Walking Tour of Madrid

We followed the walking tour outlined by Rick Steves and saw most of Madrid's sights in a few hours. The tour started at Puerta del Sol and the bear statue.

Symbol of Madrid--bear pawing the madrono tree.

 



Across the street from Puerta del Sol is the Governor's office. In front of the Governor's office is a plaque marking "Kilometer 0"--the center of Spain.

 



 

Plaza Mayor--built in 1619.

 

Plaza Mayor

 



 

City Hall

 

 

Cathedral de Almudena

 



Front of Cathedral de Almudena--facing Royal Palace

 



 

Royal Palace

 

 

All these sights are west of Puerta del Sol and are within 1/2 mile of Puerta del Sol. The museums are east of Puerta del Sol. The Prado and the Reina Sofia museums have free admission in the evenings. Wait in line to get a ticket then enjoy the museum for 2 hours. The Prado is closed on Mondays and the Reina Sofia is closed on Tuesdays. The Prado has masterpieces by some of Spain's most famous artists, including Goya, Velazquez and El Greco. The major piece of work at Reina Sofia is Picasso's Guernica. The Thyssen-Bornemisza makes up the 3rd of the triad of museums. This is a collection amassed by Baron Thyssen and his wife. As Rick Steves says, it's "minor works by major artists and major works by minor artists," including some impressionism. If you're short on time, this is the museum I would skip.



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