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Our choices for the Best places to Visit in
Madrid presented below describe the most popular tourist attractions in the
Spanish Capital. Outside of the Old Town, Madrid is much like other modern
cities, so our coverage focuses on the historic heart of Madrid. Although there are many wonderful things to
see in Madrid, the majority of tourists visit the Spanish capital to view
the
outstanding art collections of its world famous museums. Even if you are not
enamored with art, a visit to the famous museums in
Madrid's Golden Triangle (described below) will be well worth your time.
Once you have had your fill of art
(for some this may take several days), you will find that Old Town Madrid is
a
place made for exploring. While wandering, stop for refreshments at
one the many plazas, or take time for some spectacular
shopping. When looking for a snack or a meal, try some tapas at a tasca – a small
restaurant focused on serving these tasty mini-meals (see our description of
"tapas" on the right edge of this page). Madrid is known for its
nightlife, including great restaurant, trendy nightclubs and spirited
singing and dancing. Join in, if you can keep pace with the notorious
late night lifestyle of the Madrileños.
Madrid is located in the center of Spain and sits at an elevation
1900’ above sea level.
The population of the central city is 2.95 million. When combined with the
surrounding suburbs, the population mushrooms to
approximately 5.5 million.
Madrid is a booming metropolis in a country that has experienced significant
economic growth during the last decade. For the traveler, the country’s
economic success brings news both good and bad. On the good side, there are
more hotels, better roadways and improved rail service. The bad news is that
Spain is no longer the travel value that it was a few years ago. Madrid’s
role as the country’s capital and the powerhouse of Spain's economic revolution has
resulted in significant growth, along with increasing pollution and crime, but no more than is found in cities of this
size around the world.
Madrid has been an active settlement since
prehistoric times. The forerunner of the modern city's location was established
by the Moors, who sited a fort in this area in the ninth century. Madrid
gained stature and its hold over Spain in 1561 when Felipe (Philip) II
melded Castile (and its capital Toledo) and Aragón (and its capital
Barcelona) into the precursor of modern Spain by establishing Madrid as the
seat of his government. Although growth occurred in fits and starts, the
modern city of Madrid came into its own during the eighteenth century.
If you have a few extra days, consider visiting Toledo or Segovia. In
addition, try to take a day trip to one or more of the many wonderful royal
castles near Madrid, such as the Palacio Real de Aranjuez in Aranjuez,
approximately 30 miles from Madrid.
We have created a new city
map for Madrid that uses Google maps for the base display. We layer
our recommendations for the Best Places to Visit in Madrid on the display,
which can be viewed on a normal street map, or over a satellite image of
Madrid, or on a Hybrid image that combines the street map and the satellite
image. Remember to zoom in using the controls and you will be able to
see amazing detail on the Hybrid image.
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| Tapas are the
Spanish equivalent of a snack plate and eating tapas is a social
event (they are made for sharing). The servings are small and you should order
two or more plates of tapas per person.
There seem to be as many types of tapas as there are chefs. You will find vegetable, meat, poultry and desert tapas. Some will be fresh, some marinated, others baked
and some fried.
Tapas are thought to have originated
to tide workers over until the main meal, which, in Spain, is often
served late in the evening. Tapas are not regarded as a
substitute for a meal. but as a bridge to the next meal. |
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If you are interested in finding out more about
Spain, its people, history, economy and geography, visit our section
Spain Country Facts
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Spain,
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Without a doubt, the leading attractions in Madrid are its superb art museums,
located in an area that is known as "The Golden Triangle".
In the past, travelers would converge on Madrid for the sheer pleasure of
exploring the dramatic art of the Prado. Now, in addition to the Prado,
Madrid provides the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofia Museum.
The presence of these three art museums has catapulted Madrid in to the
stratosphere of the art world. Each of these museums is a treasure in its
own right and combined they have become a must-see for visitors.
It is unlikely that you could plan a tour of these three art museums that
allowed you to see all the treasures they provide. Instead, we suggest you
do a little homework and focus on the best that each museum has to offer. We
would like to do this planning for you, but we do not know the type of art
that you find attractive. If you do a little pre-planning (we provide
the information you need through the museum links below), you will enjoy your tour and not suffer from “art museum
overload” (you know, the feeling that if you see another painting, you hope
it will be on black velvet and located in a place that serves cool drinks with ice)
Details about each museum, its collection, website and hours of
operation can be found by following the links below to our page describing:
Palacio Real (the Royal Palace of Madrid)
- Although an official Royal Palace, the Palacio Real de Madrid is
used only for ceremonial purposes. The original building on this site
(the Alcázar) was destroyed by fire in 1734 and the "new" palace was
finished by the middle of the same century. The interior rooms of the
Palacio Real are gorgeous and decorated in style that is striking.
- Be sure to see the Throne Room (preserved intact since the
reign of Charles III), the Kings Chamber, and the Porcelain Room.
- In addition, visit The Royal Armory, as its collection of
medieval armor is world renowned.
- The gardens surrounding the Palace, known as the Campo del
Moro (the Moor's field), are beautiful and worthy of a short stroll.
End your visit at the nearby Plaza de Oriente,
so named because it is located to the east of the Palace.
-
For information
on visiting the Royal Palace in Madrid,
from the Patrimonio Nacional see the official website at
http://www.patrimonionacional.es/Home/Palacios-reales/Palacio-real-de-madrid.aspx
The website is in Spanish, so use Google's Translator tool if you
need help. If the link above does not work, try using
http://www.patrimonionacional.es/
and then navigate to the location of the pages of interest.
- From October to March, the Royal Palace is open from Monday
through Saturday from 09:30 to 17:00 and from 0:900 to 14:00 on Sundays
and Holidays.
- Summer hours, from April to September find the Royal Palace open
from 09:00 to 18:00 and from 09:00 to 15:00 on Sundays and holidays.
- The Palace gardens (Campo del Moro) are open Monday through
Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00 and from 09:00 to 18:00 on Sundays and
holidays during October to March. They are open April to
September from 10:00 to 20:00 on Monday through Saturday and from 09:00
to 20:00 on Sundays and some holidays.
Plaza Mayor
- Plaza Mayor, located in the heart of Old Town Madrid, is
the grand square of the city. The buildings around the
Plaza have burned several times, the last time in 1790.
Although known for its architecture and vast expanse, the Plaza
is best known as one of the city's most popular meeting places.
During summer evenings, it is filled with tourists and
Madrileños (Madrid natives), who gather to enjoy the company, dance, eat, sing and
watch performers and merchants showing their wares.
Parque del Buen Retiro (Retiro Park)
- When the art junket starts to get old, head for Retiro Park, just east of the Prado. The
350-acre park, which dates from the 16th century, once
housed a palace and its royal grounds. The buildings
were destroyed during the Peninsular War (early 19th
century) that occurred as part of the hostilities during the
Napoleonic Wars.
Today, the park
is an integral part of the lives of Madrileños. The
grounds are attractive, peppered with many statues and a
large lake where you can rent rowboats. The Crystal Palace
(Palacio di Cristal), one of the exhibition
halls for the Reina Sofia Museum, is located here and deserves a quick look.
- Avoid the park in the later
evening hours as it is a haven for pickpockets and others
you should choose to avoid.
El Rastro
- It's said that all of Madrid shops at the El Rastro
Flea Market and it has become a Sunday tradition. The market opens at 09:00 and closes
in the early afternoon (14:00-14:30). Pickpockets abound, so
be careful with your wallet and belongings (be sure to
wear a money belt).
- El Rastro is located near the Plaza de Cascorro
on the east side of La Latina, an area that is at
the heart of the "Old Town" Madrid and known for
its winding streets and numerous tapas restaurants.
Other Plazas
- Madrid is a city filled with interesting and scenic
plazas. As you cross the city going from the Prado
to the Palacio Real you will have an
opportunity to visit several plazas that might be of
interest to you.
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Plaza de la Cibeles
- Considered by many to be the most pleasing of
Madrid's plazas, it features a well known statue of
the Goddess Cibeles. The plaza sits amidst
many of the city's most noteworthy buildings,
including the ostentatious Spanish Royal Mail
Office.
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Plaza de España
- Another of Madrid's popular squares, the Plaza
de España is located near the Palacio Real and known
for its monument to Cervantes, the author of Don
Quixote.
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Plaza de la Independencia
- The main entrance to Retiro Park also houses the
Puerta de Acalá (the Acalá Gate). The gate
looks dramatic at night and is adorned with several
interesting sculptures.
-
Plaza Santa Ana
- Another of the places to see and be seen in Madrid.
Plaza Santa Ana has a nice selection of restaurants and
bars in a pleasant courtyard-like setting.
-
La Puerta del Sol
- The Puerta (gate) del Sol marks the center of
Spain's highway system and six of the country's major
roads have their mile-marker set for zero at this point.
However, the surrounding area is also known for its
restaurants and nightlife.
-
Plaza de Toros de las Ventas
Although bullfighting is not for everyone, Las
Ventas is one of the largest and most famous bullfighting
rings in the world. In addition, it is a popular tourist
attraction due to its unique architecture. It you take a city tour you
will pass the building and, if interested, you can
arrange to take a tour (the
Tauro Tour
) when the bullfights are not on.
If you are an aficionado, take in the Las Ventas
official website for
its schedule. (The website is in Spanish, so use the
Google translator to help you navigate the website if
you do not speak Spanish.)
-
The Templo de Debod
- The Debod Temple, dating from the second century
BC, is an authentic Egyptian temple
that was donated to Spain by Egypt, as it was in an area
eventually flooded by the Aswam Dam. The structure is
now surrounded by Madrid's striking Parque de la Montaña.
More information on Debod can be found at the
offical site of
Municipal Madrid
If this link does not work, try
http://www.munimadrid.es
and
search for Temple Debod. The website is
available in English, Spanish and French (look for :Idioma"
on the upper right to select your language).
-
Santiago Bernabeu
- Home of the Real Madrid football (soccer), this is a
great place to enjoy a game, if you can find an
available ticket. Accessed by the Santiago
Bernabeu Metro station, the area surrounding the stadium
is quite lively when a game is on.
-
El Escorial
- If you have time for just one day trip or need an
afternoon outside of the city, consider
visiting the Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial,
which can be reached by bus, train, or car. The
Escorial is located approximately 30 miles northwest of Madrid.
- Now a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, the Escorial was the center of power of
the Spanish empire under King Philip II. It is
famous for its monastery and basilica, which contains
the Pantheon of the Kings, where many members of the
Spanish royal family are buried. The
architecture, decorations, art and setting are
spectacular and beautiful.
- For a description of
the El Escorial from the official site of the Patrimonio
Nacional,
http://www.patrimonionacional.es/Home/Palacios-Reales/Real-Sitio-de-San-Lorenzo-del-Escorial.aspx
The website is in Spanish, so use
Google's Translator tool if you need help. If the
link above does not work, try using
http://www.patrimonionacional.es/
and then navigate to the location of the
pages of interest.
If you need information about another travel destination, try
our
Destination Guide Index
or Googling the web.
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