Retiro Park

Retiro is the most important park in Madrid, and one of the most popular places to visit both for locals and tourists. It’s 118 hectares of green space in the very centre of the city.

This major urban park was built in the middle of the 17th century to be enjoyed by king Felipe IV. Although the park was partially destroyed during the War of Independence, it recovered its charm and elegance and became public.

El Retiro is packed with things to see like monuments, galleries, statues, lakes and magnificent buildings. There are also numerous activities on every day, from yoga, roller-blading, puppet shows, musicians, fortune tellers and stands with food and different objects for sale.

Temple of Debod

Few people would ever guess that a 2200-year-old Egyptian temple exists in the center of Madrid. Yet the Templo de Debod is in no way a Vegas-style replica of an Egyptian monument — its origins trace as far back as the 2nd century BCE to the ancient city of Meroë on the east bank of the Nile. Dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis and the god Amun of Thebes, this temple is believed to have been the sacred site where Isis gave birth to the sky god Horus, according to some authors of myth and legend.

The Temple of Debod was a gift offered by the Egyptian government to Spain as a token of gratitude for its assistance in restoring the Abu Simbel temples in Upper Egypt. It was transported from its home next to the Nile and rebuilt stone by stone in Madrid’s Cuartel de la Montaña Park, northwest of Plaza España and right by Parque del Oeste and Casa de Campo. As one of the few standing ancient Egyptian monuments that can be seen outside of Egypt, it’s a must-see attraction in Madrid.

Gran Via

Lined with high-end shops, restaurants, and bars of all types, Gran Via cuts through the heart of Madrid. The bustling street comes alive at night when locals eat, drink, and mingle into the wee hours. Gran Via is also known for its 20th-century architecture, including the Edificio Metropolis, which stands at the head of the thoroughfare and boasts a magnificent rooftop statue of Winged Victory.

Calle De Cava Baja

If you happen to be wandering around the city center, close to “Plaza Mayor”, or maybe close to the street market “Rastro” on a Sunday morning, you will for sure come across one of my all-time favorite streets: “Cava Baja”. Urban legends say that this part of the city is where Arabs used to hide and then escape from Catholics when they took over Madrid centuries ago. That is one of the reasons, they say, it used to be filled with taverns.
Some of that tradition remains intact today because you will find bars, tavern-like restaurants but traditional restaurants as well, hostels, pension houses, flamenco bars, coffee places, a cinema lounge, and one pharmacy. There are no regular shops in “Cava Baja”, but this one pharmacy is there.
It is a one-way street for cars coming up to the “La Latina” district, but it is always full of people walking on the pavement. Restaurants and bars keep changing and evolving and they tend to update their menus according to local festivities.

ElRastro

El Rastro Flea Market in Madrid is among the most popular open-air flea markets in the city. It’s held on Sundays and public holidays and offers a wide variety of products. The market is known for its variety of new and previously owned products, as well as the many antique shops surrounding the area. The market’s name means ‘The Trail’. It’s located in the barrio de Embajadores, or Ambassadors neighborhood, in Madrid’s Central District.
It offers up to 3,500 stalls of arts, crafts, food, clothing, housewares, antiques, collectibles, and general kitsch. Many unique specialty items can also be foundhere.
El Rastro Flea Market in Madrid is famed for its specialty stalls located along specific aisles (called ‘calles’ or ‘streets’). Calle Fray Ceferino González was historically where domestic animals were sold. Calle San Cayetano is where you can find paintings, art supplies, and visual art. Calle Rodas features magazines, stamps, comics, and trading cards.

If you’re looking for rare and collectible books, head for Calle Carnero and Calle Carlos Arniches. For clothing and accessories, hit up the Plaza de Cascorro. Movie buffs can check out Calle Mira el Sol, where you’ll find all sorts of movie memorabilia and DVDs.

Cine Dore

The Doré first opened in 1912 behind the backing of a Catalan-born businessman, but it wasn’t until 1923 that the building took on its signature orange facade. Through the years, the neighborhood of Antón Martín changed all around it, yet the theater remained, a reliable cornerstone of a community in transition.

By the 1980s, the theater was a relic of the past, and like many old things, its fate was decided: tear it down in the name of progress. The grand plan for what would replace this historic monument? That’s right… an office block.

Fortunately, local Spaniards were just as astonished by this plan as you may be. Journalists and artists took to the streets, organizing huge protests that eventually secured its survival. With a heroic move, the Ministry of Culture rescued the Doré, putting it into the trustworthy hands of the Filmoteca Nacional Espanole.

Today, the theater screens a mix of productions, from 1920s classics to international independent films. And, true to Madrid tradition, you can even spot the Dore as one of the countless rooftop parties that light up the city every evening. Catch an evening screening in Sala 3, the open-air theater with communal tables and complete bar service — just be sure to pick up enough jamón to share.

Almudena Cathedral

At the end of the 19th Century building work was started on the Almudena Cathedral which was constructed on the site of the old Santa María la Mayor church to honour the patron virgin of Madrid. In 1883 the first stone of this impressive monument was laid, located in one of the most beautiful areas of the city. In 1911 the crypt was opened for worship, but construction was halted until after the Civil War, when architects Fernando Chueca Goitia and Carlos Sidro were placed in charge of the project. In spite of everything, the building process was extremely slow. In 1993, the cathedral was consecrated for worship by His Holiness Pope John Paul II. The inside of the church retains a Gothic style, although the outside is Classicist.

Atocha Train Station

The station has been renovated and enlarged on several occasions. In 1888, the building was partially destroyed by a fire, and between 1985 and 1992, the station was enlarged four times its original size.

After the renewal project, the station was divided into three: Madrid-Puerta de Atocha, Madrid-Atocha Cercanías and Atocha Renfe (metro station). Atocha Cercanías and Atocha Renfe form a large transport interchange that connects various means of public transport.
Atocha’s covered tropical garden is located in the old part of the train station, which was transformed into a foyer in 1992. The garden has over 500 different species of animals and plants. Although, the most popular inhabitants of the garden are the little turtles.

The tropical garden is a quiet and relaxing space that offers an excellent counterpoint to the hustle and bustle of train stations.

Today, the theater screens a mix of productions, from 1920s classics to international independent films. And, true to Madrid tradition, you can even spot the Dore as one of the countless rooftop parties that light up the city every evening. Catch an evening screening in Sala 3, the open-air theater with communal tables and complete bar service — just be sure to pick up enough jamón to share.

San Gines

You cannot possibly leave Madrid without trying churros con chocolate (sugar-drenched deep-fried dough sticks with hot chocolate) from San Ginés, which has been serving since 1894. It is open all night long, so is a great pitstop on the way home from a night on the town.

Prado Museum

One of the most important museums in all of Spain, Prado Museum Madrid (Museo Nacional del Prado) is known to have the most comprehensive collection of Spanish art and one of the most outstanding collections of European Art between the 12th century to the early 20th century. One of the greatest art museums in the world, it houses works by Spanish Greats like Francisco Goya and Diego Velazquez, among others, and is visited by millions each year. Read on to learn about the Prado Museum history.