Discovering Madrid with Chapín Group. One of the great capitals of Europe and important centre of art, history, architecture, events, congresses and leisure is Madrid.
Madrid is one of the greatest capitals in Europe and around the World. A city that never sleeps, a city with history, art, leisure, shopping, architecture and many places to discover. Madrid is a cosmopolitan city, engine of the Spanish economy and is a city that opens its arms to the people of the world. It doesn’t matter where you come from: if you are in Madrid you are from Madrid. The capital of Spain cannot be discovered in one single visit, but rather so it benefits from a long list of essentials things that we should not miss in order to enjoy and really feel Madrid.
What to see in Madrid?
- Plaza Mayor: the historic centre of the city along with the Puerta del Sol. All Madrid people have endearing memories of the Plaza Mayor. This rectangular square of 129 meters long and 94 wide, is surrounded by buildings and prominent places such as the Cuchilleros Arch, the Bakery House, the most important building in the Plaza Mayor and the Statue of Philip III, a gift from the Duke of Florence. It is essential to sit in any bar or tavern in the Plaza Mayor for a beer and for one of the traditional squid sandwich. For almost 150 years, at Christmas, the Plaza Mayor is filled with stalls with Christmas items.
- The park of Retiro: it is the place for disconnection and union with the nature in Madrid. It is an historical and cultural park and it has been for many decades and still is one of the lungs and meeting places of Madrid. Walking, reading, sports … the Retiro Park is one of the favourite places in the city for both its inhabitants and for the tourists. One of the corners of this park, and one that should not be missed, is the beautiful Crystal Palace. Nor can you leave this place without going through its pond and the sculpture of the Fallen Angel, one of the few dedicated to Lucifer in the world.
- Puerta del Sol: The other historical heart of Madrid. A place where hundreds of thousands of people travel every day. In addition, it is the point from which some of the most important shopping streets in the capital depart. In the centre of this place, lays the headquarters of the Community of Madrid. In addition, you can also see one of the icons of the city, the sculpture of the Bear and the Madroño, present in the shield of the city. Finally, another of the most typical things of the Puerta del Sol is to step on the Km. 0.
- Museums in Madrid: Madrid is Art, as it is the home of countless museums, some of which are even the most important in the world. The main 3 museums are very close to each other: the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofía Museum. But, in addition, Madrid has the National Archaeological Museum, the Cerralbo Museum, the Caixa Forum, the Sorolla Museum, the Railway Museum, the Naval Museum or the Lope de Vega House-Museum, which are also worthy of visiting.
- The Gran Vía: it is one of the arteries of the city. The first sketches of this street date from 1862, when part of Madrid’s historic centre was reformed, even though the final design did not arrive until 1899 when the architects José López Salaberry and Francisco Octavio Palacios presented the project. The construction of the Gran Vía lasted several decades, the works finally began in 1910 and finished in 1929. In the Gran Vía we find fashion stores, restaurants and it is the Madrid Broadway since it holds a significant number of theatres and musical programming.
- Madrid from the sky: from the heights Madrid is as magical, as at street level. We can enjoy Madrid from the roof of the Círculo de Bellas Artes, the Cibeles Palace or from the Hotel Riu or in El Corte Inglés of Callao.Many terraces from which you can appreciate the views while having a nice drink.
- Royal Palace: one of the main monuments of the city. This palace has been the official residence of the King of Spain, although currently the King of Spain lives in the Palace of La Zarzuela and it is therefore only used for state ceremonies. It is the largest royal palace in Western Europe and one of the largest in the world. It was built in the 18th century and houses an important historical and artistic heritage.
- Temple of Debod: With an age of 2,200 years it is the oldest monument in the city. It was donated to the city by the Egyptian government, becoming one of the most visited places in the capital. In addition, its privileged location makes it an ideal place to enjoy the sunset.
- Madrid Río: On the banks of the Manzanares River has become an ideal space for recreation and sports with cutting-edge architectural elements.
- Slaughterhouse o “El matadero”: space dedicated to workshops, concerts, exhibitions and markets.
Almudena Cathedral: the construction of the Almudena Cathedral began on April the 4th of 1883, when King Alfonso XII laid the first stone. The promoter of the project and its architect was Francisco de Cubas. The interior of La Almudena surprises by having completely different details from other cathedrals: the ceiling and the stained glass windows set aside the classic style to give way to bright colors and straight lines.
More information about Madrid at www.esmadrid.com
All the information of Chapín Group at https://grupochapin.com/