Madrid is a city with so much vitality and culture that it’s difficult to do it justice in a few lines. Artistically, the city can compete with any in Europe, having one of the top art museums on the continent. In addition, it showcases Renaissance masterworks and pivotal 20th-century works. Take in all of the historical landmarks and learn about the Spanish Empire, which spanned the world in the 16th and 17th centuries. A café con leche in a majestic square, cocktails at a rooftop bar, or a stroll through the Retiro or Casa de Campo on a bright day are all elements that make Madrid special. We will show you here the top 5 things to see in Madrid.
Retiro Park
Retiro Park
The Retiro is Madrid’s green heart and home to magnificent gardens. And it is just a few steps east of the Prado.
The part was a royal property until the end of the nineteenth century, when the public can officially come to visit.
On a beautiful afternoon, canoeing on the Grand Pond near the Alfonso XII monument is delightful for families.
The iron and glass pavilion erected to hold the Philippine Exhibition in 1887 is stunning. And bald cypresses and unusual swamp trees growing in the pond in front of it become a wonderful golden brown in summer.
Close by is the city’s oldest tree, a Montezuma Cypress planted in 1633 and surrounded by an iron fence.
El Rastro Market
El Rastro Market
For decades, the most famous flea market in Madrid has occured every Sunday near Plaza Cascorro. More than 1,000 street sellers set up shop in C/Ribera de Curtidores and the neighboring streets then.
The market’s stalls provide virtually everything, including uncommon products that can be difficult to acquire in traditional shops. It’s a must-do weekend activity for both tourists and residents. Set out early since getting past the noon throng might be difficult.
After you’ve gotten your fill, it is great is to unwind with a beer and a snack at any of the pubs in the surrounding La Latina neighborhood.
Royal Palace
Royal Palace
The next spot in the list of the top 5 things to see in Madrid is the Royal Palace. The palace was built in the mid-1700s for King Philip V on the site of Madrid’s Moorish Alcázar fortress-palace, which burned down in 1734. It is Western Europe’s largest royal palace, with a mix of baroque and neoclassical styles.
The royal treasures and frescoes are spectacular, so you must walk inside for the complete experience.
There are Goya, Caravaggio, and Velázquez pieces on show, as well as spectacular displays of watches, tapestries, china, and silverware.
The Royal Armoury houses the personal weaponry of Charles V in the 16th century. Also, here you can find the world’s only string quartet of Stradivarius instruments.
Templo de Debod
Templo de Debod
Among the top 5 things to see in Madrid, this is Madrid’s Nubian gem and the only totally intact Egyptian temple in Spain. This monument was a gift from Egypt and UNESCO for Spain’s part in saving the Abu Simbel temples. This would have otherwise been submerged underwater after the construction of the Aswan Dam.
People then brought stone by stone from Egypt and carefully reconstructed with regard to its original orientation. At the time of the dam’s construction, the temples were one of Africa’s most prominent pilgrimage locations. It was devoted to the gods Amón and Isis and decorated with reliefs and sculptures on the inside of the sanctuary.
When you come, be sure to stay till the sunset, which is a stunning sight from where the temple stands.
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium – One of the top 5 things to see in Madrid
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium – One of the top 5 things to see in Madrid
Whether you support the club or not, the fact remains that Real Madrid is Europe’s most successful football team. Here, they have won a record-breaking 11 European Cups.
So every football lover should make a visit to their massive 85,000-seater stadium of history throughout the years.
A tour will provide you with panoramic views of the stadium. Moreover, you will have a chance to access the dressing room, dugouts, and other intriguing features such as the trophy collection, press room, and presidential box.
