Visit Madrid Province
Madrid is home to some great architecture, superb museums, fabulous shoppings, excellent restaurants and a vibrant nightlife including plenty of Flamenco venues.
Madrid and Madrid Province Tourist Sites and Places to Visit
For a summary of the most popular sights in the region see also Madrid Province places to visit.
Madrid, the capital city of Spain is situated more or less in the centre of Spain. With very cold winters and very hot summers, spring and autumn are the perfect times to visit.
Spain's biggest city (third biggest in Europe after London and Berlin) is a bustling, happening city with fantastic nightlife, loads of good bars and restaurants and excellent shopping.
Below is a guide to the highlights and things to see on a trip to the city of Madrid and to Madrid Province.
Madrid city
Madrid's old town is attractive and has some fantastic art museums. Madrid is home to the Prado, the Reina Sofia and the Thyssen-Bornemisza galleries. Wander round the old city and there are lots of monuments to see and plenty of lovely squares where you can stop and soak up the atmosphere of this very cultural city.
Madrid is a fairly new city which came to life under Phillip II in the sixteenth century. Its main square, the Plaza Mayor is a Renaissance masterpiece. It was built in the 17th century. This part of Madrid is often referred to as Madrid de los Austrias, or Hapsburg Madrid after the Hapsburg monarchs who built it.
The main sights in this part of Madrid are the Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real and the cathedral of Madrid. Also important are the Plaza de la Villa and the Puerta del Sol.
The Plaza Mayor is a beautiful square which was designed not just as a square but as a sort of open air theatre. The buildings have balconies facing out onto the square so that various spectacles, ranging from bull-fights to public executions could be viewed. Full of bars and restaurants this is a great place for people-watching.
The Palacio Real is vast, beautiful and full of extravagant displays of wealth. It is still used for state occasions though the King of Spain now resides in the Zarzuela Palace.
The Plaza de la Villa is surrounded by several historic buildings including the Casa Cisneros, a Plateresque style Palace.
The Puerta del Sol is the nominated centre of Spain. Six of Spain's main roads start here and distances are measured from this square. Take a look at the stone slab showing Kilometre Zero! If you want to do some shopping start here, with the large department stores. The Casa de Correos (Post Office) is located on the Puerta del Sol. It has a beautiful facade and two lovely inner courtyards.
The other main attractions of Madrid are in the Bourban quarter of Madrid. The Paseo del Prado road in this area is home to the three great art museums, the Prado, the Reina Sofia and the Thyssen - Bornemisza.
Madrid's most impressive modernistic-style building is the Sociedad de Autores on the Calles de Fernando VI and Pelayo.
Madrid Province (Autonomous Community of Madrid)
Madrid Province offers good walking or skiing and is home to several royal palaces. Don't miss the superb royal palace El Escorial. Madrid Province is home to the Guadarrama Mountain range, the picturesque Lozoya Valley and numerous historic towns and villages all of which are easily reachable from Madrid city.
The Province of Madrid has some gems to offer travelers. Be sure to visit the fabulous monastery palace of El Escorial in San Lorenzo de El Escorial. This is one of Spain's main tourist attractions. The monastery palace built by Felipe II is fantastic. It is a massive square complex with pale cream walls and grey slate rooves. Inside is a fabulous library, royal appartements, works of art etc.
Another highlight is the Royal Summer Palace and gardens at Aranjuez.
Alcala de Henares has a historic centre with UNESCO World Heritage status is also a highlight. Its university was one one of the best in the world in the 16th century.
The pretty villages of Chinchon and Patones make for a pleasant detour and Buitrago del Lozoya is an attractive walled town to the north of Madrid. It has a 14th century Mudejar-style church and a small Picasso museum.
Madrid and Madrid Province tourism and sightseeing
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Madrid
Monastery and Site of the Escorial, Madrid Province
University and Historic Precinct of Alcala de Henares, Madrid Province
Aranjuez Cultural Landscape, Madrid Province
Museums
These three museums are reason alone for visiting Madrid.
The Prado Museum - one of the greatest art museums in the world, one of the most beautiful neo-classical buildings in Madrid and Madrid's no.1 tourist destination. Paintings by Goya, Bosch, El Greco, Titian and many more.
The Reina Sofia Art Centre, Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, a museum of 20th century art including Picasso's Guernica depicting the Spanish Civil War.
The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza houses a major, private art collection which was given to Spain in 1993. Works by Picasso, Van Gogh and Rubens amongst others.
Other Museums in Madrid
Museo Arqueologico Nacional - archaeological exhibits from prehistoric times to the 19th century.
Museo de America - houses a collection of exhibits from Spain's colonization in the Americas.
Museo Cerralbo - The 17th Marquis of Cerralbo left his art collection to Spain.
Museo del Ejercito - Spain's army museum where you can see the sword of El Cid. The museum is housed in part of the Palacio del Buen Retiro.
Museo Lazaro Galdiano - Jose Lazaro Galdiano's house and magnificent art collection which he gave to Spain.
Museo Municipal - the museum has a wonderful Baroque facade and inside exhibits relating to the city of Madrid.
Museo Sorolla - house and paintings of Sorolla and a garden designed by Sorolla.
Monasteries
Monasterio de la Encarnacion, Plaza de la Encarnacion - a 17th century monastery in Madrid's typically Baroque style.
Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, Plaza de la Descalzas - a monastery with a Plasteresque facade
Monasterio de Santa Marie de El Paular, Madrid Province - the monastery is still home to a community of Benedictine monks who sing Gregorian chants every Sunday evening.
Gardens
Gardens of the Royal Palace, the Jardines de Sabatini and Campo del Moro are well worth a visit.
Park of El Retiro - originally a hunting ground for Philip II this is now a beautiful park complete with lake, Crysal Palace (Palacio de Cristale) and remnants of Felipe IVs Royal Palace Complex - the Casa del Buen Retiro and the Museo del Ejercito.
The Botanical Gardens of Madrid - a good collection of plants and a hothouse with cacti and tropical plants.
Paradors near Madrid
Parador de Alcala de Henares, Alcala de Henares, Madrid Province (Autonomous Community of Madrid)
