Madrid has been historically a lovely city with several attractions. From historical monuments to restaurants serving Spanish cuisines, you can visit many places and do a lot of things in Madrid.
La Plaza Mayor
Believed to be the Centre of Madrid, Plaza Mayor is a popular public space in the city. Plaza Mayor is located off the Mayor Avenue after Saint Michael Market. King Philip III built it from 1580 to 1619 and served as a cultural and administrative unit of the Kingdom.
Plaza de Cibeles
It sits at the crossroads of one of the most famous streets in Madrid, Alcala street, Recoletos square and Paseo del Prado. The square is a good attraction in the city, boasting classic architecture and rich history in Spanish culture. From the square, you can see the famous Bank of Spain, among other cultural establishments within the city.
Plaza de España
It is an eye-catching monument between Gran Via and Ferraz street. You can see Madrid’s most famous skyscrapers and the Royal Palace, which are walking distance away. Every monument in the square is historical, making it an important cultural center in Madrid.
Puerta del Sol
It is one of the most visited public squares in Madrid. It is located along Puerta del Sol, 100 meters off Esparteros Street. The “Gate of the Sun” houses the radius center from which the Spanish road networks emanate. It also has the proverbial clock whose bell marks the beginning of the New Year, just like Times Square in New York.
Templo de Debot
The temple is a 2nd Century monument given as a gift to Madrid by the Egyptians. It represents a long-standing cultural relationship between the city and Egypt, which is one of the cradles of civilization. However, the original temple was moved and rebuilt at its current location along Ferraz street.
Palacio Real
The Royal Palace is the largest royal dwelling in Europe. It is located along Bailen street and has over 3400 rooms, sitting on over 135,000m² of floor space. The Palace is home to the Spanish Royal family and sometimes hosts state ceremonial functions.
Catedral de la Almudena
Located next to the Royal Palace, the church’s development lasted over a century (1883 – 1993), making it one of the world’s biggest and most beautiful worship centers. It has a Neo-Romanesque crypt, beautiful furnishings and its masses are breathtaking.
Gran Vía
It is Madrid’s shopping and tourist street, where the world’s foremost brands have set shop and are found at the intersection of Gran Via street and Alcalá street. Its classic architecture is breathtaking, showcasing the long history of the city dating back to the mid-19th Century. Besides fashion and accessories, the street also has hotels and movie theaters.
Plaza de Callao
Callao Square is at the center of the city. Callao Square is at the intersection of Gran Via street and Jacometrezo street and named after the famous war “The Battle of Callao” in 1866. It is a popular tourist attraction, showcasing its classic architecture. Also, all the main streets in the city converge at the square.
Parque del Capricho
This magnificent park is located between Alameda de Osuna square and Logroño avenue and dates back to the 18th Century. It has significant English influence, owing to the continental gardens. Revelers can come to relax and enjoy the ambience.
Are you hungry after having carried out our route of the most significant places to visit in Madrid. Then have a look at the main dishes in Madrid and recharge your batteries.
Where to Stay in Madrid
There are several places you can stay in Madrid. However, two hotels stand out, thanks to their unique features and proximity to Madrid’s public squares.
Catalonia Gran Vía Madrid hotel
The Catalonia Gran Via Madrid hotel is in central Madrid, a stone-throw away from Plaza Cibeles and Puerta Sol. The hotel is also a walking distance from the Thyssen Gallery, Prado Museum and has a terrace overlooking Gran Via Street.
The hotel is housed in a building dating from the early 20th century and its location makes it easy to enjoy all the cultural offerings that the city of Madrid has to offer.
Catalonia Goya hotel
The Catalonia Goya hotel is within the City center, close to Calle Serrano within the Salamanca district. The hotel is located in a building dating from the late 19th century and is declared an Artistic Heritage Site in Madrid.
The hotel is 2 kilometers from Atocha station and 2.5 kilometers from the Prado and Reina Sofia museums. If you like tapas, 3 kilometers away is the La Latina neighborhood.
It will take you a maximum of 12 minutes to reach the airport.
When visiting Madrid, there are several places you can visit. Luckily, almost the places listed above are within the center of the city, which makes really easy move around it.
