If you still do not know where to go in this wonderful city and it is going to be your home for a long time, you may be interested in knowing which are the places you can visit to enjoy in company and share the sensations that these places will offer you or simply enjoy of a solo walk to disconnect from your studies or your work.
We leave you the list of the 10 most important places you can visit if you live in the Xior Madrid Retiro residence, below:
1. Puerta del Sol
One of the most famous squares in the city, brings together some of the most significant points of the capital. You will be able to see the Reloj de la Casa de Correos, Kilómetro Cero (point where the Spanish radial roads begin) and you will also find the Estatua del Oso y el Madroño. This square is famous because it is the place where the chimes are emitted every year-end since 1962, people gather there to eat the 12 grapes (a typical tradition in Spain to usher in the new year) and to celebrate the new Year.
2. Plaza Mayor
This rectangular plaza, 129 meters long and 94 meters wide, is located in the center of Madrid and is surrounded by buildings. In it you can find 3 places of interest: the statue of Felipe III, Casa de la Panadería and Arco de Cuchilleros.
3. San Miguel Market
It is one of the main gastronomic markets in the world, it was inaugurated in 1916 and you can taste all kinds of products of Spanish gastronomy, fresh products such as fish and shellfish, meat, vegetables and fruits, and many other top quality products.
You will also find stalls with chefs with Michelin stars, you can try typical tapas from the city of Madrid, yes, the price of these will be more expensive than in other places that you can find in Madrid.
4. Royal Palace
This palace is one of the largest in the world, it’s not inhabited by the current monarchs but it is their official residence. You can visit it and learn all about the history of Spain, and every Wednesday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. you can see the changing of the guard of the Royal Guard at the Puerta del Príncipe of the Royal Palace, except in the summer months (July and August) that the schedule is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the morning.
5. Gran vía
One of the most important streets of the capital, one of the best known, where you will find many restaurants, clothing stores, cinemas and of course, the main characteristic of this street is its offer of musicals and plays, which is why it is also called the Madrid Broadway. You can see the show of The Lion King, The Bodyguard, or Billy Elliot.
At the end of the street, you will find the Plaza de España, a visit that you cannot miss as it is one of the largest squares in Spain, with a monument dedicated to Miguel de Cervantes and a variety of gardens and fountains. Near Plaza de España you will also find one of the most special monuments in Madrid, do you want to know why? Because it is a monument of ancient Egypt, it was donated by the Egyptian Government to Spain for its collaboration in saving the Nubian temples.
6. Cibeles square
This square, one of the most famous in Madrid, with a fountain in the center that represents the goddess Cibeles on a chariot pulled by lions. All the celebrations of the Real Madrid football team take place there, it’s a tradition. Near the square you can also visit the Bank of Spain and the Palacio de Cibeles, among others.
7. Puerta de Alcalá
One of the five royal gates that gave access to the city, one of the most representative monuments of Madrid, this gate was inaugurated in 1778. It is located next to the Retiro Park, which we will give you more information below.
8. Retiro Park
An immense park, with a lot of history, that you cannot miss for anything in the world. It is the most important in Madrid, the favorite of many, with 118 hectares where you can rest, do all kinds of sports (yoga, running, cycling…), and many other activities that you can do in its gardens.
The park has one of the most beautiful monuments in the country, a Crystal Palace, built in the 19th century, a must-see. Another of the monuments is the one that honors Alfonso XII, where you can take a boat ride to the Retiro pond. You can visit the many gardens that the park has and the famous Retiro viewpoint where you will enjoy magnificent views.
9. El Rastro
Another thing you can’t miss is going to the street market “El Rastro”, a shopping area that is available on Sundays and holidays in the center of the city, in the La Latina neighborhood from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 3 p.m. You can buy clothes, crafts and antiques, second-hand magazines and records, and other vintage gadgets.
10. Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Finally, if you are a resident of Xior Madrid Retiro and a football lover, you can visit the Santiago Bernabéu, inaugurated in 1947, the stadium of the Real Madrid football club, one of the three teams in the city of Madrid that have won the most titles and one of the most recognized worldwide.
Organize your study and work hours, and also take advantage of the time to get to know the city.