The Fiesta de San Isidro is Madrid's largest and most popular festival. The 10 day event takes place from the 11-16th May at various locations throughout the city and visitors can expect to be treated to a feast of flamenco music and dance, theatre, culture and typical gastronomy.

San Isidro is the patron saint of peasants and laborers, and also the patron saint of the city of Madrid. According to tradition, on the 15th of May, the city dwellers of Madrid are supposed to don traditional costume and make a pilgrimage to the meadow of San Isidro, paying homage to the saint and drinking the holy water from the fountain in the hermitage’s patio.

The festival is inaugurated with a speech from the mayor in the Plaza Mayor, setting off with the grand parade of giants and cabezudos (the big heads). Locals get dressed up in traditional castizo dress, which dates back to colonial Spain from the 19th century and zarzuelas (traditional musical theatre) are played out to the delight of the crowd.

Gastronomy is high on the agenda at the Fiesta de San Pedro, where visitors can savour typical dishes throughout the celebration. One of the highlights of the 10-day celebration is the Cocido Madrileño. Cocido is a typical steaming stew from Madrid, and the festivities come to a close with a huge cook-a-thon in the streets.

Plaza Mayor is the main event zone, with a huge stage set up and various concerts and theatre taking place. Flamenco and the zarzuelas dominate, but visitors can also enjoy jazz, blues, rock and other musical genres.

The main activity zones are Plaza Mayor, Plaza de las Vistillas, Plaza de las Comendadoras, Plaza de Felipe II, Parque del Retiro and the Centro Cultural de la Villa in the Jardines del Descubrimiento.

If you want to experience an authentic Spanish festival and take in the sights and attractions of the capital city, then we absolutely recommend a trip to the Fiesta de San Isidro in May.

Check out our holiday apartments in Madrid for quality accommodation in the heart of the city, close to all the attractions and the festival’s main locations.

Image credit: Antonio Tajuelo @FlickR