Luxurious Royal Madrid is one of the centers of European tourism. Millions of foreigners visit the city every year. The Spanish capital began to develop after the ascension to the throne of the Bourbon dynasty in the 16th century. Then magnificent churches and palaces began to be built, monuments to the heroes of the nation were erected.
Walking through the Plaza Mayor and tasting tapas in the central market of San Miguel, you can feel the spirit of Madrid - austere, solemn and at the same time dynamic and forward-looking. The former greatness of the Spanish nation is carefully preserved in the treasures of the Prado Museum, sealed within the walls of the Palacio Real, walled up in the stone pavement of the Plaza del Sol.
A trip to the Spanish capital is a journey into the world of art, fine architecture and breathtaking gastronomy, as well as an immersion in a vibrant and authentic culture.
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Where to go and what to see in Madrid?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Royal Palace
The real Spanish "Versailles", one of the most beautiful royal palaces in Europe, built in the 17th century. On the west side of the complex are the magnificent Campo del Moro gardens. During the reign of dictator Franco, the palace was nationalized, so the royal family no longer lives here, but only arranges official receptions. The rest of the time, the building is open to tourists.
Cibeles Palace and Fountain
One of the main squares of the Spanish capital is Plaza de Cibeles. There is a monumental fountain of the 18th century and a palace built in the early 20th century. Since 2007, the building has been the seat of the mayor of the city. In past centuries, the townspeople took drinking water from the fountain, and the palace building served as the main post office throughout the 20th century. Today, Plaza de Cibeles is a popular destination for tourists and residents of Madrid.
"Gateway to Europe"
Two skyscraper-towers in the Plaza de Castilla, built at an inclination of 15 ° to the surface of the base. The buildings were designed by American architects D. Burge and F. Johnson in 1996. The towers reach 114 meters in height and have 25 floors, private helipads are located on the roofs. This landmark has become a symbol of modern Madrid.
Gran Via
One of the main thoroughfares of the capital, as well as the main "walking street" for local residents. In the evenings, especially on weekends, hundreds of townspeople come here for the famous Spanish "March" - a long walk from bar to bar (there are plenty of these establishments on Gran Vía), during which you can chat, meet friends, drink a glass of wine and join the fun a crowd of other loitering.
Plaza Mayor
The central square of Madrid, from where most of the famous tourist routes start. Plaza Mayor appeared in the 17th century during the reign of Philip III. Since then, important state events have taken place here: executions, bullfights, coronations of Spanish kings, public holidays and the formidable courts of the Inquisition. Nowadays, street artists, entertainers and curious onlookers gather on the square.
Puerta del Sol
The name of the place is translated from Spanish as "gate of the sun". Here is the famous symbol of Madrid - a bear propping up a strawberry tree. In the middle of the square there is a monument to Charles III. Puerta del Sol is always full of people. Here, Christmas lottery sellers get lost in groups of Chinese tourists with huge cameras, and shopaholics run from store to store in search of discounts.
Buen Retiro Park
Green area within the city limits, a favorite walking place for Madrid citizens. There are many picturesque alleys, fountains, buildings of the past centuries in the park. The townspeople come here with whole families on weekends to eat ice cream or take a boat ride on the small lake. Translated from Spanish, the name of the park sounds like “good solitude”.
Casa de Campo park
Extensive parkland, somewhat removed from the central quarters of Madrid. In the past, there were royal hunting grounds here. The park has a large zoo with an aquarium and dolphins, as well as an amusement area with dozens of slides, mazes and other carousels. Also for hungry visitors there is a whole street of restaurants Paseo de Gastronomy.
Prado Museum
An invaluable art collection that surpasses even the Parisian Louvre in value. Outstanding representatives of Spanish painting are exhibited here: Velazquez, Goya, El Greco Murillo. The Prado Museum owns extensive collections of Italian painters and canvases by masters of the Flemish school. The expositions were opened for public visits in 1819.
Reina Sofia Center for the Arts
It is included in the "golden" three of art galleries in the Spanish capital along with the Thyssen-Bornemisza and Prado museums. The exposition was opened in 1992. in the former building of the capital's hospital. The Arts Center was named after the Spanish Queen Sofia. The place is famous for its rich collection of modern art. The most famous painting is "Guernica" by the great Pablo Picasso.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Until 1993, the museum was a private collection of the Thyssen-Bornemisza family, then it was bought by the state. Showcased here are paintings by artists who have been "overlooked" in the Prado and the Reina Sofia Center for the Arts. The works of Italian primitivists, Russian constructivists, Dutch and English painters are exhibited on an ongoing basis. There are also many masterpieces of pop art and geometric abstraction.
Museum of America
Museum dedicated to the discovery of the American continent. There are no analogues in all of Europe. It houses collections showing the history and life of the indigenous population of America before the Spanish conquest. Visitors can look at weapons, household items, clothing, religious items of Indian tribes. Also on display are the weapons of the conquistadors and examples of colonial art.
National Library of Spain
The largest collection of written and printed exhibits in the country: books, maps, prints, brochures, magazines, musical scores, posters. The library appeared during the reign of King Philip II at the beginning of the 18th century. The funds were constantly replenished by providing a copy of each printed work published in the country for storage. Over the three centuries of its existence, the library has accumulated 26 million samples.
Theater Royal
The main opera stage of the capital has existed since the middle of the 19th century. As a result of wars and revolutionary events, the theater repeatedly lost its functions and alternately served as a barracks, then a warehouse, then a building for parliamentary sessions. In 1977, the stage was returned to its original function; in 1997, only operas and other musical works were staged here.
Almudena Cathedral
Madrid's monumental and majestic Cathedral, home to lavish public worship and celebratory Mass. The temple is dedicated to the Virgin Mary of Almudena - the patron saint of the Spanish capital. The foundation stone was laid by King Alfonso XII in 1884. The cathedral was finally completed only by the end of the 20th century. The architecture of the building is a mixture of neoclassicism and baroque elements.
El Escorial Monastery
The abode is about an hour's drive from Madrid at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. The austere fortress served as the residence of the Spanish kings. Construction lasted from 1563 to 1584.Despite the austere and rather simple appearance, the interior of the palace is striking in its splendor and luxury. The ashes of all Spanish monarchs are buried here, starting with Charles V.
Descalsas Reales monastery
A functioning monastery of the 16th century in the city limits of Madrid, located near the Puerta del Sol. The monastery gave shelter to women from noble families who fled under its arches from the hated and imposed grooms of their relatives. Thanks to the rich dowry of failed brides, the monastery quickly became one of the richest in all of Europe. In one of the parts of the monastery there is a painting museum.
Temple Debod
Ancient Egyptian temple, which is about 2000 years old. Originally intended to worship the god Amon, then became the center of the cult of the goddess Isis. The temple was donated to Spain by the Egyptian authorities as a token of gratitude for the salvation of the historical relics that suffered during the construction of the Aswan Dam. The structure was dismantled into stones, transported to Madrid and installed in the Western Park.
Alcala gate
They are located on Independence Square in the center of the capital. The structure is made in neoclassical style, it has three large and two small spans on the sides. The facade is decorated with a sculptural group and an inscription immortalizing the name of Charles III. In the 17th century, a road passed through the gate to Alcalá de Henares. The monument became one of the symbols of the modernization of Madrid during the era of Charles III.
Atocha train station
The main and largest railway station in Spain, from where high-speed travel to all regions of the country, as well as commuter trains, depart. The building has two terminals. The old terminal of the 19th century houses a tropical garden, cafes, shops and entertainment establishments, the new one is used for its intended purpose for the departure and arrival of trains.
Arena Las Ventas
Arena dedicated to the famous Spanish national show - bullfighting. From May to October, bullfights are held here every Sunday; from April to November, you can visit the bullfighting museum. Also, quite often the site is used for concerts and festivals. The building appeared at the beginning of the 20th century to replace the old building located in the city center.
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
Home arena of the popular football club Real Madrid. You can get to the stadium with a guided tour, during which visitors can learn about the history of the team, inspect the Trophy Hall, look into the locker room and sit in the stands. The arena can accommodate up to 80 thousand spectators. On the opening day of the stadium in 1947, Real Madrid played against Portugal's Belenensis and won 3-1.
Flea market El Rastro
A trading area or, more precisely, a flea market where you can buy interesting things - from antique furniture and musical instruments to sweets, rare books, clothes. The market is open on Sundays in the La Latina quarter. It is often visited not only by tourists, but also by locals, as they often sell rare and necessary mechanisms and parts on the market.
San Miguel Market
Gastronomic market near Plaza Mayor. A vibrant metropolitan attraction where tourists flock to taste a variety of Spanish tapas. Here you can taste fresh oysters with a glass of champagne or delicious jamon flavored with herbs and spices. You can endlessly taste the delicacies, as each counter offers something different.
Warner Brothers Amusement Park
City of attractions in the suburbs of Madrid, covering an area of 55 hectares. Here you can have a wonderful rest with children. The park is divided into several zones: Hollywood Boulevard (main alley), the world of superheroes, the city of cartoons, the Wild West, a film studio. Each area is unique and interesting, with exciting performances and fun rides.
