What to see in Madrid

Calle Bailén, 10, 28013 Madrid
A 16th century Baroque style building declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. King Philip V commissioned architect Filippo Juvara to design the Palace, but it was his disciple, Juan Bautista Sachetti, who actually executed the project on Filippo's death and Sabatini completed the building by carrying out additional work and the Palace decoration. It has been the Spanish monarch's official residence ever since its first occupant, King Charles III. Although the monarch doesn’t actually live there now, it's used for official receptions and formal events.

Puerta del Sol, 28004 Madrid
A place packed with tradition only a few metres away from Plaza Mayor. Here in this square you can admire the symbol of the city of Madrid, the bear and the strawberry tree. The statue marks a meeting point for Madrid locals, and is also the famed kilometre zero for Spanish roads and home to the clock that chimes midnight on New Year's Eve. You can find lots of trendsetting shops all around the square.

Plaza de la Independencia, 7, 28001 Madrid
This is one of the biggest parks in Madrid, and undoubtedly the most famous and most popular park of all. Widely regarded as one of Madrid's green lungs, this centrally located park has a huge variety of amenities to visit. These include the great lake, where you can enjoy a boat ride, the Palacio de Cristal (crystal palace), the Casa de Vacas cultural centre, the artificial Mound and many other attractions. Street musicians, puppeteers, fortune tellers, caricaturists, etc., are all part of the soul of this forever bustling park.

Calle Bailén, 10, 28013 Madrid
Located opposite the Royal Palace. Built initially as a parish church, the Marquis of Cubas was in charge of the project and the first stone was laid by King Alphonse XII. A year later the project was redesigned and building started on the Cathedral. Work on Almudena Cathedral continued over a long period of time, right up until 1993. A curious fact is the church's North-South orientation, as unlike other cathedrals, which are oriented East-West; it was built facing this way so it would fit into the Royal Palace complex.

Calle Serrano, 28016 Madrid
Located in the Salamanca neighbourhood, one of the most exclusive and elegant areas in Madrid, it's the equivalent of New York's Fifth Avenue. If big brands are your thing, this is your shopping district. Whether you're looking for clothes, shoes or jewellery, leading brands like Armani, Dior, Cartier and Bvlgari display their latest designs in the shop windows here.  Plus, you'll always find an open-air café where you can take a breather and have something to eat or drink.

Plaza Cibeles, 1, 28014 Madrid
The former Telecommunications Building or Cibeles Palace as it's known today, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful buildings in Madrid. Located in the square of Plaza Cibeles alongside the Bank of Spain and Casa de América building, it's one of the capital's most impressive examples of Neo-Gothic architecture. Its official opening in 1917, following twelve years of “complicated” work, was a huge social event attended by the then King and Queen, Alphonse XIII and his wife Victoria Eugenia. The Palace's first purpose was to handle mail traffic.

Gran Vía, 28004 Madrid
One of Madrid's main streets. Madrid's Gran Vía is one of the capital's liveliest streets. Whether it's day or night, you can always hear the hustle and bustle of people, keeping the city's heartbeat going. If during the daytime it's the perfect setting for doing some shopping, having a snack or just admiring the iconic buildings, at night the theatres take over, with plays, shows, musicals... All bringing this legendary street to life.

Playa Mayor, 28012 Madrid
Part of the famous Hapsburg Madrid, this is the oldest area in the city, and the most charming. Features in this well-known square include the commemorative plaques of the reigns of Philip III and Charles II, the coat of arms of Charles III set in the upper central part of Casa de la Panadería (the bakery house), the Arco de Cuchilleros (the cutlers' archway), the equestrian statue of Philip III and the spectacular façade. If you visit the square, remember to take a look around all the hidden corners and details.

Calle Fuencarral, 28010 Madrid
This central street in Madrid is paradise for all shopaholics as well as for people who love restaurants, bars and the coolest, trendiest spots. One of the added plus factors of this street is that it's pedestrianised, so you can cross from one side to the other admiring shop windows, comparing trends, taking a break to recharge your batteries... You can do anything you like without having to watch out for traffic.  You'll find all kinds of shops, most of which are modern and futuristic. It's the trendiest street in Madrid.

Plaza de Murillo, 2, 28014 Madrid
Now more than 250 years old, the Botanical Garden first opened as a complex devoted to the natural sciences.  In the reign of Charles III, the garden moved from its original location to where you see it now, next door to the Prado Museum. The Royal Botanical Garden is well worth a visit, and a tour of the garden and its greenhouses reveals more than 5,000 living plants, plus a library holding more than 10,000 drawings and a herbarium with over a million specimens.

Calle Ribera de Curtidores, 28024 Madrid
If you prefer street stalls to shops and if you love discovering treasures, valuable or otherwise, buried underneath a pile of junk, then El Rastro is your shopping district. It's the quintessential Madrid flea market.  You can't go to Madrid without visiting this street market on a Sunday morning and finish off by having tapas in some of the best known bars in La Latina neighbourhood.