City walks in Madrid

It is always worthwhile to plan a little more time for a city tour in an exciting city. You can see a lot in Madrid in one day, but it is advisable to take at least three days off for a trip to Spain's capital. You can spend a whole day just visiting the magnificent Almudena Cathedral. If you are interested in the historical background, a guided tour of the area around this special building is highly recommended. However, it is also a pleasure to discover Madrid on your own during a city tour and, above all, to enjoy it, because the city also has a lot to offer in terms of gastronomy.

The historic centre of Madrid has a compact size and can be explored in a relaxed way on a well-planned walk. To discover as much as possible in a single day, you should set off early. The best place to start your city tour is the magnificent Almudena Cathedral, which is not that old. It was built in the 19th and 20th centuries in the neoclassical style. Directly opposite is the impressive Palacio Real, the official residence of the Spanish king, which can only be partially visited as a museum.

A must-see is the Plaza Mayor, Madrid's most beautiful square with historic buildings from the 17th century. In the past, bullfights and executions took place here. Today, this beautiful place looks peaceful and is one of the most popular photo motifs in the city. From there, you can take a guided tour of the city or visit the Plaza de la Puerta del Sol with its impressive old post office on your own.

Not far from there is the Plaza de Santa Ana, popular with residents and visitors alike. With its numerous small tapas bars, this is the perfect place for an extended and enjoyable break on your tour of Madrid. A visit to the Museo del Prado is also not to be missed, as it is one of the most important art museums in the world. The Prado houses around 5,000 works of art from the 11th to the 18th century.

You should also visit the Plaza de la Cibeles with its famous fountain, the triumphal arch Puerta de Alcalá and the church Antonio de la Florida. The latter is decorated with frescoes by Francisco de Goya, who was buried here. All the sights mentioned are centrally located and within easy reach.

If you want to relax after an exhausting tour of the city, visit the large Parque del Buen Retiro. The 125-hectare park is Madrid's largest lung. Here you will find numerous cafés, bars to relax in, a small lake, the Palacio de Cristal, the equestrian monument to King Alfonso XII and the famous fountain Fuente del Ángel Caído.