Madrid, Madrid, Madrid ...

«Madrid, Madrid, Madrid, ...», to the rhythm of chotis We are going to the Spanish capital, for tapas? Maybe! On a cultural visit? You are right! Because Madrid has a lot to see and more on these "almost" Christmas dates; Pre-electoral campaign where all politicians fill the streets of the city with banners with their faces? Well too! Because we are immersed in it and we must not ignore politics. Maybe shopping? Well without hesitation! Because in Madrid are all those stores that in other smaller cities they forget to put ...

Stay with us to discover Madrid, and maybe you even want to visit the city very soon.

Cultural visit to the Spanish capital

Yes, when we visit Madrid, we all think of the typical places to visit, such as the Museo del Prado, one of the most important in the world or the Thyssen Museum, an art gallery where we can see great paintings by both foreign and Spanish artists.

And if we have to name you popular must-see sites, then we cannot forget the following:

• La Puerta del Sol, where you will find interesting points of interest such as The Bear and the Strawberry Tree and the Kilometer Zero.
• La Gran Vía, where there is always a large influx of people, and where you will find the most important cinemas and theaters in the city.
• The Plaza Mayor, one of the oldest in Spain built by Juan de Herrera and Juan Gómez de Mora in the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries.
• The Puerta de Alcala (look at it, look at it ...), built during the reign of Carlos III, very popular and representative of the city of Madrid.

• El Retirement park which is the best known in Madrid, and a splendid place to be accompanied by the little ones of the house.
• La Plaza Cibeles, place chosen for the celebration of great victories of one of the city's teams, Real Madrid.

But ignoring the obvious, worth the redundancy, we will go on to recommend other sites that, although not very named, also have a lot of charm and deserve that visit:

The Castles Network of the Community of Madrid

This Network of Castles of the Spanish capital was born above all in order to publicize this great historical architectural wealth of the city. The castles that make up the whole of this network are the following:

• El Castle of the Duke of Infantado de Manzanares El Real.
• La Fortress of the Encomiendas Santiaguistas from Villarejo de Salvanés.
• El Stately castle of the Coracera de San Martín of Valdeiglesias.
• The fortified village and the Mendoza Castle, in Butrago del Lozoya.
• El Gonzalo Chacón Castle in Arroyomolinos.
• La fortified residence of the Count of Barajas in the Alameda de Osuna.
• Castles of Santorcaz and Chinchón.
• Los Walled enclosures of Talamanca, Torrelaguna and Torrelodones watchtower.
• And finally, The medieval garden of Manzanares El Real.

The Temple of Debod

It could be said that this temple is one of the best kept places in Madrid. If you want to visit it you will find it located west of Plaza de España, next to the Parque del Oeste.

The Temple of Debod was gift from Egypt to Spain, for his collaboration in saving the temples of Nubia. It is over 2.200 years old and went inaugurated on July 20, 1972. Although at first they did not take care of it as it deserves, today they are doing everything possible to make the site safe, guaranteeing a better conservation of the work.

It is also a must-see, its gardens around, where many people in the area take advantage of their free time to go on a picnic. You must know that the visit to the temple is totally free and also that on the second floor of the Temple you will find some models where all the temples that formerly existed in Nubia are represented.

What if we enter the Círculo de Bellas Artes?

What can you find here? A building founded in 1880 (it already has a tradition), declared an artistic monument in 1981 for its great architectural value, which has become one of the most important private cultural centers in Europe. 

His works range from the plastic arts, literature, science or philosophy, passing also, of course, through the performing arts. Approximately they are more than 1.200 works those that are accommodated there, almost all of innovative artistic currents.

One of the main missions of this building is enhance culture Therefore, it organizes exhibitions, conferences, workshops, concerts, publications and a host of other activities that promote knowledge among citizens.

If you are thinking of visiting it but do not know where it is, you will find it located between the streets of Alcalá and Gran Vía. Its building has a fairly modern air, with a striking facade and where the best is its roof, where you can contemplate the best views of Madrid.

By the way, for Adults, su entry has a price of EUR 3, but if you present the youth card it will cost 2 euros.

Where we eat?

After walking through its streets, surely what you have the most is hunger, so here are our culinary recommendations of the place:

• Snails to the Madrilenian: Snails in meat broth that are usually a bit spicy.
• Madrid stew: Typical dish where there are from the region that consists of a soup with chickpeas and meat. Great!
• Grilled ear: Grilled pork ear that usually has garlic and parsley.
• Madrid-style tripe: Another very popular dish of the place. Pork tripe stew seasoning with chorizo, ham, tomato and paprika.
• Silly and smart donuts: Typical donuts that are prepared during the month of May. The lists have a layer of fondant sugar on top. As a dessert, the ideal.

If you want to eat cheaper than in other places, you will find restaurants and good tapas bars along Fuencarral and Gran Vía streets.

One last tip if you visit Madrid at this time: wear comfortable shoes, warm clothes and arm yourself with patience, because at this time of year, Madrid fills up.