Madrid is a tremendously historic and monumental city. 

Its monuments and sights include the Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor, the Almudena Cathedral, Puerta del Sol, the magnificent Plaza de Oriente and the city’s many historic buildings and squares which make this one of Europe’s most attractive cities for sight-seeing.

The city is an excellent combination of modern infrastructure and historic squares, churches, monuments and city gates.

It has several emblematic landmarks such as the Palacio Real, which is the largest Royal Palace in Western Europe, the Plaza Mayor, a spectacular Castilian square which dates back to the 16th century, the Puerta del Sol, Madrid and Spain’s spiritual heart, since from this square all points on Spain’s 6 major national roads are measured, and the Gran Vía, one of Madrid’s main shopping streets connecting the spacious Plaza de España square with the magnificent old city gate of Puerta de Alcalá.

Madrid’s art museums are second to none, with the Museo del Prado being internationally recognised as one of the world’s premier galleries, particularly for European art.

The Reina Sofia museum, which houses Picasso’s incredible work “Guernica”, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza museum, one of the most important private collections in the world, make up Madrid’s unique Avenue of Art, together with the new addition of the CaixaForum.

The less well known Academia de Bellas Artes houses a magnificent collection of paintings from the 15th century to the present day.

GoMadrid provides the visitor with practical information on all the city’s major museums, the most historic churches and palatial homes, and also the most important monuments.

A visit to Spain’s capital wouldn’t be complete without a stroll around its Rastro Flea Market, which is a Sunday morning tradition for thousands of locals and tourists alike. Or take a relaxing walk through one of the capital’s large and beautiful parks.

Please use the resources on the margin to the left to discover all of Madrid’s major sights.