Street performers are a fantastic source of entertainment in cities around the world and if you’re planning a short break to Madrid you should certainly consider seeking out some of the artists who set up in the city’s squares every day.
There are some incredibly inventive acts in Madrid and there’s nothing better to do for a few hours on a weekend away than sit at a cafe with a cup of coffee and watch all the action unfold. To save you time on your short trip to Madrid, we’ve come up with a list of a few places you can head to for some light entertainment.
Just make sure you book accommodation that’s located centrally so you don’t have far to travel to catch all the action – websites like Hotelopia.com are a good place to look for hotels in the city.
1. Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor is somewhere you’re likely to want to visit anyway during a weekend in Madrid, as it’s the main historical square in the city and is surrounded by beautiful buildings, as well as numerous cafes and restaurants.
The main street performers here are musicians, with violinists wandering among the tables of the pavement cafes performing for those sipping on their coffee, while you’ll find buskers wearing all manner of colourful costumes dotted around the plaza too.
2. Puerta del Sol
Located just a short distance from Plaza Mayor is Puerta del Sol, another bustling square in the centre of the city. There are several important monuments here, such as the old post office building (which is now the offices of the President of Madrid), the statue of the bear and the madrono tree and the Mariblanca, which shows where the fountain by the entrance to the city used to stand.
As you wander around Puerta del Sol, keep an eye open for human statues who do an excellent job of not moving at all – until you least expect it. They will typically wear elaborate costumes and make-up, with some of these buskers also putting themselves in seemingly impossible positions, which only serves to make them more entertaining.
3. El Rastro Flea Market
The El Rastro market happens every Sunday in Madrid and is the largest flea/antiques market in Europe. The stalls spread out from the Plaza de Cascorro, lining many of the surrounding streets with sellers offering everything from artwork and craft items to clothes and jewellery.
In between the vendors, you’ll find a host of buskers hoping to catch your attention, with musicians and human statues among the performers who congregate in the area. You may also come across a flamenco singer or two, which is a must-see during a trip to Madrid.
4. Flamenco Bars
These technically aren’t street performers, as flamenco dancers and singers will usually be found in Madrid’s bars, rather than outdoors. However, this particular form of entertainment is so iconic and intrinsically linked with the city that it would be a shame not to see at least one show during your weekend away staying in a luxurious hotel in Madrid.
For an outstanding flamenco performance, head to Corral de la Moreria, one of the city’s oldest such establishments. The bar has its own musicians and dancers and regularly welcomes guest performers who put on a real show. This is also a great place to grab a bite to eat, with the menu full of traditional Spanish fare, of course.
Madrid is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain and if you are planning to visit this city for the first time view my Madrid travel tips for ideas and advice.
