If you ask my husband, this is his favorite market in all of Spain. You can find the Tapas of your dreams here! It’s layout is similar to an open air market but indoors, where you can order paella, tapas, sangria and wine/beer in most of the locations. The weekdays in Madrid are fairly low key, so this is a great place to find a more lively scene for dinner. My favorite tapas are the seafood cocktails and the Padron peppers. I also love the squid ink paella which is sold on the outer perimeter of the market.

Teatro Kapital is one of the largest and most fun clubs in the world. Each floor has its own music genre and they are open until 6am, which is pretty late for us Califorians. If you have a large group, I would suggest bottle service but if not, arrive before midnight and try to get onto the guestlist.

The official residence of the Spanish Royal family is Palacio Real de Madrid. The palace is massive and you can explore the grounds if you purchase a ticket for the museum. I don’t typically like walking tours and would rather just read the plaques as I walk through museums myself at my own pace but if you’re a fan of tours I would recommend joining one. If you have a large group, it’s best to arrive early so you miss the crowds and school tours.

This is the home of the Real Madrid soccer team. Even if you're not a fan of soccer, I would recommend visiting and maybe even going to a soccer game. I visited off season but even touring the inside of the stadium was incredible. You can find schedules for both games and open hours for tours here.

Botin Restaurant is the oldest restaurant in the world according to the Guiness Book of World Records. I had the pleasure of going on a date there with my husband over our Honeymoon and the food was fantastic. Apparently they use the exact same recipes as they did hundreds of years ago, but they do have a fairly limited menu. I would recommend ordering the suckling pig, it’s like nothing I’ve ever tried before and I loved it. If you visit on a week day you can usually just walk in like I did, but if you’re visiting in the evening or on a weekend I would make a reservation here.

Plaza Mayor

I wouldn’t consider Madrid one of the most photographic locations but there are a few cute spots to take Spanish style photos. Plaza mayor is a large plaza full of restaurants and performers during the Summer but also a beautiful place to take fun photos.

Mercado San Miguel

I was able to take some unique photos while both in and outside of this Mercado. If you’re a foodie, all of the food displays are perfect for your Insta food blog but if you just want some fun pictures you can pose throughout this market with the array of tapas in the background.

Ceviche

Ceviche is a seafood dish that has been marinated in lemon or lime juice. This is fresh and a healthy snack while youre exploring Madrid. Don't let the lack of an ocean fool you, the seafood is shipped fresh daily and tastes delicious. Mercado San Miguel has some great options and you can't go wrong.

Patatas Bravas

I’ve tried to make these at home and I just can’t replicate these soft fluffy pieces of potato heaven. Patatas Bravas are fried potato cubes covered in a sauce mixed with mayo, ketchup, tomatoes and a few other ingredients. Patatas Bravas are sold at most restaurants, and it pairs perfectly with a glass of cold beer.

Sangria

Sweet, sweet Sangria! If you’re a wine drinker, you’re going to love Sangria from Spain. One of many spots we enjoyed sangria was Taberna Alhambra. The Sangria wasn’t too sweet or too heavy, it was just perfect for a little mid day break.

Tapas- El Tigre

Do you like free food? Me too! If you visit El Tigre, you get a FREE plate of tapas when you order a drink! No catch! The tapas varieties are pretty filling as well, and this is a great spot to visit for a quick group snack and a drink. I wouldn’t say El Tigre offers the best Tapas in Madrid but the drinks are fantastic and who would say no to free food?

Chocolate & Churro

Do NOT leave Madrid without trying churros dipped in chocolate from Chocolateria San Gines. This is a perfect evening snack and probably not like any churros you’ve ever tried. The chocolate is a little thicker than hot chocolate and the churros don’t have sugar and cinnamon so the desert isn’t too sweet. During the Summer, this is a great place to hang out in the evening and during the winter it’s a cozy place to grab a breakfast churro.