Spain’s capital city, Madrid, is centrally located and designed to attract and keep visitors. Despite its relatively large size and importance, the city remains fairly compact with most attractions centrally located between Retiro Park and the Royal Palace. The result is a bustling cosmopolitan area that’s more or less navigable on foot.
Madrid is a city built with visitors in mind. It’s full of attractive architecture and enlightening museums, parks and gardens to stroll through, delicious cuisine served in fine establishments and a high-octane nightlife that has earned it a world-wide reputation. It’s a city that can be seen on foot with excellent public transport links both in and out of town.
The most popular area of this magnificent city is centrally located downtown and includes the Puerta del Sol, the Royal Palace and the Plaza Mayor. The Baroque style San Miguel church was built in the 1700s, while structures in the Plaza de la Villa date back to the 16th century.
Highlights
Royal Palace: housing royalty since the mid-16th century, the palace is now a hotspot for tourists who come to see its architecture, gardens and sheer opulence.
Royal Theater: Teatro Real is a world-class opera house commissioned by Queen Isabel II that still serves as an opera venue today; tours are also available.
The Rastro: Madrid’s most popular flea market opens every weekend to sell antiques, art and second-hand goods.
Temple of Debod: a curious structure all of its own, this UNESCO-protected Egyptian temple was donated to Spain in 1968, disassembled in Egypt and rebuilt in Madrid.
Bullfighting: hosted in Spain’s largest bull ring, these wildly popular events that so entranced Hemingway are still held on Sunday afternoons during the warmer months.
Puerta de Sol: bars, nightclubs and a revolving assortment of boutiques and other retail outlets all huddle around this centerpiece of downtown Madrid.