~ Top 10 Most Valuable Places To Visit In Madrid, Spain ~

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Top 10 Most Valuable Places To Visit In Madrid, Spain

During a vacation or just a short trip in the capital of Spain you can completely dive yourself into the beauty of this fabulous town. It comes to the beauty of the history, which can be felt everywhere, even in the air. It is only enough to visit a few of the most famous historical landmarks, then enjoy the calm old streets, which are dotted by eateries and plenty of historical houses. What about the modern beauty of Madrid? Well, you will be impressed by some of the largest shopping malls in all over the continent, as well as shiny buildings and other contemporary sites, yet Madrid is the capital of Spain. This is a truly modern and historical capital at once, and despite the bustling atmosphere, you can also come across an abundance of green parks, recreation corners and other captivating places for your leisure. If you still wondering what to enjoy first, just take a look at the Top 10 of the most valuable places to visit in Madrid, Spain, and build your own trip list. For instance, Retiro Park is perhaps the most refreshing place to begin your journey.


1. Retiro Park
 


It's true, because Buen Retiro Park is fulfilled by green colours, tranquil walkways, picturesque meadows with multi-coloured gardens and countless recreation facilities. You may need even more, than a whole day to explore all the natural beauties in this park, because it is huge. Buen Retiro Park is one of the largest parks in Madrid and it is located right next to the historical center of the city. There is basically everything for your leisure in the park - from a lake for boating, to plenty of sport facilities, historical monuments and even a museum - you can easily find your own lovely place to spend the afternoon. Even to lose yourself within the labyrinths of the tall green trees and peaceful walkways is one of the greatest attractions to enjoy in Buen Retiro Park.

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2. Puerta de Alcala   



At the end of your trip within the park a great idea is to try to find the northwestern exit of Buen Retiro Park, because there is located Puerta de Alcala.  It is a major landmark on the Independence Square and it symbolizes the royal presence from the past. It comes to a massive monument from the end of 18th century, which includes five gates - three giant arches and two smaller squared gates. However, that makes Puerta de Alcala such a scenic historical landmark is the beauty of the details. During your trip around or beneath the gates you will be surprised by the complex details, statues and other ornaments that dot the monument, while the surrounding area of the square is filled by the exuberant colours of numerous flower gardens and huge green trees.

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3. Plaza de Espana   



Plaza de Espana is another picturesque park in central Madrid, but it is quite smaller, than Buen Retiro Park. By contrast, Plaza de Espana is a really magical place, where you can dive into an unparalleled fusion of nature, historical buildings, modern skyscrapers and stunning cultural monuments. The Cervantes monument takes a central place in the park and its huge size is also complemented by a romantic fountain. On the other side of the square you can enjoy the sparkling waters of another scenic fountain, while the panoramic benches provide the finest settings to stop for a while and enjoy the ambiance. Meanwhile, a great idea is to wait until the day turns into a night, because the night lights of the Cervantes monument and all the night lights within the park provide some of the most romantic sights to witness in central Madrid.

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4. Gran Via



Gran Via is a major road that connects the Royal Palace of Madrid and Buen Retiro Park. It is a truly long and wide street and it is quite bustling as well. Nevertheless, Gran Via is one of the most famous attractions in central Madrid, because it offers the finest shopping therapy that you can imagine. All over the length of the street you can find numerous shopping centers, luxury stores, exquisite eateries, cinemas, hotels and much, much more. Your trip along Gran Via is also a truly colourful way to explore the modern atmosphere in Downtown Madrid, while the surrounding historical buildings create a permanent historical accent to everything. Maybe the best time to enjoy such a trip is early in the morning, when the Gran Via is a bit more tranquil and all the facades of the buildings are bathed in the golden glow of the sunrise.

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5. Catedral de la Almudena   



Catedral de la Almudena is situated right next to the Royal Palace of Madrid, on a huge and spacious square, where you will be in the middle of plenty of stunning historical sights. A great idea is to get to the center of the square and turn around 360 degrees. The most impressive feature on the horizon is the cathedral itself, which impresses through its two giant towers at the entrance. They are dominated only by a huge rounded dome, which is situated in the heart of the cathedral, while the overall Gothic design can really take you back in time. Inside the cathedral the atmosphere changes into a completely different world, where a Neo-Romanesque crypt, statues, lush decorations, modern Gothic details and a mystical game of lights are a part of everything that surrounds you.

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6. Plaza de la Villa   



The famous Plaza de la Villa looks like another fabulous and historic square in Downtown Madrid, but it is much more beautiful and captivating, than it looks like. First, Plaza de la Villa has an irregular rectangular shape and it is entirely surrounded by historical buildings, as well as dotted by green scenic gardens. The 17th century Casa de la Villa and the 16th century Casa de Cisneros are only a couple of buildings, whose scenic facades will take your breath away. A relatively small size of the square is the second advantage of Plaza de la villa, which makes this place unique. Enjoy the sights from the one side, then from the other side, feel the combination of colours and ancient shapes and then, prepare yourself for the next plaza in your trip list.

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7. Plaza Mayor   



Plaza Mayor is located only a couple of streets distance and it is quite a larger square. It has a well-distinctive rectangular shape and it is also surrounded by a multitude of historical buildings. Furthermore, Plaza Mayor is a perfect choice to stop for a while and enjoy a cup of coffee, thanks to a number of cafeterias and eateries that dot the square. This is also one of the best ways to taste the charm of Plaza Mayor, while a bronze statue of King Philip III has a central location in this yet perfectly rectangular plaza.

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8. Prado Museum



Continue your walk along the street that connects Plaza de la Villa with Plaza Mayor and after about a kilometer you will get to the iconic Prado Museum. It is adjacent to the botanical gardens and it is in a very close proximity to Buen Retiro Park, while its gorgeous buildings are a home to the national art museum. The exterior will capture your mid through plenty of giant columns, statues and white colours, which create an absolute harmony with the surrounding green colours of the trees. Inside Prado Museum you can enjoy some of the finest and most comprehensive collections of European masterpieces in the world.

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9. Puerta del Sol   



And during your walk to the museum you can come across another symbolic landmark of Madrid - Puerta del Sol. It is perhaps the busiest place in Downtown Madrid and it is most famous for the statue of a bear with the strawberry tree, which is a symbol of Madrid. There are also numerous other interesting sights to witness, such as historical buildings, the statue of Charles III of Spain, the clock tower of the Real Casa de Correos, cozy cafeterias and other eateries. At last, but not at least, Puerta del Sol is an irresistible place for taking stunning photos, especially at sunset.

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10. Royal Palace of Madrid   



And finally: the Royal Palace of Madrid. This is one of the most important, symbolic and valuable places to visit during your trip in Madrid. It was built in 19th century and its white coloured facades feature beautiful Baroque and Classical hints. The interior also offers something special that you can't miss, while nearby the Royal Palace you can enjoy a variety of gardens, squares and green corners.


This is it Madrid - a flamboyant concoction of sights, smells and sounds, and everything at once, everywhere. It comes to a wide array of historical and modern sights, as well as invigorating and vivacious smells of flowers. The sounds are also diverse, but the Top 10 of the most valuable places to visit in Madrid, Spain, deliver the finest concoction of sensations. That's why it is enough to visit all or at least a few of these places and your journey in Madrid can change into an unforgettable pleasure of sights, smells, sounds, sensations...

[MysteRy]

📍 Location:

Located in the heart of Madrid, Gran Vía stretches from Calle de Alcalá to Plaza de España.

🚶 What to Do & See:

Shopping: Flagship stores like Zara, Primark, Mango, and Spanish brands

Theaters: Catch a musical at Teatro Lope de Vega or Teatro Rialto

Architecture: Admire historic gems like Edificio Telefónica, Metrópolis, and Carrión (Schweppes) Building

Rooftop Views: Enjoy tapas and views from rooftops like Círculo de Bellas Artes or Hotel Riu Plaza

Dining: From gourmet bites to churros at San Ginés nearby, Gran Vía has it all

🕐 Best Time to Visit:

Evening and night – when the neon lights glow and the street buzzes

Christmas season – the lights and decorations are magical

🚇 How to Get There:

Metro stations: Gran Vía (Line 1 & 5), Callao (Line 3 & 5), or Plaza de España (Line 3 & 10)

Easily walkable from Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor

🎒 Tips:

Wear comfy shoes – it’s a long street with lots to explore

Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas

Great place for people-watching and street photography