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Madrid | |
Further Distractions |
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Madrid,
Further Distractions This lush 118‐hectare (292‐acre) park in the heart of Madrid was originally the private garden of Philip IV. Visitors can enjoy a stroll along the shady avenues and formal gardens, take a rowing boat out on the lake or picnic in the extensive wooded areas. Madrileños come here in their thousands on Sunday mornings, were entertainment is provided by fortune tellers, pavement artists and circus acts. There is a children’s puppet theatre and numerous refreshment points. Temporary art exhibitions are held in the Palacio de Cristal, Palacio de Velázquez and the Casa de Vacas. Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de la Independencia Transport: Metro Retiro, Atocha or Ibiza; bus 2, 14, 19, 20, 26, 28, 51, 52, 68 or 69. Opening hours: Daily 0600–2200. Admission: Free. Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales (Convent of the Royal Barefoot Sisters) Founded by Juana de Austria, the daughter of Charles V, in 1559, as a retreat for noblewomen, the Convento de las Descalzas Reales is still a functioning convent. A superb example of 16th‐ to 17th‐century Baroque architecture, it contains a magpie’s hoard of artistic treasures, including Flemish tapestries, Italian and Flemish paintings and sculptures, religious artefacts and more. The convent is open for guided tours only. Tours are in Spanish, although questions are taken in English. Plaza de las Descalzas Reales 3 Tel: (91) 454 8800. Transport: Metro Callao or Sol; bus to Puerta del Sol 3, 5, 15, 20, 51, 52 or 150. Opening hours: Tues–Thurs and Sat 1030–1245 and 1600–1745, Fri 1030–1245, Sun 1100–1330. Admission: &Euro;4.01 (concessions available). Faunia Parque Biológico de Madrid (Environmental Park) The theme of this new, attractively landscaped theme park is bio‐diversity. Each of the ten pavilions has been specially designed to recreate a different natural environment, with the aim of demonstrating how life – animal life in particular – has learned to adapt to a variety of ecosystems. Thanks to the latest high‐tech wizardry, visitors can ‘experience’ a tropical storm, take a stroll through the rain forest, visit the polar regions with temperatures of ‐ 5ºC, or watch rivers of molten lava flowing 1000m (3281ft) beneath the earth’s surface. Avenida de las Comunidades 28 Tel: (91) 301 6210. Fax: (91) 301 6229. Transport: Metro Valdebernardo or Cercanías Vicálvaro; bus 8, 71, 130 or E. Opening hours: Daily 1000–1800 (Mar); daily 1000–2000 (1 Apr–Jun); daily 1000–2200 (Jul–16 Sep); daily 1000–1800 (17 Sep–30 Sep); Wed–Sun 1000–1800 (Oct–Feb). Admission: &Euro;16.90 (concessions available). Faro de Moncloa (Light of Moncloa) The Faro de Moncloa observation tower, situated in the university district, is open to the public, offering visitors panoramic views of Madrid from the flying‐saucer‐shaped viewing deck, 92m (302ft) high. The tower was designed by architect Salvador Arroyo, in 1992, to monitor traffic congestion. Avenida de los Reyes Católicos/Plaza del Arco de la Victoria Tel: (91) 544 8104. Transport: Metro Moncloa; bus 1, 16, 44, 46, 61, 82, 83, 132, 133 or C. Opening hours: Tues–Sun 1000–1400 and 1700–2100 (Jun–Aug), Tues–Fri 1000–1400 and 1700–1900, Sat–Sun 1000–1800 (Sep–May). Admission: &Euro;1 (concessions available). |