Madrid is for Celebrities

Art, history, museums and cuisine, Madrid has something for everyone. It’s no wonder why Madrid has become a hotspot for uber-famous and uber-not-so-famous alike. Expedia recently ranked Madrid as the #6 hot spot for celebrity vacations, trumped only by destinations which include the ultra-cool French Riviera, Las Vegas Dubai and others. So why did Madrid make this list?

To begin, the comfortable mix of modern and old-world styles in Madrid make it one of the most culture-rich cities in the world. For architectural junkies, Plaza Mayor is a good place to spend the afternoon. The 17th century designs of this massive square make for great sightseeing and photography opportunities. Palacio Real, while not actually used by Royalty, is an impressive building with almost 3,000 rooms, rare artwork and surrounding gardens. To add to the city’s cultural diversity, a seemingly countless number of art museums and other cultural activities contribute to the richness of the city.

Above all else, celebrities are known for their love of the finer things in life including luxury hotels, restaurants and nightlife. Madrid of course, is not lacking in any of these areas. First, Madrid is home to some of the most upscale hotels in all of Europe. Bunk-up in a hotel suite overlooking the city and you’ll soon see why so many fall in love with Madrid. As beautiful as the city is during the day, the night shows the different, equally-breathtaking qualities of the city.

Although Madrid is not particularly well-known for its local cuisine, the city does bring together dining influences from around Spain, Europe and the rest of the world. Every evening around 10 or 11, tourists and locals-alike make their ways to the many different eateries throughout the city. Common types of local cuisine found throughout the city include tapas, cochinillo asado and callos. Although hundreds of miles from any sea, Madrid also boasts one of the largest fish markets in the world. Due to the large international population in the city, cuisine from just about any corner of the globe can be found fairly easily.

When it comes to celebrity sightings, you’re best chance at getting a peak will probably be at the more-expensive and exclusive eateries as celebs tend to gravitate in that direction. When it comes to music and nightlife, there may not be a better place in the World than Madrid. From dimly-lit nightclubs with blaring electronic beats to mellow rooftop bars featuring couches and Sangria, celebrities and nobodies alike always find whatever they are in the mood for. In the areas surrounding Plaza Mejor, you’ll find a great mix of locals and international partiers. The gay district of Chueca boasts a mixture of gay and straight nightlife-lovers partying until the sun comes up. Recent efforts by local city officials have attempted to curb the late night reputation of Madrid but there’s still plenty of fun to be had.

When in Madrid, you won’t have to look very hard to find history, culture, cuisine or fun. Keep your eyes peeled and you may also stumble across a bit of fame eating at the same restaurant, drinking in the same bar or taking pictures of the same of historic site.