When you have only a little time to visit a city as large as Madrid, you have to make sure that you use that time well, to visit the main sites and places to take photos and to really enjoy some of the most incredible architecture in the world. Madrid has everything. Here are a few ideas sorted out in terms of my own personal preference and I have enclosed a video of most of the things to see listed below, please feel free to give me some feedback.

1 - Puerta del Sol

The Puerta del Sol, or "Door of the Sun", located in the center of Madrid, is just one minute's walk from The Plaza Mayor and also very close to Gran Via. Sol is a great place to start if you want to see and feel the vibrancy of Madrid, full of shops. Bars, restaurants and history, with many well-known shop trademarks, such as El Corte Inglés, Zara, FNAC, H&M and many more, you will also have a chance to savor some of the most famous pastries from Madrid in the cake shop and cafe La Mallorquina which has been in business since 1894. In Sol you can also see the Casa de Correos, listed in the video, which is very important for the celebration of New Year for the whole of Spain.

2 - Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is the official residence of the king of Spain, used mainly for official ceremonies. The palace is the largest in Western Europe in terms of area, with 3,418 rooms. It houses a valuable historical and artistic heritage, many Stradivarius violins and very important collections of other artistic disciplines such as paintings and sculptures. The Palace was built on the ruins of the Real Alcazar, which was destroyed by fire in 1734. Notable also for its wealth of art and the use of many luxurious materials in its construction and the decoration of its rooms with artwork of all kinds, of artists such as Caravaggio, Velázquez, Francisco de Goya y fresh Corrado Giaquinto, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and Anton Raphael Mengs.

3 - Almudena Cathedral

Constructed of mainly granite and marble the work on the Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena was started in 1883 but was not completed until 1993 in time for the consecration of Pope John Paul II and his statue can be seen as you enter through the gates of the building, you can see this in the enclosed video. The Cathedral is truly a beautiful building which is right next to the Royal Palace. On May 22, 2004, the marriage of Felipe, Prince of Asturias to Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano took place in this cathedral.

4 - Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor, (The Old Square), is one of the most visited areas in the center of Madrid With its beautiful Renaissance architecture, bordered internally with Shops, Cafes, Restaurants and Bars, the Plaza Mayor is a sun trap and a perfect place to have a coffee in one of the many covered terraced areas surrounding the inner walls of square, you will be amazed at the atmosphere and the incredible architecture, whilst watching many acts such as musicians and buskers as well as acrobats and all kind of entertainers ply their trade to the visiting public from all over the world.

5 - Fountain of Cibeles

Situated very near to El Parque del Retiro, the Puerta de Alcalà, Gran Via and Sol, the monument is made of more than 10,000 KG of marble depicting Cybele the Greek goddess of fertility, on a chariot being pulled by two lions, the goddess and chariot.

As well as celebrations of Real Madrid, the area is fairly often closed off to traffic to allow for other celebrations such as concerts, shows and visits from high level VIP's. This is a great place for taking photos.

6 - Retiro Park

Retiro Park is the perfect place for a stroll. Very pleasing to the eye, you will see many sculptures, monuments, and a boating lake, it also presents an annual book fair, and there are free concerts and plenty of shows also for kids.

Being the largest park in Madrid, the park belonged to the Spanish Monarchy until the late 19th century, when it was handed over for the public to use.

7 - El Escorial (World Heritage Monument)

El Escorial, world heritage monument, was the political center of the empire of Philip II, he organized his palace and library as well as his tomb, and those of his parents, Charles I and Isabella of Portugal, and their families and successors. Definitely worth a visit as these are incredible buildings with beautiful scenery and containing much history.

8 – Toledo

Toledo used to be the capital of Spain for hundreds of years and has been held in the past by Iberians, Romans, Visigoths, Moors, and Christians. The city was designed for defense purposes and therefore received a great deal of attention as a valued icon in terms of taking control of the Spain. Rich in culture and art, with tremendous scenery, it’s approximately one hour drive from the center of Madrid and a great day out for photos and relaxing at one of the many nice terrace bars or restaurants.  

9 - Museo del Prado

The Prado Museum is the largest art gallery in the world. It also exhibits sculptures, drawings, coins and other works of arts, but it is its large collection of paintings which has brought it worldwide fame. The Museum houses more than 8,600 paintings, of which less than 2,000 are actually exhibited because of lack of space available.

The museum features major masterpieces of European art such as The Annunciation by Fra Angelico, Christ washing the Disciples’ Feet by Tintoretto, The Descent from the Cross by Rogier van der Weyden, The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymous Bosch, and The Three Graces by Rubens. They also include key works of Spanish art such as Las Meninas by Velázquez, Jacob’s Dream by Ribera and the Executions on Príncipe Pío by Goya.

10 - Gran Via

A terrific place to visit if you want to see beautiful buildings, go shopping, people watch and really capture the heart and soul of Madrid in terms of atmosphere as well as the modern culture side of Madrid. Take a look at the giant Telefonica Flagship store in the center of Gran Via, 28, right next to the Metro Gran Via station; the store is a stunning example of modern technology mixing with a historic building, you will have plenty to see by way of all kinds of high quality shops and fantastic architecture, so book out half a day to enjoy.

That’s my top ten, but everyone is different, let me know what you think when you go there, what would be your Top 10 things to see?

Have fun.

Base Jumping - Scary Stuff.

I have to admit, I would never do anything like this, it`s far too scary.

Take a look at the video below of two very brave men. 

It has been said that every country in the world and indeed every City in the world have at least 10 interesting points that make you want to go there and savor in the knowledge of these "wow" factors, the challenge with respect to Madrid, is that there are so many interesting facts to know, that it would be impossible to learn and live them in the space of a week or even a Month. Trying to condense Madrid facts and information into just 10 Interesting Facts about Madrid seems unfair and probably unrealistic, but we'll give it a try.

Madrid Drinking Water

One of the main questions, especially if you have visited a typical beach holiday in the past and have succumbed to the sore stomachs and discomfort of drinking water of poor quality is, how is the water quality in Madrid? Is it safe to drink? Do you need to buy bottled water and how does the quality of the water in Madrid compare to your own country, Town or City?

Well, you will be pleased to know that the quality of the water in Madrid is very good indeed, in-fact, you should not need to buy bottled water at all. Madrid People rarely buy bottled water, and are very proud of the natural water supply they have here in Madrid.

Madrid is certainly one of the safest places to drink water in Spain, although you honestly can't really go wrong in any of the major cities. Taste varies, with some praising the clear, cool waters, and others preferring the option of mineral waters instead. The responsibility of providing good quality, clear natural tap water for Madrid lies with Canal de Isabel II.

Canal de Isabel II is the public company responsible for managing the water distribution in the Community of Madrid. 

The Company was founded in 1851, when the project was completed to supply water to the capital. The domestic distribution of water marked the entrance to the city of Madrid in modernity, with all that it meant: the growing population combined with all its industrial and commercial activities.

Currently, Canal de Isabel II caters to around 6 million inhabitants of the Community of Madrid. To provide the large volume of water necessary for this purpose, with contributions from seven rivers in the Sierra del Guadarrama: Alberche Guadarrama-Aulencia, Guadalix, Manzanares, Lozoya, Jarama and Sorbe.

Madrid Water Quality

The water supply to the Madrid managed by Canal de Isabel II is already in its origin, excellent quality, both surface water and in groundwater. To ensure excellent quality and increase the health and taste level, establishing a strict monitoring program, from origin to delivery to the consumer.

Treatment Stations

The supply system of the Community of Madrid, which manages the Canal de Isabel II, has 12 treatment stations with a nominal capacity to deal with 44.5 meters of water persecond in total, which can treat water from any source of supply. Entered service in 1967 the first of these, the plant Torrelaguna. The higher capacity is Colmenar reaching a rate of 16 cubic meters of water per second.

Canal de Isabel II has established a strict monitoring program from the source of supply to delivery to the consumer to always ensure quality. It is designed so that exceeds the provisions of the existing legislation on water intended for public consumption both European and Spanish and provides for two possible resources: surface water and groundwater. The more intensive monitoring, with the largestnumber of tests is carried out during the stay of the water distribution network.

To achieve its quality objectives Channel has a new central laboratory equipped with the latest technologies and thirty automatic monitoring stations, as well as additional peripheral laboratories.

In summary

Yes the tap water of Madrid is in very good condition indeed and safe to drink, Canal de Isabel II ensures that the strict legislation both for Europe and Spain is exceeded for both the requirements of Madrileños and visitors.

The Torre Espacio, or Space Tower, has to be one of the top ten most incredible building designs to be seen in Madrid, its amazing curves and tangents starting at the base as a square, changing shape various times resulting in every floor being unique and culminating in the final shape of an eye at the top, the Torre Espacio was the first of the four towers to be built in the Cuatro Torres Business area (CBTA) of Madrid which is situated on the Paseo de La Castellana, considered the most important avenue in Madrid. The tower measures 236 meters, offering 60,000 square meters of rentable space, having 52 floors, 43 office floors, 2 corporatefloors at the top of the tower, 3 floors of commercial space at the base of the building, and 6 levels of underground parking. The building is owned by Grupo Villar Mir, a Spanish family-owned industrial group. When the tower was opened formally, the Mayor of Madrid, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, presided over the opening, laying of a flag as the building had become on completion, in November 2006, the tallest building in Spain, its huge structure had then surpassed the height of the Gran Hotel Bali Hotel in Benidorm, which had been until then the largest building in Spain. On opening in March 19, 2007, the event was marked with a huge fireworks display that could be seen from different points of the Community of Madrid. The building was designed by architects Pei, Cobb, Fredd and Partners. 

Torre Espacio, (Space Tower)

The 27 lifts within the building takes just 30 seconds to go in the longest path between two points on the tower, using a control system that allows energy savings of 25% and 36% improvement in mobility. The building has two rest areas, known as Sky 1 and Sky Lobby 2, located on floors 18 and 33 respectively. These two floors, both eight feet high, give visitors great views and unique envelopes in which to meet, eat and relax. The climate control system uses "cool roof" and active front, a system characterized by the absence of noise, environmental quality and flexibility during use.

A Chapel in the Sky

When looking at the building from the North you will notice a strange flashing green LED paneled light emitting from the 33rd floor of the building, the reason for this light is incredible, it is to symbolize in a quiet way the presence of Christ in the Torre Espacio, this is due to the fact that there is a small chapel on the 33rd floor of the building, the chapel was placed there so that the tenants could go to mass without the need to leave the tower, it is a simple but functional chapel, made in a room of 120 just square meters having a view from windows top to bottom looking out over the city. 

The chapel was recognized by the Archdiocese of Madrid, D. Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, as an official chapel and granted the right to serve the Holy Eucharist according to the decree of November 17, 2009 under the jurisdiction of the archdiocese and a chaplain, Father Manuel Sanchez was appointed to say mass and look after this tiny little chapel in the sky as well as performing his duties as pastor of the nearby parish Santa Maria del Val.

When the light was first installed there were complaints from some of the nearby residents saying the light was irritating and they wanted to know why this light was pulsating on and off all through the night, but the complaints were rescinded when the explanation was made, the nearby patients of La Paz hospital to the north of the Torre Espacio also draw much comfort on seeing the flashing light as they feel that Christ is with them.

The Crystal Tower or (Torre de Cristal), Spanish for Tower of Glass, is one of the finest skyscrapers in Madrid, situated in the Cuatro Torres Business (CTBA) Area of Madrid, the tower was designed by Argentine architect Cesar Pelli, head of the international office Pelli Clarke Pelli and ranks as the second tallest building in Madrid and in Spain, the tower measuring 249.5 meters was completed in 2008 and was considered the tallest building until it was just beaten by the Caja Madrid Tower, which took up the mantel on its completion in 2009 with a height of 250 meters. Cesar Pelli is also responsible for the Petronas Towers in Malaysia, built in 1997. 

  Designed and sculptured as a crystalite in a beautifully smooth and contoured form, it is a pleasure to stand at the bottom of the tower looking up along the structure to the sky, The contours of the structure capture and reflect light with great dynamism. At the very top of the building there is a large crystal dome, which houses the highest vertical garden of Europe, at 30 m that reveals a variety of trees such as oak trees and is covered with plants, giving a natural and green setting.

The Crystal Tower is today is considered to be one of the most prominent and noble buildings of Madrid. The gardens themselves cannot be seen so well from above as the crystal glass is in turn covered with solar panels. The skyscraper transforms the space used into 52 floors, 1,206 parking spaces and over 57,000 square feet of leasable area with a large entrance hall with a height of 12 meters, enclosed by a floor to ceiling glazing, makes it comfortable, impressive and elegant, with the high standard in offices designed to meet the needs of most demanding companies, Containing 27 elevators, in different groups, dividing the height of the building into four separate areas, these elevators are the fastest in Spain and carry passengers non-stop over a distance of 150 m at a speed of 8 meters per second. In addition to speed, other factors in the design have been the comfort and safety of the user, combining all this with respect to the environment through the use of elevators that are considered to be greener.

The Crystal Tower has implemented various systems that optimize energy consumption through an efficient climate control system with active front and advanced electrical installation. This building has been certified energy class "A", in terms of highest efficiency, which means that the final energy consumption in the Tower is one third lower than an office area expectancy of similar size.

Base Jumping

With a height of 249.5 Meters, I, most definitely would not and hopefully you neither, would ever consider even contemplating going up to the very peak of the Crystal Tower dressed as a construction worker, climbing to the very highest point and jumping off the building.... Well, here are two people who did just that, they had parachutes, but still, what a dangerous and also incredible thing to do.

One of the two people in this video, Manuel Chana, later jumped for the last time on the 14th of March 2010 in Madrid, he was a member of the base jump group, Flypa. On Sunday 14 of March 2010, he jumped along with his daughter, Saray. "Manolo" as he was known, went at a top speed of 100 km per hour, when opening the main parachute there was a strong line twist and for some reason, he could not release it, he died instantly in Madrid at parachuting club Lillo, where he practiced his passion every weekend, he was 45 years old, a terrible end to an amazing person. Base jumping and parachuting was his passion till the end. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his friends.

An incredible piece of construction is the Torre Caja Madrid (Caja Madrid Tower) is the largest of the four buildings in the Cuatro Torres Business (CTBA) Area of Madrid, at 250 Meters high; it's the highest building of all Madrid and Spain.

The building was built for Caja Madrid which is the oldest of the Spanish savings banks, founded in the 3rd of December 1702 initially as the Caja de Ahorros y Monte de Piedad de Madrid, Caja Madrid is owned by the Community of Madrid. The idea for building the Torre Caja Madrid was to consolidate the massive team of the bank in one location that also would reflect the company's core values and encouraging a strong social connection as well as giving the bank an opportunity to show its art collection. 

Torre Caja Madrid (Caja Madrid Tower)

The site where the building now stands was the former training grounds of Real Madrid football team, initially known as the Madrid Arena, on the broad, tree lined Paseo de la Castellana, about 1 Kilometer from the Plaza de Castilla, the Paseo de la Castellana is the main artery boulevard of Madrid running from the North entrance to Madrid to the heart of Madrid City itself.

Inovation 

Built By Foster and Partners along with co–architects Gonzalo Martínez-Pita Copello and was completed in 2009, the structure can be thought of as an arch, made of two external reinforced concrete cores. Each core contains seven elevators, stairways and service area, leaving the internal space area free for large open office areas, a strategy first used in the design of the Hong kong Bank, the roof space of the tower hosts an empty space area, designed to hold wind turbines, depending on the viability and feasibility at some time in the future. The design of the building also allows for the possibility for Caja Madrid to sublet parts of the building, which gives the company more flexibility in terms of expansion or contraction of its use of the building if needed. This degree of flexibility in moving the service areas to the edges of the building was first used in the design of the Hong kong Bank building and creates uninterrupted 1200 square-metre floor areas. The building is vertically circulated from the sides, saving space as a result of a smart lift system that requires fewer lifts than conventional building structures. The Caja Madrid Tower is strategically positioned so as to block west/east direct sunlight, with spectacular views of the hills of Sierra de Guadarrama to the north and the centre of Madrid to the south.

Sir Norman Foster, the renowned English architect and Pritzker Prize winner, which is considered the architecture's Nobel and the profession's highest honor, is the founder and chairman of Foster + Partners. Founded in London in 1967, it is now a worldwide practice, with project offices in more than twenty countries. In 1990 Norman Foster was granted a Knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honors and in 1999 was honored with a Life Peerage, becoming Lord Foster of Thames Bank.

The Spectacular Sacyr Vallehermoso Tower (SyV) is 236 meters tall, with 52 floors, it houses the Hotel Eurostars Madrid Tower, a five star hotel. The Hotel takes up 31 floors and features a two-level dining room which offers a panoramic view of Madrid City. PricewaterhouseCoopers, The multinational professional services firm, transferred all their offices in Madrid in July 2011 to the tower building, occupying the floors that had remained vacant.

The Tower, which was designed by Carlos Rubio Carvajal and Enrique Álvarez-Sala Walter and built by the construction company U SACYR GRUPO SYV PO SYV, seen from above shows three arch blocks in an equilateral triangular formation that shape the sides to the tower. Its strategically placed windows aid the balance and aerodynamics of the tower. Work commenced in 2004 and the building was completed in 2008, shortly after completion it was recognized by winning the Madrid College of Architects' 2009 Distinction awards, Carlos Rubio Carvaja is quoted as saying in an article in the Spanish newspaper, el Mundo, that his personal favorite of all four Towers is the Sacyr Vallehermoso, not surprising really, he should rightly be very proud of this particular achievement, it really is a beautifully designed building and a fits perfectly with the very ethos and focus of Madrid in terms of the modern Madrid City.

The Sacyr Vallehermoso Tower (SyV)

The SyV Tower is part of the latest architectural, urban planning and business symbol of Madrid, the Cuatro Torres Business Area, which is also the home of the International Convention Centre of the City of Madrid (CICCM).

Eurostars Madrid Tower Hotel

When looking at the Sacyr Vallehermoso Tower you cannot escape the prominent bright gold lettering of the Hotel Eurostars Madrid, the 5 star luxury hotel was created for clients who love exclusivity and quality, with the opportunity to enjoy excellent service and professionalism as well as the ability to savor the spectacular views offered by the Eurostars Madrid Tower, spanning 360 degrees from the mountains to Plaza Mayor. The majority of the hotel's quarters (rooms, Volvoreta restaurant, Anssora Spa & Health Club and numerous meeting rooms) are excellent lookout points over Madrid City.

The Hotel Eurostars Madrid Tower is the ideal venue for the most ambitious business gatherings. It hosts 22 modulated meeting rooms measuring between 30and 1,500 m2, all of them totally soundproofed and boasting natural light and privileged views. The Gran Barcelona Hall is the largest column-free open space in all of Madrid, capable of housing events with up to 1,300 guests. Located on the second basement level, it is a spectacular venue for holding productions and product launches. All the meeting rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and Wi-Fi connections. Since it opened, the hotel has become a true benchmark as a venue for the highest-level meetings, congresses and conventions. A full, experienced and accessible team of professionals will take care of the tiniest details to ensure the success of your event.

The Zoo Aquarium of Madrid is a fantastic day out, with great value for all the family or for couples. Situated in the casa de Campo area of Madrid, right next door to the giant fun and amusement park, (Parque de atracciones), and just 2 kilometers from the Plaza de España.

With an entire array of beautiful, exotic, as well as many rare birds and animals, you will enjoy seeing some of the immense fascinations of nature at it's very best, full of color, with an impressive collection including Pandas, lions, tigers, elephants and all the animals you would expect to see in a zoo, to the rarest birds of prey and fish, as well as dolphins and sharks.

On arrival: The Zoo Aquarium of Madrid, as with all zoos, has ample parking space, you will be able to park very easily, there are parking attendants to help you, there is a nominal cost, but this is voluntary and you are not made to feel obliged to pay.

Tip: It's is a good idea to take sandwiches along with you for a picnic, although there are four good restaurants strategically placed throughout the zoo at reasonable prices, the restaurants can get fairly busy with a queue at times, keep in mind, that the Spanish usually do not go for lunch until about 2:00pm – 3:00pm or later, so you are sure be served much quicker if you go for lunch around 12:00 – 1:00pm. 

 Zoo Aquarium of Madrid

As you go through the main entrance ask for a map of the zoo, with which you can see all of the zones and quickly go to the animals you would most like to see, as you cross the small bridge to begin your sight-seeing in the zoo you will be stopped for the customary family or couples photo, you will, at the end of your visit, get a chance to see the photo and, if you like it, you can buy for around 10 Euros, again there is absolutely no pressure on you to buy anything.

Exhibitions:

It is a good idea to plan your walk around the zoo, keeping in mind the times for the events and shows such as the exhibition of Raptors, flights of exotic birds, exhibition of Sea Lions and the incredible exhibition of Dolphins, an absolute must see exhibition. The exhibitions last for around 30 minutes each, you will find though that you will wish they lasted longer, such is the standard of the exhibitions, they are very professionally run, with choreographed events inline to emotionally charged music, all-round a terrific day out.

You can also walk through the massive sea area of the zoo being surrounded as you walk through by all kinds of sea life including turtles and sharks, a truly incredible and tranquil experience. The Zoo Aquarium of Madrid is perfect for any day in any kind of weather, with plenty to see for all the family, it's a chance to see choreographed events of the highest quality and standards, easy to get to from Madrid by car, bus or metro. Prices, timetables and a photo gallery of some of the animals, birds, fish and events you can expect to see are included below.

 

Type of ticket	If Paid on entrance	If Paid by Internet
Adult (8 to 65 years)	19,40 €	18,40 €
Child (3 to 7 years)	15,70 €	14,70 €
Disability	15,70 €	15,70 €
Senior (+65)	15,70 €	14,70 €

Under 3's (Free)

Zoo Aquarium of Madrid, Casa De Campo, 28011 Madrid

Metro - Casa de Campo (Line, 5) or (Dark Blue Line, 10)

Telephone - 902 345 014

Scheduled Opening Times

The Madrid Metro (Spanish: Metro de Madrid) is the sixth longest metro in the world after London, New York, Moscow, Seoul and Shanghai, though Madrid is approximately the fiftieth most popular metropolitan area in the world. Its enormous growth in the last 20 years has also put it among the fastest growing networks in the world.

Being one of the many successes Madrid has had in terms of transportation, the Madrid metro is fast, convenient and relaxing way to get around, with air conditioned, well-spaced and modern carriages, you will also notice that the metro is very secure with guards regularly seen patrolling.

Over 7,000 people work on the Metro Madrid to make it possible for around 2.5 million people to make their daily journeys in the most comfortable, quickest and safest way possible using a network which currently covers over 283 kilometers and has around 293 stations presently.

Maps of the Madrid Metro System can be found here:

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Today, the Metro network is divided in five regions:

MetroMadrid (zone A): the core network inside the Madrid city borders, with over two thirds of the overall length.

MetroSur (zones B1 and B2): Joaquín Vilumbrales and Puerta del Sur. Runs through the southern cities of Alcorcón, Leganés, Getafe, Fuenlabrada and Móstoles.

MetroEste (zone B1): a prolongation of line from Estadio Olímpico to Hospital de Henares through the municipalities of Coslada and San Fernando de Henares.

MetroNorte (zone B1): includes the stretch of line from La Granja to Hospital Infanta Sofía servicing the northern outskirts of Madrid and the towns of Alcobendas and San Sebastián de los Reyes. There is a train interchange inside the line at Tres Olivos station.

MetrOeste (zones B1 and B2): Connects the towns of Pozuelo de Alarcón and Boadilla del Monte to line at Colonia Jardín station.

The metro is operated by its own company, under the Department of Public Works, City Planning, and Transportation of the autonomous community of Madrid. The passage between Puerta de Arganda (Line 9) and Arganda del Rey (Line 9) is operated by Transportes Ferroviarios de Madrid (TFM). All of Madrid's rapid transit systems are members of the Consorcio Regional de Transportes, which sells monthly passes for unlimited use of the metro, bus and commuter train networks 

The Crystal Palace, (El Palacio de Cristal) is a beautiful glass building found in the gardens of Retiro Park. The building was constructed in 1887 to house the Exhibition of plants from the Philippine Islands held that year. Its structure is metal, and is fully covered by sheets of glass, hence its name. The Crystal Palace was built in 1843 by Ricardo Velázquez Bosco, a Spanish architect, born on Burgos, Spain. He previously had built the Velázquez Palace, 1881-1883, which can be seen in the Retiro Park also, the ceramic work that decorates the Crystal Palace building was completed by Daniel Zuloaga, a famous ceramic artist who was born in Madrid in 1852. 

The Crystal Palace (El Palacio de Cristal)

The Crystal Palace is in the shape of a huge cathedral, made almost entirely of glass which is supported with iron, from above the shape of the building is the form clover, the purpose of the building was to house and exhibit rare and fragile plants brought over from the Philippines, it is situated perfectly facing a beautiful artificial lake, thriving with all kinds of wild life, fish and turtles, tranquil, relaxing, with waterfalls, an abundance of trees and sensational greenery.

The crystal palace is definitely a must see, if you wish to sample the relaxing, tranquil side of Madrid, you will find it truly inspiring, a great place to switch off, emotionally charging the batteries with new ideas and imagination, take the time to see it, you'll be glad you did.

Madrid's main park, El Parque de Retiro, is certainly one of the city's main tourist attractions and the main entrance to the park is situated right next to the Puerta de Alcalá, (The door of Alcalà), Retiro Park is the perfect place for a stroll. Very pleasing to the eye, you will see many sculptures, monuments, and a boating lake, it also presents an annual book fair, and there are free concerts and plenty of shows also for kids throughout the summer.

The gardens are beautifully kept, constantly preened and looked after, an abundance of trees; nature at its very best has been so carefully nurtured here. You could easily stroll the park around the 1.4 km2 (350 acres) park at the edge of the city center park for many hours or pass the time away in the most relaxing and rewarding way, with the incredible view of the large boating lake, full of fish at the opposite end of the boating lake you will see the massive monument of King Alfonso XII on horseback, the statue facing the park.

Retiro Park 

In 1505, at the time of Isabella I, the royal family had a retreat built. King Philip II (1556–1598), had the Retiro enlarged by his architect Juan Bautista de Toledo, and paths of trees were laid out.

The gardens were extended in the 1620s, when Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares, Philip IV's powerful favorite, gave the king several pieces of land nearby for recreational use.

Retiro Park, is the largest park in Madrid. The park belonged to the Spanish Monarchy until the late 19th century, when it was handed over for the public to use.

Since the late 19th century, the Retiro Park, "Parque del Retiro" has been used for many international exhibitions. several buildings have remained intact, including the Velázquez Palace (1884) by architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco, and the Crystal Palace (Palacio de Cristal), a glass pavilion inspired by The Crystal Palace in London, undoubtedly the park's' most extraordinary building. Built along with its artificial pond in 1887 by architect Ricardo Velázquez Boscoto house the Philippine Islands Exhibitions, it was first used to display flower species that needed to be kept in a constant high temperature.

The Puerta del Sol, or "Door of the Sun" is located in the very heart and center of Madrid, the name, "Puerta del Sol", comes from the original eastern city gate entrance erected in the 15th century. Sol, as it is regarded by the locals, is just one minute's walk from The Plaza Mayor and just a few minutes 'walk from Gran Via. Sol is a terrific place to be, with lots of events, there seems to be something always happening in Sol.

Sol is one of the most vibrant areas of Madrid, full of shops. Bars, restaurants and history, with many well-known trademarks, such as El Corte Inglés, Zara, FNAC, H&M and many more, you will also have a chance to savor some of the most famous pastries from Madrid in La Mallorquina, with all kinds of delicious cakes to try, the shop started off as tea and coffee room in 1894, take the chance to savor not just the food, but also the atmosphere of a busy, bustling and very successful cake shop, located right in Sol, where the Calle Mayor begins.

 Views of Sol and the immediate surrounding area

Sol is absolutely bustling with people, especially at night, and is a main tourist attraction in Madrid, just being there you will hear many different languages from the passersby as it reflects the truly cosmopolitan face of Madrid, being the center of Madrid, Sol is usually the first choice for parties, celebrations and demonstrations. One of the main celebrations in Sol is the New Year; it's celebrated with the aid of the large town clock erected on the top of the Real Casa de Correos building.

Casa de Correos

in the center of Sol and is Spain's focal point every year to bring in the New Year, "El Año Nuevo", and is televised to millions all over Spain. At 12 midnight, as the bells strike each of the 12 chimes, you will see everyone attempt to eat a pealed grape, one grape for each Month.

Eating the twelve grapes is a Spanish tradition, its origins come from Alicante from around 1909 in which some growers used up surplus crops, it is also believed that the 12 chimes reflects the wishes, one new wish for every Month of the New year.

El Oso Y El Madroño

In the center of Sol, you will also find the most famous symbol of Madrid: a 20 ton bronze and stone statue of a bear eating from a fruit tree. The official name of the statue is 'El Oso y El Madroño' sculptured by Antonio Navarro Santa Fe. The Madroño is related to the strawberry tree. Although the title, "El Oso", is used to describe a masculine bear, the sculpture depicts a female bear, used to symbolize the fertility and abundance of Madrid, the tree symbolizes the growth and the aristocracy.

King Charles III

Charles III (20 January 1716 – 14 December 1788) was the King of Spain and the Spanish Indies from 1759 to 1788. The statue was Installed in the Puerta del Sol in 1997 and was placed here by demand because of all of the improvements he was responsible for making to Madrid.

The Plaza Mayor, (The Old Square), is one of the most visited areas in the center of Madrid; just a minute's walk from Puerta del Sol, the plaza began as an Arab market and was known at the time of the 16th century as the Plaza del Arrabal. In 1576 King Philip the first asked a renowned architect, Juan de Herrera to look at the old chaotic market, Plaza del Arrabal, with a view to modernization.

The eventual construction did not start until Philip III's reign in 1617, the Plaza Mayor that we see today was again reconstructed in 1790, by Juan de Villanueva after a series of large fires had destroyed the construction work carried out in the 17th century. Right in the middle of Plaza Mayor you will see the remarkable bronze statue of Philip III on horseback placed in recognition of his contribution to the work completed in the square. Philip ruled as king of Spain, Portugal and the Algarves, where he ruled as Philip II, from 1598 until his death in 1621.

The Plaza Mayor and around

With its beautiful Renaissance architecture, bordered internally with Shops, Cafes, Restaurants and Bars, the Plaza Mayor is a sun trap and a perfect place to have a coffee in one of the many covered terraced areas surrounding the inner walls of square, you will be amazed at the atmosphere and the incredible architecture, whilst watching many acts such as musicians and buskers as well as acrobats and all kind of entertainers ply their trade to the visiting public from all over the world.

Taking a walk through the Plaza Mayor, it is sometimes difficult to imagine some of the former uses in days gone by of the square, the Plaza Mayor held host to many different events, including markets, weddings, royal coronations, soccer games, bullfights and even public executions in its darker days of the Spanish Inquisition, which was known as, "auto de fé", (Act of Faith) against non-Catholics, which was intensified after the royal decrees issued in 1492 and 1501 ordering Jews and Muslims who would not change to Catholicism or leave the country, were subjected to a ritual of public penance by heretics including beheading, after a judicial sentencing, the Spanish Inquisition was finally abolished in 1834.

As well as many typical Spanish tapas bars surrounding the area, you will also find very close by las cuevas (the caves), these are specialist bars with one main theme and that is their specialty on food, for example La Casa de La Tortilla de Patata, (The House of The Spanish Potato Omelette) or La Casa del Jamòn, (The House of Cured Ham), definitely a must try experience. If you prefer a more home from home bar, you might want to visit the Irish theme bar "Ulysses", formerly known as Moores, right next to Plaza Mayor.

One of the most breathtaking sights in Madrid certainly has to be the, "Fuente de Cibiles", Fountain of Cibeles, situated in the heart of Madrid. The monument was designed by Ventura Rodriguez in 1777 at the request of Carlos lll and is considered one of Madrid's most important symbols, situated very near to El Parque del Retiro, (Retiro Park), The Puerta de Alcalà, Gran Via and Sol, the monument is made of more than 10,000 KG of marble depicting Cybele the Greek goddess of fertility, on a chariot being pulled by two lions, the goddess and chariot are the work of Francisco Gutiérrez and the lions by Roberto Michel.

In 1782 the Cibeles Fountain originally stood next to the Buenavista Palace but in 1865 it was moved to its present location at the junction of Paseo del Prado and Calle de Alcalà.

A view of the Cibeles Fountain and the immediate surrounding area

You will very often see Real Madrid supporters and sometimes even the players themselves celebrating victories at the fountain of Cibeles, as the fountain is used to celebrate triumphs in league games as well as league cup, the King's cup, or European wins, very often you will see flags or scarves from Real Madrid adoring the much loved and celebrated statue.

As well as celebrations of Real Madrid, the area is fairly often closed off to traffic

to allow for other celebrations such as concerts, shows and visits from high level VIP's, the Fountain of Cibeles is guaranteed at these times to be absolutely buzzing with record crowds of spectators gathered to see the latest styles, music stars such as David Bisbal and VIP's, such as the visit in August 2011 JMJ (La Jornada Mundial de la Juventud) by Pope Benedict XVI. If you are lucky enough to see Madrid at a time of an event taking place in Plaza de Cibeles, whatever the event, you can be assured that you will be thoroughly entertained, Madrid does not do anything in halves, you will see that the city puts its heart and soul into every event that it holds.

We have included in the photo gallery below also pictures of one of the most prominent buildings beside the Cibeles Fountain, the Cibeles Palace building (formerly the Communications Palace). This incredible landmark was built in 1909 by Antonio Palacios as the main post office headquarters, it later became the Postal and Telegraphic Museum until 2007 and it is now known as the Madrid City Hall, but you will still hear many of the locals referring to it as the Post Office building. The Cibeles Fountain is an excellent spot for background photos, if you want a really powerful, dynamic sightseeing background for your photos, then this is the place for you and yours.

Madrid Public and National Holidays and events for 2011.

1st January	*	New Year
6th January	*	The Epiphany (Los Reyes Magos)
21st and 22nd April	*	Easter
1st of May	*	Labour Day
2nd May	*	Madrid day of the community
15th May	*	San Isidro
23rd June	*	Corpus Cristi
25th july	*	Santiago
15th August	*	The Assumption
9th September	*	Santa Maria
12th October	*	National Day of Spain (Día de la Hispanidad)
1st November	*	All Saints Day
9th November	*	Almudena
6th December	*	The Constitution (Día de la Constitución Española)
8th December	*	The immaculate Conception
25th December	*	Christmas Day

Here you will find a Map highlighting many areas of things to see and do, Click on View Larger Map if you wish to see a full page map.

Madrid people, you will find the vast majority to be very friendly, open and approachable, some things to look out for when waking in the streets of Madrid.

The people in Madrid are very sociable and do not spend a lot of time at home. The bars and cafes are full of people talking and having fun. There are many different types of bars and restaurants in Madrid, theme bars, traditional Spanish bars and all kinds of restaurants.

 

Don’t be surprised if people greet you with a kiss on the cheek, this is the normal and of course, a very nice way to greet people, a typically Spanish greeting, offered not just in Madrid, but in all of Spain.

Family life in Spain is considered very important, to the families themselves, if you go to a restaurant, café or bar, you will most likely see many families with young children, many of them staying until late at night.

Photos of Madrid

You will also find that your own “personal space” will virtually disappear when you take to the streets of Madrid, the people there will not think twice about almost bumping into you from any or all directions, be assured though, it’s very normal for them to do this and they have no problem with it, so do not be offended, there is no mal-intent, it’s just their way of doing things, and it can even be quite fun, you just never know who you are going to bump into.

 

Spanish food is really delicious, with “Tortilla de Patata”, (Spanish Potato omelette), “Calamares”, (Squid), “El Jamon”, (Cured ham), “Cocido Madrelleño”, (A kind of Soup of vegetables, and meat, all in one, or separate), “Gambas”, (Prawns) and all kinds of seafood, meat and vegetables on offer.

A typical “Menu del Dia”, (day menu) will cost anything from 9 – 14€ typically and will consist of a starter dish for example soup, followed by the main dish, followed by a sweet. Bread and first drink are usually included in the menu. Lunch usually starts around 2pm – 3pm in Madrid, so be prepared to wait a little normal than using for your lunch.

 

The nightlife in Madrid is one of the best in Europe. The night generally starts fairly late with clubs starting to be busy at around 2 or 3am, the nightclub are again open till late in the morning with people dancing and having a good time until 6 or 8am. If you want to experience the nightlife like a true madrileño you should finish the night with “churros con chocolate", (Similar to doughnuts, not so sweet though, with chocolate sauce to dip in), before catching the metro home.

 

In August life in Madrid is very different. Many madrileños go on holiday to the islands or the Spanish beaches. In August you will be able to enjoy Madrid without the normal hustle and bustle of the big city. 

Madrid weather in the main is fairly consistent and somewhat reliable in many ways.

Please use this as an approximate guide, it is always a good idea to check an up to date report on anticipated weather before your arrival.

Spring Time (mid-March – beginning of June)

The weather at this time of year can bring sunshine one minute and downpours the next, very similar to the April showers, it can still be very cold at night with temperatures at the beginning of spring not surpassing 10º C,(50º F).

None the less, you will notice the terraces with table and chairs out for you to enjoy "una Caña" (small beer) or "Un cafè" (coffee) towards the end of Spring as the weather steadily and noticeably improves towards Summertime.

Spring Clothing Recommendation:

You will have to allow for a range of different temperatures as well as the chance of rain and rain showers. Its likely to get cold, and can get quite chilly at night, particularly if you go outside the center. At mid-day the temperature can easily rise to short sleeve temperatures. Rain gear is recommended as necessary

SUMMER (June - September)

The best time to visit Madrid for the Weather.

This is the time to enjoy Madrid at it's very best, it's liveliest, in all it's splendor, if you love the sun and the heat, then August till September is fantastic, if need the lower temperatures then Mid June – mid July is recommended. The temperature can increase by 10ºC between these times, on average the temperature will be around 25ºC in mid June, rising to around 35ºC in July – August.

The ideal time for you to visit is really down to your own tolerance and preference. August tends to be a time when most Madrileños leave for their holidays, thus the city is notably quieter in terms of traffic and less bars and shops are open.

Summer Clothing Recommendation:

Wear light clothes, short sleeves, you will also notice that many madrileños are wearing open shoes, dress shoes with great style, but open footwear, it's a time for wearing less and enjoying the sun and the heat because there will be plenty of both.

AUTUMN (September - November)

Time for the open swimming pools to close, the good weather temperature begins to drop again, with the chance of rain increasing, the city people arrive back from their holidays, many of them have been away for a month, the whole of August. Very similar temperatures start to resemble spring in reverse, there is always a good time to visit Madrid in any time of the year, but be prepared for the chance of rain.

Autumn Clothing Recommendation:

You will have to allow for a range of different temperatures as well as the chance of rain and rain showers. Its likely to get cold, and can get quite chilly at night, particularly if you go outside the center. At mid day the temperature can easily rise to short sleeve temperatures. Rain gear is recommended as necessary.

Winter (December to mid-March)

You will notice that Madrid enters into a time of hibernation, the bars that are busy are not terrace bars, Popular bars at this time tend to be the best equipped for inside entertainment, such as Irish theme bars, there are very few outside events in comparison to spring, summer and Autumn. There are still very nice sunny days, but be prepared, they will be cold, sometimes very cold. It has snowed in Madrid many times in winter, but generally, this lasts for just one day and melts away very quickly.

Winter Clothing Recommendation:

You'll need warm clothes. Though rain is relatively infrequent it can by no means be ruled out. A water-resistant jacket and umbrella should come in handy, wear heavy shoes or lightweight boots that can cope with getting wet.

Although the site of modern-day Madrid has been occupied since pre-historic times,in the Roman era this territory belonged to the diocese of Complutum (present-day Alcalá de Henares). There are archeological remains of a small village during the visigoth epoch, whose name might have been adopted later by Arabs. The origins of the modern city come from the 9th century, when Muhammad I ordered the construction of a small palace in the same place that is today occupied by the Palacio Real. Around this palace a small citadel, al-Mudaina, was built. The citadel was conquered in 1085 by Christian king Alfonso VI of Leonand Castile in his advance towards Toledo. He reconsecrated the mosque as the church of the Virgin of Almudena (almudin, the garrison's granary). In 1329, the Cortes Generales first assembled in the city to advise Alfonso XI of Castile. Sephardi Jews and Moors continued to live in the city until they were expelled at the end of the 15th century. After troubles and a large fire, Henry III of Castile (1379–1406) rebuilt the city and established himself safely fortified outside its walls in El Pardo.

The grand entry of Ferdinand and Isabella to Madrid heralded the end of strife betweenCastile and Aragon, and the beginning of the influence of the Renaissance in Spain.

Plaza Mayor

The Crown of Castile, with its capital at Toledo, and the Crown of Aragon, with its capital at Zaragoza, were welded into modern Spain by the Catholic Monarchs (Queen Isabella ofCastile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon). Though their grandson Charles I of Spain (also known as Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor) favoured Seville, it was Charles' son, Philip II (1527–1598) who moved the court to Madrid in 1561. Although he made no official declaration, the seat of the court was the de facto capital. Seville continued to control commerce with Spain's colonies, but Madrid controlled Seville.

Aside from a brief period, 1601–1606, when Felipe III installed his court in Valladolid, Madrid's fortunes have closely mirrored those of Spain.

Puerta de Alcalá.

During the Siglo de Oro (Golden Century), in the 16th/17th century, Madrid knew its ultimate glory; El Escorial, the great royal monastery built by King Philip II of Spain, invited the attention of some of Europe's greatest architects and painters. Diego Velázquez(painter of Las Meninas and The Surrender of Breda), regarded as one of the most influential painters of European history and a greatly respected artist in his own time, cultivated a relationship with King Philip IV and his chief minister, the Count-Duke of Olivares, leaving us several portraits that demonstrate his style and skill. El Greco, another respected artist from the period, infused Spanish art with the styles of the Italian renaissance and helped create a uniquely Spanish style of painting.

Madrid was one of the cultural centers during the Spanish Golden Century. The Spanish court attracted many top Spanish artists and writers to the city, including Miguel de Cervantes (author of Don Quixote de la Mancha) and the aforementioned Diego Velasquez. Furthermore, in the city were born many of the great writers of this period: Lope de Vega, Francisco de Quevedo, Calderon de la Barca and Tirso de Molina, the Plaza Mayor, which was built in the city during the Habsburg period as a central plaza. It is located near another famous plaza, the Puerta del Sol.

New palaces (including the Palacio Real de Madrid) were built during Philip V´s reign. However, it would not be until Charles III (1716–1788) that Madrid would become a modern city. Charles III was one of the most popular kings in the history of Madrid, and the saying "the best mayor, the king" became popular during those times. When Charles IV (1748–1819) became king the people of Madrid revolted. After the Mutiny of Aranjuez, which was led by his own son Ferdinand VII against him, Charles IV resigned, but Ferdinand VII's reign would be short: in May 1808 Napoleon's troops entered the city.

From 19th century to present day

Cibeles Fountain

On the second of May (Spanish: Dos de Mayo), 1808, the people of Madrid rebelled against the occupation of the city by French troops, provoking a repression by the French Imperial forces and triggering the Spanish War of Independence.

After the war of independence (1814) Ferdinand VII came back to the throne, but after a liberal military revolution, Rafael del Riego made the king swear respect to the Constitution. This would start a period where liberal and conservative government alternated, that would end with the enthronement of Isabellla II (1830–1904). She could not suppress the political tension that would lead to yet another revolt, the First Spanish Republic. This was later followed by the return of the monarchy to Madrid, then the creation of the Second Spanish Republic, preceding the Spanish Civil War.

Madrid was one of the most heavily affected cities of Spain in the Civil War (1936–1939). The city was a stronghold of the Republicans from July 1936. Its western suburbs were the scene of an all-out battle in November 1936 and it was during the Civil War that Madridbecame the first European city to be bombed by airplanes (Japan was the first to bomb civilians in world history, at Shanghai in 1932) specifically targeting civilians in the history of warfare. (Siege of Madrid (1936–39).

CTBA skyscrapers

During the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, especially during the 1960s, the city experienced unprecedented, extraordinary development in terms of population and wealth, becoming the largest GDP city in Spain, and ranking third in Western Europe. The municipality is extended, annexing neighbouring council districts, to achieve the present extension of 607 km². The south of Madrid became very industrialized, and there were massive migrations from rural areas of Spain into the city. Madrid's newly built north-western districts became the home of the new thriving middle class that appeared as result of the 1960s Spanish economic boom, while south-eastern periphery became an extensive working class settlement, which was the base for an active cultural and political reform.

After the death of Franco, emerging democratic parties (including those of left-wing and republican ideology) accepted King Juan Carlos I as both Franco's successor and as the heir of the historic dynasty – in order to secure stability and democracy. This led Spain to its current position as a constitutional monarchy, with Madrid as capital.

Benefiting from increasing prosperity in the 1980s and 1990s, the capital city of Spain has consolidated its position as an important economic, cultural, industrial, educational, and technological centre on the European continent.

Source Wkipedia