Madrid is the capital and biggest city of Spain, and the fourth biggest city of Europe. So because it is a big city there’s a lot to do. But what are the best things to do and places to go?
Buildings
Palacio Real Madrid is the royal palace of the king of Spain, Felipe VI. You can also take a tour there through the 3418 beautiful decorated rooms of the royal workplace. The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is the football stadium of Real Madrid. You can visit one of the matches or take a tour and learn everything about the history of the football club. The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is the football stadium of Real Madrid. You can visit one of the matches or take a tour and learn everything about the history of the football club. The Santa María la Real de La Almudena is the Cathedral of the city. It also includes a small museum and is across the Palacio Real. From the cupola you have a beautiful view over the center of the city.
The Faro de Moncloa is a tower of 92 meters high near the triumphal arch Arco de la Victoria and is recently, after a big renovation, visitable. From the observation deck of the Faro tower you have one of the most beautiful vantage points of the city of Madrid.
Templo de Debod is an Egyptian temple dedicated to the god Amon of Nubië and goddess Isis. In 1968 the temple was moved from Egypt to Madrid as a thank you for the effort of Spanish archeologists that protected the temples after the area was floated by the build of a dam in the Nile Valley.
Plaza de Toros de las Ventas is the biggest madrilenian arena for bullfighting with more than 25000 seats. It is seen as the global center for bullfights. You can reserve a tour to get to know more about the history of bullfighting
The 18th century Real Basilica de San Francisco el Grande was built in a neoclassical style. A breathtaking basilica with its 58 meters high cupola, impressive chapels and beautiful frescoes.
Museums
The Prado Museum is an art museum with a collection of paintings from the 14th till 19th century. It is full of the work of El Greco, Velázquez and Goya. There are also paintings of international painters like Rembrandt, Rubens and Caravaggio.
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is the most important museum of today’s and modern art in Spain. With over 4000 paintings and 1400 statues like the famous painting La Guernica of Pablo Picasso.
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza is the third museum of the famous museum-triangle. It originated from the private collection of Baron Hans-Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza. He collected artwork from the 13e till 20e century of the famous masters like Salvador Dalí, Rubens, Picasso, Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Jan Steen, El Greco and Monet. His collection grew to one of the biggest private collections in the world.
The Sorolla museum is located in a stately mansion from 1911. There are more than 250 of the painters’ artworks in the house and all the rooms are still in their original state with original furniture and objects.
Places
The Plaza Mayor is the historic square in the center of Madrid. It has a great history and it now consists of small shops, restaurants, and terracesses and a central place for a lot of events.
Plaza Puerto del Sol is a lively and car-free square in the heart of the capital. The square has a statue El Oso y El Madroño and it is an important meeting place and there is a lot of shopping districts that lead to this square.
Mercado De San Miguel is a covered and culinary market for both locals and tourists. On this market you can get fresh groceries and enjoy the many colors, smells and tastes on this fresh market. Each stand has its own speciality in traditional local products.
Transport
The funicular to Casa de Campo (the Teleférico) of Madrid that takes you to the big park. It is 2,5 kilometers long and takes 10 minutes. It has amazing views on the historical city like the royal palace, the cathedral, the rose garden of Rosaleda and the Manzanares river
You can also rent a bike to cycle your way through the city. It is the most fun way to see the highlights of the capital. Madrid has great cycle paths and you can go from one place to another in no time.
The underground in Madrid is also an excellent way to travel through the city. You never have to wait long because in the rush hours it rides around 2 to 4 minutes and the rest of the day 3 to 6 minutes. The underground ride from Sunday till Thursday from 6:00 to 1:30 and on Fridays and Saturdays from 6:00 to 2:30.
The hop on hop off bus is the ideal way to explore Madrid if you’re there for a short period of time. For 23 euros you can ride in summer time between 9:00 and 22:00 and in the winter between 10:00 and 18:00, you can get in and out where you want and leave every 5 to 25 minutes.
There are also cabs and they are much cheaper than in most places. They are white with a red stripe and on top a sign with “taxi”. You can recognize whether the taxi is available by the burning green light. You can also use Uber.
