The removal of Franco’s remains is one option, but the destruction of the giant cross appears to have been dismissed as has the possibility of evicting the Benedictine monks who inhabit the site. The most likely outcome is the establishment of a museum or interpretation centre which will put the monument in its context and use it as a reminder of the horrors that resulted from the Civil War. But the debate has shown how raw feelings remain in Spain and how problematic the country has found the experience of coming to terms with its traumatic past.
If you’re visiting over Easter, you’ll be treated to the townsfolk’s own enactment of the Passion of Christ, though be aware that the small town becomes packed with visitors at this time. Every year in mid-April, the town holds the Fiesta del AnÃs y del Vino, an orgy of anÃs- and wine-tasting. An older annual tradition takes place on July 25, when the feast of St James is celebrated with a bullfight in the Plaza Mayor, with further corridas in the August fiestas (usually Aug 13–18). There are dozens of fiestas in Madrid, some of which involve the whole city, others just an individual barrio.
March is the driest month in spring with temperatures ranging in the low 40s to 60s. April and May have similar rain amounts to November, so pack your umbrella. Weather in May becomes quite pleasant for enjoying the outdoors with temperatures in the low 70s. You’ll enjoy seeing the city flock to patios and parks as locals appreciate the longer days and warmer temperatures.
If you aren’t familiar with it, flamenco is a Spanish art form consisting of song, dance, and guitar playing. It’s a passionate and powerful art form which in my opinion, is an absolute must-do in Spain, especially if you can experience it in a cave. Built in 1916, San Miguel Market opened as almudena cathedral madrid spain a local food market before growing into Madrid’s first gourmet market. It consists of over twenty stands whose offerings range from the finest Iberian ham to exquisite cheeses from Asturias to the freshest shellfish and seafood from Galicia.
Apart from the obvious non-food related shopping (yeap, Zara is indeed a bit cheaper over there!) there are tons of foodie temptations around. You know how much I love food markets anyhow but the Mercado de San Miguel stole my heart. The building is beautiful, the atmosphere lively and it’s open until late in the evening. The biggest range of stores is along the Gran VÃa and the streets running north out of Puerta del Sol, which is where the department stores – such as El Corte Inglés – have their main branches.
Option 3).
Don’t miss the beautiful wrought-iron work of the Mercado de San Miguel before finishing up with a circuit of the arcaded splendour of the Plaza Mayor. Staff at establishments catering specifically to visitors, such as hotels and tourist attractions, will usually speak English. At shops and restaurants, you may encounter an English-speaking member of staff, but it’s not a given. People tend to be out and about in central areas even well into the night, and many streets are well lit.
If you are coming from Paris or Barcelona, it's an excellent way to travel. Both stations are on the subway network, so it will cost you EUR1.50 to get into the center of town. In this gourmet tapas market visitors can sample the culinary delights of countless vendors specializing in modern variations of traditional Spanish dishes.