That Madrid is fashionable is a fact without a doubt. Every day thousands of tourists come to the capital to get to know its gastronomy, see the basketball or football team, and take a tourist route through Madrid.
We know that each visit is different, but when you set foot in Madrid for the first time there are places that you cannot miss, even if they sound clichéd or are simply classics. Madrid surprises and one of the examples is the increase in tourists in the capital each year. Madrid is no longer as cheap as it used to be, but it has avant-garde hotels and, above all, good gastronomy.
Top Places to Visit While Touring Madrid
Below, we’ll highlight the top 15 places to visit while touring Madrid and talk about the most attractive of them:
- the Royal Palace and surroundings;
- the Retiro Park;
- the Gate of Alcalá;
- the Gran Vía from the Plaza de España to the Metrópoli building;
- for the football fans, the Santiago Bernabeu;
- the Madrid of the Austrians;
- the Cibeles Fountain and the Palace of Telecommunications;
- visit a museum in Madrid;
- the Orchards and Plaza de Santa Ana;
- neighborhoods of Chueca and Malasaña;
- temple of Debod;
- the 4 towers of Madrid;
- the bullring of Las Ventas;
- Serrano Street;
- and the route through the Manzanares and the Matadero.
Now here’s a quick review of the top places to see from this list:
The Royal Palace and its surroundings
When you visit the Royal Palace and walk through the Plaza de Oriente, next to it, you may not know what a jewel it was until you visit its interior. And not only that. The Almudena Cathedral, on your left, or the Campo del Moro, make it one of the most beautiful places in Madrid. In the latter, the views of the palace from the gardens are among the most beautiful in Madrid.
El Retiro Park
For the people of Madrid, it is the park for running, as it is frequented by many runners or running clubs. In addition, it is an ideal place to go skating or simply to walk, since inside it is the spectacular Crystal Palace or the Retiro Pond, two places that well deserve a postcard.
The Gate of Alcala
This is a classic within any tourist route through Madrid. One of the favorite photographs of tourists is next to the Puerta de Alcalá with the Fuente de la Cibeles in the background. So it should be on your list when on a free walking tour Madrid. Day and night, this enigmatic monument has always been one of the must-see spots in the capital.
The Gran Vía from the Plaza de España to the Metrópoli building
One of the most Madrid-like walks is to start in the Plaza de España. There are buildings and skyscrapers from the early 20th century you can see here. Then walk down the imposing Gran Vía to the French-style Metrópoli building and the Círculo de Bellas Artes (go up the terrace to see one of the most beautiful views of the capital). Look at the architecture. The facades are simply beautiful.
Final Words
You can’t get enough of Madrid’s tourist attractions. Additionally, you may visit the Madrid of the Austrians. The true Madrid or the classic Madrid for many is the Madrid of the Austrians. It currently includes places such as the Plaza de la Cebada, the Plaza de la Paja, the Descalzas Reales Monastery, the Puerta del Sol, the Plaza Mayor, or places as full of life as La Latina (excellent for tapas and drinks). Don’t also forget to visit the Royal Theater or the Descalzas Reales Monastery, two places that impress as soon as you walk through their doors. From the second, you will take a memory of what Madrid was in its beginnings.
