Patatas bravas is a delicious traditional dish from Spain that is made up of potato cubes with a spicy tomato sauce and onions, garlic, chili pepper, and paprika. You will find patatas bravas at bars throughout Spain and this dish is also very popular for a late night snack. Patatas bravas pairs well with a trepat pale red wine from Catalon. Patatas bravas in bars in Spain can be equivalent to wings in a sports bar in America. Patatas Bravas is delicious with olive oil allioli and definitely worth the try when in Spain! Don’t forget to try the amazing patatas bravas at a bar here in Spain.

This dish is also known as croquettes and it is a very popular dish to eat in Madrid. These are a type of tapa, tapas are small portions of food that are often served as appetizers in Spain. Croquetas are deep fried and breaded bite sized pieces that are filled with bechamel sauce. In addition to the bechamel sauce, croquetas can also be filled with cheese, chicken, or ham. Ham is one of the more popular fillings for croquetas. Croquetas are often served in bars and restaurants all over Spain. But, they are also easy to make at home because they only consist of flour, butter, milk, bread crumbs, and ham or other fillings.

Churros con (with) Chocolate stand as one of the most popular ‘sweet treats’ throughout all of Spain. Originating in Madrid, these churros are a combo of a pastry mix, cinnamon, and sugar, normally eaten for breakfast or as a snack. For students interested in culinary arts, the recipe is very easy to follow and would serve your family as a delicious dessert! Though you can find this snack all throughout Madrid and Spain, the best place to obtain one is at the Chocolateria San Gines, located in central Madrid. The restaurant is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They are also known to sell the best hot chocolate in the country, making this a must-see attraction upon visitation. It is said that as Americans drink coffee to wake up, Spaniards grab a cup of hot cocoa from San Gines.

The Plaza Mayor stands as the center of the city of Madrid. The construction of the plaza dates back to Phillip III’s reign and has been rebuilt (due to fires) many times throughout its history. Throughout time, the plaza stood as a marketplace for Spaniards that regulated food prices. The plaza was also used to house events like bullfighting/festivals and executions. It is currently built similar to a mall holding restaurants, gift shops, medallion collectors, etc., making it a very attractive tourist spot for people of all ages. To read more about the Plaza, click here!

From a professor’s stance, the plaza would be a highly prioritized visitation spot in Madrid because of its historical importance. This plaza was the main execution area during the Spanish Inquisition between the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries. It also stands as the place where the Republicans surrendered in the Spanish Civil War. There are many artistic representations of the Plaza Mayor for a variety of different reasons from famous artists like Francisco Goya’s Second and Third of May 1808 and Francisco Rizi’s Auto-da-fe on the Plaza Mayor in Madrid on 30 June 1680. The very first auto-da-fe of the Spanish Inquisition was in 1481 (Kamen, 1981). These paintings display portraits of important events throughout Spain and Madrid’s history.

Professors and Students, welcome to Madrid! This blog intends to give you an insight into things you may see or do during your time in the city! This city’s many different historical and artistic aspects make it worth visiting. There is also a grand variety of fun throughout the city including things like foodstuffs, tourist attractions, and much more that you will learn about by the end of this blog! We feel that Madrid is amongst the most important cities to study abroad in Spain because of the historical perspectives it presents. There are various museums, historical landmarks, and stories that relate to very important moments in not only Spain’s history but the entire world.

If you are interested in learning more about the different activities Madrid brings to the table and places to visit throughout it, please visit our Further Information page! Thank you for finding interest in visiting Madrid and we hope this blog further persuades you to visit!