Andrea Wilkinson
What to see in Madrid in a day
Those who are in the capital for a day should not try to see all the sights.
Just visit a few interesting places that will give you an idea of the city:
The Royal Palace. It is not worth wasting time viewing the exhibits of the museum, you can only see the exterior and the park adjacent to the building.
Prado Museum. Even if time is short, do not miss Spain's most famous art gallery. In an hour and a half to two hours you can get to see paintings by Velázquez, Goya, Rubens and other great masters. The map, which will be delivered at the entrance, will help you navigate in the museum.
It is also worth a visit to the Cibeles Palace. Here you can visit the observation deck and take great pictures. And don't forget to throw a coin into the fountain at the Plaza de Cibeles! Also you can rent holiday villas in Spain
At the end of your tour of Madrid, it's worth checking out a cozy cafe. One option is Chocolateria San Gines, decorated in the style of an old bistro. The traditional churros and a cup of hot chocolate here cost about 4 euros.
Madrid today: The capital of Spain today
Tourists who stay in the capital for a few days should visit not only the old, but also the modern city.
The main attraction of Madrid today can be called the Gate of Europe. They are two tall buildings, the so-called Madrid skyscrapers, tilted at an angle to the central axis. Opened in 1996, the gate is the futuristic center of the metropolis.
If you are a soccer fan, you should definitely visit the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, where you can walk around with an audio guide.
The museum of the famous Real Madrid club is located in the northern sector and contains 250 exhibits: cups, photographs, and personal belongings of players.
What else to visit in Madrid
For travelers who have already visited the most interesting places in Madrid, but still have some free time, there are a few more ideas.
For example, a beautiful view of the city opens from the viaduct on Calle Beilen.
True, you will not be able to take photos there: once the bridge was a favorite place of suicides, and the authorities had to close it with solid transparent panels.
The Almudena Cathedral is also noteworthy. The current royal couple was crowned there, and the building is interesting with its unusual architecture. You can get in here for free, leaving one euro for the temple.
If you find yourself in Madrid, you should also visit the monument to Cervantes in Spain Square. Don Quixote and his faithful Sancho Panza at the monument. Foreign tourists respect these heroes and often come to see the knight in a sad image.
If we talk about the most beautiful and unusual places in Madrid, we can not forget the Center of Fine Arts Queen Sofia. Unlike the famous Prado, it looks less pompous, but here you will find many works of contemporary artists.
Another interesting place in Madrid is the San Miguel market, which is different from the famous Barcelona's Boquería. The stores here are quite small and usually not designed for bulk shopping. This place is the best place to enjoy tapas and just stroll around.
San Miguel is a foodie's paradise. Selected fruit, seafood and some of the best sweets in town are sold for a fraction of their cost. Indeed, there are often not enough tables available, but you can buy your own delicacies and have a small picnic in a nearby park.
Madrid's viewpoints
If you want to see the Spanish capital with new eyes and appreciate its beauty and grandeur it is worth climbing up to one of the viewing platforms of Madrid. Many of them are located in the center of the city, so it is easy to get to them.
Here are the most popular places:
Quibel Palace. This snow-white palace is next to the Plaza de Cibeles, one of the most beautiful squares in the city. This building used to be the headquarters of the country's telegraph, telephone and postal services, called Palácio das Comunicações. Now there are exhibition centers and from the roof you can enjoy a beautiful panorama of the center of Madrid. The establishment is open every day except Monday and admission costs 2 euros.
Jardins Las Vistillas observation deck, located in the park of the same name. From here you have a beautiful view of the Almudena Cathedral, the Madrid-Rio promenade and other attractions of the modern capital. After your walk, you can relax in one of the cafes located on the terraces in the garden.
Another famous viewpoint of Madrid can be found in Callao Square. On the 9th floor of the famous El Corte Inglés building is the excellent Gourmet Experience restaurant with an equally impressive view of the city. It's best to come here in the morning, as the window tables are very popular.
The classic lookout point of any city, including Madrid, is the cable car. Tour of the Spanish capital in motion lasts 11 minutes, one-way ticket costs 4 euros.
by Andrea Wilkinson on 2021-08-22 03:28:07