World City Guide

Sightseeing

Sightseeing Overview
Madrid is best known for its ‘Golden Triangle’ of art museums – Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornomisza. The celebrated Art Walk, Paseo del Arte, links all three. The city’s focal point remains the Puerta del Sol – the eastern gate (puerta) of the city during the 15th century. The monument of the bear and madroño (strawberry tree), in the centre of the square, symbolises Madrid. The Calle Mayor leads west from Sol, to the Plaza Mayor, which evokes the splendour of Spain’s 17th-century Golden Age. The Calle de Alcalá, a grandiose thoroughfare constructed in the reign of Charles III, leads east of Sol, towards Plaza de Cibeles. The fountain, with its statue of a Greco-Roman fertility goddess astride a lion-drawn chariot, is a landmark instantly recognisable to all Spaniards. Visitors might be less impressed with the crazy merry-go-round of traffic encircling her. Overlooking Plaza de Cibeles is the imposing Palacio de Comunicaciones – the main post office, dating from 1904.

The Madrid cityscape is softened by numerous green spaces – lovely squares, such as the Plaza de Oriente, in front of the Royal Palace, and parks, most obviously the landscaped Parque del Buen Retiro and Jardín Botánico (Botanical Gardens) near the Prado. Further west is the wilder Casa de Campo, which also contains the Parque de Atraciones funfair and leisure grounds. More unusual is the greenhouse in the Atocha Station (entrance at concourse, gate 14), popular with Madrileños and visitors alike.

Tourist Information
Oficina Municipal de Turismo
Plaza Mayor 3
Tel: (91) 588 1636 or (91) 366 54 77. Fax: (91) 366 54 77.
E-mail: infoturismo@munimadrid.es
Website: www.munimadrid.es or www.descubremadrid.com
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-2000, Sun and bank holidays 1000-1500.

There are also branches in: Conde Duque de Medinacelli 2 (tel: (91) 429 4951; open Mon-Sat 0900-1900, Sun 0900-1500), Mercado Puerta de Toledo 2 (tel: (91) 364 1876; open Mon-Fri 0900-1900, Sat 0900-1500), Aeropuerto de Barajas Terminal 1 (tel: (91) 305 8656; open Mon-Sun 0800-2000), Estacion de Chamartin (tel: (91) 315 9976; open Mon-Sat 0800-2000, Sun 0800-1500) and Estacion de Atocha (tel: (902) 100 007; open daily 0900-2100).

There is also the Patronato Municipal de Turismo, Mayor 69 (tel: (91) 588 2900; open Mon-Thur 0800-1500 and 1600-1800, Fri 0800-1500).

Passes
The Paseo del Arte (Art Walk) ticket allows entry to the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofía museums – valid for one trip to each gallery within a year of the first visit. The pass costs ¬8, is valid for one year, and is available for purchase at any of these three galleries.

The Madrid Card, valid for one, two or three days and costing between ¬28 and ¬55, gives visitors to free admission to 40 major museums, use of public transport, Madrid Vision bus tour (see Tours of the City), a guided walking tour (Saturday), as well as discounts in selected shops, restaurants, theatres and more. The cards can be purchased from main tourist offices or online (website: www.madridcard.com).