aware of the main landmarks of the city, it’s high time to pay attention to the non-standard excursion destinations and secret places of the city.

Not even all locals, let alone travelers, know about the beautiful Principe de Anglona garden in Madrid. The garden is located in the center of the lively district of La Latina that is widely known for its stylish bars and vibrant nightlife. In order to hide from crowds and noise, reach the silent Plaza de la Paja. There is a beautiful old mansion near the square. The garden was founded yet in the 18th century, and today it is, without a doubt, one of the most silent and secluded places in the city.

Is it hard to imagine a vacation in Madrid without tasting various delicacies? If so, don’t forget to visit Botín restaurant. That is not just an ordinary restaurant not much different from many other places to dine. Botin is present in the Guinness World Book of Records as one of the oldest restaurants in the world. It has been serving guests non-stop since 1725. This is the right place to try suckling pig cooked in accordance with old recipes and signature lamb dishes. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The restaurant has an extensive wine list, but if your aim is to sample elite beverages, it is better to head to another place – the old San Blas wine cellar. Originally opened in the 18th century, in recent years, the cellar was extended and so a small cinema and a presentations hall have appeared there. The cellar is open not far from Atocha railway station. If you visit San Blas in the evening, you might be able to see interesting performances and participate in events.

Having left the cellar, continue your walk on picturesque streets of Madrid and don’t be afraid if you notice that pictures on the façade of one historical building start changing. You’re not hallucinating and it’s, perhaps, too early to quit drinking wine. There is a unique building with a digital façade (Digital Façade) near the Atocha station. Every evening, many people come to see the building.

If you’re tired of gastronomic tourism, it’s high time to pay attention to another signature trait of Madrid – mystics. The mysterious atmosphere can be noticed literally everywhere, it’s enough to look at the thrilling plates on some buildings. El Retiro Park remains the most mystical part of Madrid. That’s the location of the only Lucifer Statue in the world. The placement of the statue is very symbolic – exactly 666 meters above the sea level. After a thrilling experience in the old park, head to Plaza de la Cibeles in order to see another famous statue, this time a statue of an ancient goddess. According to locals, the statue is regularly missing some parts of its body, but then these parts appear in their place. The secret of the missing parts has no explanation.

Have you ever dreamt of walking on Madrid streets together with a celebrity? It’s not that hard to make this dream come true. For that purpose, visit the trendy Malasaña district. Without a doubt, that’s the most stylish, colorful, fashionable and glamorous part of Madrid. If there’s a place in the city to spot celebrities, that’s definitely Malasana. Make a walk there and watch artists and street musicians who regularly gather in this area. Visit local shops and don’t be afraid of long queues – quite often, among the modestly waiting people, it’s possible to spot internationally famous designers, actors, and writers. You can finish the day in a very romantic way – view the sunset from a small square located behind the old San Francisco el Grande Church.