▶️ top 10 things to DO and SEE in MADRID 🇪🇸 #102

▶️ top 10 things to DO and SEE in MADRID 🇪🇸 #102

Get ready to discover the vibrant heart of Spain.  Join us as we embark on a journey throughout the   beautiful city of Madrid, home to iconic  landmarks, stunning architecture and rich   cultural heritage. From the historic Puerta del Sol to the magnificent Royal Palace, we’ll take  

You on a thrilling tour of the city’s must-see sites. So sit back, relax, and get ready   to explore the main Madrid sites with us. Hola, ¿qué tal? Hello. I am Tony Gálvez from Road Trip Spain   and Portugal, where we help you plan the  perfect trip with practical information  

And insider tips. Let’s jump directly to  our list of Madrid must-see attractions. Discover the pulsing heart of Madrid’s rich history, the Madrid  de los Austrias, also known as the Madrid of the   Habsburgs, is a historic neighborhood, a living   legacy of the powerful Habsburg dynasty who  

Left their mark on the city with magnificent  structures that evoke Spain’s glorious imperial   past. Step into the streets of Habsburg Madrid  and be transported back in time as you immerse   yourself in the rich history of the neighborhood.  And when you’re ready for a break, enjoy the  

Endless bars, restaurants and lively atmosphere  that give this neighborhood its dynamic vibe, day   and night. A walk through this historic center  will take you to some of Madrid’s most iconic   landmarks, making it a must-visit destination for  history buffs and adventure seekers alike. Such as  

The Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s main square, built during  the reign of Philip III, which is rectangular in   shape and surrounded by three-story residential  buildings. Do visit the square but if you’d like our   opinion, give the restaurants on the square a miss,  they serve overpriced food. Next to the Plaza Mayor  

Is the Mercado de San Miguel, Saint Michael’s  Market, which is very popular with tourists   visiting Madrid. It is a true work of art and one  of the few modernist iron structures that can   still be seen in Madrid. Sadly, it is no longer a  true local market, catering just for tourists. Once  

Again, if you like our opinion, go inside the market,  have a stroll around but skip the food, there are   much better places in the center of Madrid for  delicious tapas, as we showed you on our Madrid  

Tapas tour video. Another highlight of the Madrid  de los Austrias, close to the Mercado de San Miguel,   is the Plaza de la Villa, the Village Square, a  picturesque little square surrounded on three   sides by well-preserved examples of typical Madrid  Baroque. The main building in the square was once  

A prison and for a long time the Casa de la Villa,  the seat of Madrid’s Town Hall. The most important   temple of Habsburg Madrid is the Catedral de la Almudena, the Almudena Cathedral, dedicated to   the patroness of Madrid. It is a relatively modern  building, its construction began in 1883 and was  

Just completed in 1993. If you like to go inside  the temple the visit is free but if you want to   climb to the terraces, with lovely views of Madrid,  you will have to pay. Right next to the cathedral  

Is the magnificent Palacio Real, the Royal Palace,  which is not the actual residence of the Spanish   royal family -they live on the outskirts of Madrid-  but it is still used for official banquets, state   ceremonies and other important events. The palace  is one of the must-see attractions of Madrid and  

We very much recommend the visit. The palace  is a stunning example of Baroque architecture   with ornate facades and elaborate interiors that  will leave you in awe. Visiting the Madrid Royal   Palace is an opportunity to witness a piece of  Spain’s rich history and cultural heritage and  

To marvel at the beauty and grandeur of this  magnificent building. Quick hot tip: buy your   tickets in advance to jump the slow queues. The  Royal Palace is surrounded to the west and to   the north by two beautiful gardens, the expense  Campo del Moro Gardens and the cozy Jardines  

De Sabatini. Access to both gardens is free, so do  not miss the opportunity to visit them. The final   highlight of our tour around Habsburg Madrid is the Plaza de Oriente, the Eastern Square, which   is on the east side of the Royal Palace, hence  its name. The square is an oasis of peace and  

Tranquility. Directly opposite the Royal Palace,  at the Eastern end of the square, is the   Royal Theater. As you will see on the map,  all the above mentioned points of Habsburg   Madrid are in close proximity to each  other, so you will be able to easily visit  

Them on foot. The most convenient metro  station to visit the region is Opera. Plaza de Cibeles is one of the most extraordinary squares in  Madrid. It is a cultural hub and a gathering place   for locals, making it a great place to experience  Madrid’s vibrant energy and culture. At the center  

Of the square there is a marble sculptural  complex in Neoclassical style, it is the Cibeles fountain, the Fuente de Cibeles, one of the most  iconic landmarks in Madrid and a symbol of the   city. The most important building in the square is  the Palacio de Cibeles, formerly known as Palacio de  

Telecomunicaciones and today as CentroCentro. The  building, which looks like a cathedral, was built in   1909 to be the headquarters of the Spanish Post  Office. In 2007 it became the new headquarters of   the Madrid city council, which until then had  been located in the Casa de la Villa that we  

Mentioned earlier when we toured the Madrid of the  Austrias. In addition to the part where the City   Hall officials work, CentroCentro has more  than 5,000 square meters of exhibition areas   with free access to them. It is well worth going  up to the Mirador Madrid, the building’s rooftop  

Terrace, from where you can enjoy beautiful views  of the city, mainly of the whole region around   Plaza de Cibeles, as well as other highlights of  central Madrid. The observation deck is located   on the eighth floor of the building’s central  tower, at a height of 70 meters. There are tours  

Every half hour and the ticket office is  inside the building. The lift takes you up   a the visit is paid, although it is not very  expensive. The other buildings that surround the   square, including the Bank of Spain, the Palacio  de Buenavista and the Palacio de Linares, are  

Beautiful examples of Spanish architecture.  The nearest metro station is Banco de España. The Puerta del Sol is one of the most famous and  historic squares in Madrid and a key landmark   in Spain. It is a perfect place for your first  contact with Madrid. Puerta del Sol is a bustling  

Hub of activity, hosting street performers,  artists and political demonstrations. The square   houses several iconic buildings and monuments,  including a statue of King Charles III, one of   the most important kings in Spanish history. And  yet another popular symbol of Madrid, the statue  

Of the bear and the madroño tree, known as the  “El oso y el madroño”. The red brick building is the   seat of Madrid’s local government. On top of the  building you will see the clock tower that becomes   the main reference point for the New Year’s  Eve celebrations. Puerta del Sol is surrounded  

By shopping and dining options, making it a great  place to enjoy a meal or do some shopping. It is   also a very important transport hub, with a major  metro and railway station underneath the square. The Parque del Buen Retiro, or simply Parque del  Retiro, is one of Madrid’s oldest parks and has  

A rich history dating back to the 16th century.  The park belonged to the Spanish monarchy until   the 19th century, when it became a public park.  The park features beautiful gardens, lakes and   monuments, offering a peaceful escape from the  city. It regularly hosts cultural events and  

Exhibitions such as concerts, art shows and  festivals. It is a very popular destination   both for locals and tourists. It is such a joy  to walk around the park that you could easily   dedicate half a day to it. If you visit the Parque  del Retiro you shouldn’t miss another nearby icon  

Of Madrid, the Puerta de Alcalá. It is a monumental  gate in Neoclassical style. It was inaugurated   in 1778 and it is just a few meters away from  one of the entrances to the extense park. If you  

Plan on reaching the Retiro park by metro, the most  convenient metro station is the one called Retiro. Madrid is considered a world museum capital due  to its large concentration of world-renowned   museums. The Paseo del Arte, or Art Walk, is  a cultural route in Madrid that connects  

Several of the city’s most important museums and  art galleries. It includes institutions such as   the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum, the  Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the CaixaForum Madrid   cultural center, among others. It is easily  reachable from the Estación del Arte metro  

Station. The Paseo del Arte offers visitors  the opportunity to explore some of Madrid’s   finest collections of European and Spanish  art, including works by famous artists such   as Velázquez, Goya, El Greco or Picasso. The route is a  popular tourist attraction and walking from one  

Museum to another provides a unique cultural  experience in one of Europe’s most vibrant   cities. The Paseo del Arte was recently included  by UNESCO in its World Heritage list. But do not   think for a minute the splendid collection of  Madrid’s museums ends here. From the wonderful  

National Archaeological Museum to the largely  unknown Museo Geominero, one of Madrid’s true   hidden gems, there is one museum for everyone,  and to help you with your choices we recorded   video number 82, where we present 20 outstanding  museums in Madrid worth a visit, have a look at it!

Calle Gran Vía is one of the most famous avenues in Madrid. You should visit it due to its cultural significance   and architectural beauty, as well as its thriving  shopping and entertainment scene. The Gran Vía is   famous for its impressive architecture, which  combines elements of different styles, such as  

Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Neoclassicism. Many of  the buildings along the street are considered   architectural landmarks and they reflect  the city’s growth and modernization during   the early 20th century. The Gran Vía is also  home to many theaters, cinemas and cultural  

Venues, making it an important center for the  arts and entertainment in Madrid. It is also a   popular location for locals and tourists who  come to enjoy the street’s vibrant atmosphere   and nightlife. Some people call it Madrid’s  answer to Broadway. Finally, the Gran Vía is one  

Of the most famous shopping streets in Madrid,  with a wide variety of shops, department stores,   and international brands. It’s a popular  destination for those looking for shopping   and dining experiences. The Gran Vía begins at  the Calle Alcalá and ends at the Plaza de España,  

Or the other way around. If you’d like to see the  avenue from above, keep in mind the following three   viewpoints: the one at the top of the Círculo de Bellas Artes, the one on the Gourmet Experience  

Floor at El Corte Inglés, and the rooftop terrace  at the hotel Riu. We have given details of the   three places we’ve just mentioned, and many others  too, at our video number 80 with the best places   to see Madrid from above, check them out if seeing  a large city from above is your thing.

Close to the Plaza de España end of the Gran Vía  you will find a unique treasure of Madrid, el   Templo de Debod, the Temple of Debod. It  is the only Egyptian architectural work that   can be seen in Spain. It was originally built 15  kilometers south of Aswan in Egypt, very close  

To the first waterfall of the Nile, but in 1960,  the threat to the archaeological heritage posed   by the Aswan construction project forced  UNESCO to ask member countries for help in   trying to preserve the rich historical legacy  of the region. In gratitude for the help given  

To save their Abu Simbel complex in 1960, the  Egyptian government donated the Temple of Debod   to Spain. The temple is free to visit but  if you want to go inside you will have to queue   within the opening hours. The temple is located  in a very pleasant park with a viewpoint at the  

Back, with beautiful views of the south of Madrid.  You will see the Royal Palace and the Almudena   cathedral, and in the lower part of the city the  gigantic expanse of the Casa de Campo Park. It’s   an especially popular spot at the end of the day  when many people come to watch the sunset.  

Chueca and Malasaña are two traditional neighborhoods in  Madrid. For a long time they were outside the   traditional tourist circuits of the city, which  is no longer the case. Chueca is the neighborhood   where you will find the most alternative and  Bohemian corners of Madrid, largely because it’s  

The city’s gay district, but also because it’s  the preferred neighborhood of young people   from a wide variety of backgrounds. Malasaña  was the center of the Movida Madrileña, the   counter-cultural revolution that followed  the end of Franco’s regime and which had  

Its heyday in the 1980s, with lots of music,  freedom of expression and drugs, too. Today Malasaña is a more bourgeois district that  has become a haven for hipsters. Its streets   are full of pop art, local and international  brand shops, and alternative stores.

On a Sunday morning nothing is more “madrileño”-like than a visit to El Rastro. El Rastro is the most   famous outdoor flea market in Madrid. It is  known for its cool atmosphere, unique shopping   experiences and historical significance.  It is a popular destination for tourists  

And locals alike, offering a wide range of  goods, including antiques, vintage clothing,   handmade crafts and local products, as well  as the usual globalized junk you will find in   other flea markets across the world. El Rastro  expands along the Ribera de Curtidores Street  

And quite a few side streets as well. Metro La  Latina is closest to the initial end of the   market. Two insider tips. If you are planning on  visiting the Rastro, which only takes place   on Sundays, try to arrive before 11am if you  want to avoid the unbearable crowds, and pay  

Particular attention to pickpockets. The Rastro is  one of of those places where they thrive.   Madrid Río is an extenso linear part bordering the  banks of the Manzanares river. It was built, for   most of its extension, on top of the M-30 ring  road that now runs in the underground. Madrid  

Río is filled with interesting places. Such as  Matadero Madrid, a former slaughterhouse and today   an exciting cultural center full of activity; or the Palacio de Cristal de Arganzuela, the Arganzuela Crystal Palace, with its   greenhouses, which are free to visit. The Pasarela de Arganzuela is a unique architectural structure  

That features a curved design and connects the  two sides of the river. It is one of our favorite   modern pieces of infrastructure in Madrid. Puente  de Toledo is a historic bridge built in the 18th   century. And on its final stretch the park runs  behind the Campo del Moro and the Palacio Real, where  

The very instagrammable Madrid sign is. If you  have half a day to spare, Madrid Río is a terrific   walk, even more so if you are traveling with kids,  there’s plenty of fun for them at the park too. You  

Could begin your walk at Legazpi metro station  and finish at Príncipe Pío at the other end of   Madrid Río. And with Madrid Río, which is one of  our favorite spots in Madrid ends our review of   the must-see attractions you shouldn’t miss during  your visit to the city. Now, you might be wondering:  

What is the best time of the year to visit Madrid?  How many days should I spend in the city? Where   should I look for accommodation? What would be  the best day trips from Madrid? Well, you will see  

Now on the screen a video we recorded where we  answered all those basic questions anyone planning   a visit to Spain’s capital will need to ask  themselves. We’ll be waiting for you in that video.

👉 Come and discover the attractions you shouldn’t miss if you visit wonderful MADRID, the capital of Spain.
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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 must-see Madrid
00:56 Madrid de los Austrias
05:25 Plaza de Cibeles
07:29 Puerta del Sol
08:34 Parque del Retiro
09:48 Museums
11:25 Gran Vía
13:12 Templo de Debod
14:36 Chueca & Malasaña
15:39 El Rastro
16:46 Madrid Río
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