Madrid is hands down a happy city. Also toursits are contagious with that happyness somehow, specially in this part of the year with Christmas liht and beautiful colours everywhere.
In this blog, I´ll give you some tips about best places with Christmas light, so you can take beautiful photos or book one of our private outdoor Photo Sessions. Also I´ll recomend some nice places to stop and have a bite.
BEST CHRISTMAS LIGHT
Surronding Plaza Mayor, you´ll find some interesting points for Christmas light decorations. In Plaza Mayoy itself there is a charming Christmas market and every entrance arc is also decorated.
A few steps away you´ll get to Puerta del Sol, recently rehabilitated with a huge Christmas tree. From there take Arenal street full of stores light and street life.
Walking from Puerta del Sol about 150m throuhg calle de Alcalá, you´ll get to Plaza de Canalejas, and Hotel four Seasons Madrid, with stunning Christmas light in it´s spectacular main facade. The hotel has its own gourmet space free admission, to eat something.
Keep on walking down the street to Cibeles and Town Hall Square. You´ll be surprised with its light and colour setup. Take photos!
Now its time to take Gran Vía, one of my must in Madrid, full of life, ligh, colour and Theater options for the whole family, specially Musicals. let me give you some links to my favorite ones;
Rey León, at teatro Lope de Vega, Tina at teatro Coliseum, or Mama mía at teatro Rialto.
Halfway in Gran Vía, you´ll get to Callao Square, with our main mall “El Corte Inglés” and it´s roof top Gourmet experience, totally worth visiting Nice view from there to Gran Vía, and variety of good food.
Keep on walking down Gran Vía and you´ll get to our beautiful Plaza España, where a huge Christmas light tree, the three kings decorations and a Christmas market are waiting for you. Even an ice rink! for children´s delight.
Now you are only 10 minutes away walking from the most spectacular lihts and sound exhibition in plaza de la Armería between Palacio Real and Catedral de la Almudena. If I were you I wouldnt miss it. espectáculo efímero de bolas
TIPS TO TAKE GOOD PHOTOS BY NIGHT
It´s important to be aware of the use of flash on regular smartphones or cameras. It only works in short distances, but will never reach a whole monument or scene.
In this case, you should low the shutter speed ,use a higher ISO (600-800) or open the diaphragm as much as possible. The use of tripod is necessary for speed lower than 1/30.
If you are using a reflex camera, don´t forget to set the colour temperature into 300-400 kelvin degrees to avoid those yellowish light.
But if you want to just enjoy while visiting all these attractions, let us be the ones who immortalize you in the city. Outdoor photo sessions.
WHERE TO EAT
Here I am giving you some ideas:
Beginning in Plaza mayour, try our widle famous “bocadillo de calamares”. There are like 15 different bars offering this typical bite of Madrid. My favorite: “La ideal”.
From Puerta del Sol, a little bit hidden in calle Tetuán 12 (besides El Corte Inglé mall), you´ll find Casa Labra, one of our classic for “croquetas” and “cod fish”, simply delicious.
As I mentioned above, in Gourmet experience Callao, I would try some “pintxos” at “La Máquina” but they have plenty of kiosks specialized in cuisines of the world.
By the way, it´s crowded on a regular basis, be patient….
In Gran Vía, it´s hard for me to decide wich place is better, you´ll find tapas and pintxos verywhere, and if by chance you prefer a heathier option, try “Faborit” in Plaza España, specialized in salads, sandwiches and fresh juices.
¡Enjoy your night walk in Madrid!
