INFORMATION ON WHAT TO SEE & DO IN MADRID

 

There are many tourist maps and guides on the web to discover Madrid. In the lines below you can find some links to the most important monuments and sightseeings.

 

MADRID MAPS

 

MADRID GUIDES

 

MADRID TOURISTIC GLOSSARY

  • Almudena Cathedral - Designed in 1879 by the Marques of Cubas in neo-gothic style and with a romanesque crypt. More...
  • Atletico de Madrid - The Vicente Calderon stadium is home to Atletico de Madrid
  • Atocha Train Station - Madrid's first and largest train station, home of the AVE high-speed trains. More...
  • AZCA - Perhaps the most important business and financial district in the capital, with many offices, shops and other commercial establishments. More...
  • Bank of Spain - Built between 1884 and 1891. More...
  • Barajas Airport - T1, T2, T3 - Madrid Barajas Airport, Terminals 1, 2 and 3. More...
  • Barajas Airport - T4 - Madrid Barajas Airport, Terminal 4. More...
  • Botanic Gardens - The Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid, or Royal Botanic Gardens of Madrid, were founded by King Ferdinand VI in 1755 and are home to more than 30,000 plant species plants from the American and European continents, as well as the Pacific region. The associated greenhouses recreate different ecosystems including the tropics and the desert. More...
  • Botin Restaurant - The world's oldest restaurant! More...
  • CaixaForum - A recent addition to Madrid's Paseo del Arte, this museum's exterior features an astonishing vertical garden designed by the French botanist Patrick Blanc. More...
  • Capilla del Obispo - Literally, the Bishop's Chapel, this is Madrid's only gothic temple, built in 1535. More...
  • Casa de Campo - The largest park area in Madrid, which holds the city's Zoo and an Amusement Park. More....
  • Casa de Cisneros - Plateresque palace constructed in 1537 for the Cardinal Cisneros. More...
  • Casa de la Panaderia - The main building in the Plaza Mayor, restored in 1790. More...
  • Casa de la Villa - Town Hall building designed by Juan Gomez de Mora in 1640. More...
  • Chamartín Train Station - Railway station in the north of the city. More...
  • Cibeles - Main square and fountain, scene of fan celebrations after Real Madrid victories. More...
  • City Walls - The only remaining fragments, from the 9th century, of the old arab walls that surrounded the settlement of Magerit. More...
  • Corral de la Moreria - The city's best flamenco restaurant, with nightly shows and quality Spanish food. More...
  • Cuatro Torres Business Area - Four enormous towers make up this recently constructed business area. More...
  • El Rastro - Open air "flea market" consisting of second-hand stalls offering paintings, books, antiques, furniture, clothing, stamps and much more. Open on Sundays and holidays from 9am to 3pm and located along Ribera de Curtidores from the Plaza de Cascorro to Ronda de Toledo, together with neighbouring streets. More...
  • Faro de Moncloa - This communications tower made of steel and glass offers spectacular panoramic views of the city, although it is currently closed to the public. More....
  • Gran Via - Madrid's most famous and most commercial street. More...
  • IFEMA - This is the enormous trade fair area in Madrid, where almost all major business and trade fairs are held. More...
  • Las Ventas Bullring - Built in mudejan style, this impressive building is formed of red brick and ceramic tiles and was built in the 1920's. It plays host to the best bullfights in Spain. More...
  • Madrid Beach - The Madrid Rio area includes an Urban Beach, formed by three oval-shaped water areas with different effects: a smooth stretch of water, jets of varying heights and a cloud of water vapour. More...
  • Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales - This monastery has a plateresque façade and was built between 1559 and 1564. Its art collection is surprisingly valuable, with works by Rubens, Titian, Murillo and Zurbaran. More...
  • Palacio de Cristal - The Crystal Palace, in the Retiro Park, was built in 1887 to hold the Philipines Exhibition. More...
  • Palacio de las Cortes - This building is home to the lower house of the Spanish parliament, the Congreso de los Diputados or Congress of Deputies. It was inaugurated in 1850 by Queen Isabel II.
  • Palacio de Moncloa - Official residence of the President of the Government of Spain.
  • Palacio de Telecommunicaciones - This absolutely splendid building currently houses the main Post Office together with the Mayor's office. Photo
  • Plaza del Callao - Central square surrounded by tall and interesting buildings, restaurants, cinemas and Madrid's main pedestrian shopping streets.More...
  • Plaza de Colon - There are several interesting buildings located in or near this expansive square, including the National Library and Archaeological Museum, the Wax Museum (great for children), and the Centro Cultural de la Villa or Cultural Centre. Christopher Columbus' statue presides over the square, and in the nearby gardens built as homage to the dicovery of the Americas an immense Spanish flag slowly flutters in the wind. More...
  • Plaza de España - Large square in central Madrid, home to a statue of Cervantes. Close to Gran Via and the Royal Palace. More...
  • Plaza Mayor - Madrid's majestic main square More...
  • Plaza de Oriente - Instigated by Jose Bonaparte, Napoleon's elder brother, this square was designed during Queen Isabel II's reign and is located to the East of the Royal Palace, hence its name. It is a beautiful square consisting of neat gardens and the statues of 20 Spanish monarchs. The main statue, that of Philip IV of Spain on horseback, sits proud at the very centre of the plaza. More...
  • Plaza Santa Ana - Vibrant central square containing many terrace cafes and surrounded by a variety of tapas bars. Bordered to the east by the Teatro Español and to the west by the Hotel Reina Victoria with its magnificent façade. More...
  • Prado Museum - The Prado is one of the most important art museums in Europe. More...
  • Puente de Segovia - This is Madrid's oldest bridge, built between 1582-84.
  • Puerta de Europa - Inclining twin towers at the north end of the Paseo de la Castellana. Photo
  • Puerta del Sol - Madrid's most central square. More...
  • Puerta de Alcala - Built in 1778 to commemorate Carlos III's arrival in Madrid. More...
  • Puerta de Toledo - Built in 1827 to commemorate the return of Fernando VII after the War of Independence. More...
  • Real Academia de Bellas Artes - This magnificent fine arts museum and gallery houses paintings from the 15th century to the present day. More...
  • Real Madrid - The Santiago Bernabeu stadium is home to the famous Real Madrid football club and its Museum. More...
  • Reina Sofia Museum - Spanish artists from the late 19th century including Picasso's famous Guernica painting. More...
  • Retiro Park - Madrid's best known park, with popular boating lake. More...
  • Royal Palace - The city's largest building and possibly its most beautiful. More...
  • San Francisco Church - The Basílica de San Francisco el Grande is a Basilica with a large dome of 33 metres in diameter - one of the largest in Europe. Legend has it that the original convent was founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1217. More...
  • San Nicolas Church - San Nicolas de los Servitas is a 15th century church with a central gothic apse and a 12th century mudejan style tower. More...
  • San Pedro Church - La Iglesia de San Pedro el Grande dates from the 15th century, but the mudejan tower is a century older. More...
  • Teatro Real - The Royal Theatre is one of Europe's principal opera houses. It sits proud at the East of the Plaza de Oriente and was inaugurated by Isabel II in 1850. More...
  • Teleferico Cable Car - Gives you and the kids excellent views of the Parque del Oeste, the Manzanares River, the egyptian Debod temple, the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, and the Casa de Campo. More...
  • Templo de Debod - Built in the 4th century B.C. close to the island of Philae and presented to the city of Madrid in 1950. More...
  • Torre Picasso - Until recently, Madrid's tallest building and still a wonderful addition to the skyline. More...
  • Thyssen Museum - Here we can find exhibits from the 13th century to the present day. More...
  • Torre de los Lujanes - The mudejan style tower and two portals date from the 15th century. More...