The art mile
There is hardly any other place where you can find so much world-class art so close together as on Madrid’s Paseo del Arte. Three renowned museums are located here in just one kilometer: Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Reina Sofía (the „Paseo del Arte“ ticket is valid for all three).
The San Miguel market
Opened in 1916 as a market hall, the century-old building was converted into Madrid’s first culinary market in 2009.
The former market hall Mercado de San Miguel in the center of the Madrid de los Austrias district, which receives over 10 million visitors a year, is the city’s culinary temple, the modern quintessence of all the components of Spanish cuisine. Everything from Iberian ham to fresh seafood arriving daily from Galicia, Mediterranean rice dishes, and special cheeses from Castile, Asturias, and the Basque Country are available. First-class products and wines from all corners of Spain are sold at over 30 stands. The ideal place to pick up some delicacies to take home.
A morning on the Rastro
If you’re a Madrid connoisseur, you can’t avoid a Sunday morning at the Rastro, Madrid’s most popular and traditional street market. There is certainly not enough time for everything, but you can get a taste of the typical flair by strolling through the streets between the Plaza de Cascorro and Calle de Embajadores, along the Ribera de Curtidores and the surrounding alleyways and squares with their wide range of curious, inviting, and fascinating stores.
Fuente de Cibeles
Built in 1782, the Fuente de Cibeles fountain is one of Madrid’s landmarks. The fountain is located in the middle of the square named after it at the intersection of Calle de Alcalá and Paseo del Prado.
The two lions harnessed to a chariot are the work of French artist Robert Michel and represent the mythological figures Hippomenes and Atalanta. The sculpture of the goddess is the work of Francisco Gutiérrez; the two lions are by the French artist Robert Michel. The fountain was not only an artistic monument but was also useful to the people of Madrid from the very beginning. It had two water pipes that were in operation until 1862. One was used to supply the official water carriers who supplied the houses with water, while the other was used by the general public. The basin was used as a horse trough.
Gran Via
The century-old Gran Vía is one of the most symbolic streets in Madrid. Its construction lasted from 1910 to 1931 and heralded the modernization of the city. Spain’s first skyscrapers were strongly inspired by the architectural style of large American cities. The result is some magnificent building complexes, such as the Metrópolis, the Telefónica building, the Casino, the Capitol, and the Callao Cinema.
Puerta del Sol
The centrally located, lively Plaza de la Puerta del Sol is one of Madrid’s landmarks. Several historic and busy streets come together in this semi-circular square: Mayor, Arenal, Alcalá, and Preciados. As a measure to improve the air quality in Madrid, on August 20, 2020, the entire Puerta del Sol was freed from car traffic and declared a pedestrian zone.
Puerta del Sol is home to some of the city’s most representative symbols: the famous clock at the Casa de Correos (post office), which rings in the New Year with twelve chimes every New Year’s Eve. Large crowds gather at its feet to eat the traditional twelve grapes. The entire event is broadcast on television and watched by millions of Spaniards all over the world.
Plaza Mayor
The Plaza Mayor is one of the city’s most charming squares and is steeped in history: for centuries, the square surrounded by pillars was the scene of votive festivals, bullfights, beatifications, coronations, and other social events. Today it is one of Madrid’s main attractions and is a wonderful place for a leisurely stroll; there are numerous bars and stores under the viaducts.
The Santiago Bernabéu stadium
Alongside Atlético de Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid is one of the three clubs that Madrid contributes to professional football and the winner of numerous European and international titles. The team opens its doors 363 days a year to give football and sports fans an insight into its historic facilities. A must for every visitor to Madrid!
The Santiago Bernabéu (named after the legendary Madrid manager who was in charge of the club from 1943 to 1978) was inaugurated in 1947 and today holds over 80,000 spectators. The Bernabéu tour takes visitors to the club’s most interesting places and provides a special view of the pitch that not everyone can normally enjoy: from the presidential box, from the pitch itself, and from the coaches’ bench with heated, ergonomically shaped seats. The tour also includes the players’ changing rooms, where few can resist the temptation to have their picture taken in front of their favorite’s locker.
The Retiro Park
Its 125 hectares and more than 15,000 trees are a green oasis in the middle of Madrid’s city center. Not only is it one of Madrid’s green lungs, but it also offers cultural, leisure, and sports facilities to the city’s residents and visitors.
Its most important architectural and historical elements include: the Estanque Grande, the large pond that offers various activities on the water; the Palacio de Velázquez; and the Palacio de Cristal, both of which are used as exhibition spaces. The Palacio de Cristal, a romantic pavilion, is used to exhibit exotic plants and was built as part of the 1887 Philippine Exposition.
From a botanical point of view, special attention should be paid to its gardens: the Vivaces Garden, the gardens of Cecilio Rodríguez (classical gardens with a touch of Andalusia), the gardens of the architect Herrero Palacios, the Rosaleda (Rose Garden), and the French garden Parterre Francés with the bald cypress, the oldest tree in Madrid, which could well be 400 years old.
Palacio Real – The Royal Palace
The Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the largest palaces in Western Europe and twice the size of Buckingham Palace or the Palace of Versailles. The palace is not inhabited by today’s monarchs, but it served as a royal residence from the time of Charles III to Alfonso XIII. Visitors can embark on a journey through the history of Spain and even visit the magnificent royal kitchen, one of the most impressive and best-preserved examples of historic kitchens in European palaces.
