Downtown Madrid
From the window of your accommodation in Madrid I have rented for my holiday, I can see how the rain showers the city; the weather is quite unpredictable this time of the year, but with the optimistic thought that it will get better, we want visit some of the hot spots of the city of arts.
centre of Madrid
Looking for warm places, we start our tour at the famous Puerta del Sol (Gate of the sun), one of the most visited places of downtown Madrid. This is the starting point of the streets in the city, this charming place contains the Casa de Correos (Post office building) built in 1768, the current office of the President of Madrid. There you will also find the famous sculpture of the Oso y el Madroño (The Bear and the Strawberry tree), which has been the emblem of the city from the Middle Ages and the sculpture of Carlos the third on his horse. Street music including traditional Spanish as well as international (here you can find many Mariachi groups) always enlivens the atmosphere in this beautiful square.
After the bustle of la Puerta del Sol, we can head to Canalejas Square, which is actually the perfect place to relax for some minutes in one of its traditional Cafés while appreciating the outstanding Hispanic American Bank Building, which was erected more that hundred years ago by the famous architect Eduardo Adaro. If you are into architecture, you will want to spend some extra time here and visit La casa de Tomás Allende and the Meneses Building.
Right between the two most important museums of the city of arts; Museo del Prado and Museo Thyssen, we find the gorgeous Cánovas del Castillo square, a very peaceful place that will make you forget that you are in downtown Madrid. Adorned by the delightful Neptune fountain, here you will also find the famous Palace Hotel, which is the most preferred by the Spanish Jet set.
Museo del Prado in Madrid
Continuing with our downtown Madrid tour, we arrive in the impressive Cibeles traffic circle from where we can appreciate the building of Banco de España, which looks more like a palace than a Bank. From here you can take the metro and head to Callao square on the famous Schweppes corner, from here we can start an interesting walking tour
around the Spanish Broadway Street known as Gran Vía, where among many other activities you will be able to enjoy watching a movie or a play in one of its many cinemas and theaters.
Finally we get to Plaza Mayor, which once was the main market of Madrid. Giambologna’s equestrian statue of Philip the third was placed on the square in 1848 by Isabel the second.
After a long day of sightseeing around the city, you have two options, whether you go ahead and explore the nightlife of the city, while hanging up in its trendy bars and discos, or go back to your Madrid and make yourself a nice dinner while recharging batteries for a new day in Madrid, whatever you choose, the fun is just guaranteed in the capital of Spain.
