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Sights
Edit Thiscathedral of almudena night view
If you are under the impression that the heart of the city is the place to be when it comes down to unique Madrid activities and impressive cultural sights, you're right! It will take you at least several days to see all the historical landmarks, museums, art galleries, and parks Madrid has to offer.
Let your feet and your curiousity be your Madrid travel guide as you wander through the city. As you stroll through the old centre, check out Calle and Plaza Mayor (medieval Madrid), which is lined with beautiful buildings and various old and impressively ornamented churches. Relax at one of the many terraces on the old plazas. The city has several green spots, so there will always be a park or garden where you can relax a bit and watch the world go by. The Retiro Park is worth checking out with its rose gardens and Crystal Palace -- one of many in Madrid.
The Palacio Real, the Palace of the Royal Family, takes second place on the list of most visited sights in Madrid, but the undeniable number one attraction is still a visit to the three museums centred around Paseo del Prado. First, there is the Prado with its impressive and extensive collection, which features both Spanish and international art. Besides that, you can see the work of the famous Spanish masters, such as Picasso, Miro and Dali, in the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. Last but certainly not least is the equally impressive Thyyssen-Bornemisza Museum, located in the Villahermosa Palace. These three museums are probably the most popular ones, but they are only a small sampling of what Madrid has to offer in museums.
Contributors
May 15, 2008
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by mcburton (1 point)
March 09, 2007
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by rfujitani (1 point)
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Mezquita Mosque
Edit This| type: | Religious Buildings |
| World66 rating: | 
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| address: | Salvador de Madariaga 4 |
| tel: | 91 326 26 10 |
Royal Gardens of Campo del Moro
Edit Thiscampo del moro and palacio real
The royal gardens of the Campo del Moro in front of the Royal Palace are just beautiful. The name comes from the Moslem period, when Ali Ben Yusuf created in this place his camp back in the 12th century.
| type: | Parks & Gardens |
| World66 rating: |
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The Prado Museum
Edit Thismuseo del prado
photo by: dani
One of the best museums in Spain, if not in the world. The Prado houses an impressive Spanish and International art collection. Paseo del Prado. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mondays closed.
Most items are catholic art, if you're more into something modern try the "Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia".
Entrance fee: 6€, 3€ reduced price. Some Sundays free, ask at tourist information.
| type: | Hotspots |
| World66 rating: |
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| address: | Paseo del Prado |
| tel: | 91 330 28 00 |
| url: | www.museoprado.mcu.es |
Park de Berlin
Edit ThisThis park is decorated with various sculptures made by stones from the former Berlin wall.
It's a nice location to go for a little walk or relax if you live in the neighbourhood - but expecting a tourist attraction you might be disappointed.
| type: | Hotspots |
| World66 rating: |
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Retiro Park
Edit Thisgarden of retiro detail
Located behind the Prado Museum (Calle Ruiz de Alarcon 23), Retiro Park is one of the nicest and most popular parks in Madrid. Highlights include: a Victorian greenhouse, Crystal Palace, and a small swan filled man-made lake. Rent a rowboat to explore the surroundings or for a panoramic view of Madrid take the elevator to the bar on the 26th floor of the Edificio de Espana , which faces the Plaza de Espana .
| type: | Hotspots |
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| address: | Calle Ruiz de Alarcon 23 |
Catedral de La Almudena
Edit Thiscathedral of almudena night view
The Cathedral of the Almudena lies besides the Palacio Real forming a unit. It was built by popular subscription and the works lasted more than 100 years.
It is worth visiting both the cathedral and the crypt (by a door in the south wall).
| type: | Churches and Cathedrals |
| World66 rating: |
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| address: | Bailen |
| tel: | 91 542 22 00 |
Gardens of Sabatini
Edit ThisPart of the Royal Palace, the Gardens of Sabitini features wooded alleys, statues, fountains, a pool, and plenty of shaded areas where you can relax and enjoy the scenery. Entrance to the gardens is free.
| type: | Parks, Gardens and Zoos |
| World66 rating: |
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| tel: | 91-588-87-90 |
Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
Edit Thisreina sofia-detail of "guernika"
Permanent exhibition of some of the Spanish masters, such as Dali, Miro and Picasso. Temporary exhibitions of modern art.
Probably its most famous work is Picasso's 'Guernica', which was not exhibited in Spain until the restoration of democracy - as the painter had wished.
Entrance fee: 3€, 1,50€ reduced price. Metro: Atocha.
| type: | Hotspots |
| World66 rating: |
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| address: | Santa Isabel 52 |
| tel: | 91 467 50 62 |
| openings: | 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.(Sunday only until 2.30pm), Tuesday closed. |
Palacio de Cristal
Edit Thispalacio de cristal aereal view
photo by: dani
Located in the heart of Retiro Park, the design for Palacio de Cristal was based on London's Crystal Palace. This spectacualr glass and wrought-iron structure features natural scenery with lakes, lush greenery, and birdlife on the outside and inside visitors will find exhibitions of modern art.
| type: | Palaces |
| World66 rating: |
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| address: | Parque del Retiro |
| tel: | 91-574-66-14 |
| openingHours: | Oct.-May Mon., Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., June-Sept. Mon., Wed.-Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. |
Plaza Santa Ana
Edit ThisViva Madrid
Cool area close to the Puerta del Sol. Many bars and restaurants in the neighborhood. Also a few cheap hotels.
Don't miss to visit "Viva Madrid" around the corner of Plaza Santa Ana. It is a nice bar where people from their midtwenties to their fourties go for a drink and some nice music.
| type: | Hotspots |
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Plaza Mayor
Edit ThisPlaza Mayor
photo by: Elizabeth Padilla V
The Plaza Mayor is located on the old Plaza del Arrabal, the main commercial nucleus of Medieval Madrid. Juan de Herrera, the architect of Felipe II, made the first plans for it. Plaza Mayor was finally constructed by Juan Gomez de Mora. Originally it was the site of all public ceremonies: public executions, the burning of heretics condemned by the inquisition, bullfights, etc. The symmetry is the work of Villanueva, carried out in 1961.
| type: | Hotspots |
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The Debod Temple
Edit ThisPaseo de Rosales is an Egyptian shrine from the IV century B.C. It was a present from the Egyptian authorities to express their gratitude for the help of the Spanish engineers and archaeologist to rescue the millenial Egyptian monuments from the rising waters of the Asswan dam.
| type: | Museums |
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El Escorial
Edit Thismonasterio de el escorial
Close to Madrid is El Escorial, the palace of Philips II. It can be seen on a day trip that is absolutely worth your while.
| type: | Palaces |
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Puerta de Alcala
Edit Thispuerta de alcala night view
Built by Francisco Sabatini in 1769, it is one of the most significant monuments in Madrid. This gate was the old entrance to the city by the Aragon road. Carlos III ordered it to be build in order to give Madrid a grandiose entrance in the form of triumphal arc. It has five arches and twelve columns to resemble to the Roman Capitol.
| type: | Hotspots |
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Park de Atracciones
Edit This| type: | Parks & Gardens |
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| address: | Nearby Casa del Campo |
Botanic Garden
Edit Thisjardin botanico detail
photo by: dani
Located nearby the Prado Museum, this is one of the oldest European Botanic gardens. Especially during spring, it’s a must to spend some time here when the plants from almost every climatic zone flower. There ist not much to see during autumn or winter, better try Retiro Park in this season.
Entrance fee: 2€, 1€ reduced price.
| type: | Parks, Gardens and Zoos |
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| address: | Plaza de Murillo 2 |
Palacio Real
Edit Thispalacio real panoramic
The main visit during you stay in Madrid, except for the Prado Museum, will probably be a visit to the Palacio Real. Open all days except on Mondays and on days when the royal Royal family visits the palace. You can see the impact of three centuries of Royal family and pay a visit to the very surprising Royal Pharmacy and Royal Armory for example. This is one of the greatest collections in the world.
Entrance fees: 9€ with guide, 8€ without, 3,50€ reduced price. Free entry for EU citizens on Wednesdays.
| type: | Palaces |
| World66 rating: |
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| address: | Plaza de Oriente |
| tel: | 91 454 88 00 |
| url: | www.patrimonionacional.es |
Basilica de San Francisco el Grande
Edit Thisbasilica de san francisco el grande
| type: | Religious Buildings |
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| address: | Plaza de San Francisco |
| tel: | 91 365 38 00 |
Parque de Juan Carlos I
Edit ThisOf special interest are also the gardens of Juan-Carlos because of their modern art.
| type: | Parks & Gardens |
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Viva Madrid!
Edit ThisThis night club is full of fun and exciting things to do and you will be puffed at the end of the night! Its awesome fun and a great place to meet new people.
| type: | Hotspots |
| World66 rating: |
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| address: | Paseo Duque de Fernan Nunez |
| tel: | 91 573 62 45 |
