Madrid

One of the finest art collections in the world and the best collection of classical art in Madrid. It includes many different collections: the Spanish El Greco, Velázquez, and Goya, the Flemish and Dutch Rubens, van Dyck, and Brueghel, Italian Botticelli, Tintoretto, Titian, Caravaggio, and Veronese and German Albrecht Dürer, Lucas Cranach, and Baldung Grien. Some highlights not to miss at the Prado: The Bosch masterpiece The Garden of Earthly Delights, The famous Velázquez piece Las Meninas, The Black Paintings and The Third of May 1808 by Goya, Adoration of the Shepards by El Greco, and David with the Head of Goliath by Caravaggio. Be sure to walk along Paseo del Prado, a pedestrian walkway full of fountains and trees near the museum. Nice affordable restaurant on the main floor.

Plaza de Cibeles

Houses one of Madrid's emblems, the fountain of Cibeles, and one of the world's most beautiful city halls, the former Palacio de las Comunicaciones.

The Palacio Real Royal Palace is an enormous palace, the biggest one in Europe in its kind, with scorching plains of concrete around it and the Real Armorial Royal Armory, a two-story collection of medieval weapons and armor. Explanations in the armory are in Spanish only, so do not expect to understand much unless your know the Spanish names for all that medieval weaponry. Though it is the official residence of the King of Spain, the royal family does not actually reside here and it is generally used only for state ceremonies. The Royal Palace is considered to be one of the most emblematic and beautiful buildings in Madrid, not only for its location but also for its architecture and the artistic treasures to be found in its rooms. The façades of the palace measure 130 meters long and 33 meters high with 870 windows and 240 balconies opening on to the facades and courtyard. It has a surface area of 100,000 square meters with 44 stairways and more than 30 principal rooms. Also located within the palace is the Pharmacia, which contains hundreds of bottles of early medicines and a reconstructed laboratory.

Puerta del Sol

This plaza is the "heart" of Madrid and one of the busiest places in the city, and a favourite meeting spot for locals. On the north side of the plaza there is a famous statue of an oso bear climbing the madroño tree, which is the symbol of Madrid. Also in Sol, just in front of the Capital building of the community of Madrid, is Kilometer Zero, a plaque showing the point where the measuring of national highways begins. Both the bear statue, and Km. Zero are common meeting spots for friends. The giant neon Tío Pepe sign above the plaza is also a famous fixture of this area. New Year’s celebrations are broadcast from Sol every year with the ringing of the clock bringing in the new year.

Plaza Castilla

Metro: Plaza Castilla

See the Pandas. Pet the Lemurs. Watch the Dolphin show. Enjoy the Bird show.

El Retiro Park

The main park of Madrid, the perfect place to take a rest during a sunny day, or take part in the drum circles around the statue of Alphonso XII on summer evenings. There is a large boating lake where one can hire a rowing boat - great fun for the children! There is a monument to the victims of the Madrid 3/11 terrorist bombings, the Forest of the Absent, and the Crystal Palace, a large structure entirely made of glass. Sunday afternoons in summer are a treat in the park, where young hippies play bongos and dance.

Catedral de la Almudena

This massive cathedral faces the Palacio Real. Finished in the end of 20th century, it is where the Princes of Asturias Felipe and Letizia were married in 2004.

Gran Vía

Literally, "Broadway", Gran Vía is one of the busiest avenues in Madrid, what you could call the main street of Madrid, and the location of the cinema district. The Gran Vía is very similar to Times Square in New York City. Gran Vía has a constant buzz of traffic and life. 3-4am early morning traffic jams are not unusual.

Plaza Mayor

The best known plaza in Madrid, this impressive square is now one of the main stops on any tourist visit. Originally built outside the city walls, this square has played host to bullfights, markets, symphonies, tournaments and executions. The statue of Felipe III sits in the middle across from the beautifully painted Casa de la Panadería, the former headquarters of the bakers guild. One of the access to the square is Arco de Cuchilleros, beautiful stairs down. Near Plaza Mayor, is Mercado San Miguel Saint Michael Market, built in 1913 and full of a wide range of high quality food.

Parque del Capricho

Along the Retiro Park, one of the most beautiful parks in Madrid. Built in 1797-1839, it has a strong Romanticism influence. Declared as an Historic Garden, its lakes with swans and ducks, labyrinths, palaces, squares and fountains makes this a lovely place.

Plaza de España

Contains a sculpture of Cervantes and his famous Don Quixote and Sancho Panza characters.

An Egyptian temple, located in one of Madrid′s most beautiful parks. Near the Royal Palace and Plaza de España, it was a present given by Egypt to Spain for its role in saving the temple of Abu Simbel from the floodwaters of Lake Nasser following the construction of the Aswan Dam in southern Egypt. A great place to watch the sunset.

La Casa de Campo

The park at the rear of the Palacio Real which used to belong to the Royal family. Much of the park has been taken to smaller activity parks such as the Zoo but in general it's peaceful. From Moncloa you can take a teleferico across into the park.

Cultural Centre with free exhibitions and functions. Vertical garden by Patrick Blanc.

Plaza de la Villa

The main Square during Middle Age, as Calle Mayor High Street was the main street as well. It houses the former City Hall, the former Academy of Fine Arts and the Archbishopric. It is well worth it to visit it around.

Royal Theatre: After thirty-two years of planning and construction, a Royal Order on 7 May 1850 declared the immediate termination of the "Orient Theatre" and the building works are finished within five months. The Opera House, located just in front of the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Queen who ordered thstruction of the theatre Opera Theater, Isabel II, was finally inaugurated on 10 October 1850.

This museum houses the stunning collection of Spanish entrepreneur José Lázaro Galdiano 1862-1947 and is considered to be one of the best private collections in Spain. Not only will you find works by Goya, Velázquez, El Greco and others, the museum is also filled with jewelry, furniture, sculpture and ceramics. This is an excellent museum that is usually not crowded and well worth the price of admission.

Highly impressive art collection with paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints. Several Goya masterpieces.

An excellent museum that many tourists miss. Houses thousands of artifacts from the Americas. The exhibit displays objects from many native cultures from before European conquest to colonial times and beyond. Don't miss the Tesoro Treasure de los Químbayas, a collection of gold objects that was given as a gift by the Colombian government. Also of interest is the Tudela Codex, an Aztec law book from the 1500's. Beware: most explanations to the objects on display are in Spanish only.

With five floors, it tells the city's history, since it was founded by the Arabs. There are models of some urban areas.

Real Madrid Museum

showcases all the trophies of one of the most successful football clubs in the world.

This museum is in what was the impressionist painter's house and features fine furniture and porcelain as well as his paintings.

Offers a wide selection of historical and more temporary costumes from the early 1200s to now which shows the aspects of different cultures and Spain. The museum also organizes many activities and events.