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Plaza Mayor
This square is surrounded by beautiful Renaissance and Baroque buildings and is a symbol of Madrid. The plaza and most of its surroundings were built in the early 17th century under Felipe III and it is a bronze statue of him on horseback that is given pride of place in the square. Plaza Mayor was officially opened in 1620 and has been used for a wide range of public events such as processions, theatre performances, festivals, trials, excecutions and bullfights. It is a large rectangular area surrounded by arcades, and now these arcades are lined with all manner of shops, bars and restaurants. The square often houses temporary markets, particular during the holiday season. One of the most remarkable buildings around the square, the one everyone notices first, is Casa de la Panadería. This building was built in 1617 with impressive archways and is covered with beautiful frescoes that have recently been restored. The original paintings were destroyed in a fire, but artist Carlos Franco was commissioned to redecorate the façade in the 1980s.
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28012
Madrid
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Puerta del Sol
Another famous square, Puerta del Sol is literally the centre of Spain, the “kilometre zero” mark from which all roads out of Madrid originate. Most of the buildings surrounding the square are from the 16th century, but the square did not become important until the Casa de Correos building was constructed in 1768. It has been the site of some significant historical events, such as the Esquilache Mutiny in 1766 and the coronation of Fernando VII in 1812. Its name means “sun gate” and comes from the painting of a sun that was done on the original city gate. Within the square are some famous statues, of a bear and a strawberry tree and of Carlos III. At New Year’s eve Puerta del Sol is the place to be, and is shown on Spanish television nationwide. As the clock in the square chimes twelve, people all over the country eat a grape at each chime as is the tradition.
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28013
Madrid
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Biblioteca Nacional
The most extensive library in Spain, the Biblioteca Nacional is also an architectural gem. Built in the neoclassical style during Isabel II’s reign in the 19th century, it features an impressive façade and spectacular archways as well as wrought-iron gates and elaborately carved stone. Statues and paintings of many famous Spaniards line the entrance ways and main staircase, including Cervantes, Antonio de Nebrija, and San Isidoro. The library’s collection covers virtually all genres and includes over five million books. It is located near the Plaza de Colón.
Opening times: Tues - Fri 9 am - 9 pm, Sat 9 am - 2 pm
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Paseo de Recoletos 20
28001
Madrid
Tel: +34 91 5807719
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La Cibeles
A magnificent sculpture in white stone, this work was commissioned by King Carlos III to add grace and prestige to the city. Cibeles is a goddess, and she is depicted driving a carriage pulled by lions. The sculpture was designed by Ventura Rodríguez and created by Roberto Michel and Francisco Gutiérez. It has become an important landmark in general, but is particularly popular with football fans. Devotees of the Real Madrid football club come here to celebrate after their team wins.
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Plaza de Cibeles
28014
Madrid
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Ermita de San Antonia de la Florida
This is a chapel with an impressive dome where Goya painted a series of frescoes in 1798. The frescoes are unusually detailed and are titled Milagro de San Antonio de Padua. Considered to be one of Goya’s most important works, they show the range of the artist’s originality and expression. Goya was later buried in this chapel. The church is 18th century and neoclassical, and is a mixture of simplicity and elegant Baroque decoration. The chapel is no longer used for mass, in an effort to preserve the frescoes. An identical building was built next door in 1928 and is where the services now take place.
Opening times: Tues - Fri 10 am - 2 pm and 4 pm - 8 pm, Sat and Sun 10 am - 2 pm
Entrance price: € 1.80
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Glorieta de San Antonio de la Florida 5
28008
Madrid
Tel: +34 91 5420722
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Faro de Madrid
Inconguously, this structure resembles a lighthouse, though Madrid is nowhere near the sea. It is the best place from which to see a panoramic view of the city, and the sights from here are truly breathtaking. The building is made up of a huge glass-fronted deck that circles on top of a 92 m tall tower. The ride to the top is quite an experience also, in a glass elevator on the outside of the building. To get a close up look at any of the scenery, you can use the coin-operated binoculars and telescopes at the top of the tower.
Opening times: Jun - Sep: Tues - Sun 11 am - 1.45 pm and 5.30 pm - 8.45 pm, Mid Sep - May: Tues- Fri 10 am - 2 pm and 5 pm - 7 pm, Sat and Sun 10.30 am - 5.30 pm
Entrance prices: € 1.20
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Avenida de los Reyes Católicos
28040
Madrid
Tel: +34 91 5448104
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Plaza de la Villa
An unusully quiet place in the centre of Madrid, this square is an old-fashioned sanctuary amid the bustle of the city. It still looks much as it did in centuries past, seeming almost unaffected by the passage of time. The buildings surrounding the square are all from the 15th - 17th centuries, most of them impressive aristocratic houses. There is also the Lujanes tower, which is one of the oldest buildings in the city with noteworthy brickwork and stone decoration, as well as old coats of arms around the doorway. Plaza de la Villa is a great place to begin a walk through the medieval part of Madrid.
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La Casa de Cisneros
28005
Madrid
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Monasterio de El Escorial
This beautiful historic monastery is a drive or train/bus ride away from the city of Madrid, in a town called San Lorenzo, but is well worth the extra effort it takes to get here. One of the highlights of the entire region, this monastery was built between 1563 – 1584 to commemorate Spanish victory at the battle of San Quintín. It was commissioned by Felipe II and the construction was carried out by Juan Bautista de Toledo and Juan de Herrera. The monastery is like a huge complex and there are three different sections: the monastery itself, the palace, and the royal mausoleum. You can tour the magnificent rooms of the palace, where the kings and queens of old spent part of their time. The rooms are decorated with paintings by Titian, El Greco, Coello and more, as well as sumptuous 18th century furniture. The monastery proper has some famous frescoes by Lucas Jordán, and now contains an extensive museum. Do not miss the library, one of the real high points. It contains an amazing collection of illuminated manuscripts and old books, and has a beautifully painted ceiling. The monarchs of Madrid are still buried in the royal mausoleum here. If you drive to the monastery from Madrid, take the N-VI and then the M-505.
Opening times: Apr - Sep: Tues - Sun 10 am - 6 pm, Oct - Mar: Tues - Sun 10 am - 5 pm
Entrance prices: € 8 for adults, € 5 for children aged 5 - 16, children under 5 are free, and Wed is free for EU citizens
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Avendia de Borbón y Batender
28200
San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Tel: +34 91 8905903
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Centro Cultural Islámico
This beautiful mosque is the largest in Europe and is made out of white marble. It is known as the “M-30 mosque” because it is located right next to this motorway. Inside it’s much more than a mosque, however, and it is connected to a ritual bath house, a gymnasium, a college, and an Arabic restaurant called Zahara. This complex was built by three Polish architects in the late 1980s.
Opening times: Sat - Thurs 10 am - 8 pm, Fri 10 am - 12 pm and 4 pm - 8 pm
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Salvador de Madariaga 4
28027
Madrid
Tel: +34 91 3262610
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Iglesia de San José
A huge church with a grand and decorative façade, San José was designed by Pedro de Ribera and completed in 1773. It is thought to contain the best collection of religious imagery in Madrid, including paintings by Michel, Salvador Carmona, Alonso de Mena, Sánchez Barba, González Velázquez and Bautista Peña. The Santa Teresa chapel within the main church is done in an ornate rococo style and has beautiful frescoes on its dome. There are also some exquisite 19th century alterpieces displayed here.
Opening times: Mon - Fri 7.15 am - 1.30 pm and 7.30 pm - 8.30 pm, Sat 7.15 am - 1.30 pm and 7 pm - 8.30 pm, Sun 8.30 am - 8.30 pm
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Alcalá 43
28014
Madrid
Tel: +34 91 5226784
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