AIL Madrid’s city guide


There are some things you definitely shouldn’t miss while you are in Madrid.

The best way to get to know Madrid is by walking around. We will recommend some routes and places which are worthwhile visiting:

 


Top Sights


  •      Plaza de Espana: At Plaza de Espana starts Gran Via. It’s a pretty place with some fountains and a great meeting place.
  •      Temple de Debod: The Temple de Debod is just behind Plaza de Espana. It’s an old Egyptian temple in a picturesque plaza from which you will have a nice view over Northern Madrid.
  •      Gran Via: The Gran Via is one of the things which makes Madrid one of the cosmopolitan cities of this world. You can find most things here, theatres, cinemas, restaurants, stores, neon lights and lively nightlife. Gran Via is not really a dangerous area but take care with your bags while strolling through this boulevard.
  •      Palacio Real / Plaza de Oriente / Opera: The Palacio Real is right next to Plaza de Espana. It’s the former court of the monarch and you can see this in its grandness. Beside the Palace Real you can find the church of Almudena, the patron saint of Madrid. The evening provides the best photographs of this impressive church. There are also gardens around the Palacio Real and the so-called Plaza de Oriente where the theatre is situated. If you head in the direction of sol you will reach the zone around Ópera. It is a very beautiful quarter with a lot of great architecture and a lot of charming cafes and bars.
Tip: Jardines de Sabatini – The gardens just next to the Palacio Real are called Jardines de Sabatini. Take a little rest between its artistically shaped trees.

  •      Sol / Plaza Santa Ana / Calle de las Huertas: La puerta del sol is the centre of Madrid city and is always bustling with activity .There are lots of shops, bars and discos near Sol. Close to Sol is Plaza Santa Ana – a nice plaza with a lot of different bars and cafés. Crossing Plaza Santa Ana you will reach la “Calle de las Huertas” the core of the barrio of Huertas. La Calle de las Huertas is a good street for evening entertainment or for relaxing for lunch or coffee during the day.
Tip: Take Chocolate with Churros at the cafetería San Gínes, Plaza de San Gínes 5, Metro Sol

  •      Atocha / Jardín Botánico / El Parque del Retiro: Madrid’s train station in Atocha not only hosts trains but also many varieties of tropical plants. It resembles a huge greenhouse and is a must to see while in Madrid. If you follow the “Paseo del Prado” in the direction of the city centre you will pass by the Jardín Botánico which has a great variety of plants and has a minimal entrance fee. Alongside the botanical gardens you will find one of the entrances of the Retiro parque, Madrid’s biggest park. Whether you decide to take a boat ride on the “Estanque” (a little lake in the park) or prefer to watch some of the activities or listen to some street music you will always enjoy your stay there. There are also exhibitions in the glass palace (Palacio de Cristal) within the Retiro.
Tip: Stroll around Retiro on a Sunday. There are lots of different performers and also the drum players around the monument of the “Estanque”.

  •      Campo del Moro: Somewhat hidden but definitely beautiful to see are the Campo del Moro of the Palacio Real. The entrance to the gardens is somewhat hidden – in the Paseo Virgen del Puerto, Metro: Príncipe Pío.The very colourful and pretty gardens give home not only to a variety of peacocks which do not show the slightest fear of men, but also for several other animals. Stretching out on a bench in the gardens listening to the birds singing might be somewhat of a relaxing break from the hectic city life.
  •      Rastro: On Sunday mornings starting from about 9 o’clock the Rastro, Madrid’s biggest market, starts opening its stalls. You will find there virtually anything. Make sure you go early enough as around 2 p.m. many of the stalls starts to close. Around lunchtime in the narrow streets around the Rastro in La Latina many of the bars and restaurants start to fill as visitors to the market stop for lunch or liquid refreshment.
Tip: Take a coffee at the plaza de La Latina