Cities Tourism Guide - Madrid Sights & Attractions

Madrid Old Town - Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Palacio Real Madrid

Madrid's tightly packed old town reveals a mix of medieval squares and Habsburg and Bourbon lavish palaces. Madrid's old city sits on what was the Muslim main town covering the area approximately between Plaza de la Cebada, Plaza Mayor and the ornate Palacio Real royal palace.

Mixed in with old narrow streets and plazas are new contemporary chic shops, bars and restaurants. Both Plaza Mayor, Madrid's main old square and Puerta del Sol, Madrid's literal centre point are usually starting points for new visitors, followed by a move towards the Palacio Real and on to the garish monoliths of Plaza Espana.

Plaza Mayor grew from a humble 15th century market square to main capital city square, main site for Madrid events such as bullfights and carnivals. The statue in the centre is Phillip III on horseback dating from 1616. Not its original site, the statue was moved to Plaza Mayor from the Casa de Campo (the large park on Madrid's western city centre outskirts) in the 19th century. Numerous cafes line the Plaza Mayor, and its surrounds, giving plenty of opportunity to relax and admire the architecture. Note the new modern mural added in the 1990s to the Casa de la Panaderia/the Bakery with its twin towers. It works to great effect. Puerta del Sol, just east of Plaza Mayor, is Madrid's central point, with a history as meeting and gathering place. Puerta means gate, and during the Hapsburg period Sol was crammed with monasteries and churches, but was reworked in the mid19th century. Note the Casa de Correos building with clocktower on Sol. It's the gathering point for Madrid citizens on New Year's eve. Today this building is home to Madrid's Regional Government, however during the Franco era it served as the sinister Interior Ministry and police headquarters.

As capital city royal palaces go, Madrid's is particularly lavish, although King Carlos and family don't spend much time here these days. With the Spanish Royal family not in residence, this means that the Palacio Real is open to tours daily throughout its interior. The Palacio Real (weblink right) was mostly designed by Italian architects Giambattista Sacchetti and Francesco Sabatini for Philip V. The former Alcazar on the site burnt to a crisp in 1734. The style is reflexive of the Spanish Bourbon baroque. It gleams white as main materials are white Colmenar stone and granite, and the palace is surrounded with gardens - you can stroll around adjacent Campo del Moro gardens. As elaborate inside as out, you're free to roam within the palace. Watch out for El Cid's armour. Current excavations are afoot to open some of the old Muslim fortress underneath the palace.

Madrid Parks

For city parks, Madrid excels. From boat trips on the lake in Retiro, to the cable car ride across the Casa de Campo, green space Madrid certainly isn't short of. In total more than 250,000 hectares of Madrid is covered in parks and gardens, many of which are historic including the Royal Botanical Gardens next to the Prado Museum.

The Royal Botanical gardens consists of three garden terraced areas with two greenhouses. Next to the Palacio Royal sits the Campo del Moro, with just in front of the palace the Plaza de Oriente and Sabatini gardens. Landscaped and with fountain features and more, plus spectacular views, the Camp del Moro makes for good strolling.

Centrally placed El Retiro is perhaps Madrid's prettiest park, situated just up from the Prado. Popular with families, numerous facilities including a boating lake and cafes are within Retiro, as are fountains, monuments and wide strolling paths.

For a full guide to Madrid's parks checkout the excellent Madrid Tourism weblink right for details. Madrid's Parks, especially Retiro, make welcome retreats after the bustle of both the Prado and Madrid city centre.

Plaza de Toros, Tauro Tour Las Ventas Madrid

Hop on the Madrid Metor to Ventas to view Madrid's historic Plaza de Toros bullfighting ring. Guided Tauro Tours are now available, see weblink right for details.

This huge stone bullfighting ring, built for increasing crowd demand, is one of the later stone bullrings built from the 19th century. This one in Madrid dates from 1929. A museum and gift shop are on-site.

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, c/Alcala, 237 28028 Madrid, Spain. Tel. 91 356 2200.

Real Madrid Football Stadium Tour, Santiago Bernabeu Madrid

Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, just north of the city centre (Metro Santiago Bernabeu/L.10) is a Madrid highlight for fans. Real Madrid commands a considerable international following, and the historic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium dating from 1947 is not to be missed.

The Real Madrid stadium is open daily (except on match days although it stays open upto 6 hours before a match/and it's closed the day after a match - check the Real Madrid weblink right for details). The tour includes panoramic views of the stadium, a loo in the Presidential Box, Dressing room, players tunnel, benches and coach area, field of play, trophies exhibition and of course the official store!

Checkout the Real Madrid weblink right for stadium tour details and match dates/ticket purchase.