[/] WELCOME, LOGOUT SIGN IN / CREATE ACCOUNT Follow us on LOGOUT GET APP TOI HOME Adventure Holidays Weekend Getaways Driving Holidays TIMES PASSION TRAILS Destinations Hotels Things to do Eating Out Nightlife Guides Destinations Hotels Things to do Eating Out Nightlife Guides Adventure Holidays Weekend Getaways Driving Holidays TIMES PASSION TRAILS Home / Destinations / Madrid in pictures Madrid in pictures sightseeing | madrid nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 01 The Palacio de Cristal is an ornate pavilion in the shape of a Greek cross. Built in 1887 to house exotic flora and fauna, it was once the private playground of royalty, modelled along the lines of London's Crystal Palace. The Palace is considered the city’s greatest wrought-iron and glass structure, and houses exhibitions of contemporary art within. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 02 In one of the greenest cities in the world, Campo del Moro is one of the most compelling natural spaces in Madrid. Located directly behind the Palacio Real on the eastern bank of Manzanares River, this enormous English-style garden is decorated with two exquisite fountains dating back to the 18th century, and supports more than 70 arboreal species. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 03 Europe’s largest flea market has been around since the Middle Ages. Set inside a maze of winding streets in one of the oldest residential areas of Madrid, this vibrant market place is the place to go for some of the most beautiful little treasures—from vintage clothes and handmade jewellery to antiques and second-hand books—where bargaining is the name of the game. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 04 Originally the residence of Spain's Queen, the Teatro Madrid was inaugurated as an opera house in 1850. One of Europe’s finest venues, the theatre hosted world-renowned performances—from Verdi and Wagner, to Stravinsky and the Russian ballet—in the early 1900s. The building is shaped like a compressed oval, the interior is breathtakingly ornate, and the acoustics reverberate consistently throughout the hall. Tickets go on sale 10 days before the show, so make sure you snatch them up in time. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 05 While many locals believe that the Palacio de Linares is haunted by the spirit of José de Murga—a rich banker who was the palace’s first owner—it is one of the most busy and beautiful squares in the city. The crowning glory of the plaza, is the beautiful sculpture and fountain dedicated to Cibeles, the goddess of agriculture, grain, fertility and maternal relationships. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 06 Even though this delicious bakery is more famous for its sweet stuff, the fresh and flaky cheese and ham empanada here is undoubtedly one of the best in the city. La Mallorquina has been in business since 1894, and even today, their counters are stacked with freshly baked sweet and savoury delicacies that are picked up by the minute. You might have to stand in queue or elbow your way to the counter, but it’s well worth the effort. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 07 If you have the stomach to watch a bullfight, do so at one of the world’s premier (and Spain’s largest) bullrings; the Plaza de Toros Las Ventas. Bullfighting season runs from March up till October, and the best time to go is during the Festival of San Isidro in late May. The arena seats up to 25,000 spectators, the matadors are the fiercest in the world, and the bulls are the burliest. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 08 One of the most legendary stadiums in the world of football, the El Estádio de Santiago Bernabéu has hosted several elite events including three European Cup finals, the 1964 European Nations' Cup final, the 1982 World Cup final, and the 2010 UEFA Champions League final. Named after former club president Santiago Bernabéu, the arena has a capacity of 80,400 seats, and can be easily accessed via metro in the heart of the city’s business district. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 09 By night, the Spanish city of Madrid transforms into a hedonistic creature, with a nightlife that sizzles until sunrise in its profusion of bars and clubs. Take the plunge and dive into this energetic and exhilarating city by making your way to the plethora of bars and nightclubs lining its cobbled streets. Regardless of your budget, your preference or your taste in music; you’ll definitely find something that works for you. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 10 Madrid’s gourmet market was once a state-of-the-art building when it opened back in 1917, but fell into disrepair after the rise of the supermarket. After a lengthy restoration process which lasted six years from 2003, the city’s last iron market hall was finally reopened in 2009. In the mornings, you’ll see locals and visitors flocking to its stalls—they seel everything from fruit, fish and pasta, to pastries, cookbooks and utensils—while evenings attract a more fun-loving crowd gunning for the beer, wine and oyster and champagne bar. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 11 One of the few works of ancient Egyptian architecture outside of the country, the Templo de Debod was originally built near Aswan in Egypt back in 200 B.C. before being anchored at its current position in the Parque de la Montaña near the Plaza de España in 1960. With the Guadarrama mountains in the background, this is one of the city's most romantic sunset views. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 12 Spain’s largest department store chain, El Corte Inglés is a one-stop-shop for buying everything from clothes to cutlery. Despite its mammoth size, there’s ample signage to point you in the right direction, and all the sections in the complex are laid out in an organised manner so as to make navigation easy. Whether you forgot to pack a charger for your phone, or you want to pick up something to wear on a night out—there’s nothing you won’t find here. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 13 Located in the La Latina neighbourhood, this temple to authentic flamenco dancing attracts some of the best performers from around the world. A band of guitar players sitting on the stage accompanies the spellbinding dancers, and the audience is seated corral-style (on two sides of a raised stage). The dancers—usually one male and one female—perform in turns, and you must book tickets in advance to ensure you get a spot. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 14 Chocolate con churros is the quintessential Madrid treat, perfect for recharging your batteries after a long night of partying. The best place to bite into these fried, sugary bits of deliciousness is the famous Chocolatería San Ginés—founded back in 1894—where you can accompany your order with steaming mugs of thick, bittersweet chocolate and a side of strawberries. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Been There, Done that? Share your Experience! Characters Remaining: 3000 X Sort By: Newest Oldest Discussed Up Voted Down Voted Be the first one to review. From around the web Recommended by Colombia ALSO SEE FOLLOW US ON SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER Get Inspired! Travel ideas from across the world straight to your inbox. 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