Buen Retiro Park and the Crystal Palace

The Buen Retiro Park (Parque del Retiro) is an oasis of peace in the heart of Madrid. Just beyond the busy streets, this lush 120-hectare park offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Created for the Count-Duke of Olivares in the 17th century, the historic park has an elegant ambience with its lovely landscaping and tree-lined paths. From the main entrance at the Plaza de Independencia, visitors arrive at the pool in the center of the park. From here, paths lead to the enchanting Rosaleda (Rose Garden) and the formal French Jardín de Don Cecilio. The Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace), a splendid site with its graceful fountain and reflecting pool, often houses art exhibitions. Visitors will find other interesting fountains including Los Galápagos (The Turtles), El Ángel Caído (The Fallen Angel), and La Alcachofa (The Artichoke).

Plaza Mayor

This elegant 17th-century plaza was built during the reign of Philip III. The Plaza Mayor was a center of commerce and municipal life, as well as the scene of ceremonial events such as the proclamation of a new king and the canonization of saints. The square also served as a venue for bullfights, dramatic performances, and knightly tournaments. The plaza took on its present appearance after a fire in 1790, when the corners were enclosed and the nine entrance arches were constructed, linking it to Calle de Toledo, Calle Mayor, Calle Postas, and others.

Today, the Plaza Mayor continues to be an important gathering place in Madrid. The expansive cobblestone square is a pedestrian area, surrounded by outdoor cafés and atmospheric restaurants shaded by its arcades. Strolling here or sitting in its cafes is one of the most popular things to do in Madrid at night, for both tourists and Madrileños.

Puerta del Sol: The Heart of the City

The Puerta del Sol was named after the sun emblem on the old city gate, which formerly stood here. This spacious town square aligns with the rising sun. Besides being a hub of public transportation (with several bus stops and Metro entrances), the Puerta del Sol is also the “Kilometer Zero” point from which all distances on the Spanish national road network are measured.

The Puerta del Sol has been the scene of many historic events, including the Spanish resistance to Napoleon on May 2nd 1808, and in 1931, the Second Republic was proclaimed here. Nowadays the square is a place to hang out and enjoy life. Lined with shops and cafés, the Puerta del Sol is still one of the liveliest squares in Madrid. Just off the Puerta del Sol is Madrid’s largest department store, El Corte Inglés, which sells everything from clothes, shoes, and swimsuits to traditional Spanish fans. Also nearby is La Violeta, an old-fashioned confection shop that offers the Madrid specialty of violet candies.

Fuente de Cibeles and Gran Via

The famous Cybele’s fountain (Fuente de Cibeles) stands in a major traffic intersection and is one of the most emblematic monuments in Madrid. Created in 1782 by Francisco Gutiérrez and Roberto Michel, the impressive traffic-stopping fountain depicts the Roman Goddess Cybele riding a lion-drawn chariot. Behind the fountain is the Palacio de Cibeles cultural center, which hosts art exhibitions and workshops, conferences and concerts. The Centro Palacio de Cibeles has two restaurants: the Colección Cibeles caféteria and the Cibeles Palace restaurant.

Nearby (via Calle de Alcala) is one of Madrid’s most popular shopping streets, the Gran Vía. Tourists will find many restaurants, hotels, and theaters on this bustling street. Just off the Gran Vía on Calle de Jovellanos, the famous Teatro de la Zarzuela offers renowned performances of zarzuela – a unique type of satirical opera with songs accompanied by classical Spanish guitar music.

Temple of Debod: An Ancient Egyptian Temple

In La Montaña Park (close to Plaza de España), visitors can see one of Madrid’s most surprising monuments – an ancient Egyptian temple. A gift from Egypt, in thanks for Spain’s help in saving the Abu Simbel temples during the building of the Aswan Dam, the Debod Temple was brought to Madrid in 1968. The temple was built for King Adikhalamani in the 2nd century BC and includes several shrines, a spacious hall, and a terrace on the upper level. Well-preserved original decorations are found inside, rare for an archaeological site. Peaceful gardens surrounding the monument feature reflective pools and a fountain, creating a magical effect.

Goya Frescoes at Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida

Perhaps the least visited of Madrid’s major art treasures are the stunning frescoes painted by Francesco Goya that fill the Hermitage of San Antonio de la Florida. The little chapel, along the banks of the Manzanares River behind the Royal Palace, hosts an annual festival in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua, but it’s the interior that has become a place of pilgrimage for art lovers. Among Goya’s finest works, the frescoes illustrate the theme of the miracle performed by Saint Anthony, while also depicting scenes of everyday life in Madrid. The frescoes reveal Goya’s boldness of artistic style and revolutionary painting techniques. They were painted at a turning point in Goya’s career and are considered a precursor of modern painting. The chapel is designated a national monument and is no longer used for religious services to protect the frescoes.

Estadio Santiago Bernabéu: Real Madrid’s Stadium

Not all of Madrid’s tourist attractions revolve around art. One of its most visited museums draws football (soccer) fans to the stadium of the city’s home team, Real Madrid. Along with the displays of trophies, team artifacts, and interactive screens in the museum, a tour includes the massive stadium itself. From a dizzying panoramic view from the top to the pitch itself, the tour includes access to the Presidential Box and even the locker room. Photo montages allow fans to snap pictures of themselves with favorite players.

Basilica de San Francisco el Grande

The Church of San Francisco el Grande was built in 1761 for a Franciscan friary. The church was designed by Fray Francisco Cabezas, who modeled the architectural plan on the Church of Santa Maria in Campitelli in Rome. The Neoclassical facade and dome were added in 1770. The interior features a circular plan with an inspiring dome and six chapels. The chapels display paintings by Maella, Velázquez, and Goya. In the first chapel on the left are Goya’s San Bernardino, and Velázquez’s Saint Bonaventure and The Appearance of the Virgin to Saint Anthony. The church also contains a painting of Saint Bonaventure by Zurbarán. The church museum displays a variety of religious art and artifacts.

Puerta de Alcalá

This grand Neoclassical triumphal arch was commissioned by King Carlos III to celebrate the arrival of the monarchs to Spain’s capital city. The monument was designed by Francesco Sabatini and built between 1769 and 1778. Nearly 30 meters high, the elegant granite entrance gate makes a grand impression. The facade is adorned with sculptures, capitals, and decorative reliefs. Just below the monument, at 54 Calle de Alcala, is Madrid’s fanciest patisserie shop Pastelería Vait, which offers exquisite cakes, cookies, pastries, chocolate candies, and hot chocolate.