Madrid - Art, Football and Food
Madrid is a city of Art, Football and Food. Madrid, Spain's central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Retiro and Parque del Oeste. Situated on a plateau 650 meters above sea level, the winters can be fresh, adding to the romantic charm of the city. Madrid is renowned for its extraordinary repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters and the Reina Sofia Museum's collection of Spain's modern masters Picasso, Dali, and Miro.
Our Journey starts at the heart of old Hapsburg Madrid at the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and finds us wandering through the streets to the nearby beautiful baroque Royal Palace, Armory and Cathedral Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena.
A short distance away and situated in Parque Oeste is the Temple of Debod, an Egyptian temple dating back to the 2nd century BC, The temple transported to Madrid after it was donated to Spain by the Egyptian government to save it from floods following the construction of the great Aswan Dam. Take time to wander this wonderful park and the Jardines de Sabatini nearby.
Plaza de España ("Spain Square") is a large square, and popular tourist destination, located in central Madrid, at the western end of the Gran Vía Street. It features a monument to Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the creator of the infamous Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, in his book the Man from La Mancha.
Leaving the Plaza de Espana we take a stroll up through the heart of Madrid along the marvelous Gran Via with its shopping, food, theaters and Madrilenos (Madrid locals). And through the shopping down to Puerta del Sol.
From the Puerta del Sol we wander down to the wonderful Prado and Reina Sofia Museums and the beautiful Retiro.
Other key things to do in Madrid...
We also recommend a visit to the Museums of the Chamberi neighbourhood close by the metro stations of Rios Rosas, Alonso Cano and Iglesia.
Also take time to wander up the Paseo del Prado, home to the Prado Museum, this is an upper-class neighborhood defined by the large mansions along the streets. Salamanca, north of the Parque Retiro, is a wealthy and conservative enclave. Many of the city's expensive boutiques are here.
According to FIFA, Real Madrid FC is the world's most successful football club of the 20th century, a visit to their stadium is well worth the time. The Stadium is called Santiago Bernabéu, and is located in Chamartín in the North of Madrid.
The Journey
Plaza Mayor is a good place to start your stroll through the streets of Madrid. Head out of the plaza along Calle Ciudad de Rodrigo in the north west corner of the plaza. Turn right onto Calle Cava de San Miquel. Cross the road at Calle Mayor and head west on Calle Mayor, about 50 metres down the street turn left onto Calle Milaneses. At the end of Calle Milaneses veer left onto Calle de Santiago. Cross Plazuela Santiago and continue along Calle de Santago until you reach Calle Requena. Turn left and follow Calle Requena. At the intersection of Calle Requena and Calle de Bailen you will emerge opposite the Placio Real, the seat of Spain's royal family. A tour around the palace is a good way to start your day.
After you have visited the Placio Real, head north along Calle de Bailen for about 500 meters, stopping to admire the Jardines de Sabbatini. The Temple of Debod is on the left. After the Temple of Debod, head across the the Plaza de Espana until you reach the Calle de Princessa.
Turn right onto the Calle de Princessa which turns into the Gran Via. Stroll along the Gran Via until you come to Plaza de Callao. Cross the Plaza de Callao and enter Calle de Carmen. Follow Calle de Carmen until you reach Puerta del Sol. Cross Puerta del Sol and turn left onto Calle Mayor.
Continue along Calle Mayor veering off onto Carrera de San Jeronimo. Follow Carrera de San Jeronimo until you reach Neptune's Fountain. At the fountain turn left onto Paseo del Prado. You will see the Prado Museum on the other side of the road. The entrance is at the far end of the Museum, follow Paseo del Prado to the far end.
After a visit to the Prado Museum stroll down the Calle Espalta, which leads away from the Prado to the east. Take time to wander around Parque Del Retiro, taking time to Visit the Crystal Palace and the Botanical gardens. On leaving the Botanical gardens walk down Calle Claudio Moyano to the roundabout at Atoche station. Depart the roundabout along Plaza Emperador Carlos V. The Museum Reina Sofia is on the left.