A guide to
MADRID

Although it might sound cliché, it is true that Madrid offers a wide variety of things to do; from different museums and monuments to a rich cuisine, parks full of flowers, and not to mention one of the most historic football teams, Real Madrid.
Madrid is an accessible city since it is located in the center of the Iberian Peninsula and has one of the airports with the most connections in Europe. So, perhaps, there you could start your itinerary through Spain or Europe.
Imagine being able to walk through the magnificent streets of Madrid's historic center while discovering all these places.
Let's find out together! Vamos!!

#spain 🇪🇸 #europe

Table Of Contents

• 🗺 Where to go
• 💡 Recommendations
• 📝 Things to know

Where to go

1. Madrid's centre

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Plaza Mayor

Located in the Plaza Mayor, in the El Sol neighborhood, it is a good place to start our tour of the streets and places of Madrid. It's one of the main squares of Madrid, its location is really central, thus allowing us to begin learning about Madrid's history. It's very crowded, and sometimes there are a lot of free concerts and performances taking places there, both for tourists and locals. Inside this square, right in the middle, you can find a big statue. It is the equestrian statue of Felipe III which was the first Spanish King born in Madrid, and it was built in the XVI century.

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Fact

The Plaza Mayor has suffered three major fires in its history, the first of which was in 1631.

This square has two hundred balconies around it, which come from commercial building, and under them on the ground floor, some arches are formed, that lead to side streets and some shops. You can also find some places to learn more about the Spanish tradition, get to know about ceramics, flamenco dresses and the best known foods and drinks of Spanish cuisine.

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Aaaah!

In this square you will also find a point of information or touristic point where you can get a map of Madrid that will help you to get located a little better on the rest of our tour.
📍 Directions

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Puerta del Sol

Very close to Plaza Mayor, only 300 meters away, we will find the famous Puerta del Sol. It is a square that represents an essential part of the memory of the City of Madrid, and is one of the nerve centers of Madrid. The first buildings around this place began to be built in the 16th century and today they form a semicircle. In this square you will find some fountains, the equestrian statue of Charles III and the famous clock with the bell. It also houses the statue of the Bear and the Madroño tree, much loved by the people of Madrid and a popular meeting point. The bear because of the large number of bears that were in the area, and the Madroño tree is due to the fact that it was a species that was abundant in the forests of Madrid. For these reasons, they are the elements of the city's coat of arms.
📍 Directions

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Gran Via

Continuing our route from Puerta del Sol, we are quite close to Gran Vía, the most important avenue in Madrid, with countless shops. Its most emblematic places are the Metropolis building, the Telefónica building and the Carrión building, in the Plaza del Callao. Along this path you can take a walk until the Cibeles Fountain. This fountain represents the roman goddess Cibeles, which is a symbol of earth, agriculture and fertility.
📍 Directions

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Aaaah!

Do you know that Cibeles Fountain is the center of the celebrations when the football team of Real Madrid wins a trophy? ⚽ 🏆

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Puerta de Alcalá

Further on, continuing along this principal street, you can see one of the five old gates that once gave access to the city. It has an amazing landscape and is decorated with flowers, making it perfect for a cover photo. This monumental 5-arched door, was inaugurated in 1778, is next to the El retiro park, and prominent streets like Alcalá, Alfonso XII or Serrano converge there.
📍 Directions

2. Visit "El Retiro" park

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It is a quite large park, that have several touristic places, is suitable for walking with the family, friends, or alone; it is a green zone, full of trees, and it has many beautiful places to discover.

One of these is the Rose Garden, which is divided into zones of roses and small roses of different colors, forming a variety of settings, suitable for a photo shoot, such as: the red romantic zone, the natural zone that has green and yellow roses, and a fountain among others.

Approximately in the middle of the park, you will find the Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace), with its transparent walls that enables you to see the whole interior from outside. In front of the palace, there is a big lake, where you can observe ducks, turtles while they are sunbathing or they come out to greet the visitors, and in the background you can see this Palace, which contrasts with the landscape with its golden frames.

Something particular that you will notice in the lake are the trees with their roots and trunks in the water. Going a little deeper into this type of tree, it is one of a species that is extremely tolerant to flooding. It is commonly known as Taxodium Cypress, and can grow up to 30-45 meters.

Along your walk, you will see various statues that tell part of Madrid's history and its representative historical figures. Among them the monument dedicated to King Alfonso XII stands out. It is an equestrian statue of the King surrounded by lions and mermaids made of bronze and marble, from the beginning of the 20th century. (Dimensions 30 mt high, 86 mt long and 58 mt wide). In front of this monument, there is the Great Pond of El Retiro, where you can also rent rowboats and other varieties that they offer to take a tour around this entire pond, enjoying the view from inside it.

You will also find some outdoor spaces where you can have a picnic, or take a break while deciding to continue your route.

You will have many thing to discover, admire and have the opportunity to get away a little from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, breath fresh air, while nourishing your culture and your sight with these splendid places. 

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Info

It’s a public park, so the entrence is free.
Schedule:
06:00 - 00:00 in summer
06:00 - 22:00 in winter

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Aaaah!

Initially, access to the park was only allowed to members of the Royal Family, but in 1868 it opened its doors to the public and became a representative icon of Madrid. Since 2021 it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

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Como llegar allí

Located in the center of Madrid, you can take the metro at Sol station, and in approximately 4-5 minutes you will arrive at Retiro station, from there just a few more steps and you will arrive. Nonetheless the park also has other entrances, since it occupies an area of 125 hectares. So you can use Del Arte Station or Ibiza station.
📍 Directions

Recommendations

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1. Visit Mirador Plaza RIU to take great photos

This is a hotel, where, if you want to have a panoramic view of all Madrid, it could be one of the most recommended places, since in the rooftop you can find a café, where there is a glass “platform” for those who want a little adrenaline, due to its height and that this space is totally transparent so the photographs are for the brave ones.
It has a 360° view, as the café covers all the rooftop and you can walk around and take photos of Madrid from different angles. Also there are other balconies and mini terraces; safe enough to enter for children and adults.
You could enjoy food, coffee, or if you like, a little red wine, while having one of the best view of the city. And if you are here only for a walk, you don’t need to eat or drink something, you just need to pay the entrance fee and then you can explore the place and take as many photos as you want.
The entrance fee varies depending on the day and time of your visit and it is located in the emblematic Edificio España on Madrid's Gran Via. For more information, you could visit ➡️ its website.
📍 Directions

2. Do you want something sweet? Find it at Churrería Chocolateria 1902

It's a traditional chocolate shop where you can try their homemade chocolate with thick texture and the ideal sweetness. It matches with the churros, a classic that you really need to try during your visit. Apart from the chocolate and the churros, they have a big menu where you can select the best option, according to your like. All products are of a really good quality and a nice flavour because their products are handmade and the recipes has been passed down from generation to generation. Also the prices are very accesible and their employees are kind and friendly, with a good service. It is located on San Martin Street and Arenal Street and the hours are Monday to Sunday 7:00 - 23:00.
📍 Directions

3. Do you want to know a secret?

There is a secret garden in Madrid, but we are going to reveal it..🫣 It's a restaurant-bar, located on the rooftop of the Salvador Bachiller shop at Gran Via. To arrive to the garden, you have to pass through the other stores of the building, via decorated stairs and corridors. On the top floor, you will find the garden, a place full of natural flowers and plants. You will even find a swing! It's the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail or Mediterranean and international cuisine in a pleasant atmosphere.
📍 Directions

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Opening hours

Sunday to Wednesday from 11:00 to 00:00
Thursdays and holidays from 11:00 to 01:00
Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 to 02:00
Ladies Night Thursdays from 8pm - free glass of wine for all women.

Things to know before your visit

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1. 🐧

   What currency do they use in Madrid?

   Euro(€)

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   What type of power outlet?

   Type-C

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   Is tap water drinkable

   Yes, it's drinkable

4. 🐧

   Some words

   Gracias → Thank you
   Buenos días → Good Morning
   Buenas tardes → Good Afternoon
   Si → Yes
   No → No
   

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