Puerta del Sol and other Madrid, Spain Things to Do Tips

Puerta del Sol

This is one of the busiest places in Madrid

You can find revindications, manifestations or just people doing some tourist, people going to shops.... Always Always crowded...

The photo is the building called Casa de Correos and now the head quarters of the Community of Madrid's Autonomous Government

See the carillon on the top? here is where you have to be for New Year eve, even if you may not hear it as well as on TV lol

Also visit around the important monuments on the square, km 0, the oso y madro?o, the statue of Carlos III and ops I never remember the name of the other one lol

I am trying to get all the tips in an itinerary logic order, but always the route are up to the person.

From here head to the next tip:

PLAZA MAYOR

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Plaza Mayor: Plaza Mayor

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Updated by Carmela71

on Nov 11, 2003

Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor has been used as a marketplace. Also was the place for any event, even bullfightings.

During Inquisition, it was the place for the announcement of the sentences.

On the 5th January is the place to see the Wise kings.

On Christmas times you can enjoy the market, and on Sundays there is a stamp and coins market.

The statue of Felipe III at the horse in the middle of the square has been for many VT meetings the meeting point

The square has been called Plaza Mayor since the 15th century

From here you can go in direction to the Plaza de la Villa, and on the way just behaind the Plaza Mayor, you will find the Mercado de San Nicolas.

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Address: Main square of Madrid
Directions: Metro Sol & Opera

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Town Hall Square: Plaza de la Villa

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Updated by Carmela71

on Nov 11, 2003

Casa de la Villa

This square has the Casa de la Villa, design to be the town hall and the jail on the 1640.

It is very easy to reach from the Plaza del sol, heading to Calle Mayor in direction to the Almudena Cathedral

At the photo you can see the town hall, but at my left (sorry you can not see it) is the Torre de los Lujanes, a 15th-century building in Mudejar style, that whenever I visit the light is no good for photography lol

From here head down calle Mayor till the Almudena cathedral, you will see a lovely building at your right of a Italian institution (do not remember) and later at your right a military church

Now lets move on to the ALMUDENA CATHEDRAL down street

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Address: Mayor Street

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Almudena Cathedral: La Almudena

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Updated by Carmela71

on Nov 11, 2003

La Almudena

Madrid Cathedral is called La Almudena.

It is in neo-gothic style and has a Romanesque crypt. It is close to the Royal Palace.

The windows, the pictures... all deserve a visit.

We entered for the first time to the crypt. Here you can find many buried tombs. some of them very recent (I wonder how much they will pay in life to be buried here?)

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Directions: Once you arrive to Calle Bailen if you turn left, you can go to las Vistillas and Puerta de Toledo. But if you turn right you can go to the cathedral, palacio real, plaza de oriente, jardines sabatini.....

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Royal Palace: Royal Palace

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Updated by Carmela71

on Nov 11, 2003

Also called Palacio de Oriente or Palacio Real.

The Royal Palace and its 3000 rooms contains a larger amount of rooms than any other palace in Europe.

At your left the Armeria, on your right the entrance and the Botica, and in front, the entrance to the main rooms.

Prices are 7 euros with no guide and 8 euros with guide, in my opinion expensive. 6 euros would be plenty.

I paid 5 euros to enter at the Reales Alcazares, and i think it deserved. 7 Euros the Alhambra, and it is worthy by sure...

But even if I think is expensive, the rooms are incredible, only to watch the ceilings, the tapestry, the lamps.... beautiful really

In from of the Palace is the Almudena cathedral, and behind the Sabatinni gardens

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Address: Former King's Residence
Directions: After the palace, follow to Plaza de Oriente, from there you can see the Royal Theater and the line of Statues or go to Sabatini Gardens.

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Plaza de Oriente: Plaza de Oriente

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Updated by Carmela71

on Nov 11, 2003

Gardens of the Square

This square was designed at the time of Joseph Bonaparte.

The French wanted to build a wide boulevard in the style of Champs Elys?es in Paris, but the project was stopped.

Right now you can see a two lines of statues of all the kings prior to the Catholic ones, Kings of the reigns of Leon, Castilla, etc... 44 statues of Kings and Queens, really impressive lol

In the center of the square is a statue of Felipe IV on horseback.

I am afraid in my times we did not had to memorised all of them, as in my mother times, hehehe... I do not know why but some of the ones I remember are Recaredo, Wamba ...

In the times of Franco this was the place were all the demonstrations were held

Now lets walk around the Square to visit the Teatro Real

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Address: Between Royal Palace and Opera House

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Things To Do: Teatro Real

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Updated by Carmela71

on Sep 12, 2003

At Plaza de Oriente. From here you can see the Palacio Real. All this area brings me lots of memories from child ....

Teatro Real houses the Spanish Opera.

Ok never been inside, but except in summer, you can get guided visits through it.

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Phone: + 34 91 516 06 60
Website: http://www.teatro-real.com/

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Sabatini Gardens: Sabattini Gardens

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Updated by Carmela71

on Nov 11, 2003

Gardens of the palace

This gardens from 1930 are at the side of the Royal Palace are in classic style.

They are free entrance, not as the Campo de Moro that you have to pay 5 euros entrance (I can not say anything about them lol as I never been, hope I can do it in my next visit, and also Las Vistillas)

In summer you can enjoy some teathers and concerts there.

From here go in direction to Plaza de Espa?a, but do not cross the road, go under the road and follow the signs until you get into the Temple of Debod, or If you have not seen the Royal Teather and the plaza de oriente with its lines of Kings, this is the moment to do it

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Address: The gardens below the Royal Palace

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Things To Do: Temple of Debod

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Updated by Carmela71

on Nov 11, 2003

Stace and me

From the Royal Palace, head to Plaza de Espa?a, and further on, you can visit this temple.

It was given to Spain thanks to our help when they salved from the flooding of the Nile.

An incredible scenery and it is free entrance

Some people complain about the spoils of the temple by thousands of tourist walking around and touching the walls, but also we have to think that is a way of getting to know more closely without flying to Egypt a little more about this fantastic culture. Maybe I have read too much to Christian Jacq ;-)

Going to the back of the Temple you can have great views of the Casa de Campo

Come back your steps to Plaza de Espa?a on the subways to cross the main street, be careful with pickpockets, they work on couples!

Back my steps and head to Plaza de Espa�a

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Address: Paseo del Pintor rosales, s/n

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Plaza de Espana: Plaza Espa�a

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Updated by Carmela71

on Nov 11, 2003

Plaza de Espa�a