A better way around Madrid - the way of the locals!
Madrid, Capital of Spain, offers plenty of Things to Do for Travelers who step by. As lively heart of the country, Madrid overflows of Touristic places, typical gastronomy Restaurants, cultural Shows, "Places-To-Be", ... As well as it is difficult for Travelers to organize a Trip without missing any thing.
Here we show you the way of the locals - a better way around Madrid to be a tourist !
Recover all the places, enjoy every pleasure for smallest budget !
Recover all the places, enjoy every pleasure for smallest budget !
Strolling, visiting, admiring, feeling, relaxing, learning…
Just Follow the Guide !
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| Gran Via, Madrid |
#1 Enjoy the view on Real Palace from Campo del Moro
The Palacio
Real de Madrid (Royal Palace) is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family in Madrid,
but is now only used for state ceremonies (King Juan Carlos and the Royal
Family residing in the more modest Palacio de la
Zarzuela on the outskirts of Madrid).
The palace is one of the largest in the whole of Western Europe after
the Louvre, occupying an area of 135,000 square meters and with more than 2,800
rooms.
It was built between 1738 and 1755 under the orders of Philip V and
inhabited by King Charles III in 1764. It takes place on the site of the ancient
former Royal Alcazar (prison), destroyed by fire in 1734.
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| Royal Palace |
Good to Know: Also called Palacio de Oriente – Oriente Palace – There are
many confusion with Plaza de Oriente, another place in Madrid.
Located between Manzanares River and the Royal Palace, Royal Palace is extended by a garde: Campo del Moro. It name - the Moorish camp - probably comes from the fact that Muslim armies, besieging
Madrid between 1100 and 1200,had set up their camp here.
It became later the seat of hunting parties, jousts and tournaments, but
it was also a place of passage to the Casa de Campo Lake.
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Campo del Moro has not been edified at the same time as the new palace:
the garden does not existed until the late nineteenth century.
Behind the Royal Palace, you may admire another beautiful monument.
Santa María la Real de La Almudena is the recent cathedral of Madrid, built
during the twentieth century on the basis of different styles: neoclassical
exterior, neo-Gothic interior and neo-Romanesque crypt in.
It was consecrated
by Pope John Paul II on his fourth trip to Spain on June 15, 1993.
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Good to Know: This is the
first Spanish cathedral dedicated by a pope.
#2 Visit Don Quixote and Sancho Panza in Plaza de España
Don Quixote and it loyal companion Sancho Panza are standing proudly in Plaza de España, a nice place around which you can find such as a lively French quarter with cinema, pastries, café bar...
This monument was designed by architects Rafael Martínez Zapatero and Pedro Muguruza and sculptor Lorenzo Coullaut-Valera. The greatest part was built from 1925 to 1930 and was not completed until 1957 by Federico, son of Lorenzo.
Don Quixote, fully titled The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha, the main character of the eponymous Spanish novel, written by Miguel de Cervantes in 1615.
This oeuvre is considerate as the most influential work of literature from Spanish Golden Age and left anchored traces in historical legacy of Madrid and Beyond (Castilla-La-Mancha is in Madrid's neighborhood).
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| Photo by Bredy46 Source:Panoramio |
The story tells about an aimless nobleman passionate by chivalry books; one day, he turns crazy and figure out he is Knight Errant Don Quixote whose mission was to travel Spain and fight the evil that oppresses the people. Him and it loyal simple-minded companion Sancho Panza came through many bucolic histories - especially this moment with the mills...
This novel, turned so humorous, is in fact a sociological exposition of Spanish Society during Golden Age, through the eyes of the author.
(Read more: Walk onto Don Quixote Feet - Madrid)
#3 Enjoy a walk by Gran Via Avenue
Sometimes considerate as Les Champs Elysées of Madrid, Gran Via is main avenue of Madrid. It is a lively thoroughfare of the city, abounding in Restaurant, Famous Brand Stores, Hotels, business man, etc.
Opened in 1918 with a path in broken lines, this avenue crosses a quarter built during the late nineteenth.
Gran Via presenting an architecture made of different influences: Next to Haussmanian monuments, some buildings are inspired by the architecture of New York, or even Chicago, which was trending the period.
Walking through this lengthy avenue, you will notice some unexpected facts...
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| Source: design-party.com - aWallFactory |
Gran Vía No.1
is decorated with Art Nouveau mosaics while No. 12 shows us curious Caryatids,
sculpted facade.
At the crossroads of the Red de San Luis,
stands the building of the Telefónica. It dates from 1929 and was the first
skyscraper built in Madrid.
For the
anecdote, the Tryp Gran Vía Hotel regularly hosted Ernest Hemingway. He wrote his
texts on the Spanish Civil War he drew "The Fifth Column" and
"For Whom the Bell Tolls."
The rest of
the avenue takes American tunes with its succession of cinemas, cafes and
tourist shops.
The glowing dome you are admiring is the Top of Metropolis building,built at the prime corner site of the planned Gran Via. The Edificio Metrópolis was constructed between 1907 and 1911 after a design by the French architects Jules and Raymond Février for the insurance company La Unión y el Fenix.
Gran Vía (Great City) is one of the busiest shopping streets of Madrid. It tastes the warm animation!
Sources: linternaute.com - routard.com
#4 Take a pic with Madrid emblem: the Bear and the Strawberry Tree
A Bear holding a Tree - What a strange symbol they got here... The Statue is located in the most famous place of Madrid - Plaza Puerta del Sol - that is also the central square of the Capital.
Actually, nobody knows it exact signification, but it creation back to Antiquity and diverse theories agree to say it reminds the way Madrid grown up during the middle-age.
A Bear holding a Tree - What a strange symbol they got here... The Statue is located in the most famous place of Madrid - Plaza Puerta del Sol - that is also the central square of the Capital.
Actually, nobody knows it exact signification, but it creation back to Antiquity and diverse theories agree to say it reminds the way Madrid grown up during the middle-age.
The "strawberry tree" is actually an Arbutus Unedo or, as Spanish says, a "Madroño". It may be a reference to Hackberry, kid of trees very abundant in Madrid in the past.
There used to be many bears in Madrid - hunt was one of main activities of the region. Some historians tell that in the 13-century, Church came over hunt right to avoid it on Church's Lands. The bear became the symbol of the church and the symbol was born: a bear sniffing berries !
Going down Gran Via, you will lead to Alcala's main Street where are located Cibeles place and Communication Palace (Madrid
City Hall since 2007).
Plaza de Cibeles is a square with a neo-classical complex of marble sculptures with fountains that has become an iconic symbol for the city of Madrid and it Football Club - Real Madrid FC - which chose as emblem Cibeles fountain.
This fountain depicts Cybele (or Ceres), Roman goddess of fertility, sitting on a chariot pulled by two lions. It was built during the reign of Charles III and designed by Ventura Rodríguez between 1777 and 1782.
Close to Cibeles, You'll find America’s House which
always presents expositions (free entrance).
If you keep walking straight onto Alcala's Street, you
will lead to another significant place: Plaza de la Independencia (Independence's Place) where is standing the imposing Puerta de Alcalá, as an open gate to Retiro Park.
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| Photo by Oneterry. Aka Terry Kearney Source: Flickr.com |
Good to Know: Madrid used to be a fortified city.
#6 Stroll by Retiro Park
Biggest park of the Capital, it is also the
most beautiful place to have a walk, away from traffic noise, and enjoy the
singing of birds, the murmur of streams and fresh air.
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| Photo by Periodista Digital Sources: turismodigital.com |
One of is particularities is it sheltered one of the few monuments in the world dedicated to the devil, the
"Fallen Angel".
Stay
enthralled with the beautiful architecture of the "Crystal Palace" - through the ages it still looks as beautiful 100 years ago.
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| Photo by Jose Mazcona Sources: Flickr |
On
weekends, you can meet a variety of street performers, puppets
(tricks for kids) and jugglers.
To have
fun, you can hop on a boat and paddle on the pond in front of the monument to
Alfonso XII or rent a bicycle and explore other routes having the park, while enjoying the exercise and the outdoors.
#7 Discover District culture
There is an
old adage that says “in Madrid, at seven o'clock, or give a lecture or they give
you one”. That means there is no afternoon without interesting Cultural Events,
and many of them are free Theater, musician, street artists, concerts ...
Cultural centers offers diversified exposition, even during hard times of crisis.
Streets also offer their own show: Street artists animate the ambiance and entertain Passersby.
Enjoy a very huge and diversified artistic street scenes, an excellent way to understand cultural influences that coexists not only in Madrid, but in the whole Spain.
Final Bill: 0€ !
#9 Taste local Gastronomy
As you might understood, Madrid is made of different influences that shape it culture - even in Gastronomy.
The official Tourism office of the Capital could do better to resume all special dishes you can find here - From renown typical Tapas to unexpected home made scrumptious dishes !
Back in Past: Learn about History of Gastronomia Madrileña (Gastronomy in Madrid) here !
What to Order? - Discover Traditional Madrid dishes here !
Budget: from 2€/unit
San Anton's
market is located in the singular neighborhood of Chueca.
Cultural centers offers diversified exposition, even during hard times of crisis.
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| Photo by barriosdemadrid.net |
Enjoy a very huge and diversified artistic street scenes, an excellent way to understand cultural influences that coexists not only in Madrid, but in the whole Spain.
Final Bill: 0€ !
#8 Step by Plaza Mayor
Center of Madrid events, Plaza Mayor was built during the seventeenth by the Hapsburg Dynasty . It was inaugurated in 1620. The work was carried out on the site of an old market - The Arrabal .
Center , stands an equestrian statue of Philip III begun by Giambologna and completed in 1616 by Pietro Tacca, his pupil .
Surrounded by porticos , Plaza Mayor houses craft shops and cafés . Do not hesitate to stop for a drink in the shade of the arcades !
Source: linternaute.com
Center of Madrid events, Plaza Mayor was built during the seventeenth by the Hapsburg Dynasty . It was inaugurated in 1620. The work was carried out on the site of an old market - The Arrabal .
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| Ancient Plaza Mayor - Source: Openbuildings.com |
It became later the location of main events of Madrid: Shows, executions ordered by the Inquisition , coronation ceremonies , and may be even bullfights.
Today, it is mainly taken by cultural events: On Sunday , many numismatists and philatelists will sell medals, coins and stamps. This is one of the most typical and lively places in the Spanish capital .
Impressive by its size ( 120mx90m ) , it is also by it theatrical decor. Plaza Mayor is equipped with pitched roofs , balconies and turrets . Casa de la Carniceria north (butcher ) and the Casa de la Panaderia (bakery ) in the south recall us the original function of market.
Remarkable detail: the facade of the Casa de la Panaderia boasts beautiful allegorical paintings .
Center , stands an equestrian statue of Philip III begun by Giambologna and completed in 1616 by Pietro Tacca, his pupil .
Surrounded by porticos , Plaza Mayor houses craft shops and cafés . Do not hesitate to stop for a drink in the shade of the arcades !
Source: linternaute.com
#9 Taste local Gastronomy
As you might understood, Madrid is made of different influences that shape it culture - even in Gastronomy.
The official Tourism office of the Capital could do better to resume all special dishes you can find here - From renown typical Tapas to unexpected home made scrumptious dishes !
 |
| Traditional Tapas |
Back in Past: Learn about History of Gastronomia Madrileña (Gastronomy in Madrid) here !
.jpg) |
| Fried eggs |
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| Croquet's - Croquetas |
To enjoy these mouth-watering plates, many places are offering you a good service for low prices.
Restaurant, typical place to savor meals, is turning here into markets - another specification of Spanish culture.
In Madrid, two markets have obtain an international renown: Mercado San Miguel and Mercado San Anton.
San Miguel's market is the oldest market of the city, constructed in 1916 closed to Plaza Mayor. It is nowadays considerate such as the sanctuary of finest Gastronomy in Madrid. An iron-structure construction which houses modern attractive gastronomic stands and presents a very appreciate place by our travelers.
Budget: from 2€/unit
San Anton's
market is located in the singular neighborhood of Chueca.
This market it closer
than San Miguel to typical Spanish market;
the entire place is dedicated
to food: most of the activity is about selling food - with 14 traditional
stalls selling a wide range of products.
Nonetheless, it top has been
landscaped to create a terrace, now lively place fulfill of restaurants and meeting
point of customers.
Good to Know: Many other Gastronomic cultures are present, such as Italian, French, American, Mexican, Argentinian, etc.. and other regional gastronomic specialties from Basque country or Valencia settle in Madrid for travelers' pleasure.
#10 Be surprised by Vertical Garden of Caixa Forum
"The CaixaForum Madrid is an art exhibition space sponsored by the La Caixa Foundation.
They’ve withstood all criticism and worries about keeping their amazing outdoor vertical garden green and lush despite Madrid’s sunny disposition. Designed by French botanist Patrick Blanc, this wall of green has 15.000 plants of 250 species covering a 460 m2 wall in the square in front of The CaixaForum.
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| Caixa Forum - Madrid |
The building itself was an old electrical plant, built in 1899 that has been reconstructed to be a funky rust-colored modern eye-catcher alongside classical beauties like the Prado and the Thyssen museums.
Inside you’ll find a permanent collection, several temporary exhibits, a café, a lounge area with a view of the garden and Paseo del Prado, and a bookstore. Some of the temporary shows now charge € 3 for entry."
Source: spottedbylocals.com
#11 Step by Neptune’s Place
Under the orders of King Carlos III, sculptor
Juan Pascual de Mena began to build The Neptune Fountain in 1780.
In 1786 his
disciple José Rodríguez finished off the project, which represents Neptune, God
of the Sea, with a trident in one hand and a coiled snake in the other.
The
figure is standing on a chariot, drawn by two sea horses and surrounded by
dolphins.
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| Photo by Becca Taylor |
Near the
Neptune Fountain on Paseo del Prado, where the victories of Atlético de Madrid Football Club are
celebrated, there are many of the city’s symbolic buildings, such as the Palace
hotel, Villahermosa Palace, the Prado Museum, the Ritz hotel, the Congreso de
los Diputados (House of Commons) and in the background, San Jerónimo el Real
church.
Good to Know: Neptune's Fountain is the emblem of Atlético de Madrid Football team.
#12 Get an
overview to Madrid from los Angeles Hill
The Cerro
de los Ángeles - Hill of the Angels - is a famous hill located in Getafe, south of Madrid.
The site is famous for being
considered the geographic centre of the Iberian Peninsula. Seems like if you get on the top, you can see Madrid Capital, which is far from 10 km - 6.2 miles - to the hill.
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| Photo by CrazyPoet |
On top of the hill
there is a 14th-century monastery named Our Lady of the Angels (Nuestra Señora
de los Ángeles) and the Monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
(Monumento al Sagrado Corazón), built in 1919 to dedicate the country and inaugurated
by king Alfonso XIII.
Several Spanish Civil War battles occurred on the hill,
resulting in the destruction of the original monument.
#13 Spend a night in Museum
Many museums offer free entrances on Sunday and some nights during the week.
The Triangle of Arts in Madrid, Circle of Fines Arts and many other exposition centers install free moment - especially during evening.
Bill: 0€
#14 Cyclists ! Browse the
Green Belt !
#15 (bonus) Live a Madrilenian tradition
During New Years ‘Eve, the tradition is to join everybody on Puerta del Sol Place and eat grapes for each of the twelve strokes of midnight...
During New Years ‘Eve, the tradition is to join everybody on Puerta del Sol Place and eat grapes for each of the twelve strokes of midnight...
Sources : http://www.abc.es/
- http://www.viviendomadrid.com