Madrid is one of Europe’s most amazing cities. The capital of Spain is an exciting and dynamic metropolis with plenty of things to do and lots of places to enjoy. Of course, travelers usually have a limited amount of time when visiting a city. Thus, it might be difficult to choose from the big range of things Madrid has to offer if you come here, maybe staying at Aspasios Atocha Apartments. Luckily enough, we have a solution for you. Here is our short list of top five things Madrid is famous for.

Prado Museum

Museo del Prado

The world-famous Prado Museum ranges of course under the top five of our must-sees in Madrid. The permanent collection features lots of different styles, time periods and artists. Among the painters exhibited in the Prado you can find works by such great masters of European painting as Velázquez, El Greco and Hieronymus Bosch. Even people who are not necessarily big art fans will certainly find plenty of interesting paintings in the Prado. Make also sure to visit the Goya paintings downstairs – they are well worth it!

The Center of All The Roads in Spain

Kilometer 0 in Madrid

Madrid’s Puerta del Sol is probably the city’s most famous spot. Among other things, it is well known for being the place where people gather on December 31 to celebrate the New Year. On top of that, the square is also the point where all of Spain’s six major roads start. While this fact is pretty familiar to Spaniards, most tourists have no idea that the Puerta del Sol is Spain’s symbolic “Kilometer 0.” In the middle of the square you find a small plaque that shows the exact point where Spanish roads begin – don’t miss it!

Calamari Sandwiches

Calamari sandwich

If you’ve ever been to Madrid’s Plaza Mayor, you may have noticed locals tucked into bars, eating a baguette stuffed with deep-fried, battered squid. The area around the city’s grand central square, is one of the best places in Madrid to try this well-known local delicacy. Calamari sandwiches are the must-try snack for anyone who travels to Madrid. You can try them at any of the little bars with queues trailing out the door on weekends. The traditional version is served with mayonnaise. However, lately some bars also offer more elaborate version of this delicious sandwich.

The Oldest Restaurant In The World

Sobrino de Botín

As you probably know, Spain is a great place for foodies. The quality and variety of the contemporary Spanish cuisine places it doubtlessly among the world’s best food scenes. In this sense, Madrid is no exception. One of most interesting experiences you can have here is eating at the world’s supposedly oldest still existing restaurant—there’s even a Guinness World Record certificate to prove it. The place is called Sobrino de Botín and was founded in 1725. In this old tavern-style restaurant you will be able to try the incredible suckling pig and the delicious roasted lamb. Get ready for the ultimate taste experience!

The Biggest Zara In The World

Zara on Paseo de la Castellana

For many people, traveling is incomplete without shopping. Recently, Spanish clothes brands have been taking over the world. Zara, owned by Spanish fashion company Inditex, is probably the most famous one. In Madrid you can find the biggest Zara store in the world at 79 Paseo de la Castellana. The 6,000-square meter (65,000-square foot) space houses womenswear, menswear, clothes for children and accessories. And if you still don’t have enough, you can go for some of Madrid’s amazing small boutiques on the Gran Via and the Calle de Fuencarral.