The most accepted thesis today about the origin of the word Madrid suggests that it derives from the Romance language: matrich, which means matrix, in the sense of water matrix or spring. … The abundance of wells and streams, made that in the primitive Madrid coat of arms there is this legend: «I went on built water»
Madrid is indispensable to visit. The capital city of Spain since 1562, active and modern, offers countless attractions to its visitors. Geographically the center of the Iberian Peninsula, it has a very extensive monumental heritage with a huge number of museums and art galleries.
One of the main monuments of the city: the palace that is the official residence of the King of Spain, although currently not inhabited, is only used for state ceremonies. It is the largest royal palace in Western Europe and one of the largest in the world. It was built in the eighteenth century and houses an important historical-artistic heritage.
Just at the back of the Royal Palace, you will find the gardens of Campo del Moro. An ideal place to walk enjoying its vegetation and the beautiful prints it offers. Its entrance is located on the opposite side of the Palace, on the Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto, next to the banks of the Manzanares. In it you can also see several species of animals, such as peacocks or pheasants.
Gran Vía is one of the most emblematic and busy streets in Madrid. In it you will find cinemas, theaters, shops, restaurants, hotels … But our recommendation is that you enjoy it calmly, looking up and contemplating each of its buildings, you will love it!
The beautiful Palacio de Cibeles is the current seat of the Madrid City Council. Inside there are several areas open to the public and dedicated to culture, such as an exhibition hall, a reading area and an auditorium, among others. In addition, it is also possible to climb to the highest part of its central tower, where a viewpoint has been enabled.
The Prado Museum is the second most visited museum in Spain and is considered one of the most important in the world. It houses the most important collection of European paintings in the world.
Located in front of the imposing Royal Palace, we find another of the icons of the city, the Almudena Cathedral. It is a large temple that was built between the late nineteenth and late twentieth centuries and in which neoclassical, neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque styles are mixed.
Madrid Rio has become one of the busiest spaces in the city. Its large garden areas, its avant-garde style and its extensive walks make it an ideal place for the practice of sports or to take a pleasant walk on the banks of the Manzanares River.
A different way of seeing Madrid. From the heights through your cable car. It offers a beautiful panoramic view of the city along the 2,457 meters of its route. Its beginning is located in the Paseo del Pintor Rosales and reaches the heart of the Casa de Campo, reaching a maximum height of 40 meters.
During your visit to Madrid you can not miss the most typical dishes of Madrid’s gastronomy. Such as cocido madrileño, tripe a la madrileña, garlic soups, sea bream a la madrileña, gallinejas or the mythical squid sandwiches, among others. And for dessert, a good chocolate with churros!
One of the great assets of Madrid is its gastronomy. It has ceased to be a great tapas bar to become one of the most cosmopolitan places from the culinary point of view. Along with the bars of squid a la romana and patatas bravas coexist very worthy representatives of Japanese, Brazilian, Vietnamese, Peruvian, Mexican cuisine.