Welcome - Already a member? Sign in

 Site Map My Trips My Profile Customer Support Feedback
TRAVELLER TOOLS
Airport Guides
Arrivals/Departures
Flight Timetables
Currency Converter
Destinations
Weather
Get deals via email
Health & Safety
Passport/ Visa

The World  
Europe  
Madrid  
Sightseeing

  Madrid, Sightseeing

Sightseeing Overview: Madrid is best known for its ‘Golden Triangle’ of art museums – Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen‐Bornomisza. The celebrated Art Walk, Paseo del Arte, links all three. The city’s focal point remains the Puerta del Sol – the eastern gate (puerta) of the city during the 15th century. The monument of the bear and madroño (strawberry tree), in the centre of the square, symbolises Madrid. The Calle Mayor leads west from Sol, to the Plaza Mayor, which evokes the splendour of Spain’s 17th‐century Golden Age. The Calle de Alcalá – a grandiose thoroughfare constructed in the reign of Charles III – leads east of Sol, towards Plaza de Cibeles. The fountain, with its statue of a Greco‐Roman fertility goddess astride a lion‐drawn chariot, is a landmark instantly recognisable to all Spaniards. Visitors might be less impressed with the crazy merry‐go‐round of traffic encircling her. Overlooking Plaza de Cibeles is the imposing Palacio de Comunicaciones – the main post office, dating from 1904.

The Madrid cityscape is softened by numerous green spaces – lovely squares, such as the Plaza de Oriente, in front of the Royal Palace, and parks, most obviously the landscaped Parque del Buen Retiro and Jardín Botánico (Botanical Gardens) near the Prado. Further west is the wilder Casa de Campo, which also contains the Parque de Atraciones funfair and leisure grounds. More unusual is the greenhouse in the Atocha Station (entrance at concourse, gate 14), popular with Madrileños and visitors alike.

Tourist Information: Oficina Municipal de Turismo
Plaza Mayor 3
Tel: (91) 588 1636 or (91) 366 5477. Fax: (91) 588 2930.
E‐mail: inforturismo@munimadrid.es

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 1000–2000, Sun 1000–1500.

The Comunidad de Madrid (regional tourist information office) has branches at Calle Duque de Medinaceli 2, Barajas airport, Chamartín Station, Atocha Station and Mercado Puerta de Toledo, Ronda de Toledo 1.

Passes
The Paseo del Arte (Art Walk) ticket allows entry to the Prado, Thyssen‐Bornemisza and Reina Sofía museums – valid for one trip to each gallery within a year of the first visit. The pass costs &Euro;7.60 and is available for purchase at any of these three galleries.

The Madrid Card, valid for one, two or three days and, costing between &Euro;28 and &Euro;55, gives visitors to free admission to 40 major museums, use of public transport, Madrid Vision bus tour (see Tours of the City), a guided walking tour (Saturday), as well as discounts in selected shops, restaurants, theatres and more. They can be purchased from main tourist offices or online ().

The state museums, including the Prado and Reina Sofía, are free on Saturday 1430–1900 and Sunday. Monuments managed by the Patrimonio Nacional, including the Palacio Real, Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales and Monasterio de la Encarnacion, are free (officially for EU nationals only) at least one day a week (usually Wednesday).