Madrid

Madrid, Spain's capital city of the active and intensive life.

It was in March of 2011, with my parents (it means no needs feel like a a poor and saving all the time) when I could go straight there and just have the contact with so many great museums, incredible hotels, wonderful restaurants, delicious "tapas"! The fantastic blue sky of Madrid, beautiful stores, colourful and there's outlets! Modern architecture, green parks, cosmopolitan and lovely evenings, how much to do. Madrid is one of the best cities!

Starting by... Museum's

A great tip is to buy in advance the Madrid Card.

The Madrid Card is a card that allows direct access without queuing to visit more than 50 museums and monuments in Madrid (included: Prado Museum, the Royal Palace, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Reina Sofia, etc., includes also touristic buses, discounts at restaurants, shops, theaters, clubs. Also included: Tour of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, etc., all tours program "Discover Madrid").

There are 3 types: valid for 24 hours (€ 47), 48 hours (€ 60) and 72 hours (€ 67) but have to be consecutive. A cultural marathon! One tip is to start using it in the morning to take a lot of profit with that. You can buy it here: Tarjeta turística.

Museo del Prado

The Museo del Prado is one of the biggest art galleries in the world and, since its inauguration in 1819, became one of the first art museums in the world. The building was "born" in the decade of 1780 and was designed by neoclassical architect Juan de Villanueva, who designed the same banner of the Botanical Garden. The Museo del Prado has more than 9 000 works in its collection. You can see some famous like: "The Girls" by Velázquez, Raphael, El Greco, Rembrandt, Fra Angelico, etc. (Museo del Prado).

Tickets:

For the museum include access to permanent Collection and temporary exhibitions shown on the date of the visit.

• General Ticket: 12€.
• General Ticket + ‘Guide of the Prado’: 22€
• Reduced Ticket: 6€

Free Ticket: from 7 pm everyday entrance is free! Well actually what me and my parents did, we are not so so art addicted and we just wanted look around. At same time we didn't have so many time to spend over there like that, so one hour was more than enough!

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9 am to 8 pm.

How to get there: Bus or subway (Bank of Spain and Atocha).

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Royal Palace

It began as a fortress, later the Old Royal Palace and finally Alcázar. Known to be the official residence of the King of Spain, it is certain that the Juan Carlos's King does not live there. With a incredible and rich decoration, serves ceremonial events and receptions for state officials, diplomatic meetings. You can also visit the museum.

The origins of the palace dating from the 9th century, when the Muslim kingdom of Toledo worried for his defense against the Christians built a fortress which was later used by the kings of Castile. In the sixteenth century the fort was built on the same foundations.

The palace was burned on Christmas Day 1734 and rebuilt, but in this moment just with a structure with bricks and stones, no combustible materials. Charles III was the first monarch who established their residence in this in 1764. A Must See!

With a beautiful garden, the museum has a magnificent collection, with works by Juan de Flandres (Polyptych of Isabella the Catholic), Caravaggio (Salome with the head of John the Baptist), Velázquez and Goya, as well as musical instruments, including a string quartet by Stradivarius, and parts of the Royal Armoury.

Tickets: 10 euros.

The schedule change with the seasons. Opening hours are as follows:

• October to March: Monday to Saturday from 9. 30 am to 5 pm, Sundays and holidays, 9 am to 2 pm.
• April to September: Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm, Sundays and holidays, 9 am to 3 pm.
• Closed for official acts, 1st and 6th January, 1st and 15th May, 12th October, 9th November and 25th December.

Entrance to this monument is free with the Madrid Card.

How to get there: Metro (Opera) and bus: 3, 25, 39 and 148.

Reina Sofía National Museum

In 1992, King Juan Carlos inaugurated the permanent collection of the National Museum Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, which until now had only received temporary exhibitions. Since then it has become a museum of contemporary art. The permanent collection of the Reina Sofia, is almost exclusively focused on Spanish art of the 20th century. Here you can enjoy super famous works as "Guernica" by Picasso, Salvador Dali, Miró, Oteiza, Julio Gonzalez, Tapies, etc.

Schedule: open from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm and Sundays from 10 am to 2. 30 pm.

Tickets: Free on Saturdays from 2. 30pm to 9pm. Sundays from 10am to 2. 30pm and in special days like May 18, 12 October and 6 December.

How to get there: Metro Atocha Line 1.

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Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

Located in Villahermosa Palace. With a vast collection of works of art of England, German, Dutch and Italian, as well as Impressionists, Expressionists, and Americans of the 2nd half of the twentieth century. Matisse, Renoir, Kandinsky, Chagall, etc.

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday. from 10 am to 7 pm.

Tickets: Normal price: 6 euros, over 65: 4 euros and children under 12 free.

How to get there: By Bus: 9, 14 and others. Metro: Atocha Station, Line 1 (Paseo del Prado, 8).

San Lorenzo's Escorial Royal Palace

In the past, in El Escorial were taken the most importante policy decisions in the world.

Declared a World Heritage Site, was the palace of Philip II, with a large library and the Pantheon of the Kings where with his parents, Charles I and Isabella of Portugal, and his family and successors. The architectural ensemble is completed by a large basilica and a monastery with "frescos" and sculptures by Italian artists as Bernini and Cellini.

Schedule: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.

How to get there: Bus: 664 and 661.

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Caixa Forum Madrid

Fundación Caixa Forum in my opinion is an icon in Madrid with his building ultra-modern and a wonderful vertical garden! The building of the cultural center is a show,

Schedule: Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm. Free! On the 4th floor the cafetaria, amazing, just pure design. It's for sure worth a visit! Here the lunch costs about 12 euros.

Adress: Paseo del Prado, 36. Directly across Botanical Garden.

National Museum of Decorative Arts

The National Museum of Decorative Arts was created in 1912. Its collection is displayed in 60 rooms. Although most parts are Spanish ones, there is an important source of external funding, which aims to reflect the relationship of art and luxury imports and everyday objects for centuries.

Tickets: € 2. 40 and € 1. 20 reduced. Free entry: Sundays, May 18 (International museum day), 12 October (Spain national celebration) and December 6 (The Spanish constitution day.

Address: Calle Montalbán, 12.

Museo Naval de Madrid

The National Maritime Museum shows the Spanish naval history, gives an overview of the navies of other countries and is a great collection of ethnographic objects collected by Spanish sailors in their travels. It has an extensive library with a lot of documents, letters manuscripts, drawings, very interesting. And it's for free!

Opens from Tuesday to Sunday. From 10 am to 14 pm. Closed in August.

Address: Paseo del Prado, 5. Metro Bank España Atocha.

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La casa encendida

It is a cultural and social center of Caja Madrid, open and dynamic. There's a really artistic expression, as well as courses and workshops in areas such as environmental or solidarity. The cultural program offers performing arts, cinema, exhibitions and you can see also contemporary creativity. Since its creation, La Casa Encendida supports young designers, while offering library, media library, laboratory, radio, photography and multimedia available to all audiences.

Address: Ronda Valencia.

Fundación Juan March

Usually organizes important modern art exhibitions and music concerts.

Address: Calle Castelló, 77.

Museo del Traje

Really cool exhibitions of jewelry, clothes, accessories. Super interesting for fashion students!

Address: Avenida Juan de Herrera.

Subway: Moncloa (lines 3 and 6) and Ciudad Universitaria (línea 6).

Other interesting places

The Almudena cathedral

Beside the Royal Palace, this church started being built in the XIX century. Neo-classical and Gothic inside is beautiful with colorful paintings on the ceiling, the highlight the picture of N. Ms. de la Almudena. In 2004 it was the scene of the wedding of the Prince of Asturias.

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Royal Botanic Garden

Sooo incredible... Botanical Garden! To just discover the flowers, the perfumes. Designed by Sabatini and Juan de Villanueva, starts with greenhouses, mazes, and a nice collection of ornamental plants, aromatic and medicinal. It is an unforgettable place to stroll and enjoy plants and flowers from around the world, with 5000 species of trees, plants and colorful roses.

Tickets: € 2 students.

Is in : Plaza de Murillo, 2, near the Prado museum.

How to get there Bus: 10, 14, or by subway: Atocha Atocha-Renfe.

Royal theatre

What an opportunity to be in Madrid and watching a ballet's show. Sometimes is difficult to get tickets. Anyway, it's worth doing a guided tour! You have to visit the lounge on the 6th floor, beside the bar, with a beautiful garden view, which is opposite the Royal Palace.

Address: Plaza Isabel II.

Royal Guard

If you are in Madrid on the first three Mondays of the month (except August, September or if the weather is not good enough) be sure to go to the Royal Palace to watch Solemn Relief of the Royal Guard, with a huge representation of the era of kings Alfonso XII and Alfonso XIII. This representation involve 429 guards and 105 horses.

Schedule: From 11 am to 2 pm.

Mouro's Camp

The Royal Palace has a huge and well maintained garden. Located between the Manzanares's river and the Royal Palace, the "Campo del Moro" owes its name to the fact that it was the site of the Muslim armies's camp that surrounded Madrid during the 12th century. It's designed as garden. In "the Plaza del Oriente" there are sculptures of Spanish kings.

Spanish National Library

Founded in 1712 as the Palace Library, it has an huge collection of books, about 110, 000 journal titles, a collection of 20, 000 newspapers and more than 500, 000 old postcards. Well, super interesting!

Schedule: Open from Monday to Friday from 10 am to 9 pm.

Address: Paseo de Recoletos, 20-22.

How to get there: Subway line - Colón y Serrano.

Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales

This monastery was founded in the sixteenth century by Princess Juana of Austria. With fabulous art works donated by noble families when their daughters got married and decided not to enter the convent.

Attention: You need to arrive early, wait in line under the sun and schedule the visit, which lasts 45 minutes: and unfortunately can only be guided.

Schedule: opens on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturdays from 10. 30 am to 12. 45 pm and from 4 pm to 5. 45 pm.

Address: Plaza Calle de las Descalzas, 3. The place is half hidden between the train and Callao Arenal.

How to get there: subway (Opera station).

Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol, is a busy central square in Madrid. It is a super excited point, the heart of the historical center of Madrid. There is the city's symbol, a bronze statue of the bear fruits - "Madroño" trying to get it, "El Oso y el Madroño". And in the middle of the square there is the equestrian statue of King Carlos III.

There is the center of the Spanish railway network, next to the new train station and modern.

Here in the KM ZERO of Iberias area.

En Puerta del Sol with my mum over there.

El Retiro Park

The largest park in Madrid, veeeery beautiful and well maintained that is where everyone goes at weekends, riding a bike, renting a boat. Always with a lot of life, always has something going on. The heart of the city, open to the public since the end of the century XIX. "El Retiro" has been a mark of celebration of various international exhibitions. Inside this park there are some buildings like the Palace of Velázquez and Crystal Palace.

This is a really amazing place, you can just walk and speak a little. A huge area of garden, with the great and lovely lake.

Address: Independence Square.

How to get there: by bus and subway (line 2). Station: Retiro.

Plaza Mayor

This is the town center, the Plaza Mayor. Formely called "Plaza del Arrabal" and "Plaza de la Constitución" (to not get lost if there's some guide with this description), survived three devastating fires that forced successive reconstructions. This ones when Plaza have been completely closed.

In the centro of this Plaza, the equestrian statue of Felipe III. In the past Plaza Mayor was the commercial hub of the city and the major center of events. Center of social life, in this place happens some celebrations of inquisition acts. Canonizations, public executions, bullfights, royal coronations and theatrical performances.

The square is beautiful, closed all around, is perfect for a meeting and a nice place to sit at tables and just dream about something.

Here there are some places where you can eat "un bocadillo con calamares" very good!

Subway: Line 2, 5. Opera station.

Fuente de Cibeles

Located on the Cibele's square, just between the Paseo de Recoletos and Paseo del Prado, has around important buildings, such as Palacio de Buenavista, Linares Palace, Palace of Communications and Spain's Bank. The wonderful fountain shows the goddess Cybele, symbol of earth, agriculture and fertility. Here, is the place where the fans of Real Madrid celebrate their victories.

Address: Plaza de Cibeles.

Metro: Banco de España, line 2.

Gran Vía

Surely you will go through the Gran Via in Madrid. This street always full of life, is one of the most important commercial areas in the city, with several hotels and cinemas. But what makes this street so special is the architectural design of many buildings. A point not so good, in my opinion, is that is crowded with tourists during the day. Anyway, in the evening full of nightlife, busy.

Puerta de Alcalá

It was considered the main door of the city. Has a neo-classical style. Every stone is in granite and is the one of the city's postcards.

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Plaza de España

The square is located at the end of the Gran Via and has a large fountain and famous statue to the Spanish writer Cervantes. The green square is surrounded by streets, but still is a very relaxing place.

Templo de Debod

The Temple of Debod is located in a beautiful park which was a gift from the Egyptian government. It is a beautiful temple of the Ptolemaic period. Stone by stone, all of them came from Lower Nubia, south of Egypt, impressive, right?

The water surface around the leafy trees is also something very nice over there.

Paseo del Prado

Passeo del Prado is a beautiful and tree lined avenue, is like a park. On one side of the avenue is the Prado Museum and Botanical Garden, and in the other side the Museum of another Thyssen. Between Plaza de Cibeles and Atocha. A delight to walk through the shadows of trees and beautiful gardens. The face from Madrid!

Plaza de las Ventas

If you want to see a bullfight, this is the place! Quite traditional here, happens the greatest shows of bullfights, with the most famous bullfighters who are always applauded by the vibrant audience. This show starts in the spring. The fair of San Isidro bullfighting is the biggest celebration in the world in this kind.

Fundación Telefónica

The Fundación Telefonica is an old building with super modern staff. It's worth entering to see the contrast of the ceiling with the stairs high-tech, maximum, like Apple Store! Sometimes there is exhibitions of photography.

Entrance Hours: Tuesday to Sunday. From 11 am to 10 pm.

Address: Gran Via, 28, 3rd plaza - Access la Calle Valverde.

El Rastro

Is in Plaza del Cascorro and is one of the outdoor markets liveliest in the world, where they sell everything!

Ideal to buy antiques, rarities, novelties, the dream of collectors and curious on-call... On Sundays and holidays between Embajadores and Calle Ronda de Toledo. South of La Latina metro station).

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Torres Puerta de Europa

The Puerta de Europa towers, also known as Kio Towers is an architectural landmark in Madrid, from airport is already possible seing them, huge! Promoted by the Kuwait Investments Office (Kio) were built in 1996 by Philip Johnson and John Burgee. Are very interesting for its inclination of 15 ° and were leaning in the first world with 114 floors me 26.

Address: Plaza de Castilla.

Observatorio Astronómico

The Astronomical Observatory of Madrid was founded on the initiative of Charles III. The building has Villanueva Library Center, with many old books, and a collection of antique instruments. Between them stands a circle meridian, a collection of watches of precision and a bronze mirror and a Foucault Pendulum in the central rotunda illustrates the daily rotation of the Earth.

Address: Calle Alfonso XII, 3.

Metro: Atocha y Bank of Spain.

Salon Internacional de Moda

The SIMM with the collection. Took place from August to September at Feria de Madrid.

EFTI

Photography School with always cool exhibitions as the "Chinese Culture Photography Exhibition" on Chinese culture, especially the culture of tea, sculptures, paintings and beautiful photographs.

Hours: 9 am to 10 pm.

Address: Calle Fuenterrabía 4.

Parque Warner

Discover the park of the characters from Warner Piu Piu, Bugs, Taz, Flinstones (Pedro and Pablo in Spain are Fred and Barney, respectively) Batman, Superman... and its amazing attractions! It's the most fun theme park in Europe! Rollercoasters radical, sensational scenery, Old West Territory, with Rio Bravo, Iguazu Salvages, World Superheroes, Hollywood Boulevard where you find: Cartoon Looney Tunes Village, with the roller coaster of Tom and Jerry, Movieworld Studios, with the attraction of the park angrier: Stunt Fall! Or if you prefer something lighter Cine Tour, quiet and short, like the "Adventures of Scooby-Doo". Enjoy "Loca Police Academy 2", among many other attractions.

What delight, close to south of Madrid!

Tickets: adults € 35, children 5 -11 years 26, 50 euros, or cheaper inputs after 4 pm..

Address: Carretera A-4, Km 22. San Martín de la Vega, Madrid.

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Aquarium de Madrid

The Madrid Zoo Aquarium is a must because it has the world's cutest animal: panda! Besides lions, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, koalas! One of the largest in Europe... and the animals are very close. It also have birds, aquarium and dolphinarium, with shows of sea lions, super intelligent dolphins, kind of Seaworld, really cool.

Do not miss the stork nests, huge, right at the entrance of the park, on top of flamingos!

Tickets: 17, 90 euro adults, 16. 90 euros children 3-7 years and seniors.

Subway: Line 10, Station Cottage.

Address: Casa de Campo.

Paseo en Segway

Simply the best! The biggest innovation of Madrid! Imagine strolling delight in this vehicle of the future! Easy to learn and great fun. The tour is the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, Temple Debod, which is a beautiful park, and Plaza de España.

Master Series Madrid

The long-awaited tournament of the world's most important happened in May. The 48 best players in the world gave a show of emotions! Luke Donald was the champion.

Real Madrid

Crazy for football, Ronaldo's club. Visit the club - how much emotion from the heart! The Stadium Bernabéu is very very exciting!

Tour Bus

When we arrive in a new place is nothing better than doing a city tour to give a general idea! A sightseeing is very nice because we can stop and get off at tourist spots and then catch another bus, with the pass... for 24, 48 or 72 hours (consecutive days). Stroll the main sights of Madrid and get to know the beautiful Spanish capital! Tour by the Royal Theatre, Royal Palace, Puerta de Toledo, San Francisco el Grande, Almudena Cathedral, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Circle Fine Arts, Museo Thyssen, Museo Reina Sofia, Jardin Botanico, Puerta de Alcalá, Salamanca, Plaza de Colon, Archaeological Museum, Plaza de Cibeles, Gran Via, Plaza de España and Temple Debot, that's beautiful!

The idea is to start in the morning to enjoy for the day. It was really great.

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Restaurants, coffees, smoothies...

Meals of the gods, the cuisine is great in Madrid, try new flavors... Do not forget to make reservations.

Here some good ones I have tried (the most of them) and others I heard about but I didn't have time to go there:

• Alfredo's Barbacoa: for many this is the best burger in Madrid (Juan Hurtado de Mendoza).
• Botin: the world's oldest restaurant, family business since 1725 (c/Cuchilleros, 17). A little expensive let's say.
• Casa Mira: since 1842 the best turron in the world! Open from 9:30 am to 2 pm and 4:30 pm to 9 pm. Address: Carrera de San Jerónimo, 30, Metro Sol.
• Chocolatería San Gines: next to Joy, it is a perfect place for hot chocolate with churros... sensational! Open from 24h (Plaza de San Ginés, 5). Very close to Plaza Mayor.
• 100 Montaditos: sooo good! You get marks on paper the sandwiches you want and you wait for someone to call you. Here comes such delicious bread with warm salmon, brie, shrimp... all with fillings that make you imagine... but, do not miss the chocolate dessert, which comes melting slides with almonds. On Thursdays, there is a promotion: 1 euro, can be possible?! Beside the Teatro Real.
• El Café Gijón: suuuuper traditional coffee, with 100 years of prestige, for a drink or dinner. Paseo de Recoletos, 21.
• Mercado de San Miguel: it is beautiful and... the maximum to sip and sample some delights, feel like living life of Madrilenos! Perfect for a fast lunch. MAke sure you have time to take a walk to see the freshest seafood, fruits tasty, incredible wines, "tapas" and the fantastic and irresistible staff of Horno de San Onofre, which is the most chic bakery in Madrid! Plaza de San Miguel, west of the Plaza Mayor.
• Museo del Jamón: not a super nice place with the strong smell of ham, like the Central Market... BUT for anyone who loves smoked may interest, is fairly typical and also... is super super cheap! FOr 1€ you can get a sandwich with the tipical "jamon" and for more 1€ a wine glass, or some juice, has also croissant and another pastery stuff. Multiple addresses in Madrid including Paseo del Prado, 44 and very close to Puerta del Sol (where I went sometimes I have to say).

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