El Rastro de Madrid, Flea market

Madrid

The capital of Spain is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. With its intense cultural activities and artistic vitality

Segovia

Each epoch - a dominion of the Romans, Visigoths, Arabs, Catholic kings - left an imprint in Segovia: Romanesque and Gothic churches, fortress walls, the unique historic centre

Almudena Cathedral

The Almudena Cathedral is rather young for Europe: it was completed only in 1930-s. The church attracts visitors with its modern-Gothic interior

Atocha railway station

Atocha is the major by size and by significance railway station in Madrid. There is a memorial of the victims of a terrorist attack of 2004

Buen Retiro Park

The Buen Retiro Park (“Park of the Pleasant Retreat”) is a 1.4 km2 green area in the centre of Madrid. Its ponds and alleys are worth seeing

Calle de Alcalá

Want to see the city from Puerta del Sol to its outskirts? Than just go down Calle de Alcalá – the longest street in Madrid (about 6.2 miles long)

Calle Mayor

Calle Mayor (”The Main Street”) is the centre of Madrid’s social and commercial life. It starts at Puerta del Sol and finishes at Cuesta de la Vega

Casa Botin, restaurant

Casa Botin, established in 1725, is the oldest restaurant in the world. It’s best dishes are a roast lamb (cordero) and a suckling pig (cochinillo)

Casa de la Villa

The Casa de la Villa, a beautiful building in the historic centre of Madrid constructed in 1645- 1696, was used as a Town Hall until 2007

El Escorial

San Lorenzo de El Escorial, 49 Km from Madrid by road, is one of the former royal residences which was built in there by King Felipe II

Madrid, architectonics

Madrid’s architecture has never been among European trends. It just reflected preferences of the most powerful royal families: Hapsburgs, Bourbons etc

Madrid, Night life

Madrid, unlike the majority of European cities, has lots of bars, clubs and discos and a very busy night life: its rhythm slows down only at 4-6 am.

Mercado de San Miguel

The Mercado de San Miguel opened in 1916. Little has changed: the best of the best delicacies still can be bought here from 10:00 to 22:00 every day

Museo del Prado

Museo-del-Prado posesses an internationally recognized collection of masterpieces by Spanish, Itallian, Flemish and other European artists.

Museo Reina Sofía

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

Paella

Paella in Spain is the same thing as pizza in Italy. The best Madrid’s restaurants to taste paella are “La Barraca” and “La paella de la reina”.

Palacio de Cristal

The Palacio de Cristal, a 22 meter-high glass greenhouse, was constructed in 1887. It is supported only by a brick base and a metal framework

Palacio Real de Madrid

The Baroque Palacio Real de Madrid, alternatively called the "Palacio de Oriente" (The Orient Palace), is the official royal family residence

Paseo del Prado

The Paseo del Prado is full of landmarks: Golden Triangle of Art, Madrid's stock exchange Bolsa de Madrid and the National congress building.

Plaza de Oriente

The Plaza de Oriente, located on the east of the Royal Palace, houses monuments of twenty Spain's monarchs and the equestrian statue of Philip IV

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas

The Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas is the most famous bullfighting arena in Spain. Bulls and men fight there every day 10 months a year (Mar to Dec).

Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor had undergone 3 reconstructions in 1631, 1672 and 1790 before it got the present gorgeous look designed by Juan de Villanueva

Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol is Madrid’s central square. There you can find the zero km point and “El Oso y El Madroño” statue – the symbol of the city

Royal Armoury

The Royal Armoury, a part of the Royal Palace of Madrid, houses an enormous collection of weapons and armor suits of kings and the royal family.

 
Royal Pharmacy

 
Sabatini Gardens

San Nicolas de los Servitas Church

Construction of the tower of the San Nicolás de los Servitas Church dates back to XII century. It’s one of the most ancient buildings in Madrid

Segovia, architectonics

Segovia is famous not only for a fantastic number of Romanesque churches, but also for the Alcázar Castle, depicted on the Walt Disney logo