Spain's capital city of Madrid is a fantastic destination for a European city break if you're looking for fascinating culture and impressive architecture. Let's take a look at the city's must-see attractions and introduce you to some of the best places to find delicious vegan food.
Top Attractions In Madrid
There's a huge range of museums, galleries, monuments and sights to see in Madrid, making it hard to fit everything into your schedule. If you only have time for three, make it these:
#1. Prado National Museum
Museo Nacional del Prado is one of Spain's most popular tourist attractions. As Spain's national art museum its collection of Spanish art is second to none, but it's also home to one of the world's finest collections of European art.
With literally thousands of paintings and sculptures inside, there's a lot to explore – so plan your itinerary in advance to prioritise the artworks you want to see most.
#2. Royal Palace of Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official Spanish royal family residence, but it is currently only used for formal state ceremonies and is therefore open to the public. With 3,418 rooms across its 135,000 square metre floorspace, it is the largest palace in Europe. It has beautiful gardens to explore and a huge collection of art on display, making it the perfect spot to soak in some Spanish history and culture.
#3. El Retiro Park
Since its opening in 1868, El Retiro Park has served as Madrid's green haven for locals and tourists alike. It covers more than 125 hectares and is home to a huge variety of gardens, sculptures and monuments, including the Reina Sofia Museum.
Be sure to rent a rowing boat on the lake for a truly unforgettable experience.
Top Vegan Restaurants In Madrid
Madrid has a good selection of vegan restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from, so you should be able to find plenty of spots to suit your diet. We wrote about this in more detail in the past, here's a recap: three of the best that you can't afford to miss!
#1. Level Veggie Bistro, Avenida Menéndez Pelayo
This restaurant offers a fine dining experience with a fully vegan menu that includes a range of raw dishes. If you're new to raw cuisine this is the perfect place to try it since it has a reputation for bold, fresh flavours. Be sure to leave room for dessert because there are lots of raw sweets to choose from after your main course.
#2. Bite Me Café, Plaza de la Beata María Ana de Jesús
If you're looking for a sweet treat or a mid-afternoon snack, this vegan bakery is the place to go. It is best known for its range of delicious donuts which includes classic flavours like Cookies n' Cream and the likes of Olive Oil & Rosemary for those who want to try something a little more out of the box.
You'll also find bagels, breakfast sandwiches and vegan grilled cheese if you want something savoury.
#3. Santa y Pura, Calle de Santa Isabel
This informal bar serves vegan alternatives to traditional Spanish tapas. This makes it a great spot to enjoy an authentic tapas experience without worrying that you may be inadvertently ordering dishes that contain animal products. You'll also find a range of burgers and pizzas on their menu if you're looking for a larger meal.
Wrap Up: Make Memories In Vegan Madrid!
Now you know the top spots to visit in Madrid, it's time to pack your bags and make memories in one of Europe's biggest and most popular cities.
What about you, have you been to any vegan restaurants in Madrid? Feel free to share any tips & advice below!
