The city of Madrid has a long history.
With architectural wonders, world-class gastronomy, famed art museums and an Egyptian temple within the city limits, the Spanish capital has something for everyone. There are many things to see and do in Madrid.
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Some of the world's most valuable art collections can be found in Madrid's "Golden Triangle of Art". One of these venues is an essential Madrid experience even if you aren't typically a gallery type.
Diego Velzquez, Francisco Goya and Francisco Zurbarn are some of the Spanish artists whose works are in the Prado. Las Meninas, an oil on canvas painting by Velzquez, is one of the most important paintings in Western art and is often seen by people.
The Spanish national museum is dedicated to the 20th-century art of Picasso and Dal.
Over 1000 paintings of the world's most celebrated European and American artists from the 13th to the 20th century are on display at Museo Thyssen- Bornemisza. Art fans will love it.
It is a national pastime and a satisfying way to end a meal in Spain. A tapa is a small plate of food with a glass of wine, caa or vermt.
On any day of the week, you can join locals after work and sample a selection of Iberian hams, charcuterie and cheeses.
The best time to visit Cava Baja is on Sunday afternoons when there are lots of bars, taverns and restaurants.
You can shop at the El Rastro flea market every Sunday and on public holidays for 400 years. El Rastro is open from 9 am to 3 pm and is located in the La Latina neighborhood.
If you go to the market without taking money out, you'll be left looking for a cash machine.
Parque del Oeste is the place to go for the best bird's-eye views of the Spanish capital.
The dual cable transport system has 80 cabins, each of which seats six people, and it travels a distance of 2.5 km. If you dare, you can see the city and the Casa de Campo parkland from the top of the Telefrico.
"Hemingway did not drink here" is a joke written on a sign. It's no secret that the American literary giant, fondly called "Don Ernesto," was Madrid's adopted sybarite who loved to drink, eat, write and watch bullfights while he was a foreign journalist.
The world's oldest restaurant, El Sobrino de Botn, is one of Hemingway's favorite places to eat and drink.
La Venencia, a dimly lit sherry bar that is almost frozen in time with its massive molasses-stained wooden barrels, antique cash register and fading sepia hued posters, used to be frequented by Hemingway.
When the bar was wary of fascist spies, snapping photos was banned, just as it is today.
Parque del Buen Retiro, Madrid's most famous park, used to be reserved for Spanish royalty and aristocracy until it was open to the public in the 19th century. There are ornate fountains, statues of Spanish writers and heroes, gazebos and open air cafes.
There are different areas of the park, from French-inspired manicured lawns to craggy tree-lined pathways and the romantic LaRosaleda rose garden with more than 4,000 roses that are in bloom in May and June.
The oldest tree in Madrid, the "Fallen Angel" statue, and the Monument to Alfonso XII are all on the park's grounds.
There is an architectural marvel of iron and glass that occasionally hosts events and reflects magnificently on the waters of the surrounding lake.
The birthplace of flamenco is Andaluca in southern Spain, which is1-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-6556 During the performance, a full evening's entertainment is provided with dinner, drinks and snacks.
You can watch the spectacle in big touristy venues such as Cardamomo and Teatro Flamenco or smaller cozy venues such as Las Tablas, which make up for their small size with the big flamenco artists they attract.
The Corral de la Moreria is an intimate space that has aMichelin-starred restaurant.
Puerta del sol is Madrid's busy central public square and main crossroads. The old Casa de Correos is the headquarters of the Madrid regional government and is where thousands of people gather on New Year's Eve to eat 12 grapes.
The center of Spain is marked by the Kilometer Zero plaque at the foot step of the Casa de Correos. The equestrian statue of King Charles III is at the center of the plaza, but his popularity is overshadowed by the Bear by the Madroo tree sculpture that symbolizes Madrid.
The men's international team from Spain won the World Cup and European Championships twice in the last four years.
Soccer fans can take a tour of the world-famous stadiums of Real Madrid and Attico de Madrid. There are guided tours that show the teams trophy, jerseys, and history.
At the center of old Madrid, the beautiful, expansive Plaza Mayor has been the stage for everything from royal crowning ceremonies and soccer games to outdoor markets and bullfights.
The balconies look out from a three-story residential compound. While it is easy to get distracted by the buskers, it is worth taking a seat at one of the buzzing cafes and admiring the frescoes between the balconies.
The christmas market has taken place in the square since 1860.
Most people don't know that Madrid is home to an ancient Egyptian temple. The Egyptian government used Templo de Debod as a token of gratitude to Spain for helping to restore the temples of Abu Simbel. Stone was used to rebuild Templo de Debod in Madrid's Cuartel de la Montaa park.
The temple has some of the best panoramic views of western Madrid, particularly at sunset when the temple's walls are reflected off the surrounding pools.
The Spanish king and queen still live in Palacio Real, even though they are no longer living there. The largest royal palace in Europe is inspired by Bernini's sketches for the Louvre in Paris and contains 3418 rooms.
The Solemn Changing of the Guard takes place on the first Wednesday of the month and features a parade of horses and the Spanish Royal Guard.
The article was last updated about 4 hours ago.
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