What to see in Madrid

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Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real)

The Palacio Real of Spain, an opulent jewel-box, is now used for only a few royal ceremonies. The royal family moved out of the palace and into the more modest Palacio de la Zarzuela many years ago. In 1734, the alcázar (Muslim fortress) was...
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Plaza Mayor

The world-renowned Plaza Mayor of Madrid is a sight to behold. This grand and expansive square situated in the heart of the city is a truly magical place, boasting awe-inspiring architecture, a rich historical past and a lively atmosphere. It is...
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Parque del Buen Retiro

El Retiro, Madrid's iconic park, was historically the exclusive reserve of Spanish royalty until the late 19th century when it was opened to the public. Now, this sprawling 292-acre (118-hectare) green space offers visitors ornate fountains,...
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Museo Nacional del Prado

The Museo del Prado is one of the world's most renowned art galleries, home to over 7,000 paintings of which only 1,500 are currently on display. Through these works one can explore Spain's past, from grand and majestic portraits of Spanish...
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Gateway of the Sun (Puerta del Sol)

The bustling Puerta del Sol in Madrid serves as the official center of Spain. Home to elegant facades, it is a major crossroads where locals and visitors alike are constantly coming and going, whether by foot, metro, or bus. It is hard to imagine...
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Templo de Debod

The Temple of Debod, a relic from the 2nd century BCE, was gifted to Spain from the Egyptian government in appreciation for their assistance in saving the Abu Simbel temples. Located in Madrid's Cuartel de la Montaña Park near Plaza España,...
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Congreso de los Diputados

At the time of its revamp in 1850, Spain's lower house of parliament was given a neoclassical facade, complete with two lions standing guard at the entrance. These imposing statues had been smelted from cannons used in the country's African wars...
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Plaza de la Paja

At the back of Iglesia de San Andrés lies the picturesque Plaza de la Paja, which slopes down into the old labyrinth of lanes that comprised Madrid's Muslim quarter in the 12th and 13th centuries. The city's main marketplace once stood in the...
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La Fuente de Cibeles

A fountain for Mother Earth

La Fuente de Cibeles is a fountain depicting Cybele - the Phrygian deification of the Earth Mother - in her chariot drawn by lions. The fountain stands majestic in the heart of the Plaza de Cibeles, and it is...
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Calle del Marqués de Viana

Famous street housing urban art

Calle del Marqués de Viana is a famous street in Madrid that is home to some of the city's best street art. It can be reached by getting off at the Tetuan metro station.

Calle del Marqués de Viana is...
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San Andrés, Capilla del Obispo & Capilla de San Isidro

The Capilla del Obispo is a significant landmark on Madrid's historical landscape, as it is the site where the body of San Isidro Labrador, Madrid's patron saint, was first interred. Discovered there in the late 13th century, two centuries after...
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Claustro de San Jerónimo el Real

Site of coronations and weddings throughout history

Claustro de San Jerónimo el Real is also known as Los Jerónimos. The church is a place where once kings and queens sought refuge, Spanish parliaments were sworn in, and where Alfonso...
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Biblioteca UNED

A library with a view

Biblioteca UNED used to be a church and is now a library, located on the university campus grounds. The beautiful building is open for the public and there's a nice student canteen.

Biblioteca UNED is a serene...
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Tabacalera

Urban art project in Madrid

Tabacalera is an urban art space in Madrid. It takes place on the outer perimeter of the Tabacalera building courtyard. It can be reached by taking the metro to the Embajadores stop.

Tabacalera attracts...
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Malasana

For tapas and people-watching

Relaxed and friendly, but still with a classy flair, the Malasana neighborhood is home to some of the most distinguished shopping, cultural, socializing and eating venues in Madrid.

The action...
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La Neomudejar de Atocha

Modern art museum

La Neomudejar de Atocha is a project that combines Arts Center Vanguard and International Art Residency with special emphasis on internationalization and giving visibility to emerging artists. There will also be a space...
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Almudena Cathedral

Despite its shortcomings, Madrid's Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Almudena is still an important cultural icon for the city. Situated near the Palacio Real, the cathedral is a testament to the religious history of Madrid. Although its interior...
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Thyssen

A spellbinding treasure house of art

If you think the Prado has all the world's masterpieces, think again. Since 1992 the spectacular collection of Baron Thyssen-Bornemisza has hung on the Thyssen museum's pink walls.

The...
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Jardín del Príncipe de Anglona

Located at the northern end of the Plaza de la Paja is the tranquil Jardín del Príncipe Anglona, an 18th-century walled garden. Here, visitors can take a peaceful break from the bustle of the city.
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Parque de la Quinta de la Fuente del Berro

Romantic garden

Parque de la Quinta de la Fuente del Berro is located on the grounds of the Quinta de Miraflores, commissioned by Philip IV as his new royal site. It's a romantic site, with winding paths, meadows, pond, river, waterfall...
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Olivar de Castillejo

Olive grove at the heart of the city

Did you know that in the heart of Madrid, within a short distance from Castellana, you'll find a true oasis of peace and tranquility: Olivar de Castillejo? Its history can be traced back to 1917, when...
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Callejón de Jorge Juan

Madrid's fashion alley

Callejón de Jorge Juan is a residential area, well known for its excellent shopping opportunities, small art galleries, and restaurants. The street combines the elegance of an exclusive neighborhood, with the...
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Palacio de Cristal

Nestled among the trees south of Parque del Buen Retiro's lake is the Palacio de Cristal, a magnificent metal and glass structure built in 1887. The most beautiful architectural monument of El Retiro, it's host to art and photo exhibitions from...
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Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

A Spanish temple to football

If ever there were an iconic football venue, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium should be in contention. Inaugurated back in 1947, the stadium is owned by Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. With a capacity of over 81,000, the...
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Torres KIO (Puerta de Europa)

Twin office buildings

The twin towers known as Torres KIO (Puerta de Europa) or the Gates if Europe, were were designed by the American architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee and built between 1989 - 1996.

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Plaza de Espana

When we last visited this central Madrid square, it was undergoing a major renovation. It is likely that the 1927 statue of Cervantes, as well as a bronze statue of his beloved characters Don Quijote and Sancho Panza, will find a home here. On...
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Plaza Monumental de Toros de Las Ventas

Located east of central Madrid, the Plaza de Toros Las Ventas was built as a home for the controversial sport of bullfighting, and is hailed as Spain's "Bullfighting Cathedral". With a capacity to seat over 23,000 people, it is the largest...
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La Latina

A tapas lover's haven

No other place in Madrid can beat La Latina when it comes to tapas. The picturesque neighborhood in the center of Madrid is home to a great variety of tapas bars dotted along its liveliest streets – Cava Baja and...
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Plaza de Oriente

The stunning Plaza Mayor of central Madrid is a sight to behold. With a royal palace that rivals the grandeur of Versailles, upscale cafes frequented by the wealthy, and the Teatro Real, the renowned Spanish opera house, it is no wonder it is one...
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Museo Arqueológico Nacional

The majestic National Archaeology Museum houses a wide variety of artifacts in its imposing facade. Inside, its bold renovations range across Spain's long and rich history, with remarkable mosaics from Roman villas all over the country, intricate...
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Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid

Madrid's botanical gardens offer a tranquil escape for visitors amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. Though these gardens are not as large or well-known as the Parque del Buen Retiro, they still boast 30,000 species packed into 8 hectares,...
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Casa de Campo

Often referred to as the "lungs of Madrid", the 17-square-kilometer Casa de Campo park is a large expanse of greenery located west of the Río Manzanares. Although Madrid has more centrally located and appealing parks, Casa de Campo holds plenty...
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Puerta de Alcalá

This grand, imposing gate known as Puerta de Alcalá (named after the road that passed beneath it leading to Alcalá de Henares) served as the primary entrance to Madrid in the past, with the city walls enclosing it. Officials used to regulate...
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Jardines de Sabatini

The Jardines de Sabatini, which feature a formal French-style design, are situated to the north of the lavish Palacio Real gardens.
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Rio Manzanares

A nature gem in Madrid

On the banks of Rio Manzanares there is a 10 km park, featuring numerous places of interest, including historic landmarks, green spaces, playgrounds and leisure areas for the entire family, multi game courts and...
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Reina Sofía

The third star on the Paseo del Arte

The Reina Sofía is the third jewel in Madrid's artistic crown and the first wow factor is the building itself. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, its soaring metallic roof and bold glass and...
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Plaza de Santa Ana

Plaza de Santa Ana is an enchanting blend of sophisticated architecture and vibrant energy. This hub of the Barrio de las Letras reflects its literary spirit with statues of 17th-century writer Calderón de la Barca and Federíco García Lorca, and...
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Zoo Aquarium de la Casa de Campo

Madrid's zoo in Casa de Campo is a typical European city zoo, housing around 3000 animals. Visitors can expect to see white Siberian tigers, mambas, Atlas lions, zebras, giraffes, rhinoceroses, flamingos, koalas and pandas. The 3000-square-meter...
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Museo Sorolla

Joaquín Sorolla, a Valencian artist, captured the brilliance of the Mediterranean light of the Valencian coast in his art. He designed a tranquil mansion in Madrid, which was surrounded by beautiful gardens, based on the scenic views of...
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Museo Lázaro Galdiano

Don José Lázaro Galdiano, a successful businessman and avid art collector, built this grand, early-20th-century Italianate mansion set away from the street. Upon his death in 1947, he bequeathed it to the city, along with his collection of 13,000...