Madrid Top Sites!

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What to do if you are visiting Madrid for the first time? Spain's Capital can be overwhelming at first sight but do not fear it because it is pretty simple to navigate after the first day.

This is my second time visiting Spain's Capital, so I have enjoyed taking it easy without stressing about seeing everything this great city offers. On the other hand, I have had the chance to catch up with old friends and visit some of the surrounding towns. For example, I was able to visit Toledo! Toledo is another must-visit city with incredible history and culture, but I shall save that for another post. For now, let us return to Madrid. Madrid is Spain's Capital, and although it is a reasonably large metropolis, the main attractions are centrally located. Most can be reached within 30 min walking perimeter. Maybe more, maybe less. It all depends on how fast you walk.

Here are the definite must see's:

Palacio Real "The Royal Palace":

The Royal family does reside here, but only for special occasions. Their permanent residence is located outside the city. I did have the pleasure of being in Madrid during the Crowning of the current Monarch, an event that does not happen often. This was for the King of Spain, Philip VI, after his father, Juan Carlos I, abdicated the throne in June 2014.

Plaza Mayor:

The Almudena Cathedral was conceptually imagined around 1879 by Francisco de Cubas, but construction wasn't completed until 1993. This was mainly due to constant design change, civil war, the death of the original architect in charge of the project, and a few other obstacles. Yet, once completed, Pope John Paul II consecrated it on June 15th, 1993. The cathedral hosts the largest crypt in Spain and is considered the resting place of many of the country's noble families.

Plaza Mayor:

One of the city's most popular places must be Plaza Mayor. It is a lovely square surrounded by restaurants. This is the place to be if you want to grab some food. I suggest La Campana, and I would order the Bocadillo de Calamares. This is outside the square down one of the entrances, but the price is hard to beat.

El Parque Retiro "Retiro Park":

As of 2021, Retiro Park has officially been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a large park in the center of Madrid; I would compare it to Hyde Park in London, which is the ideal place to walk about on a sunny day. Besides that, you can locate the Monument to King Alfonso XII and the Crystal Palace within the park grounds.

El Templo de Debod "The Temple of Debod":

This is perhaps one of my favorite places to watch the sunset in Madrid. Behind the temple, you can get a great view of the city and the Cathedral. The temple was a gift from the Egyptian government to the Spanish government for their help and support in saving the Abu Simbel Temples in Upper Egypt. The temple was brought over in 1968 but wasn't opened until 1972.

El Prado:

The Prado is a world-renowned museum that houses countless collections of artworks and sculptures. Some more extensive permanent galleries belong to famous Spanish artists such as Velazquez, El Greco, and Goya. The best part is that the Spanish Royal family donated most of the works! One very, and I mean very cool thing the Prado offers is that entry is free Monday - Saturday from 6 pm-8 pm. Yes, you did read that correctly!

Mercado de San Miguel:

The Mercado de San Miguel is perhaps one of my favorite locations in Madrid. A world-class gastronomic center, the market is always busy and full of life. Initially opened in 1916, it is an excellent example of cast-iron architecture, a vibrant Spanish culture, and even a few Michelin-star food stalls. In 2009 it became Madrid's first gourmet market.