One of the most striking things about Madrid is that, despite being breathtakingly rich in terms of monuments, it is a great unknown, compared with other European cities. Most international tourists come to the capital of Spain without having a very clear idea of what the great landmarks of the city are, getting pleasantly surprised when they start walking through the streets. Madrid doesn’t only stand out for the endless list of monuments that adorn its streets, but for something else than that, a special care in everyday architecture and regular streets that makes that each corner of the city center seems to emerge from a beautiful postcard taken many decades ago. Stroll around Madrid aimlessly and let yourself get surprised around every corner, its particular charm will undoubtedly captivate you.

Royal Palace

The largest palace in Western Europe. More than 2,000 rooms in which lived the Spanish Kings and Queens from the Bourbons dynasty since the seventeen hundreds. But you know what? Best ditch the cold data and focus on what their inhabitants were like, why there were moments when the palace was too small for them, how was life in the palace (food, shopping, health & beauty...) all while you contemplate some of the most impressive halls that have ever been built. An educational and fun visit that will surprise you.

Puerta de Alcalá

This monument, that today is perhaps the best known symbol of Madrid, such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, is one of the five gates that gave access to the city. Carlos III ordered its construction in 1788 for visitors arriving from France, Aragon and Catalonia. The gate has the distinction of being the first triumphal arch built in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire. Want to know how important it is for us the Puerta de Alcalá for madrilians? Listen to this Hit that broke our charts in 1986.

La Almudena Cathedral

Madrid's Cathedral. But do not be mistaken, this is not like the ones that you have probably visited around Europe, as its construction begun in 1883, after the region's government decided that it could not be tolerated that a grand city like Madrid did not have its own cathedral, separated from Toledo's one, city that during medieval ages had been the religious center of Spain (and also its capital). The works did not finished until 1993, when it was consecrated by the Pope John Paul II. Admire its eclectic style and discover why the locals love it and hate it in equal measure.

San Francisco el Grande Church

Monumental eighteenth century basilica which replaces the Franciscan Convent of Jesus and Mary, founded in the early thirteenth century, on top of a disappeared hermitage dedicated to St. Mary. The building features a dome, considered the third largest circular diameter of Christendom; and a sumptuous interior decoration, together with an art gallery with paintings by Goya and Zurbaran among other Spanish painters.

San Antonio de la Florida Churches

Realmente deberíamos decir Ermitas de San Antonio de la Florida, ya que se trata de dos edificios muy similares. El primero y más antiguo, ofrece al público las decoraciones murales obra de Francisco de Goya dedicadas a San Antonio de Padua y además alberga el panteón del pintor. El segundo fue construido en 1929 para el culto religioso, al descubrir que el humo de los cirios del mismo, estropeaba las pinturas del genial artista.

We should really say Hermits of San Antonio de la Florida, as we are talking about two very similar buildings. The first and oldest, it offers to the public the wall decorations by Francisco de Goya dedicated to San Antonio de Padua and also houses the pantheon of the painter. The second was built in 1929 for religious worship, when it was discovered that the smoke from the candles of the mass, was spoiling the great artist paints.

Puerta del Sol

It is the heart of Madrid, the very center of the city. Perhaps that’s why it’s here where the locals come to express themselves whenever they have something to say. Events, parties, camping protests, parades, celebrations ... everything fits on these approximately 12,000 square meters square meters whose origin dates back to the fifteenth century when it was built as an access to the city that was beginning to develop. Its orientation toward the sunrise, was what gave it it’s romantic name.

Plaza Mayor

One of the most representative spaces of the Habsburg monarchy. This peculiar square, already photographed from every angle, was built in the sixteenth century, as part of the reforms that Felipe II ordered to undertake after having moved the capital of the Kingdom from Toledo to Madrid. Already before that, the main market of the town was carried out in this spot, which continued during the following centuries. In a less friendly face, this square was also the stage of the acts of faith held by the court of the dreaded Spanish Inquisition until the nineteenth century.

Monastery of the Royal Discalced

Founded in 1559 by Juana de Austria, sister of Philip II, in the same house where she was born, Las Descalzas, as it is popularly known (literally barefoot, due to the austerity of the Franciscan nuns), is one of the major monasteries of Madrid. At its inception the convent nuns welcomed were mainly from the royalty or the nobility, with important dowries from their families that contributed to their acceptance. The consequence of that is that today the monastery holds an impressive collection of artworks. The daily schedule of visits is quite restricted, as the place continues inhabited by a group of cloister nuns.

Monastery of the Incarnation

Founded in 1611 by Queen Margaret, wife of Philip III, this convent of Augustinian nuns was so close to the Alcázar (now the Royal Palace) that was attached to it by a secret passage. Of great architectural and decorative richness, one of its main attractions is the shrine hall, whose major treasure is the blood of San Pantaleon, that according to tradition, passes from liquid to solid state with no apparent reason every July 27th. It’s said that if one year this doesn’t happen, major disasters will devastate the city.

Royal Theater

Erected on an area filled with underground water currents, the Royal Theatre has been built and rebuilt by different kings on several occasions throughout his nearly three centuries of history. The last reopening, which occurred in 1997 after a major overhaul, shocked the locals with a principal funtion room of great beauty and impressive acoustics.

The theater also has one of the most advanced and innovative stage houses throughout Europe, of which it is possible to make a specific tour. You can make a free visit of the most known rooms or let yourself be guided on a tour around the rehearsal rooms, workshops, dressing rooms and the main salon.

  • Opening times: Everyday from 10:00 to 18:00 / Guided visits from 11:00 to 13:00
  • Tickets: 6€ Free visit / 10€ guided visit
  • Web: http://www.teatro-real.com/en

Debod Temple

What is the last thing that you would expect to find at the very heart of Madrid? One could answer many things: a polar bear, a Massai family ... we will surely come up with distant hemispheres related things. But what if we told you that there is a genuine egyptian temple from the second century B.C. located in one of the most central city parks? Come and discover the history from over 2.200 years of this impressive monument and what is the reason why it has ended more than 3.000 miles away from the place where it was built.

Stock Market

The current Stock Exchange building was opened by Queen Maria Cristina on 7 May 1893 and has survived to the present day with the original design of architect Enrique Repullés intact. The patron saint of the Stock Exchange, Mercury, has undoubtedly taken good care of the place, preserving it for us to the present day in all its splendour. The building's motif-laden halls and opulent ornamentation, which is rich in symbolry, ensure that generation after generation come to appreciate the true essence of the stock market.

Cibeles's Fountain

Along with the Puerta de Alcala, perhaps one of the most recognizable symbols of Madrid. This is the northern end of the axle built by Carlos III in the eighteenth century, in an effort to transform Madrid in a capital up to European partners such as Paris or London. From a less historical point of view, the Roman goddess of the Earth is the point where the Real Madrid fans gather to celebrate their team's victories.

Neptuno's Fountain

Just a few hundred meters from Cibeles, is the center of the axle built by Carlos III and this time, the place to meet for fans of Atlético de Madrid, eternal rival of Real Madrid soccer team. The days in which these two teams face each other in the field, the Recoletos axle trembles!

National Bank os Spain

The Bank of Spain is the Spanish state agency acting as a national central bank and supervisor of the Spanish banking system. Its current headquarters is one of the most representative buildings in Madrid and for the Spanish architecture of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Come and discover where its vaults are located and what is the peculiar security system that protects them against unwanted visitors.

National Library

The National Library of Spain is an autonomous organization founded by Philip V (then Royal Public Library), acting as head of deposit bibliographic and documentary heritage of Spain. The library currently custodies nearly 30 million publications produced in national territory since the early eighteenth century. In 1836 the institution passed from the Crown to the State property and in 1896, moved to its current location. The library currently has an intense program of cultural activities, a museum and a temporary exhibition hall.

  • Opening times for exhibitions and museum: tuesday-saturday 10:00-20:00, sundays and holidays: 10:00.14:00
  • Guided visits (Museum and Main reading room): wednesday 10:00-17:00, saturday 12:00
  • Web: http://www.bne.es/en/Inicio/index.html

Royal Observatory

The Madrid Royal Observatory was part of the project that Carlos III had to modernize the city and get it closer to the ideals of the Enlightenment prevailing in the European eighteenth century. Since its inception, the activities in the institution, have covered the fields of astronomy and earth sciences. Currently, the Centre continues to host a splendid library, with many old books, and part of the collection of the original instruments. The visit is possible only through a private tour.

Monument to the fallen soldier

Originally known as the memorial of May 2nd, in honor of those who died in the famous battle where a few hundred locals fought the French army to prevent the conquest of the city. The obelisk was erected in the place where the French general Murat sent many locals shoot, just a few hours after the battle. In 1985 the King Juan Carlos I placed a flame fueled by gas that burns permanently in memory of all those who have lost their lives fighting for Spain.

Courts

Originally an entry point to the capital for visitors coming from east lands, this square built as recently as a few decades, it is surrounded by some very representative buildings, such as the Parliament of Deputies or the Hotel Westin Palace . At one end, we find Don Miguel de Cervantes, whose presence marks the southern entrance to the popular Literary Quarter.

Telecomunications Palace

This original palace was built in 1919 on part of the land formerly occupied by the Buen Retiro Gardens. It began functioning as a modern center for post distribution, telegraph and telephone. After several renovations not exempt from criticism, today its more than 30,000 square meters are distributed between the Town Hall, the headquarters of the Post Office, and a cultural center for contemporary art exhibitions. From this cultural center, you can have access to guided tours through the history of the building and also to the roof, which offers stunning views of the city.