Madrid: 10 Reasons to Visit the Beautiful Capital of Spain

Madrid is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and its capital is the heart of the country. Within its boundaries you'll find a range of cultural and historical treasures such as the Royal Palace, Royal Theater along with numerous museums and art galleries that are unmatched elsewhere in Europe. It's also famous for its distinctive restaurants and cafe culture often housed in beautiful historic buildings. There's an endless amount of things to do in Madrid but here are some of the best reasons to visit this beautiful capital city.

1. Museum of Del Prado

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The Museum of Del Prado is located in the center of Madrid and is the main national museum in Spain, containing a number of stunning collections of European art and artifacts. The Prado Museum has 2,300 paintings from the Royal Art Collection and a large number of sculptures, drawings and prints. The museum also has a wide range of artworks by famous artists such as Francisco de Goya, Diego Vilas Keys, Titian, Peter Paul Rubens and Hieronymus Bosch. It is the largest museum of its kind in Spain and also organizes temporary exhibitions and various activities so make sure to check before visiting.

2. Reina Sofia Museum

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The Reina Sofia Museum is one of the most important tourist attractions in Madrid. The museum has a huge collection of artwork spanning both from antique works to modern art. The first two floors of the museum are dedicated to temporary exhibitions that are organised throughout the year. The rest of the floors are dedicated to displaying antiques and artwork that is permanently housed in the museum. Here you'll find a number of famous works from renowned artists such as Picasso, Salvador Dali, Miro and Francis Bacon.

3. Buen Retiro Park

Buen Retiro Park, one of Madrid's largest public parks, is located in the center of Madrid, near Puerta de Alcalá. Also known as the Palacio de Cristal del Retiro, the park was established in the late 19th century, dotted with structures designed in Gothic style and beautiful museums such as the Prado Museum. It is home to more than 15,000 trees and flora, including the Cypress tree, which is believed to be the oldest tree in Spain, at about 400 years old.

4. Plaze de Cibeles

Plaze de Cibeles is a beautiful plaza studded with an iconic fountain and monument, a symbol of Greek fertility carved from purple marble in 1780. The square houses a number of Madrid's most important buildings and attractions such as the Post and Telegraph Museum and a number of famous shops.

5. The Royal Palace

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The Royal Palace in Madrid is one of Europe's finest and largest palaces, with a vast area of around 13 hectares located in the western part of the capital near Pailin Street. The Royal Palace in Madrid is the official residence of the royal family in Spain but today it is used only for official celebrations. It's easy to see why however, as the palace is absolutely spectacular.

6. Plaza Mayor de Madrid

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The Plaza Mayor de Madrid or the Grand Plaza in Madrid is one of the most important tourist destinations in Spain and the largest squares in the country. The square is considered one of the most beautiful and impressive spots in Madrid, first established by King Philip III in 1617 to be a yard for execution and later a bullfighting square.

7. The Royal Botanical Garden

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The Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid is located right at the heart of Madrid built in 1755 by King Fernando III on the banks of the Manzares River. The garden was not only intended to showcase plants, but also to explain botany and provide samples for the work of scientific research and the division of plant species. In 1942, the garden is considered one of the most important symbols of tourism in Spain.

The park consists of three external terraced sections, with greenhouses and a total of more than thirty thousand plants and flowers, along with more than one thousand and five hundred trees.

8. Puerta del Sol square

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Another of Madrid's iconic city center squares, this huge plaza is surrounded by some of the city's finest architecture. In the middle of the square there are a number of statues that reflect the symbol of the city of Madrid, you'll find a number of restaurants and shops around the area too.

9. Gran Via

One of the most important streets in the city of Madrid, Gran Via was founded in 1929 and was designed to link the Calao gate and the Plaza de Espana. This popular street in Spain was called the great street during the civil war, where it was the scene of several conflicts. The street is always full of activity, with a number of famous landmarks and historic buildings that you'll notice as you make your way down.

Conclusion

Madrid has many incredible tourist destinations and some of the most beautiful architecture in Europe, it's easy to see why the Spanish capital is one of the most popular getaways on the continent, the unique atmosphere and liveliness of the city makes it truly unmissable.

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