See Capital of The Spain in Google Street View. The best panoramic views of Prado, Royal Palace, Parque del Retiro, Gran Via, Plaza Mayor.
The Royal Palace of Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest in Western Europe and one of the largest in the world. With over 135,000 square metres and 3,418 rooms, it has witnessed centuries of Spanish history. It is one of the few official seat of a Head of State that is open to the public. Almost 2 million visitors come every year to discover its rooms, works of art and treasures that are unique in the world.
The Prado National Museum
The Prado National Museum is one of the most popular and recognized places in the art world, with 3 million annual visitors and an online presence that exceeds 10 million.
Retiro Park
Retiro Park (Jardines del Buen Retiro de Madrid, Parque del Buen Retiro) is a park located in the eastern part of Madrid. There are important museums in its vicinity – Museo Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Museo Reina Sofia. It is adjacent to the botanical garden, and Madrid’s main railway station, Atocha, is also nearby.
In the park, it is worth seeing the colonnade with the statue of Alfonso XII, standing by the pond, and the Crystal Palace. In the past, the park served as royal gardens – it housed the Palacio de Buen Retiro, which, however, has not survived to the present day.
The main avenues converge at the boat pond – Paseo de Argentina, Paseo de Paraguay, Paseo de Salvador, Paseo de Mexico. On the Paseo de las Estatuas, there are 18th-century figures of Spanish rulers, originally intended to decorate the façade of the Royal Palace. In addition, numerous historic fountains deserve attention.
Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor is the most famous square in Madrid and was used as a market during the Middle Ages. When Philip II made Madrid the capital of Spain in 1561, he decided that this place would become the city’s representative square. It was there that all important state ceremonies were to take place.
Plaza Mayor was the site of the coronation of kings, staging of plays, executions and corrida. Today, a rectangular square measuring 129 × 94 m is one of the flagship attractions in Madrid. All the buildings surrounding it are restored and there are numerous restaurants and cafes in their interior. Every Sunday there is a market in the square where you can buy Spanish souvenirs.