Madrid is the capital of the Kingdom of Spain and its largest city with a population of 3,335,000 and an area of 604.31 square metres. The metro area has a population of 6,890,000 and is the third largest in the European Union after London and Paris. The city’s history reaches as far back as the 10th century when Madrid’s present-day area was known as Mayrit and was conquered by King Alfonso VI. After the retreat of the Muslims in 1085, the king converted the mosque into a Catholic church and started a Christianisation of the people living along the Manzanares river. The city became the home of the Spanish Court in the 16th century. You can learn much more about the capital’s history and gain useful travel tips in this article.
You can visit Madrid’s most influential institution with the Royal Palace of Madrid Fast-Access Ticket that let’s you explore the history of the royal palace and the Spanish monarchy. You can visit the royal chambers and the famous paintings by established names, such as Caravaggio, Flandes, Goya and Velázquez. The most important collection of Spanish paintings in the world can be found in the Prado Museum. You can view them with the special Madrid: Prado Museum Direct Entrance Ticket that will grant you access to the works of European and Spanish schools of painting which ran from 15th to 19th century. The Prado Museum houses approximately 22,000 works of art by European and Spanish artists.
There’s also a great collection of contemporary art at the Rein Sofia Museum. All travellers who want to take a look at Picasso’s Guernica, over twenty of Dalí’s paintings and the typical colourful and more painterly treated Miro’s paintings can take advantage of the Madrid: Skip-the-Line Reina Sofia Museum Entrance Ticket and experience the art of Spanish artists of the 20th century. Works of art of world-famous names, such as Degas, Renoir and Van Gogh, are exhibited at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Enjoy the Madrid: Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum Ticket and Guided Tour and learn about art with the help of an experienced guide.
Madrid, a metropolis with a typical historical architectural style and influence of modern design is a true feast for the eyes for every modern nomad. There’s an offer that let’s you explore the city called Madrid: 1 or 2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour, which gives a general introduction to the capital’s most typical monuments. It takes you around Madrid and shows you attractions, such as Puerta de Alcala, Plaza de Cibeles, the Almudena Cathedral, the Círculo de Bellas Artes, the Nuevos Ministerios and others. Book your e-ticket at GET YOUR GUIDE and avoid the long queues as well as excess paper that is produced with the service.
Visit the Las Ventas Bullring where bullfighting has been taking place since 1931. The Madrid: Las Ventas Bullring and Museum Tour includes a visit to the largest bullring with an audio guide. When travelling around Madrid, you shouldn’t miss Europe’s third-largest stadium, which can accommodate more than 80,000 people. The Madrid: Bernabéu Stadium Tour with Direct Access Tickets offers visitors a chance to learn about the history of the Real Madrid football club at the Bernabéu Stadium. The stadium was renamed after the footballer and president of Real Madrid, Don Santiago Bernabéu de Yeste, in 1955.
The cities in the capital’s surroundings serve as inspiration for many travellers who decide to visit Madrid. Attractive day trip offers that take you on a tour of attractions in these smaller cities are perfect for those who want to understand Spain’s history and the country’s establishment. Explore Toledo, the former capital of Spain, through From Madrid: Day Tour to Toledo. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the cultural centre of the Kingdom of Spain. Another starting point for travelling outside Madrid is From Madrid: Avila and Segovia Day Trip with Alcazar. The visit to the medieval towns is filled with Roman architecture, such as the typical Roman aqueduct, as well as Gothic palaces, cathedrals and the city walls.
You can experience the excursion to San Lorenzo de El Escorial and the monastery as well as the basilica of the Valley of the Fallen with the Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen from Madrid offer. Visit the Courtyard of the Kings, The Pantheon of Kings and Princes where children are also buried, and the Chapter and Royal Rooms. The excursion will introduce you to the period ranging from the reign of King Philip II to the present day and provide key information about the Spanish Civil War. There’s also a private tour to Aranjuez that includes a visit tothe San Antonio de Padua church and the Royal Palace of Aranjuez. It’s a three-hour tour with a private vehicle. The From Madrid: Aranjuez Private Tour with Royal Palace Entry will help you discover an important royal centre of the 16th-century Spain.
Preparing for your trip to Spain’s capital can take lots of time. Gathering information about a foreign country from various sources can cause confusion and make the information a bit messy and harder to absorb. When trying to familiarise yourself with a foreign city, Lonely Planet can help you out with various information about the destination which comes in different publications. The Madrid guide comes in a book form with 256 pages and 27 city maps. It’s a guide book for anyone who wants to learn about the history, music, cuisine, politics and other features of the Kingdom of Spain’s capital city. The updated edition holds information and tips on things to visit, how to save money, where to stay and many other important things, such as phone numbers and web links to organisations’ websites.
Useful information about Spain and its capital are an important starting point for every traveller when organising a trip. Hostelling International Slovenia, with the Globetrotter web magazine, brings travellers various destinations and helps them explore other countries by sharing their journalists’ experience. In the three-part article 5, 4, 3, Spain, Madrid, we provide numerous practical pieces of information that will help travellers better understand the city. You can also find tips on what to do and what to see in Madrid in extra content in the article Madrid.
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