The Spanish capital is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, where historical heritage meets modern architecture. Madrid is amazing, its sights are breathtaking, but how can you create your own itinerary so as not to miss anything? Of course, it all depends on personal preferences and the company of tourists, in this regard, individual tours are more preferable - you don’t have to follow the guide’s instructions, view what you want!

Well, if you still have difficulty choosing places to visit, you can always find a suitable city tour, for example, on the website or.

The most beautiful palaces and castles of Madrid

Spain is an ancient state, with a rich history of reign of monarchs behind it. It was here that extraordinary architectural styles and fashion trends of past centuries were born. The main attractions of Madrid are, first of all, castles and palaces that are definitely worth a visit.
If you don’t want to deal with public transport during your walks around the city, you can always rent a car using the service.

Royal Palace

Royal Palace / pepoexpress, flickr.com

The residence of the monarchs impresses with its size, grandeur and some special grace. The architecture masterfully mixed baroque, rococo, and oriental influences, and the interiors are decorated with paintings by great masters. The unique garden, going down to the river itself, also surprises with its beauty. The building is open to guests most of the year unless ceremonies are being performed by the current king.

Palace of Santa Cruz

Palace of Santa Cruz / Geert Vanderkelen, flickr.com

The building, unremarkable at first glance, hides a centuries-old history behind its walls. The fact is that its purpose is a prison; it was from here that heretics, great scientists and famous personalities went to the stake. And at one time, the noble bandit Luis Candelas even managed to visit here.

Cibeles Palace

Cibeles Palace / Edgardo W. Olivera, flickr.com

This gigantic complex amazes with its exquisite architecture and abundance of exhibitions. You can admire not only the interiors, but also visit the exhibition halls; there are also restaurants and cafes, as well as comfortable recreation areas. Don’t be surprised, but you will be thoroughly searched before entering – solely for security purposes.

Spain is rich in attractions, and Madrid is no exception. This city has many interesting places where you will endlessly admire the beauty, cultural heritage and historical artifacts.

Museums that are definitely worth visiting

Prado Museum / Harvey Barrison, flickr.com

Undoubtedly, in Madrid the most important attractions should be found in museums; fortunately, there are a lot of such establishments here, and tourists are welcome in all of them. Where should an inquisitive traveler definitely go?

1. Reina Sofia Museum - here you can see paintings by legendary Spanish artists, including Juan Gris and Pablo Picasso;
2. The Prado Museum is a real historical monument, where the works of Spanish and Dutch masters are collected. Sculptures, jewelry, thousands of paintings - you can walk around the walls all day long;
3. Thyssen-Bornemisza - located in the Golden Triangle of Arts, as one of the most magnificent museums in Madrid. There are also collections of paintings by Salvador Dali, Picasso and other talented artists;
4. The Academy of Fine Arts - it was within its walls that the great creators of their time learned the basics of craftsmanship. The collection of artifacts here is small, but there are collections of paintings and sculptures by the most famous authors, including Rubens, Coelho, and El Greco. Creative evenings and meetings with masters of modern painting are also regularly held here;
5. The Maritime Museum is a great place to go with children. Madrid is a city with a rich history, and maritime attractions are collected in this building. You can see exhibitions dedicated to ethnography, maritime treasures, the history of the Spanish fleet and even pirates;
6. Las Descalzas is a monastery with a history dating back more than 4 centuries. It is located right next to the royal palace and has many ecclesiastical items in its collection. Here are paintings by Rubens, paintings by Titian and sacred objects donated by the pilgrims.

And, of course, it is worth visiting small, but at the same time very interesting museums, for example, jamon, Joaquin Sorolla, Serralbo, and the Museum of America. There are fewer exhibits here, and you’ll only spend a few hours exploring them, but you definitely won’t get tired of admiring the beauty. This is an excellent option for a short-term vacation, because you definitely won’t be able to see all the sights of Madrid that are on the map in one trip.

Modern monuments and other interesting places

Las Ventas / Ronny Siegel, flickr.com

In addition to the majestic palaces and amazing museums, visitors to the city simply must see other attractions. You may be interested in such objects as:

Arena Las Ventas is the real pride of Madrid. Bullfights are held here in the summer months, and other public events for spectators are held during the rest of the year. The building amazes with its architecture, rich history and special atmosphere.

Atocha Station is a luxurious building, inside of which there is a winter garden, shopping centers, shops, cafes, even a pond with turtles. In such an abundance of colorful objects, guests manage to forget that they are, after all, at the station, and trains are constantly arriving here.

Plaza Mayor / otsaloma, flickr.com

Plaza Mayor is the main square of the capital, where in the old days there was a market, bullfights were held, and people disliked by the authorities were simply burned at the stake.

Cafe "Gijon" is an establishment in the very center where you not only serve delicious food, but also admire the interiors. Famous personalities once visited here, and to this day the walls are decorated with their paintings.

Buen Retiro Park is an excellent place for a relaxing holiday. There are cozy benches, dense vegetation frames wide alleys, and there is calm in the air.

Santiago Bernabeu / Cisco Systems GmbH, flickr.com

The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is a grandiose creation where Real Madrid hosts its home matches. Football fans should go here to see not only a spectacular game, but also extraordinary support from the population - tens of thousands of people come to cheer for their favorites.

Also be sure to explore the monuments in Madrid, such as Don Quixote and the Strawberry Bear. Stroll along the streets, enjoying the beauty, and be sure that your vacation will be great!

Video: sights of Madrid.

How to make a travel map?

If you want to get much more impressions than in your home country, go to Madrid - the map of this city is replete with interesting objects, and its surroundings impress with the beauty of the landscapes. How to spend the perfect time and create your own travel itinerary?

• Before your trip, study what attractions there are, divide them into those that you definitely want to see, visit if possible, and also those that are unlikely to impress you.
• Get reliable information about the work of museums and palaces, make a vacation map, indicating the time and object to visit.
• Once you arrive in the city, you can buy a Madrid Card. This card gives you access to most museums and places of interest. For 3 days it will cost 73 euros, for 1 - 52. You can buy it in the central square, at the information service, just remember that you cannot pay in cash here - you need a plastic card.
• A public transport pass will also be useful - for a week it costs 70 euros, allowing you to use buses without restrictions. You will be able to visit all the sights in the city and its surroundings.
• To save on food, visit a market located away from the center and tourist routes. Eat in establishments where the local population goes - they know exactly where the food is delicious. In addition, the price in such places will be much lower.

Madrid can give you a lot of amazing emotions. Plan your vacation, recharge yourself with positivity and hit the road. This incredible city will more than replace your vacation at sea, and you will gain knowledge, enjoy the beauty, and get in touch with the history and traditions of an amazing country.

What to see in Madrid in 1, 2 days

Madrid has not gained such great popularity among travelers, unlike Barcelona, ​​remaining in its shadow. But this does not mean that the capital of Spain has no cultural and historical value. Here, as in many popular tourist centers in Europe, there is something to see and do for the average tourist. We will talk about this in more detail in this article.

What to see on your own in Madrid in 1 day

For many tourists, Madrid is not the main destination of the trip, but is used rather as a transit point. This is logical, since all its attractions can, in principle, be explored in 1-2, or at most 3 days. But from Madrid you can easily reach cities such as Barcelona, ​​Seville or Lisbon and Porto. In a word, the question of what to see in Madrid in a short time is very relevant.

So, what to see and where to go in the capital of Spain on day 1? It is worth considering here that this 1st day is often incomplete. By the time we get to the airport, we’ll check into a hotel (most hotels check in at 1-2 p.m.), find somewhere to eat, etc.

For Day 1, we have developed a special route that passes through the main attractions of the city and forms the first impression of Madrid.

Madrid route on the map

Puerto del Sol Square

It starts from Puerto del Sol Square - one of the main squares of Madrid and located in its very center. On the square there is the Sol metro station, where 3 metro lines intersect.

Plaza Mayor

The next goal is Plaza Mayor. You can reach it in a straight line, along the street of the same name. We advise you to turn onto Espos and Mina Street and then get lost a little. There are very colorful and atmospheric places here.

Check out Plaza Santa Ana. You can stop at one of the many tapas bars, restaurants and cafes.

We go out to the colorful Plaza Mayor - this is the historical “heart” of Madrid. The area has a rectangular shape. There are several restaurants. Street musicians play in the evening.

San Miguel Market

After the square, visit the San Miguel Market. This is a very interesting market with a huge assortment - the Madrid equivalent of the Boqueria in Barcelona.

Mainly aimed at tourists. Tapas, seafood, fruits and vegetables, meat and jamon are sold here. There are several cafe counters where you can prepare the above-mentioned seafood, pour sangria, wine or beer.

A great place to grab a bite to eat and generally have a good time.

Almudena Cathedral

Then we move along Mayor Street (here, by the way, you can buy cheap souvenirs). The first important attraction on our way is the Cathedral of Madrid - Almudena.

Don't be lazy and go inside, it's free.

Royal Palace

Then the famous Royal Palace of Madrid appears before your eyes - one of the largest in Europe.

In front of the palace lies the magnificent Piazza-Park Oriente. Be sure to take a walk here too.

You can also get inside the cathedral and examine its rich interior decorations. To do this you need to pay 10 euros and stand in a short queue.

Around the palace there are picturesque parks and gardens - Sabatini and Campo del Moro. It's also worth a look here.

Madrid, as you know, is one of the greenest cities in Europe and there are a huge number of park areas.

Plaza de España

After a walk around the Royal Palace, we head to Plaza de España. There are several interesting objects here. This is a monument to the famous Spanish writer Cervantes and his most famous heroes - Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. As well as two monumental buildings - the 142-meter Madrid Tower and the 117-meter Spain building.

Gran Via

If you still have enough time and energy, then from Plaza España we go out onto the main avenue of Madrid - Gran Via. On the main "artery" of Madrid there are many cafes and restaurants, shops and boutiques, souvenir shops and many, many other interesting things.

After walking 1.5 km along Gran Via, we will go to Plaza Cibeles to the “calling card” of Madrid - the Cibeles Palace.

You can end the day in the Retiro Park, which is located just nearby. But if this is not your last day in Madrid, then it is better to postpone your walk in the park to the next day.

Madrid - day 2

On the second day we will not give a specific route, but will simply list the places that are worth visiting. In what order to do this is up to you, depending on where you are staying.

Cable car (Teleferico de Madrid)

Be sure to take a ride on the Madrid cable car. For us personally, this is one of our favorite entertainments when traveling, which never gets boring, since every time we see more and more new landscapes from the cabins.

The cable car in Madrid connects the city center with the Casa de Campo park. Travel time is about 10 minutes.

Prado Museum

The most popular museum in Madrid, the Prado, is one of the 20 most visited art museums in the world. The Prado houses a collection of masterpieces of fine art from all over Europe (Flemish, Spanish, Italian, English, French, etc.)

Royal Botanic Garden

The Botanical Garden of Madrid contains more than 5,000 plants of different types: flowers, herbs, trees, palms, etc. There is a greenhouse with many types of cacti and vegetation of the humid tropics. Plant lovers should definitely check this place out.

Retiro Park

The most famous park in Madrid is called Buen Retiro.

This holiday destination is popular with both local residents and city visitors. The park has a small lake where you can go boating.

The Prado Museum, Retiro Park and Botanical Garden are located next to each other, so it is convenient to visit these attractions in one day.

The cable car is located near Plaza España, so you can visit it on the first day, and postpone the walk along Gran Via to the second.

Excursions in Madrid

You can spend time in Madrid with interest by taking a tour with a Russian-speaking guide. A classic sightseeing tour of the city will cost only 20 euros, but there are also more unusual options.

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Insurance

To obtain a Schengen visa, as is known, the list of required documents includes an insurance policy for those traveling abroad.

When traveling to other countries where a visa is not required, taking out an insurance policy for the safety of you and your family members will also not be amiss, especially if you are traveling with children.

Excursions

The best way to get to know a new city is through guided tours from local residents. To do this, many travelers use services such as Sputnik8.

Madrid is a historic city in Spain, which harmoniously combines the sights of medieval and modern architecture. Tourist routes through its memorable places will delight even the most picky guest.

The location of the Spanish capital is the central part of the Iberian Peninsula. The administrative center is characterized by a continental mountain climate with strong winds that bring cold air from the Sierra de Guadarrama in winter. It's hot in summer, but very comfortable in spring and autumn. The center occupies 607 km2, rising 646 m above sea level, and is divided into 21 districts.

Madrid (the sights and the route along them will appeal to even sophisticated tourists) is a city of world importance with a great cultural heritage, a bit similar to Paris, Rome and Barcelona:

• majestic buildings;
• park areas;
• museums with unique masterpieces of art;
• a large number of shops.

At night, no one falls asleep here, the city continues to sing, walk, and dance passionately in clubs and bars.

Best time to visit

It is better to walk around Madrid in autumn or spring; in summer there is a lot of scorching sun, heat and stuffiness. In winter, the Spanish city will be chilly due to the coolness and constant rain. In comfortable weather conditions, it is pleasant to stroll through unique attractions, recreation areas, and make purchases in well-known shopping spots (Gran Via, Chueca, Calle Toledo, El Rastro, El Mercado de San Miguel).

How to get to Madrid. The cost of travel

Coming to a European city is not difficult. You can get to the Spanish capital by car or bus, as well as fly on international airlines; the airport is only 13 km from the center, where express buses constantly go. The ticket costs 5€, the final destination is the railway station.

The same journey, in a comfortable taxi, will cost 6 times more. 10 minutes from the first terminal of the airport there is the 5th line of the green metro line, the train will quickly take you to the center. Conveniently, tickets for both the bus and metro are identical, the price is 1.5 – 2 €, depending on how many stations you need to go through (5 or 10).

Rail transport is another option for traveling around Spain. Europe is connected to Madrid and is easily accessible from Paris, Barcelona, ​​Valencia, Milan and Lisbon.

Entertainment in Madrid

Getting to know the city cannot happen without a gastronomic excursion to restaurants. Traditional national cuisine is considered cosmopolitan; in the capital you can try dishes from all regions of Spain; also, for tourists, there are oriental cuisine, Turkish eateries and fusion cuisine.

Traditional dishes of Catalonia:

• Galician Albariño and Ribeiro;
• Andalusian sherry;
• Catalan cava wine;
• Asturian cider

Flamenco and bullfighting are tourist attractions in Madrid. In Corral de Moreira, the spiritual home of flamenco, the most beautiful dance show has been created for half a century. Similar performances can be seen in Las Carboneras, but it is recommended to buy tickets in advance, as well as confirm your table reservation.

The Toros Monumental de las Ventas arena hosts the best bullfighters in the country every Sunday from May to October. Tickets from 3€ to 150€ can be purchased on the website. It is worth considering that the permissible age is from 14 years old, if children do not pass the age restrictions, a compromise option is the bullfighting museum, a tour of the largest arena in Spain, the cost is 10 €.

Shopping

Tourists who are determined to make successful purchases most often start with souvenirs. Many people turn their attention to buying football paraphernalia: T-shirts, balls, figurines. The female half more often purchases lace (from 30 €) and fans (from 5 €). It is not uncommon to find porcelain, which is highly valued in any country, as well as Spanish cosmetics, not inferior to Italian and French, based on olive oil.

Local products are another souvenir option:

Madrid, like other large cities, is famous not only for its sights, but also for its shopping centers, walking routes along which are included in all excursions.

As well as shopping areas with numerous antique and jewelry stores:

1. Salamanca (Sol-Salamanca);
2. Cuatro Caminos;
3. Gran Via;
4. Argüelles;
5. Barquillo.

For unusual things, tourists go to the Rastro flea market, where you can find:

• National costumes;
• decorations;
• basketry;
• ceramics;
• dishes

It works from morning until 3 in the afternoon.

For a successful shopping experience, you need to remember:

1. Shops are open from 8 am to 8 pm. Lunch from 14.00-17.00. Shopping centers operate without interruption.
2. The best option is to come during the season of discounts and sales (after Christmas and before March, from July to early September).
3. It is not customary to ask for a discount in souvenir shops, but this does not apply to flea markets and food markets.

Food and drink

Madrid is popular among tourists for its mouth-watering Spanish cuisine. The area where the best tapas bars are located is the La Latina quarter; you can taste chocolate from famous Spanish chocolaterias in San Guinés and Valor. There is an opinion that you cannot go to Spain and not try the famous jamon; there are 2 types that differ in price and quality: Iberico and Serrano.

A tourist can dine at the oldest restaurant in the world - Casa Botin, where a dish costs from 25 €, tasting lamb and suckling pig. Beer lovers are advised to visit the 100 Montadios brewery.

Here, with a glass of beer, they offer a choice of more than 100 variations of sandwiches starting from 2 €. Connoisseurs of restaurant chic are welcome at Ramses, where the unforgettable decor together with an excellent menu, as well as surprises in the form of non-standard design of chairs and toilet rooms, will not leave you indifferent.

Sights of Madrid. What to see on your own in 1-2 days

Connoisseurs of ancient and modern art can visit many famous monuments and museums in one day, or continue their exploration over more days. You should start with Puerta del Sol - the square, whose second name is “Gate of the Sun”, is considered the radial center of Spanish roads.

If you move along the main street Calle Mayor, you will soon find yourself on Placa Mayor - the second main square, here stands the Baker's House, the Philip 3 Monument, the Butcher's House. In the summer, the Spanish square is converted into theater and music venues, book fairs, and Christmas markets in the winter. Located nearby The oldest market is Mercado de San Miguel.

Continuing along Calle Mayor, you can see the Almudena Cathedral, whose dome offers a unique view of the mountain range and the cityscape. Radom is the Royal Palace, which began to be built back in 1737.

Walking along Calle de Bailen, you will see Plaza Oriente and the Royal Theater with statues of the kings of Spain located on it. The next square along the way is no less interesting; here is a monument to Cervantes, whose official name is “Fountain of Literature”.

The first day of walking around Madrid will end with Debod Park with an ancient Egyptian temple brought in 1968. In the evening it looks especially beautiful and mysterious.

Madrid (attractions with a route for tourists designed for 1 day is described above) deserves to be given a little more time to its architectural monuments. The tourist can devote the second day to museums.

It is recommended to start the tour with the city's famous Prado Museum, where works of European artists are displayed, and continue at the Reina Sofia Art Center, where avant-garde works of art are exhibited. At the Thyssen-Bornemisza museum complex, guides will tell you about the history of the development of Spanish navigation.

• Royal Botanical Garden;
• the Cacha de Campo entertainment center, which has an aquarium and an amusement park;
• Museum of America.

Royal Palace

The building of one of the main attractions of Madrid was built in the 18th century, occupies 135,000 km2, and in modern times ceremonial and official receptions are held here. In 2004, the wedding of the heir to the royal family was celebrated there.

The prototype was Versailles: gray-blue facades, a harmonious architectural ensemble, and the interior decoration consists of marble and mahogany.

Inside you can see a large number of paintings by Giacchino and Tiepolo, frescoes by leading artists, as well as:

• main staircase;
• throne room;
• dining room;
• Gasparini Hall;
• porcelain room.

To get to the Royal Palace, you need to take the metro to Opera, or take buses No. 3,39,148 or 25. Opening hours from October to March from 10 am to 6 pm, from April to September from 10:00 to 20:00. Entrance fee (€):

Palace and Fountain of Cibeles

The intersection of Paseo de Recoletos, Alcalá and Paseo del Prado, where the fountain in honor of the goddess of nature is located, is one of the favorites among tourists. Fans of Real Madrid's victorious matches celebrate here. Each of the 4 corners of the square are buildings from the late 18th and early 20th centuries.

Particularly notable is the Cibeles Palace (Palacio de Cibeles), formerly the Palace of Telecommunications, built in 1918. The white structure resembles a wedding cake. Its height is 40 m, its area is more than 12,000 km2. In 1993 it was included in the list of Spanish cultural heritage sites, after which it was reconstructed. You can enter the Palace for free from 10 am to 8 pm.

The tourist will be interested in:

• trading platform (reading room);
• "CentroCentro" (venue for cultural events);
• exhibition halls.

"Gateway to Europe"

The tilted 2 identical towers are the result of a complex, thoughtful architectural design, engineered by John Burgee and Philip Johnson. They had the task of making a creative design project, which they did, forgetting about right angles and typical designs. After government approval, the foundation was laid in 1989. The opening of the original twin buildings took place in 1996.

Today, these are the only inclined high-rise buildings in the world, which the Spaniards are very proud of. Each of the two 26-story buildings is directed towards each other by 15 degrees - this is 3 times more than the inclination of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Gran Via street

This street is translated as “Big Road” and is considered in absentia the main avenue of Madrid.

It was divided into 3 sections:

1. From Alcap to Red de San Luis (here are houses with luxurious balconies and columns in the neo-Renaissance style).
2. To Callao (a mixture of American, French and modernist styles).
3. Ending with the square in American rationalism.

Wol there are numerous famous buildings, squares, cafes, bars, shops:

• Telefonika - the first city skyscraper;
• bar "Chikote";
• area with 6 cinemas Plaza del Callao.

Plaza Mayor

The intersection of Calle de Toledo, Calle de Atocha and Calle Mayor is known by locals and tourists as a majestic, royal or popular square. Here, cafes and restaurants are open non-stop, street artists and musicians entertain visitors, and merchants offer to buy souvenirs, stamps, and coins.

The history of Plaza Mayor dates back to King Enrique 2. The building of the royal bakery Casa de Panaderia has entered modern times with its original beauty, which since 1590 has supplied the royal court with bread. The main function of this building is to hold important receptions. Later, the Academy of History, the Academy of Fine Arts, and today the city archive were located here.

Puerta del Sol

“Km zero” is the point from which the distance of Spanish roads begins to be calculated. It is believed that if you step into this place and make a wish, it will definitely come true. Nearby is the symbol of the capital - a bear and a strawberry tree.

Nearby is the “Gate of the Sun”, formerly an element of the wall of the destroyed fortress. The semicircular square - Alcala, Mayor and San Jeronimo streets - is considered one of the important transport hubs of the city. Puerta del Sol has numerous shopping areas and cafes, souvenir shops and shops.

To get here, you can use public transport No. 26, 16 and 3 or the metro (Puerta del Sol station).

Buen Retiro Park

Madrid, the attractions and route you can work out yourself, is a green city with a lot of green areas.

One of these is Buen Retiro Park, where there is something to be surprised by:

• channels;
• lake;
• bridges;
• monuments;
• flower beds;
• play areas;
• diversity of flora and fauna.

Local residents call the green zone, which occupies 1.4 km2, a cultural heritage site. Previously, there were chambers for conversion to God, and later a luxurious palace.

After 1808 and the attack of the French, the structure was completely destroyed, but the park was revived in 1869 and opened to everyone. All that remains of the old building are the dance and ballrooms and the formal halls, which now house the Prado branch and the Spanish Army Museum, respectively.

Casa de Campo Park

Only in this park, guests of the Spanish capital will find a large number of original entertainment for children and their parents. On its opposite side there is a zoo with an aquarium - it will appeal to lovers of wildlife and the underwater world. The modern amusement park has 48 attractions.

There are also numerous cafes and restaurants on the site; the space is divided into 5 zones:

1. Peace (Tranquilidad).
2. Machines (Maquinismo).
3. Nature (Naturaleza).
4. Main street (Gran Avenida).
5. Children's area (Infantil).

After the adrenaline you get on the slides, you can relax and refresh yourself on the “main” street. If you want to be closer to nature, you should take food with you and organize a picnic on the grass.

Prado Museum

The building was built in the neoclassical style, designed by Juan de Villonueva, its construction lasted more than 2 decades and opened its doors in 1919. Initially, the collection included only 311 paintings by Spanish artists, but over time, the number increased to 5,000 paintings not only by local authors, but also by Italian and Flemish painters.

Gradually, the collection is supplemented with works by European authors. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 8 pm, on Sundays and holidays: from 10.00 to 19.00, the cost of a full ticket is 15 €, children under 18 years of age and students can enter for free, a ticket for pensioners will cost 7.50 €. Easily accessible from Atocha Banco de Espana station.

Reina Sofia Arts Center

Connoisseurs of modern painting are recommended to visit the National Museum, where works by Picasso, Dali and Kandinsky are displayed. Together with the Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums, it forms the “golden triangle of art”.

In 1986, a sculpture exhibition center was located here, later the building was rebuilt, and in 1988 it was given the status of National. The doors opened for tourists in 1992; 13 years later, 3 red buildings with glass elevators inside were added to the building.

The main exhibits belong to:

• Juan Gris;
• Joan Miró;
• Salvador Dali;
• Benjamin Palencia;
• Eduardo Arroyo;
• Eusebio Sempere.

The ticket price depends on the place of purchase.

On the museum's website you can get information about free visiting hours, usually weekdays from 7 to 9 pm.

Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

Until the early 90s of the 20th century, the gallery was the largest private collection. One of the components of the “golden triangle” offers its visitors works of primitivists of Italian roots, as well as works of painters from Holland and Germany. Here you can find geometric abstraction, Russian constructivism and pop art.

The museum is located in the Villahermosa Palace, a 3-story red and white building. Visitors can see works by the great Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Caravaggio.

In 2004, the museum was expanded with the construction of an additional building; now it is difficult for a tourist not to notice the elegant combination of an ancient palace and modern architecture.

The origins of the museum complex go back to the end of the 19th century. It was August Thyssen who laid the foundation for a private collection, which his descendants continued to expand. After several generations of family heritage, several countries tried to get their hands on this unique collection.

The government received a small part of it, purchasing it from the heirs; some copies were leased to the state for exhibition.

Museum of America

In Madrid there is a place where there is a huge number of objects (more than 25,000) that allow you to learn about the life of the Indians. The museum is very popular; the core of the collection consists of items from the pre-Columbian period.

It was the Spaniard Columbus who discovered America in 1492, and the Spanish colonization of the American continent continued until 1898.

In the Museum of America in Madrid you can see many sights and artifacts brought by colonists from America

The museum has been open to public access since 1941; the current shelter was built in the neo-colonial style (American Baroque).

Thematic exhibitions available for viewing:

• knowledge and reality;
• religion and society;
• communications.

The most interesting products are:

• Quimbaya treasures;
• silver vessels;
• Mayan breviary;
• manuscripts;
• Indian utensils;
• Aboriginal mummy;
• gold items.

In addition, you can get acquainted with specimens of ethnographic and colonial type, soldier’s weapons and carbines of robbers. The museum is open every day except Monday. Entrance costs 3 €, reduced price – 1.50 €, children and students visit for free.

National Library of Spain

The largest library institution previously consisted of private collections, but over time the number of exhibits grew and the building could not accommodate the accumulated publications within its walls.

They planned the construction of a new building, which is now operational. Outwardly, the library resembles a palace, crowned with figures of cultural figures. The hall surprises with its exquisite decoration; all rooms are decorated with paintings and sculptures.

The space is divided into halls:

1. Main (printed reproductions of the first books of Spain).
2. Goya (unique photographs, drawings, book illustrations for atlases).
3. Cervantes (unique manuscripts, scientific treatises on the work of Spanish writers).
4. Barbiri (information about music and musical instruments).

Lectures, exhibitions and seminars are often held here, which anyone can attend.

Royal Theater

The theater has been transformed, reconstructed and rebuilt more than once since 1708. It was discovered in its present guise in 1850. The first performance was staged “The Favorite”, after which the theater developed and was held in high esteem. But, due to political convictions, parliamentary meetings were held here for some time.

Only in 1977, after receiving the status of a historical monument, the theater began to follow its original purpose. Now there are 28 boxes, capacity – 1746 people. The premises in the building are decorated with monuments and paintings, and the floors are covered with carpets.

Almudena Cathedral

Local residents say that the statue of Amulden was brought by the Apostle James in the 1st century. In turbulent times, the parishioners hid it so that when Madrid was recaptured from the Arabs, Alfonso 6 could not be found. And only years later, during one of the processions, stones broke off from the wall and the famous statue appeared.

The cathedral was created in the neo-Gothic style and dedicated to the Virgin Mary de la Almudena, the patroness of Madrid. Construction began in 1879 under the supervision of the architect Francisco de Cubas, but later the civil and world wars prevented it, after which its construction continued in 1950, and was consecrated only in 1993.

Monastery of Escorial

The monumental building is located at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama. Built in honor of success in the battle against the French. At the same time, both the house of the King of Spain (with a library and pantheon) and the monastery are reminiscent of the great monarchy. The king's chambers are on the 3rd floor.

The Escorial is a symbol of the “brazier” in which the saint was once burned alive.

The structure includes:

• 300 cells;
• 16 patios;
• chapels;
• towers;
• more than 80 stairs.

Here is a collection of 1,600 works by painters of European origin, which Philip II began to collect.

Monastery of Descalzas Reales

The building is located on Puerta del Sol, the entrance ticket costs 6 euros. The second name of the monastery is “A Little Chronicle of Europe during the Habsburg Times.” Visitors can feel compassion, fascination and wonder at the same time.

Descalsas Reales was founded in 1559 by Juana of Austria, who, after the death of her husband, decided to create a secluded monastery. After the monastery was ready, it accepted girls of wealthy parents who ran away from home from obsessive marriages of convenience. Young people came with gifts in the form of works of art. Gradually the monastery became an influential institution.

Today, 28 nuns live here.

Temple of Debod

An ancient Egyptian temple is located near the observation platform; Egyptian leaders presented it as a sign of gratitude for saving the Abu Simbel temples from flooding. From Piazza di Spagna you can reach it in a few minutes by walking. The construction was dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis.

The debot arrived disassembled on a ship and was then assembled in Western Park. The doors to tourists were opened in 1972. The temple is open daily, except Mondays, from 10 am to 8 pm. Visitors enter free of charge.

Gate of Alcala

Early on, the road to Alcalá de Henares passed here, the city gates served only a symbolic function, and the fortress wall was destroyed. Construction of the gate lasted 14 years until 1778, Carlos III wanted to see a grand entrance to the eastern city border.

Francesco Sabatini, who had previously worked on the Royal Palace, took up the project; Ventura Rodriguez's proposals were rejected.

The neoclassical building consists of 3 vaulted passages with lion heads on the sides. The central span is decorated with 6 pilasters and 4 columns. The arch reaches 20 m. The inscription on it reads: “King Charles III, 1778.” The sides are filled with statues of Arribas: Confidence and Courage, Justice and Wisdom.

Atocha Station

The history of the oldest station begins with the opening of the railway station in 1851 by the Queen. The train ran from Madrid to Aranjuez, where the royal house was located. Some time later, the station burned, and in 1892 a new one was built: 2 pavilions with a wrought-iron roof - a masterpiece of the 19th century. Reconstruction took place in 1992 before

After the Olympics, the old building became a place for retail outlets and cafes, and the platforms were moved. A green area with palm trees and tropical plants, turtles and birds was organized under the canopy.

At the station every week there is a fair of fortune tellers. Anyone who wants to know their fate can come and have their fortune told on their hand, but it is not cheap. The railway station has become not only a functional place, but also a cultural center.

Arena Las Ventas

The largest bullfighting ground was built in 1929 in the Mudejar style. Nearby there is a bullfighting museum, where you can see for free the historical moments of famous fights, see the heads of bulls, bullfighter costumes, and posters from the past.

On the square there are monuments in honor of Sir Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin, as well as in memory of a bullfighter who lived in the 70s of the last century, who skillfully fought and beautifully stabbed a bull, but when he raised his hands up to signify the end of his career, the bull, miraculously turned out to be alive, pierced him with his horns. Engraved on the monument is “a bullfighter died, an angel was born.”

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

A world-class sports ground - the second most important in Spain, for more than 65 years, the football field belongs to Real Madrid. Fans can live the day of their idol: look around the locker room, sit on the players' bench, and take a closer look at the 100-year history of the Madrid football club, which is displayed through cups in the Trophy Hall.

When he headed the Bernabeu club, he decided that the players deserved a grandiose stadium, after which he laid the first stone in construction, which lasted 2.5 years. On the opening day in 1947, a match took place between Spain and Portugal, with the host Madrid side winning 3:1.

The stadium seats 80,000 people, the European Cup final was held here, music concerts and public events are organized.

The tour begins with a panoramic view and continues with a walk through the stands and a visit to the locker rooms. At the end, when the opportunity arises to be on the playing field, everyone can feel what each of the players feels.

El Rastro Flea Market

A large flea market in Europe with a Spanish flavor gives tourists the opportunity to purchase everything: from antiques to military paraphernalia. Such an assortment is not available in the most famous shopping centers: jewelry and clothing, records and stamps - everything that is lying around in Spanish storerooms. There is an opportunity to find valuable things here. It is customary to bargain at the market, but it is recommended to be careful, there are pickpockets.

The old market began its activity in the 16th century along Calle San Cayetano. But this is a place not only for shopping, but also for walking. A theatrical atmosphere and cheerful bustle reign here, and music sounds. The market got its name from the word “rasto” - trace; previously animals from the slaughterhouse were dragged along the street, leaving a bloody trail. Times have changed, but the name remains.

San Miguel Market

An international place to buy and sell goods from foreign countries, it is famous for the fact that here you can find:

• black caviar;
• oysters from France;
• Galician seafood.

The building was erected in the 15th year of the last century in the form of metal structures. The two-level stalls inside are decorated with ceramic tiles; during the cold season, gas lamps are lit here, and the stalls have been transformed into tapas bars. The work is carried out around the clock, tourists do not leave San Miguel almost until the morning.

Warner Brothers Amusement Park

Madrid (the sights, routes and places to stay described above in the article will help the tourist see all the most interesting things, even if the trip is for 1-2 days) is a city of entertainment. The theme park about the heroes of films and cartoons of the film company (Tom and Jerry, Batman, Scooby-Doo) is located not far from the capital and is one of the most interesting.

There are several thematic areas:

• Hollywood Boulevard;
• cartoon city;
• world of superheroes;
• min film studio;
• Wild West.

When coming to Madrid with a child, it is worth setting aside a whole day to visit the amusement park. Unforgettable impressions from colorful shows are guaranteed.

Excursions in Madrid: routes, prices

Madrid is a city for excursions; the attractions here are worth devoting more than one day to; the cost of routes with guides for tourists starts from 20 €.

Article format: Mila Friedan

Video about the sights of Madrid

TOP 10 attractions of Madrid:

Madrid is the political, economic and cultural center of Spain. One of the most beautiful European capitals. A city invariably associated with the color red, like the stripes on the Spanish flag. And for good reason. Hot sun, excellent red wine, bullfighting, many bloody events in such a difficult Spanish history. Everything that for many decorous European capitals seems like a distant past - coups d'état, changes of power and regime - for Spain and its inhabitants is recent history, taking place in the luxurious scenery of ancient buildings. And the center of events is always it, the main city of the country - Madrid.

Today, the Spanish capital attracts many tourists from all over the world with its magnificent architecture, interesting museums, rich collections of art objects from many countries of the world - it is not for nothing that Spain was a colonial power. In addition, the southern temperament of the inhabitants of this amazing country is so clearly felt here. It is also manifested in the amazing local cuisine, love of football, bullfighting, slides into the local dialect, is heard in music and is reflected in flamenco. At the same time, Madrid is a modern and developed city. This is a modern European, and I must say, very comfortable capital, where life pulsates day and night.

If you are interested in Spanish history, architecture, color, and at the same time the very modern life of the Spaniards, welcome to Madrid!

How to get to Madrid

It is quite natural that the fastest and most convenient way to get to the Spanish capital is by plane. Direct regular flights to Madrid are operated primarily by the Russian company Aeroflot and the Spanish airline Iberia.

However, those planning a trip to Madrid should also pay attention to the options for flights with transfers. Sometimes they turn out to be cheaper and more interesting, especially if you plan your route wisely, combining flights from low-cost airlines. In any case, you should start with search engine sites like www.skyscanner.ru and www.aviasales.ru, which will help in choosing tickets. You can read more about airlines operating flights from Russia to Spain, as well as about low-cost airlines.

You can also get to the Spanish capital by train, but with transfers. Read more about this.

Where to stay in Madrid

There are countless hotels, apartments and other places to stay in Madrid. You can read more about placement options in the corresponding article. But in short, the choice of a base in the capital is rationally tied to the purpose of your trip and, of course, to the budget.

If the purpose of your trip is to visit museums and sightseeing, then it is better to choose accommodation in the center. However, “center” in Madrid is a loose concept. However, it is for the better. In close proximity to the historical heart of the city - Plaza Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, or the "golden triangle of museums" - the area around Paseo del Prado and Retiro Park, as well as the Salamanca district Accommodation prices will be higher than, for example, in the Atocha station area. Although it is also located in the center, you will have to walk 10 minutes to get to the museums. In addition, choosing a hotel in the Atocha area will be rational for those who are planning to travel around the outskirts of Madrid - both the center is nearby and the train station is nearby. Good options here are Hotel Agumar, Hotel Mediodia, NH Madrid Nacional and Eric Vökel Atocha Suites.

The capital also has another train station, Chamartín Station, located in a modern residential area, not far from Plaza Castile with its famous leaning high-rise buildings. Accommodation prices here are significantly lower than in the center, and the hotels are no worse, for example, the Meliá Castilla Hotel.

You can read in detail about hotels and apartments in Madrid in different areas and their features.

How to get around Madrid

The historical center of Madrid with all its attractions is relatively small, which makes it very convenient for walking, but if you want to take a look at more distant attractions, for example, the Santiago Bernabeu stadium or the Las Ventas Arena, as well as new neighborhoods, it is wise to use public transport , in particular the metro. Firstly, the network of metro stations in Madrid is quite extensive, so you can get to almost any attraction far from the center without traffic jams. And the traffic congestion in the capital is colossal, almost all day long. The metro map can be found on the official website www.metromadrid.es. In addition, there are many bus, tram and trolleybus routes in the capital.

What to see in Madrid

Madrid is a great place for walking. It is beautiful, first of all, because you can explore its main attractions on foot, walking along the main streets and squares, turning your head left and right.

Madrid is a city of museums. There are countless of them here, like the world-famous mastodons of the Boulevard of Arts (Paseo del Arte) - the Prada Museum (Museo Nacional del Prado), the Reina Sofia Center for the Arts (Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía), the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza ) etc., as well as small museums. As a rule, they occupy separate mansions and have a narrow focus, but this only benefits them. Examples include the Cerralbo Museum (Museo Cerralbo), the National Museum of Decorative Arts (Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas) and the National Museum of Romanticism (Museo Nacional del Romanticismo).

In addition, Madrid is a city of parks and gardens. The Parque del Buen Retiro in the city center, with its variety of vegetation, fountains and sculptures, the Crystal Palace (Palacio de Cristal del Retiro) and the Velázquez Palace (Palacio de Velázquez), will be a wonderful place to relax after excursions in the center, especially on hot days. The Casa de Campo park will especially delight children due to the location of the zoo and attractions, as well as the cable car that will lead to a green oasis on the other side of the Manzanares River - Parque del Oeste. The Royal Botanical Garden (Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid) also deserves special attention.

Madrid is also a city of sacred buildings. Even today the people of Madrid, like all the inhabitants of Spain, are very religious; they were even more religious several centuries ago. That is why the construction of churches and monasteries has always been a matter of particular importance. The Spaniards reflected their love for the Almighty with taste and scope, as evidenced by the Royal Cathedral of St. Francis the Great (Real Basílica de San Francisco el Grande), Almudena Cathedral (la catedral de Santa María La Real de La Almudena), San Antonio de Padua, the Descalzas Reales monastery-museum (Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales), the Hermitage of St. Anthony of Florida (Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida), where the great Goya is buried, and many others.

And of course, Madrid - the center of the Spanish Kingdom - is a city of palaces. Luxurious and truly royal. While in the capital, you can’t help but look at the Royal Palace (Palacio Real de Madrid), the Cibeles Palace (Palacio de Cibeles) on the square of the same name, the Santa Cruz Palace (Palacio de Santa Cruz), etc.

Special attractions of Madrid are also its markets - San Miguel (Mercado de San Miguel) and El Rastro (El Rastro de Madrid), Las Ventas Arena, where bullfighting takes place, as well as the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.

The modern areas of the city with its modern buildings are also beautiful in their own way. For example, the tilted high-rise buildings in Plaza de Castilla are a symbol of modern Madrid.

In a word, Madrid has more than enough beauty and interesting things to suit every taste. To create an interesting route, arm yourself with a good guidebook, study the Internet or hire a personal guide, for example, on.

Where to go from Madrid

You can plan a trip from Madrid to both distant cities and nearby surroundings. Among those nearby, Segovia, El Escorial, Aranjuez, Alcalá de Henares, Cuenca, Ávila, Toledo deserve attention.

Not so popular, but no less interesting are Colmenar de Oreja and Chinchon.

When choosing a hotel or apartment in Spain in general and in Madrid in particular, use not only booking sites, but also price comparison services. We recommend Roomguru.ru.

You should do the same when searching for air tickets. Pay attention, for example, to Skyscanner.ru.

An independent trip to Spain allowed me to see the sights of Madrid, churches and museums, relax in Madrid parks, taste Spanish cuisine; if you want to know more, read the story about an independent trip to Spain

After my first trip to Spain, I was very pleased with Madrid and promised myself that I would definitely visit the Spanish capital again. And so it happened, and quickly... And then it happened again... And again... Moreover, having established a base in the heart of Castile, I was also able to see the towns around Madrid - Toledo, Avila, Segovia, Escorial, Aranjuez and others. A summary text about my independent travels to Spain is now offered to the attention of the most respectable public. The first issue will be a story about the sights of Madrid, and then the rest of the “Castilians” will follow...

Unlike the first trip, when a bus from Zaragoza took me to Madrid, all other visits began for me with a flight. Flights were from Prague, Amsterdam, Paris, because no one flies directly from St. Petersburg to Madrid, and in general flights from Russia of little interest due to the high price. For some reason, Czech airlines regularly gives prices in the region of 8,000 rubles for flights from St. Petersburg to Madrid with a transfer in Prague, while Aeroflot, which many call “national carrier” from “national carrier,” does not indulge its customers with anything like that. So I have to fly with transfers, although personally they don’t bother me at all: I go straight to the business box and spend a good time there between flights.

The transfers required to get from Barajas airport to the center of Madrid do not bother me either: for the time being, the best option to travel this route was the metro, because line 8 brings a former air passenger to the Nuevos Ministerios station in a quarter of an hour, and this is a large hub where Several subway lines converge at once and commuter trains also make a stop. The ticket for a very long time cost only 2.5 euros, one coin was actually for the journey and another one and a half served as an additional payment for the trip to the airport. However, since 2012, the authorities of the Spanish capital have increased the surcharge, and now travel by metro costs 4.5 euros. In this situation, all the hitherto unnoticed inconveniences of transfers stand out: the underground passages of the Nuevos Ministerios station require an 8-10 minute walk to change the line from the airport to another.

Interestingly, an additional payment is required only for airport stations, while residents of the town of Barajas located between them pay the standard city fare. In other words, having passed the stop “Aeropuerto T 1-T 2-T 3”, you can get off before reaching “Aeropuerto T 4” and then walk - lovers of economical travel will be able to reduce their expenses. There is also the option of walking from the group of terminals 1-3 to the Alameda de Osuna metro station on line 5; it takes about twenty minutes to walk there. This trip will allow you to get to the center of Madrid for 1.50 euros, the cost of a regular transport ticket.

But why walk, you can get from Barajas Airport to Madrid for the same one and a half euros by city bus, which delivers passengers directly to the Avenida de America bus station - there, by the way, there are automatic luggage storage facilities, which is convenient when a person is in transit in Madrid and wants to walk around the city until the evening. Travel on bus route 200 costs one and a half euros, the trip will take about forty minutes or a little more, depending on the situation on the highway, where the line turns right after parting with Barajas.

I will also mention the intercity bus station directly at the airport, and going to other cities in Spain from Barajas is therefore as easy as shelling pears...

Recently, the question of how to get from Barajas Airport to Madrid has received another answer: by commuter train of the “Cercanias” system. We launched this project a couple of years ago, and now with the help of trains you can quickly get to the Atocha and Chamartin stations without changing, plus it’s also worth remembering about the Mendez Alavro bus station - line C1 passes through all these stations. This way to get from Barajas airport is good for its speed - a trip to the center of Madrid will take no more than 15 minutes, and the price is 2.40 euros versus 5 euros, which has recently been required for the metro. It is also worth remembering that holders of tickets for high-speed trains of the Spanish Railways are allowed free travel on the Cercanias electric trains from the airport to the Madrid station where they have a planned transfer. The disadvantages of the train as a means of getting to the center of Madrid include an inconvenient schedule, only 2 flights per hour, at 28 and 58 minutes, and the fact that departures are carried out only from terminal 4 spoils the matter even more. Of course, the Barajas airport terminals are connected by a free bus, but moving will also require time, carrying things, etc.

Having outlined the ways to get from Barajas Airport to Madrid, I will say that you need to consider options in relation to your goal: it is more convenient to go to one area this way, to another that way. Personally, I used the metro most often, since my favorite hotel “Gran Atlanta” on Calle Comandante Zorita is a couple of steps from the crossing of the “Nuevos Ministerios” station, so when I arrive from the airport, I just drop my things there and go for a walk around the city. However, on my last visit, I was literally scandalized by the conditions of the accommodation: the snoring of the guest next door was heard with all the sounds and sounds. So, on my next voyage, I renewed my acquaintance with the Avant Torrejon hotel, in the suburbs of Madrid. I once had the chance to stop there when, having arrived late, I expected to spend the night and go by bus to Cordoba in the morning. According to the special offer, the hotel costs 43 euros for two, and this is for a room with air conditioning and a rich breakfast is included in the price. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from Torrejon de Ardos station, and although the journey to the center of Madrid takes almost an hour in total, the low price of accommodation makes up for this disadvantage. Again, Avant Torrejon provides a free transfer from Barajas and back, but it is especially convenient to stay there for those traveling by car: there is free parking, and the highway exit is nearby.

Yes, of course, if you wish, for about the same money you can stay in the center of Madrid, even near Puerto del Sol, but the available options will definitely be hostals, which means an old building, shower and toilet on the floor, no air conditioning, no soundproofing no crowd of rowdy young people, the usual contingent of this kind of place. In addition, there may well be a nightclub nearby with partying and blaring music until the morning, not to mention the cost of parking in the center of Madrid. In a word, issues of accommodation must be considered in a comprehensive manner, and the nearest suburbs of the Spanish capital should not be discounted. For example, according to my estimates, a good hotel somewhere in the towns of Parla or Leganes will cost 40-50 euros, versus 70-80 for hotels in the central regions; It’s also worth keeping an eye on the neighborhoods near the Chamartin train station, where transport links are good and accommodation prices are low. In my opinion, it is better to spend more time on the road to the center of Madrid than to suffer because of noisy neighbors or lack of air conditioning...

To finish with practical questions and start a walk around the capital of Spain, I’ll say a few words about the “Madrid Card”. The Madrid museum card makes life much easier for travelers, but its high cost does not allow us to unequivocally recommend its use today: several years ago I happily used the “Madrid Card”, now, most likely, I would not take it. In the end, I have already seen the main attractions of Madrid, and I don’t need a card to walk around the city and travel outside of it.

If you still need a Madrid card, you can buy a “Madrid Card” at tourist offices, for example, at the head office on Plaza Mayor. There is free Internet there, 15 minutes per person, but still there, they sign up for all kinds of excursions, they help you find housing, and they have finally launched an interactive system for getting to know the city. By the way, that’s where we’ll go now to start sightseeing in Madrid. Even though Puerta del Sol is officially considered the main square, and there is the Madrid symbol, a bear eating strawberries, but for me personally the Spanish capital is still personified by Plaza Mayor. Its pompous architecture perfectly demonstrates the morals of Madrid, arrogant and proud. And all because until the end of the 11th century AD, one might say, no one had even heard of it: the future center of Spain was formed around the Arab fortress of Majirit, and then, at the very beginning of the Reconquista, it was a tiny settlement, inferior in all respects nearby Toledo. Even after the Christians reconquered part of Castile in 1083, little changed in the fate of Madrid, since the capital was always moving along with the royal palace, and it was either hanging out in Valladolid or Burgos. Officially, the capital's functions were given to the city by the Spanish King Philip II, and this event happened in 1561.

Spiteful critics, say, from Catalonia or the same deprived residents of Burgos, would certainly say something like “from rags to riches”, and they would, in general, be right. So Plaza Mayor came out rich, having started her “career” as a market, and even outside the historical center, outside the city wall. Only then was it raised in status, choosing it as a venue for special events such as holidays, bullfights and executions; The reconstruction of the entire ensemble was carried out by order of King Philip III. The square acquired its pretentious appearance many years later, after it had been transformed for almost half of the 19th century, uniting all the houses in a single style and thereby creating a regular rectangle of buildings of the same type. Now Plaza Mayor makes a strong impression on tourists and also serves as a popular meeting place among locals, so you can kill two birds with one stone - both to gaze at the architecture of Madrid and at the Madrileños themselves...

There are nine streets leading off the square at once, one of which leads to the square Puerto del Sol, where you can photograph the monument with a bear and strawberries; This kind of photo shoot is almost a mandatory item in the program of every self-respecting tourist. Another thing is that all kinds of protest rallies and demonstrations are systematically held on Puerta del Sol, so photographing can be seriously difficult.

From the square, Calle de Arenal leads to another significant landmark of Madrid, the Royal Palace. Its ensemble, built in the 18th century, is now not used to house the Spanish monarch, but still has the status of an official residence, and therefore the entrance to tourists is periodically closed during ceremonies. Meanwhile, you should definitely get acquainted with the palace interiors, because the average traveler rarely gets the chance to visit a real, working palace of a real king.

And if from the outside the Royal Palace of Madrid looks rather strict and does not leave the impression of a bright building, then the elaborate decorations inside completely compensate for their absence outside. What’s surprising if such outstanding masters as Goya and Velasquez took part in the work on the design, and in general the king’s subjects did their best.

Almost next to the palace stands an impressive Almudena Cathedral, also richly decorated inside, and adding to this luxury of interiors also a luxurious exterior. The residents of Madrid wanted to have a cathedral for a long time; such plans go back as far as the 16th century, and the only thing that prevented them from coming true was the lack of their own diocese - the bishops of Toledo were by no means eager to limit their powers. It was only in the last quarter of the nineteenth century that Madrid was granted its own episcopal see and construction finally began. But the illustration of the saying about “harnessing slowly, but driving quickly” did not work out: the work dragged on and it took almost a hundred years before the Almudena Cathedral received its final form. It is noteworthy that they planned it to be neo-Gothic, but built it in the neoclassical style, to match the palace.

To the side of these two buildings is a pleasant square of the most noble appearance. In the center of the Plaza de Oriente, as this corner of Madrid is called, there is an equestrian monument to Philip IV, and around it stand figures of the most famous kings of Spain, mostly in knightly garb.

On the other side, the Sabatini Gardens adjoin the palace ensemble, an excellent place to relax after a tour of the Royal Palace. On an area of ​​two and a half hectares there used to be stables, the need for which disappeared after the beginning of the era of motorism. The freed space was given to specialists in garden art, and the resulting park met all expectations. Its shady alleys with fountains, sculptures and trimmed bushes are extremely pleasing to the eye.

Coming out of the Sabatini Gardens, from the gate farthest from the palace, you find yourself in Piazza di Spagna, the main decoration of which, the monument to Cervantes, is always surrounded by tourists; For some reason the Japanese are especially trying. They can’t reach the writer himself, sitting on top of the monument, but Don Quixote and Sancho Panza are usually covered with Asian bodies - no matter how many times you’ve been around, you’ve seen this picture so many times.

The idea to immortalize the work of Cervantes was born more than a hundred years ago, but it was realized only in the early 1930s, around the same time when the famous Gran Via, one of the busiest arteries of Madrid, received its final appearance. Translated from Spanish, its name means “big path”, and the path is really long - almost one and a half kilometers. The construction of Gran Via began in the middle of the 19th century, during the restructuring of the historical center. To relieve its narrow streets, drastic measures were required, and the wide avenue became their main embodiment. Gran Via acquired its final appearance already in the 20th century, with the advent of multi-story buildings; During the Civil War, these high-rise buildings were used by the Francoists who shelled the capital for aiming, and the nickname “howitzer alley”, given by the sharp-tongued Madrileños, emphasizes this sad fact with bitter humor.

Now Gran Via is a fairly peaceful place where people come to have fun and have a bite to eat, fortunately restaurants, cafes, and cinemas fill the avenue with a motley “crowd”, interspersed with hotels, office buildings, shops and clubs. The ornate architecture of the buildings forms a unique ensemble, and walking along Gran Via is pleasant in every sense: if you don’t come here to drink and walk, then you definitely need to take pictures of the views.

The eastern end of the avenue ends in Cybele Square, decorated with an impressive monument to this goddess. Why suddenly the residents of Madrid were inflamed with love for the representative of the pagan pantheon is unclear even to historians, but the townspeople celebrate the victories of Real Madrid here - and this means a lot. At the beginning of the 21st century, there were more than enough reasons for celebration, and the figure of the goddess sitting in the middle of the fountain in a chariot drawn by lions began to gradually collapse - according to tradition, players climb onto the monument, greeting the fans from there. As a result, now only the team captain has the right to climb into the chariot; However, in the 2012-2013 season, Los Blancos never had the chance to get into the chariot, and this is not surprising with such a coach and such leadership...

What stands out from the buildings surrounding Plaza de la Cibeles is a huge communications palace, looking like the Moscow skyscrapers of Stalin's times. But the triumphal arch visible in the distance is more reminiscent of the buildings of ancient Rome. This design adorns Puerto de Alcala, one of the most remarkable squares in the Spanish capital. It was furnished on the occasion of the ceremonial entry of King Charles III into Madrid; the monarch personally chose the design of the architect Francesco Sabatini. In those days, by the way, it was 1778, the Porta de Alcalá really was the gateway to the city, and the wide openings of the neoclassical arch, built of stone and granite, were intended for the passage and passage of people. Only a century later, when the space of the square was redeveloped, traffic flows were bypassed, and the building found itself on its own. Now it, like the monument to the bear with strawberries, is considered a symbol of Madrid.

It is best to photograph the arch from afar, say, from Paseo de l Prado - after the photo shoot you can go see the sights of Madrid located behind this boulevard. First of all, we are talking about the famous Prado Museum, although the collection of works of art in the museum Thyssen-Bornemisza is also worth a visit.

It should be noted that the appearance of the Prado Museum in no way promises an acquaintance with masterpieces; it is a rather ordinary building; in my opinion, since the building was built specifically to house the royal collection of paintings, they could have built something more presentable. One way or another, the Prado Palace, opened in 1819, nevertheless accepted the masterpieces accumulated by the Spanish kings, immediately becoming a star of the first magnitude in the museum world. Indeed, just the list of the most famous artists whose paintings are kept in the Prado Museum is amazing, because it includes Rubens, Dürer, Rembrandt, Poussin, Botticelli, and, of course, Goya. Paintings by Flemish, Dutch, and Italian painters make the visitor gasp and gasp in amazement in literally every room: although most of the paintings were created in the 15th-17th centuries, the canvases have not lost any of their brightness and richness, not to mention the skill of their creators.

It is difficult to recommend any specific paintings, because everyone has different tastes, but still some masterpieces cannot be missed. The Prado Museum is, first of all, “Maja Dressed” and “Maja Nude” by Francisco Goya, “Danae” by Titian, “The Three Graces” by Rubens. I still remember Dürer’s work, but his paintings definitely won’t appeal to everyone. In general, it’s convenient to go to the Prado Museum website and make a rough plan for your walk. It’s even better to make plans for several walks, because there are a lot of pictures, and you won’t be able to take it all in one sitting. It makes sense to come to the Prado Museum several times, especially since in the evenings, from 6 to 8 p.m., admission is free for everyone, and on weekends, from 5 p.m. onwards, you don’t have to pay for tickets at all - you just go to the box office and take a ticket, thereby saving 12 euros.

You can also enter the second most important art museum in Madrid, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, for free, but this opportunity is not available every day: only on Monday, and only from 12 to 16 o’clock - at least the museum’s website says about this opportunity. So a ticket costs 9 euros, or even 15 euros if the visitor wants to see temporary exhibitions in addition to the main exhibition. There is something to look at there even without additional viewings - the private collection of Baron Thyssen-Bornemisza, which has become the main museum, covers European painting of the 13th-20th centuries and includes paintings by such masters as Gauguin, Pissarro, Van Gogh.

More contemporary works can be seen at the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia on Calle de Santa Isabel, at the very end of the Paseo del Prado, near Atocha Station. This is where the so-called “art” of the avant-garde is overflowing, and some people are delighted with it. Personally, what I liked most about it was the glass elevator, which opened up views of the city as it climbed, and the rides on it turned out to be much more interesting than most of the exhibits - without these panoramas of Madrid in the evening, the Reina Sofía Arts Center would remain in my memory as simply wasted time. It’s good that at least I didn’t have to pay 8 euros for entry, since I had a “Madrid Card” at that time...

As a continuation of your tour of Madrid, it is now appropriate to relax in nature; therefore, we have a direct path to the Royal Botanical Garden, which has existed for more than two and a half centuries. During this time, the flora collections expanded from the original 2,000 plants to the current 30,000. From 1755 to 1781, the Royal Botanical Garden was located in a different location; it occupied its current territory of 8 hectares by order of King Carlos III. The garden area is occupied by many trees and flowers from all continents, it’s damn nice to walk there.

It is no less pleasant to walk through Retiro Park - it is both older and larger. The area east of the center of Madrid began to be developed in the second half of the 16th century; to transform the territory into a pearl of landscape art, the Spaniards invited Bernardo Buontalenti from Italy, who made a name for himself by working in the Florentine Pitti Gardens. For a long time, entry into the park was allowed only to those close to the king, but over time the restrictions have eased, and now the alleys of the Retiro are a favorite vacation spot for the townspeople, and tourists, attracted by the beautiful scenery, enjoy spending their free time here. A monument, fountains, a rose garden, a lake on which you can ride on a rented boat - these are the joys of life awaiting the guests of the park... The Crystal Palace, an original building made of glass and metal, is especially beautiful: it is located on the shore of the lake and in calm weather it appears before the amazed people as if only there were two palaces... In fact, this is not a palace at all, but simply a greenhouse, erected in the last quarter of the 19th century to house exotic plants.

We've seen the main attractions of Madrid, it's time to tackle the minor ones. But for the sake of order, I need to say a few words about the tourist bus driving around the city - there is excursion support in Russian, and for many, it seems to me, such trips can be interesting. A ticket for 1 day costs 21 euros, for 2 days 25 euros, the travel system allows you to get off at numerous stops and board the next bus that arrives; races take place every 15-20 minutes. With the help of tourist buses you can see all the most interesting objects of the Spanish capital without any effort. Well, that is, on the first day after arrival, go for a drive, and then begin a detailed sightseeing of Madrid.

You can start, for example, with the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Atocha, located just south of Retiro Park. This monumental building was given life by a Dominican monastery founded in the 16th century. The king himself patronized him, and therefore the monks were able to find funds to improve the temple - it was rebuilt according to the design of the architect Francisco de Mora and the interiors were luxuriously decorated. Unfortunately, the cultural treasures accumulated by the monastery disappeared during the Napoleonic Wars; the basilica itself was also badly damaged, and it took enormous efforts of restorers to bring it back to its proper form.

This building is located south of Retiro Park, while if you move north, you will certainly come across another temple, no less large and no less famous. The Church of San Jeronimo also once belonged to the monastery; it was built 39 years after its foundation, in 1503. The similarity of the two basilicas can also be seen in their fate: the French troops that occupied Spain plundered San Jeronimo, expelled the monks and generally made themselves at home. Again, it took years of restoration, which took more than two decades, before the church again regained its characteristic beauty - it was, by the way, chosen for the coronation of Juan Carlos in 1975.

From the Atocha station, towards the center there is a long Calle Atocha, with its eateries and shops. We need to move a little further south, to the parallel Calle de Santa Isabel, where the Church of Santa Isabel stands, completed in 1655, after 16 years of work. It was intended for the Augustinian monastery, but the prayers of the monks did not help the building at all: it took so long to build it, but everything burned down in a moment, and from the beginning of the 18th century another stage of red tape began to drag on, now with restoration. Only by the middle of the century, the church’s impressive dimensions finally acquired a divine appearance.

On Atocha Street itself there is the Santa Cruz Church, which also became a victim of fire at one time. The temple, built at the beginning of the 17th century, stood for exactly fifty years before disappearing in the fire. The second incarnation was more successful, the church stood for a whole century, after which it too was consumed by flames. Needless to say, the firefighters were unable to defend the third version of the building, and although the townspeople raised money by subscription for the fourth, the current version will definitely not last long. As they say, “those born to be hanged will not drown,” and it seems that the fate of the Santa Cruz church is predetermined, the only question is when the next fire will start...

From the facade of the temple you need to walk a little forward towards Plaza Mayor, but do not enter its territory and immediately turn left. Then the bulk of the Church of San Isidoro, built by the architect Pedro Sanchez for the needs of the Jesuit order, will loom in the distance. This was in the first quarter of the 17th century, the Baroque style was just coming into fashion, and the new building shocked many. The Jesuits, however, liked the new style of architecture, they were especially inspired by its splendor - from the outside San Isidoro looks very bright, but its interior looks much brighter. And this is only part of the splendor that was before: during the Civil War, the church was partially burned, and the former interiors were restored only in places.

Walking from San Isidoro further south and turning to the left, a walker in Madrid will find himself on Calle de Embajadores, which will lead him to the Church of San Cayetano, another one that suffered from the consequences of General Franco’s rebellion. For a whole century, starting in 1669, builders worked hard to bring Marcos Lopez’s project to life, and all the luxury of the baroque temple’s design faded into oblivion in a negligibly short period of time. Restorers in the 1960s had to work very hard to restore San Cayetano literally from the ashes, since during the Francoist siege of Madrid the building burned down almost entirely.

Now the route of the excursion around Madrid lies a little back, to the Plaza de la Cebada and then west along the Carrera de San Francisco - it will end right at the Church of St. Francis. It is believed that the original version of this shrine was founded by Francis of Assisi himself in 1217. The current version of the temple was built 543 years later, under King Carlos III. At that time, the church did not gain much popularity, unlike today: a philanthropist was found who agreed to invest his own funds in interior decoration. Many outstanding personalities responded to his call, including the great Francisco Goya. The result of the joint work of artists and sculptors was a highly extraordinary decoration, and today the Church of San Francisco is one of the few churches in Madrid for which a fee is charged for viewing. Moreover, in fact, the temple plays the role of a national pantheon, serving as a burial place for prominent figures of Spanish politics and culture.

Having made a second, extended trip through the city center and seen the sights of Madrid, it’s time to think about food. In such a large city, of course, there are plenty of catering outlets, but you need to approach the choice of establishments wisely. The best places to eat inexpensively in Madrid are on Calle Atocha and Gran Via - there are options for every taste and budget. I can personally recommend a couple of places; for example, in house 118 in Atocha there is a diner “Atocha”, and there they charge 9 euros for a set of salad, paella and a drink, quite divinely. You can also eat inexpensively in Madrid at the Don Galo cafe, located at 16 on the same street; for a three-course lunch you have to pay about 12 euros, slightly above average prices, but in almost the very center of the city.

Gran Via has its own secrets, and knowing them, you can eat so inexpensively that you almost burst: the establishment “All U can eat” in house 45 organizes a “buffet” of different types of meat, salads, pizza - those who paid 9.95 euros, This is the only way to sweep food off the tables. It’s a pity that you have to pay for drinks separately, otherwise it would be a blessing.

And literally next door, at 43 Gran Via, there is a cafe “Vips” - they offer food for just pennies, because ready-made ham sandwiches cost one and a half euros, and large compositions of jamon and all sorts of vegetables cost 4 euros.

In general, food prices in the Spanish capital greatly depend on the class of the establishment. Pretentious restaurants in the center charge a lot of money from the client, but small, often family-run cafes are ready to offer tolerable conditions. Those who want to eat inexpensively in Madrid should expect the following prices: tapas cost 3.50 euros, coffee is about one and a half euros per cup, baguettes not from a store, but from a private bakery cost 70 euro cents, freshly baked bread usually costs about a euro. Supermarkets sell all bakery products much cheaper, but the friendly atmosphere of small bakeries is completely absent there, and the baguettes are not at all full of heat, not to mention the crunch of the crust...

On the contrary, I recommend buying products such as juice or ready-made salads in supermarkets, since small shops always sell at a premium; they are often kept by immigrants from Asia, so pleasant communication a la the traditional “panaderi a” will not work. Of course, grocery stores are found in the center of Madrid much more often than large stores, but whoever looks for will find; for example, we found an excellent “Lidl” right at the back of the Retiro Park, at Calle Narciso Serra 13 - we found it and took advantage of it. In fact, when excellent Spanish cheese costs a little more than 2 euros per package, and a bottle of young wine costs 1.19 euros, it would be a sin not to buy it all and have a picnic...

The question of where to buy souvenirs in Madrid is also relevant. Personally, I liked the offices on Calle Arenal de Madrid the most - not only are the prices low there, but they also offer discounts for wholesale. For example, for now, if a beautiful spoon costs 3 euros, 6 pieces can be bought for 15 coins. Likewise, postcards with views of Madrid cost 20 euro cents individually, but a set of 4 postcards will cost half a euro. I give these figures based on the results of a visit to the “Madrid gifts” store, in house 95 - fans, houses in the Spanish style, plates with views of attractions, magnets and other souvenirs that are usually brought from travel as gifts to relatives and friends are presented on its shelves more than abundantly. In fact, one visit and the question of where to buy souvenirs in Madrid is completely closed.

Lovers of everything extraordinary should also browse local markets, for example, check out the San Miguel market, which is located near the Royal Palace. This is a traditional trading place where they sell mainly food and, of course, the famous jamon. There is plenty of this goodness in Madrid; I have repeatedly come across tempting signs “Museo de Jamon” - they turned out to be just jamon shops, however, with a wide assortment representing varieties from different parts of Spain. After all, the cuisine and culinary traditions on the Iberian Peninsula vary greatly from region to region, and sometimes when moving from one city to another, seemingly nearby, you encounter different dishes, different architecture, different pronunciation. Even in Castile, where this peculiarity of Spain is greatly leveled, the peculiarities of different areas are still evident, as I was convinced of when visiting the towns around Madrid. The first sign was the Guadalajara-Alcala de Henares couple. This is what the next story will be about...