Madrid Things to Do Tips by Gaby_G

Art... A lot of it.... Prado Museum Review

Museo del Prado... A great place, with a great collection of art works... I really enjoy it cause I've got to see "Las meninas" (Velazquez) and Las tres Gracias from Reubens... I Looooove Reubens!!!
Well... I am not saying anything more about it... It is clear that is a "must see"... If you (like me) are not very familiarized with art, take your own guide or buy (or rent) one inside.... AND dont miss the Goya room!!! I almost forgot about Goya... What an interesting person he was....

Address: Paseo del Prado

Directions: Metro Banco de Espan~a or Atocha...

Phone: 913302900

My beautifull Cibeles... Cibeles Square Review

Probably, this fountain is for me, one of the most symbolic things from Madrid... It is just a fountain I know, but it was the first "famous" thing I saw in Madrid the very first night I arrived... Her lights were all turned on, she was all illuminated and pretty... I am in love with this fountain... We have a copy here in México... It´s not the same, but everytime I´m feeling down I go there to sit and watch her...

Address: Where Alcala street crosses Paseo del Prado

Dont miss the armory and the drugs room... Royal Palace Review

Outside the palace, In the open hall, (from were you get in) are the armory and the drugs room... Both of them very interesting... The Armory has a collection of armadures and arms (swords, knifes, etc) in cronological order... They even have those little armadures that were from the little princes...

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Fuera del palacio, en la plaza abierta (por donde entraste) se encuentran la "armaduria" (jejeje) y la farmacia real... Ambas muy interesantes. En el cuarto de armaduras escontraras una coleccion de armaduras y armas, acomodadas cronologicamente, hasta tienen unas muy pequen~as armaduras que pertenecieron a los pequen~os principes.

Address: Former King's Residence

Inside the Palace... Royal Palace Review

Ok.. I investigate,,, And yep, you can have your tour trough the Palace... And guess what??? It's INCREDIBLE!!! Take an audioguide with you, the place is huge, and beautifull, and very well conserved... It's amazing to know that actually, some of the rooms are still in use for parties and stuff, and that hundred (or more?) chairs table is amazing....

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Ya investigue...Y si, hay visitas dentro del Palacio... Y adivinen que... ES INCREIBLE!!! renta una audioguia... El lugar es ENORME y precioso, ademas de que esta muy bien cuidado... Es sorprendente ademas, saber que algunos de los cuartos se siguen usando para fiestas y esas cosas... Y esa mesa de cien(o mas) sillas es increible!!!

Address: Former King's Residence

And then you walk "inside"

From the gates, you will follow the soldiers to the palace hall, just infront of the Almudena Cathedral, and watch the ceremony, theres a person who explains everything from a microphone (actually I dont remember is he talked in spanish and english or just in spanish)... It's really beatifull, and definetly a must see... It's really different from the one in London...
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De ahi, sigue a los soldados, a la plaza del palacio, de donde puedes ver la Almudena, y observa la ceremonia que es explicada (creo que en espan~ol e ingles, pero no estoy segura del ingles)... Es muy bonito y definitivamente algo que tienes que ver... Ademas de ser muy diferente a la de Londres...

Change of Guard at the Palace...

This is not something that a lot of people get to see, cause it only happens once a month.
The first wednesday of every month at the 11am, in the gates of the Palacio Nacional, you will see a great display of people, horses and cars... Theres also a concert at the end...
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Esto no es algo que muchos lleguen a ver, ya que se produce solamente una vez al mes.
El primer miercoles de cada mes, a las 11 de la man~ana se lleva a cabo el cambio de guardia del Palacio Real, justo en frente de las puertas encontraras un despliegue de personas, soldados y carrozas, al final hay un concierto.

Address: Palacio Real... Metro Opera

Directions: it starts just in front the man gates of the palace...
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Empieza justo enfrente de las puesrtas del Palacio.

Watch the view Debod Temple Review

Already at Debod Temple? Watch the beautifull panoramic view. You will be able to see the Almudena Cathedral and Palacio Real.

Address: Debod Temple

Debod Temple Debod Temple Review

Ptolemic Temple, a gift from Egypt to Spain. It is really small but it is really nice. Besides it has one of the prettiest panoramic views, specially at dawn.

Address: Metro Ventura Rodriguez y Plaza de Espa?a

Plaza de Espa?a Plaza de España Review

This is a nice spot, you will see a lot of people laying in the grass, sleeping or reading a book. Another great place to sit and relax while people watching. And maybe take a picture of you and "Don Quijote"...

Address: Metro Plaza de Espa?a

Plaza Mayor Plaza Mayor Review

Main Square in Madrid, you will find "terrazas" (restaurants or bars with outside tables), tourists, and a tourist information office where you can ask for maps and directions!

Directions: Metro sol and Opera