What to see in Madrid?
Madrid is Spain’s largest city and capital. Picturesquely located on the Manzanares River, at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains, it attracts several million tourists every year. And for good reason! There are plenty of monuments, interesting museums and restaurants serving delicious local food and vine. So where should you go during your trip to Madrid? There are many possibilities! One of the most representative places to start your sightseeing is the centre itself, specifically the Puerta del Sol. It is a vast square with 18th century townhouses surrounding it. There is also a statue depicting the city’s symbol here: a bear climbing a strawberry tree.
Almost all tours of Madrid will also take you to the Palacio Real – royal palace. This 18th-century Baroque-style building impresses with both its façade and interior. In particular, the beautiful Throne and Banqueting Hall, library, pharmacy, armoury and carriage museum are impressive. From the palace, it takes less than ten minutes to reach the city’s main square, the Plaza Mayor, also known as the theatre under the sky of Madrid. It is a place you must see with your own eyes! It is close to numerous attractions such as the Basilica of Saint Michael, the famous Mercado de San Miguel market or the former town hall, Casa de la Villa.
Madrid tours – the most important sights
Right in the centre there is also the Retiro Park – the green lungs of the city. If you love nature and don’t know what to see in Madrid, this is the perfect place for you. This huge park stretching over twelve hectares is a home to several thousand different shrubs and trees – including the oldest tree in the entire city, a 400-year-old Mexican cypress. There is also a large rosarium and the Crystal Palace, built entirely of steel and glass. Today, contemporary art exhibitions can be seen here.
Other important tourist attractions in the city is the Gran Via street, which houses numerous shops, hotels, theatres, cinemas and art déco townhouses. Also not to be missed is the impressive cathedral, La Almudena, whose towers and domes are rising over Madrid. The Real Madrid stadium, Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, is also worth a visit, it will be a real treat for football fans. But to get a better idea of the city’s history and its many sights, it is worth joining so-called free walking tour. A Madrid tour with a professional guide is sure to delight you more than once, and by walking around on your own, you may miss out some of the lesser-known, but still amazing, sights. These include, for example, the royal convent of the Poor Clares of Descales Reales.
Free walking tour – Madrid at its best
If you want a guided tour of Madrid and are travelling in a small group our free walking tour will be a perfect solution for you. Madrid will reveal its secrets to everyone taking part in such a tour, thanks to our experienced and charismatic guides. This is the ideal option for families, couples and friends who want to explore the city with a guide. You don’t have to pay for the tour in advance – after it ends, you decide yourself how much you will reward the guide’s commitment, passion and knowledge. On the Walkative! website you will find the most interesting free walking tours in Madrid, as well as other nearby European cities – including Seville, Cordoba, Paris or Lisbon. Join our unique free walking tours and Madrid will hide no secrets from you!