Madrid, Spain

L2A Magazine

Madrid, Spain

Written by Diana

Madrid is the capital of Spain, located in the center of the Iberian Peninsula.It is considered as one of the most beautiful European capitals, with a total population of approximately 3,238,208.

Visitors will find a fun, joyful and cosmopolitan place. Madrid has all sorts of different activities. The tourist route starts at the plaza “Puerta del Sol”, where the presidency of the Madrid community has its head office. It is a place where thousands of tourists and local madrileños gather on Christmas Eve to celebrate with their families and friends.

Likewise, the great clock located in the main building of the plaza tolls its bells on New Year’s Eve, while thousands of people eat grapes, an old kept tradition among Spaniards.

The main building of the plaza holds a commemorative headstone imprinted with the words “Kilometer 0”. Such name was granted because all the freeways in Spain start from such location. Legend goes that if a person stands in front on the headstone, it will surely return to Madrid (at least one more time).

If you continue your visit strolling through the Calle Mayor (the Major Street) you will arrive to Plaza Mayor. Such a wonderful square was built in the times of Felipe II; it is considered one of the most emblematic places of Madrid. Meeting point for many tourists.

You will find plenty of souvenir shops and terrazas (little terraces to have a drink and a snack) in Plaza Mayor and you can also enjoy the splendid weather Madrid has to offer in spring and the beginning of summer.

In the middle of the Plaza Mayor, you will find the equestrian statue of Felipe III, finalized in 1616 by the master sculptor Pietro Tacca.

Our next stop in beautiful Madrid is the Palacio Real (Royal Palace). Reconstructed in 1734, works were commenced with Felipe V, but where finalized by Carlos II in 1764.

Currently, it is the official residence of its majesty the King of Spain; however it is only used for official receptions. The King’s real residence is located in the Pardo Palace (open to the general public), in the outskirts of Madrid.

The palace holds the Sabatini gardens. Open to the general public from 9 am to 7 pm.

If you continue your stroll through Madrid, you will find Plaza de España, rounded by majestic trees; the center of the plaza holds a statue and a fountain dedicated to Miguel de Cervantes (author of “Don Quijote de la Mancha”).

Our walk down Madrid ends in Calle Gran Vía. A century old, this avenue remains on of the favorite places of madrileños. It holds multiple buildings which guard the history of Madrid, numerous cinemas and bars are found in Gran Vía. One place which is worth visiting is the Chicote museum and bar, a place where famous artists such as Javier Bardem and Pedro Almodóvar like to hang out.

The Gran Via holds the world famous sculpture of Cibeles (sculpted by Ventura Rodriguez). It represents the Greek goddess of mother earth. This monument is the center of attention for celebrations of sporting events (specifically the fans from Real Madrid).

It is also the most important landmark in Madrid, a place where tourists take a lot of pictures, due to the fact that the monument is surrounded by remarkable buildings such as the Telecommunications Building (current headquarters of the Madrid municipality), the central Bank of Spain and the famous Puerta de Alcalá.