Top 10 Must-Do Small Things on Your First Visit to Madrid, Spain

When it comes to Madrid, what comes to your mind first? I would think of Jolin Tsai's 'Madrid Wonders', and my initial understanding of the city also comes from this song. It truly is a city that needs to be savored slowly, not only does it have mouth-watering cuisine but also year-round cultural events, long hours of daylight, and more; however, the main thing to do when you come here is to complete these 10 small tasks! 1. Visit the Bear and the Strawberry Tree statue Although its location might shift occasionally, it's still in Puerta del Sol, with no real impact; yes, Madrid has strawberry trees, but no bears. 2. Experience ice skating at El Retiro Engaging in sports at El Retiro Park is often a challenge, but it's also to help everyone overcome. 3. Climb to the rooftop of the City Hall At the corner of Cibeles, Gran Via, where Calle de Alcalá begins, you can take some really nice life photos, and also take the opportunity to have a drink, enjoying the view while you sip. 4. Take a photo with the Schweppes sign in the background Definitely the first thing to do, take a photo from one of the zebra crossings, it really makes for a good shot (but safety first). 5. Jog along the Madrid Río Jogging in El Retiro Park is also good, but enjoying this small river and the ever-growing animal population is also a pleasure. 6. Jump around in Kapital With a total of 7 floors, each floor has different music, those who like this kind of atmosphere will love it. 7. Visit the Palacio de Cristal The Crystal Palace is made of iron art and glass, a venue for displaying plants, and is quite famous locally. 8. Spend a day in the Malasaña neighborhood It has a Bohemian vibe and is the coolest and most down-to-earth district in Madrid, very suitable for a city walk. 9. Go to the gastronomic paradise Mercado de San Miguel It almost gathers specialties from all over Spain, whether it's Iberian ham, Galician seafood, Mediterranean dishes, Asturian cheese, etc., letting you fully satisfy your taste buds. 10. Watch a flamenco dance What could be more Spanish than twirling skirts, crisp castanets, and fancy guitar playing? You can't help but dance along.