The treasures of Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid is a majestic complex that was constructed to impress. The current vast building was erected in the mid-18th century. While the ‘Palacio Real’ represents the Spanish royal family’s official residence, it is only used for state ceremonies these days. Opposite the main entrance is the Catedral de la Almudena. The cathedral with the beautiful cupola looks back on a construction period of over a hundred years.
The Prado is probably one of the best museums in the world, exhibiting a stunning collection of masterful renaissance and baroque paintings and especially Spanish masters. If you are interested in art and the history of art, you will want to spend hours in front of world-famous classical canvases.
Gran Vía is undoubtedly one of the busiest and most famous streets in Madrid. After comprehensive renovations, it is also one of the most prestigious with architecture worth noticing. Its initial construction seems to have been so chaotic that it was made into a satirical drama. Gran Vía is the ideal place for an extended shopping spree, featuring all the typical high-street chains and upscale brands. If you prefer street vendors and lively interaction to strip malls, you might like El Rastro, Madrid’s oldest street market. Every Sunday morning, locals and visitors enjoy the festive atmosphere between the flea market's stalls.
Seize the day
Spending time in cafés and bars, on street markets or squares provides excellent opportunities to get a feel for a city. Sight-seeing can give you an impression of the architecture and maintenance. Watching the people and their interaction helps you get to know the people’s personalities. The same applies for Madrid. The Madrilenian way of life could be described as exuberant, vivacious and sociable. And so are the people. You can observe it, for example, on the ‘Puerta del Sol’, one of Madrid’s most popular and lively meeting points. Moreover, this is where the Madrilenians flock to welcome the new year. As the clock at the top of the Casa de Correos marks the televised countdown on New Year’s Eve, the Puerta del Sol may very well be Spain’s most famous square.
Another unique square is the ‘Plaza Mayor.’ Back in the 15th century, Madrid’s Main Square was used as the town’s main market. Gorgeous historical architecture lining the rectangular place is worth a bit of your time. Shopping opportunities, restaurants and coffee shops invite visitors to linger on.
Going to El Retiro is one of the best things to do in Madrid to relax after the swarm of monuments, people, shops, opportunities. Follow the locals’ example and lie down on the grass, have a picnic or hire one of the boats and row around the park’s lake. Take a moment, relax and breathe deeply in Madrid’s most beautiful park, located behind the Prado.
A most rewarding day trip to El Escorial
Northwest of Madrid, a good 40 kilometres outside the city, resides the gigantic Monasterio del Escorial. Its popularity shows in the number of more than 500,000 visitors coming to El Escorial every year. Spanish king Philip II. chose the picturesque location at the height of 1,030 metres Sierra de Guadarrama mountains as a peaceful refuge in the crispness of green hills. Spend some time in the surroundings; the view from one of the hills toward the El Escorial complex is phenomenal. It gives a different perspective on the gigantic dimensions and architectural severity of this monument.
The World Cultural Heritage Site was constructed as a monastery and royal palace in the 16th century, displaying the power and might of the Spanish Habsburg royal family. The impressive complex shows the characteristic Renaissance rigour and the separation of the secular and the religious. The Habsburg Palace and monastery are as impressive from the outside as they are from the inside, housing stunning frescoes, invaluable paintings and priceless manuscripts.
