Tourist and holiday information for Spain including concerts, gigs & shows.
MadridBest Places to VisitBest things to doMore places to visitA Guide to EventsConcerts, Sports, Shows Well, where do you start, Madrid has more places to visit, more best places to visit, more interesting things to do than, as P.G. Wodehouse famously wrote, than you can shake a stick at. So where do you start to find the best places to visit in Madrid; why not just stroll down to The Plaza Mayor and just absorb the atmosphere, have a coffee, relax, take your time. Madrid is a 24/7 city so pace yourself. Autonomous Region: Madrid
Tourist Office: Paseo de la castellana, esquina calle Goya (pasadizo subterráneo), 28013 Madrid (Madrid)
Tel. +34 915882900 Fax +34 915882900http://www.esmadrid.com/es/portal.do
Best Places to visit in Madrid, Spain
Beautiful places to visit in Madrid AlarcónAlarcón is a beautiful medieval village, set on the rocky surroundings of the River Júcar in Cuenca, about an hour and a half drive from Madrid.
The walled village, its castle, churches and stone-built houses blend in with the surrounding landscape and winding river, providing the visitor with outstanding views and complete peace and quiet.
Once you arrive, park your car in the carpark at the foot of the village, and stroll around the small, narrow village streets, savouring the peace and quiet. It is difficult to find a more peaceful, unspoilt village than Alarcon.
The gorge of the River Júcar provides some outstanding walks. Look out for eagles and other birds of prey nesting in the craggy sides of the gorge. Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real), Madrid
Luxurious, over-the-top rococo palace with over 2,000 opulently gilded rooms.
Architectural building; Historic site; Art museumConvent of the Royal Barefoot Nuns (Monasterios de las Descalzas Reales), Madrid
Historic site; Architectural building; Art museum; Street
Royal Botanic Garden (Real Jardin Botanico), Madrid
Garden
National Archeological Musuem (Museo Arqueologico Nacional), Madrid
Art museum; History museum
Plaza de Espana, Madrid
The Plaza de España is one of Madrid's largest and most popular squares. On a sunny day it is filled with street vendors, tourists and sunbathing locals.
The square is located at the end of the beautiful Gran Via, one of Madrid's busiest streets. The green square is surrounded by streets, but it is still a very relaxing place during daytime. It features a large fountain and famous statue honoring the Spanish writer Cervantes.
Templo de Debod, Madrid
Historic siteSt. Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Museo de la Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando), Madrid
Art museum Alcala Gate
Puerta de Alcalá
In the middle of the busy Plaza de la Independencia stands one of Madrid's best known landmarks: the Puerta de Alcalá or Alcala Gate.
Parque del Retiro
The Parque del Buen Retiro is the most popular park in Madrid. It can get crowded during weekends when many Madrilenian families go for a stroll in the park and street musicians, sidewalk painters, fortune tellers, jugglers and street performers animate the crowd.
Arco de la Victoria
At the plaza de la Moncloa, near the Oeste Park outside the city center stands a large triumphal arch, the Arco de la Victoria or Victory arch.
A Franco Legacy
The Arch looks older than it really is. Dictator Franco had it built in 1956 as a tribute to his Nationalist army who defeated the republicans during the Spanish civil war (1936-1939). The Arco de la Victoria is also known as the Puerta de Moncloa or Moncloa Gate, a name preferred by those who don't want to be reminded of the late dictator.
The 39m/128ft high imposing arch is topped by a statue of a four-horse chariot. Franco used to drive along this route on a regular basis traveling to Madrid's city center from his main residence, the El Pardo Palace.
Templo de Debod
In the Parque de la Montaña, near the center of the city one finds the most surprising monuments of Madrid, the Templo de Debod.
The Temple
This authentic Egyptian temple was built in the fourth century B.C. at the village of Debod, near the sacred temple island of Philae. The Debod Temple was dedicated to the gods Amon and Isis.
Palacio de Santa Cruz
The Palacio de Santa Cruz is one of the best examples of Habsburg architecture in Madrid. The red brick, twin-towered building is located at the Plaza de la Provincia, close to the Plaza Mayor, the heart of Madrid during the Habsburg reign.
Plaza de Colón
In homage to Christopher Columbus (in Spanish - Cristobal Colón) and his voyage to discover the Americas, Madrid has erected two monuments in the Alonso Martinez district in an area that’s become known as Plaza de Colón.
Plaza de Colón was established in 1893 in celebration of the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage to America, celebrated the year before in 1892.
The plaza features two very different artistic works that honor the great explorer, who was commissioned by Spain’s royalty – King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella – to make the trip.
Plaza Mayor, Madrid
Huge plaza packed with cafes, bars and tourists.
The Plaza Mayor, a grand arcaded square in the centre of Madrid is very popular with tourists and locals alike. The symmetrical rectangular square features a uniform architecture, very similar to the contemporary Place des Vosges in Paris.
Retiro Park (Parque del Retiro), Madrid
Peaceful urban park centered around a beautiful lake.
Attraction type: Urban park; Lake; Architectural building; Garden; Park. Between C. Alfonso XII and Avenida de Menendez Pelayo, Madrid, Spain Queen Sofia Arts Center (Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia), Madrid
World famous modern art museum featuring a diverse collection of 20th century Spanish art, from Picasso to Solana.
Art museum; Art gallery Prado Museum (Museo del Prado), Madrid
The Prado has one of the largest art collections in the world, and is best known for its diverse assortment of works by Velasquez, Goya and El Greco. Art museum; Architectural building; Museum El Rastro, Madrid
Tourists and locals alike flock to this open air flea market, where the smart shopper can find some of the best bargains in the city.
Flea/street market Sun's Gate (Puerta del Sol), Madrid
Puerta del Sol
The Plaza Puerta del Sol is the perfect starting point to explore Madrid. This bustling, centrally located square is one of the city's most lively places.
The Center of Madrid
Now the heart of Madrid's historic center, this site used to be on the eastern border of the city. The plaza's name originates from the eastern city gate located here in the 15th century. The gate was probably called after a sun drawn on it, hence the name Puerta del Sol or 'Sun Gate'. The current semi-oval square was created in the 19th century.
Gran Via, Madrid
The one street you shouldn't miss on your trip to Madrid is the Gran Via, a showcase of early 20th century architecture.
The lively street is one of the city's most important shopping areas. It also contains a large number of hotels and large movie theaters. But what makes this street so special it the architectural design of many of the large buildings. While walking through this crowded street make sure you look up once in a while and admire the often lavishly decorated grand 'edificios'.
Sorolla Museum (Museo de Sorollo), Madrid
A small, lesser-known museum with an excellent collection of Spanish post-impressionist and early 20th-century art.
Art museum; Historic home; History museum Medina Mayrit, Madrid
Arabic Spa Medina Mayrit: Calle de Atocha 14 Very close to Plaza Mayor is an absolute gem of peace and tranquility. Medina Mayrit is a fully functioning arabic spa with beautiful baths of hot, cold...
Spa Almudena Cathedral
Catedral de la Almudena
Madrid's cathedral, The Cathedral de la Almudena, took more than 100 years to complete. It was finally consecrated by pope John-Paul II in 1993.
A Cathedral for the Capital
Soon after King Philips II made Madrid the capital of Spain in 1561, he wanted a cathedral for his new capital. Partly due to political turbulences and strong opposition by the powerful archdiocese of the then larger city Toledo, the construction was constantly postponed. Finally in 1868 a congregation devoted to Virgin Almudena, the female patron saint of Madrid, received the permission from the archdiocese in Toledo to construct a new church dedicated to the patron saint.
Plaza de Cibeles
The most beautiful of the many grand squares in Madrid is the Plaza de Cibeles. The heavily trafficed square is surrounded by majestic buildings.
Cibeles Fountain
At its center is the Fuente de la Cibeles. This fountain, named after Cibele (or Ceres), roman goddess of nature, is seen as one of Madrid's most important symbols. The Cibeles fountain depicts the goddess in a chariot pulled by two lions. The fountain was built between 1777 and 1782 by Ventura Rodriguez. Whenever the local football team Real Madrid wins a cup, fans flock around the fountain to celebrate.
Plaza de la Villa
The Plaza de la Villa (Town Square) is a picturesque small square in the heart of Madrid, not far from the much larger Plaza Mayor. In contrary to the latter, the buildings at the Plaza de la Villa all have contrasting styles.
Casa de la Villa
The largest building at the square is the Casa de la Villa or Town Hall (ayuntamiento). Construction started in 1644 by Juan Gómez de Mora, the architect of the Plaza Mayor. Over time a number of architects were in charge of the construction of the Town Hall until it was finished in 1696 by Teodoro Adremans. The building served both as town hall and prison, hence the two symmetrical doors.
Ten Best Place's to visit in Spain