Madrid, Spain Attractions

Aside from bullfighting, there are many Madrid, Spain attractions to keep you busy on your visit. Not only is Madrid Spain’s capital and largest city, it is also the third largest city in the European Union. As one of the more visited cities in the world, Madrid is teeming with museums, monuments, restaurants, cafes and parks. Home to one of the finest art collections in Europe, as well as an ancient monument from Egypt, Madrid is a city that never ceases to amaze.

1. Palacio Real de Madrid While the Royal Palace of Madrid is technically the official home of the king of Spain, this extraordinary structure is used more for special events and ceremonies rather than for sleeping and eating. King Juan Carlos and his family live at Palacio de la Zarzuela, a palace on the outskirts of Madrid. The Royal Palace, though, is open to the public year round. The hours vary depending on the season. The price of admission is 15 American dollars. This includes access to Official Rooms, the Painting Gallery and the Royal Armoury.

2. Golden Triangle of Art In the center of Madrid there are three museums that, when viewed from above or on a map, form a triangle. The Prado Museum, or Museo de Prado, contains pieces from 15th century to the early 19th century artists, including Francisco de Goya and Diego Velazquez. Admission is 12 American dollars. The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, named for Queen Sofia of Spain, is dedicated to the history of Spanish art. Paintings by Dali, Miro and Picasso are housed at this location. Admission is 9 American dollars. Displaying pieces from all around Europe and 20th century America, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum boasts a collection of Expressionist and Impressionist works. Admission to the museum, plus the temporary exhibition, is 19 American dollars.

3. El Retiro Park The largest park in the city belonged to the Spanish Royal Family until the 19th century when it was opened to the public. El Retiro is full of magnificent monuments and sculptures, and beautiful fountains and gardens. With over 360 acres to explore, you can enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the serene Retiro Pond or catch one of the many puppet shows set up around the water. There are live musicians throughout the park, as well as at a bandstand located near Calle de Alcalá, the longest street in Madrid. The park is open year round.

4. Gate of Europe Also known as the Puerta de Europa, these twin tower office buildings are the first inclined skyscrapers in the world. Standing at 374 feet tall with 26 floors and leaning at a fifteen degree angle, the buildings were originally commissioned by the Kuwait Investment Offices. The towers are located near Madrid’s business district, home to the city’s tallest skyscraper, Respol Tower.

5. Templo de Debod Located within Cuartel de la Montana park is an Egyptian monument over 2,000 years old. Brought to Spain piece by piece and reconstructed at the site where it stands now, the Templo de Debod was relocated in an attempt to save the structure from damage that would have been sustained during the building of the Aswan High Dam near the Nile where the monument originally stood. The temple was reassembled exactly as it stood in Egypt. Dedicated to the gods Amon and Isis, the temple was once a central focal point in religious activities in ancient times. The temple is open year round and admission is free. Guided tours are available upon reservation.