Where to go by car in Madrid. Where to go from Madrid. The heart of medieval education in Salamanca

How they joke local residents, no matter where you go from Madrid, sooner or later you will come across a royal residence or an ancient village. But seriously, nine cities from the list are located around the Spanish capital World Heritage UNESCO - Alcala de Henares, Toledo, Segovia, Cuenca, Avila, Cordoba, Salamanca, Escorial and Aranjuez.

@jmsantalices

Once upon a time, El Escorial was the autumn residence of the Spanish monarchs and the entire court. Philip II ordered to build here luxurious palace with a huge library and basilica. Here he founded a family crypt in which he buried his parents, Charles V and Isabella of Portugal. In El Escorial you can visit numerous chapels, sit in cool courtyards, and most importantly, enjoy an impressive collection of paintings by Titian, Bosch and El Greco. You can complete your walk through the once royal palace by visiting the library, which in size is second only to the Vatican.

Aranjuez: a vegetable garden city

Aranjuez is famous not only for the spring residence of the king, but also for its strawberries, which are considered the symbol of the city. However, other fruits and vegetables are grown here and supplied to best restaurants capital Cities. In the sweltering summer heat, it is pleasant to stroll through the local parks and gardens - the King, the Prince and the Island. You can complete your acquaintance with the city with the Church of the Ascension of Our Lady, the main value of which is the work of the same name by Goya. See old City in all its glory and will help you not miss anything

Segovia: from a Roman aqueduct to a medieval fortress

The two most famous buildings in Segovia are the Roman aqueduct that runs through the city, and the Alcazar fortress, in different time used for defense, as well as a royal residence, school and even a prison. By the way, it was the Alcazar that became the prototype of Cinderella’s castle in Disneyland Paris. The Cathedral, around which the entire cultural life of the city is concentrated, deserves special attention. The road from Madrid to Segovia takes about one and a half hours. The most convenient way to get to the city is by comfortable

Pedraza: the place where time stood still

@denaturapedraza

This small village, according to locals, is a “time capsule”. Since its foundation in the 13th century, it has remained virtually unchanged and has not gone beyond the fortress wall. You can still only get inside through the main gate. Due to its medieval surroundings, Pedraza is a favorite place for filmmakers and newlyweds.

The heart of medieval education in Salamanca

The University of Salamanca is one of the oldest in all of Europe, having opened in 1218. The whole city seems to be imbued with the spirit of cheerful student life. As you walk past the university building, imagine yourself as a student running to an exam and try to find a frog on the façade. According to legend, it brings good luck. Objects of the mystical “heritage” of Salamanca are also worthy of attention, in particular, the cave where Satan himself allegedly taught simple black magic. The House of the Dead is also famous, where in the 19th century the entire family who lived there was killed. All subsequent residents also died under mysterious circumstances.

Catcher in Cuenca

The small town of Cuenca is located in picturesque place between two rivers. His old part as if hanging over an abyss. Walking through the streets medieval city, it is easy to notice that Cuenca was built up without a specific plan, and the houses seemed to be sculpted as God pleased. There are not as many tourists here as in Toledo, and the medieval spirit, according to many travelers, is more “sincere” and “lively”. You can walk around all of Cuenca in a couple of hours, but be prepared for constant ups and downs.

Avila mountain fortress

Avila is the highest residential point in all of Spain, as a result of which the city invariably welcomes tourists with coolness - both in winter and in summer. The main local attraction is rightfully considered a powerful fortress, which was built in the 11th-14th centuries to protect the territory from the invasions of the Moors. According to legend, Teresa of Avila, the patron saint of the entire country, was born in Avila. Near the city is the monastery of Encarnacion, where Teresa took monastic vows, and on the site of her home in Avila there is the monastery of Saint Teresa with a museum in her honor.

I continue the topic of planning independent travel, and today I wanted to go to Spain. Actually, I was in Barcelona, but everyone knows that Barcelona is not exactly Spain in spirit, it’s Catalonia! And Spain is a big country, so bright, and so different. I hope no one even thinks about getting to know all of Spain in one trip. Because, as it seems to me, trying to see all of Spain in one trip is like embracing the immensity, it is completely impossible, unless your trip lasts at least several months. I suggest getting to know the country gradually, paying attention to one region or another. And start from the heart - Madrid.

1. Why is it worth going to Madrid?

Oh Spain! There is so much in this sound... A bright colorful mosaic, one of the most memorable details of which is its capital. Madrid is a real city of kings, a city of luxurious palaces and world-famous famous museums. There are many in the city architectural structures white, giving Madrid the impression of a bright and elegant city. Madrid is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe. Do you still doubt that it is worth seeing with your own eyes?

2. What is the best way to get to it?

The best, easiest, fastest and most convenient way, of course, is by plane. If only because there are more than 4,000 km between Moscow and Madrid, and the westernmost point of Europe that can be reached from Russia by train is Paris. Therefore, we choose air travel. Daily from the capital Russian Federation More than 10 flights depart to the capital of the Kingdom of Spain, and even more in the summer. Direct flights from Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo are operated by Iberia, Air Europe, Aeroflot, S7 Airlines and Transaero. There are plenty to choose from. Flight time is about 5 hours, plus or minus 10 minutes. Also, please never forget that with numerous European low-cost airlines you can fly almost anywhere and for less money, albeit with a transfer. Madrid is no exception; Airberlin, Nici, Airbaltic and other low-cost airlines are ready to fly you there. We look for cheap ones here:

3. Hotels in Madrid

We will not take into account the possibility of being registered in the apartment of some Madrid resident (couchsurfing); we will also take into account the possibility of renting an apartment another time. Let's talk about hotels in Madrid. Let's start with the fact that there are thousands of them. That is, very, very much. Unfortunately, it cannot be said that there are many cheap accommodation options in Madrid compared to other European tourist centers (more specifically about prices at the end of the post), but they still exist, and they are distinguished by their comfort and special taste in design.

4. Where to go from Madrid?

Of course, in Toledo! You've probably heard this name, even if you had little interest in Spain at all. Toledo is relative small town 70 km from Madrid, capital of the province and center of the Spanish Archbishopric. The city is almost two thousand years old and its entire historical center is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Toledo is one of the most visited cities by tourists in Spain. Madrid and Toledo are connected by high-speed Railway and motorway.

To Salamanca. Salamanca is a city 200 km from the capital. Also a major tourist center. The city has been known since the 3rd century BC; some ancient Roman buildings have been preserved in it, including a bridge over the Tormes River. The historic city center is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

And to Segovia. Another Spanish city-museum, like Toledo and Salamanca, is under the protection of UNESCO. The most famous landmark of the city is the Roman aqueduct, towering above the city, its length is 728 meters, its height is 28. Between Madrid and Salamanca there are about 90 km.

4. How much will the trip cost?

Finally, as always, let's try to estimate what the approximate budget might be independent travel to Madrid, we will more precisely analyze the possible costs of such a trip. So,

— air tickets - from 9,000 rubles
Moscow-Madrid-Moscow, economy class.
— night in a hotel in Madrid - from 2,000 rubles/night
price for double standard number at the *** hotel in the city center.
— night in a hotel in Madrid min - from 1,100 rubles/night
minimum price double room in a hotel of any type within relative accessibility of the center (walking/public transport).
— consular fee - 35 euros per application form
– ticket to the Prado Museum – 14 euros
– a bottle of Spanish olive oil – from 5 euros
– candied violets from Canalejas Square – from 120 euros per kg

Other posts from the “Where to go on your own?” series:

I also suggest that you familiarize yourself with information about.

Madrid is the capital of Spain. This city is located at an altitude of 667 m above sea level, and its population is over 3 million people.

The central part of the Iberian Peninsula has a continental climate, and winters here are colder than in most Mediterranean cities, and summers, on the contrary, are hotter. That's why best time for a visit to Madrid - spring or autumn.

The iconic sights of Madrid are the Royal Palace, the main squares of the city, which are harmonious architectural complexes, the three most famous art galleries and numerous historical museums dedicated to the country's past.

Madrid and the surrounding lands are part of the administrative unit Comunidad de Madrid (Community of Madrid). On the territory of this community there is also mountain range Sierra de Guadarrama and El Escorial are the famous residence of the kings.

The suburban area of Madrid, adjacent to the city from the east, is called Prado - “meadow”. Once upon a time there was nothing here but vegetable gardens and orchards. The development of the Prado began in the 16th century, when a monastery was built here. During the reign of the Habsburgs, a palace surrounded by a park appeared on the territory of the monastery - architectural complex Buen Retiro. Once upon a time, royalty and courtiers came here to relax, but today, from everything architectural ensemble Only Retiro Park has survived.

During the reign of the Bourbons (18th century), and especially under King Charles III, this part of the city was built up most intensively. It was during this period that the Paseo del Prado boulevard was built, which became one of the main streets of Madrid. Today, Neptuno and Cibeles squares, decorated with fountains, stretch along the Paseo del Prado boulevard, and the majestic triumphal arch of Puerta del Alcada rises.

To the south of Plaza Canovas del Castillo, the Prado Gallery was erected - today it is one of the largest art museums in the world. The world-famous Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is also located here. Relatively recently, a museum of art of modern Spain, the Reina Sofia Art Center, also opened in this part of the city. The area is also famous for its excellent prestigious hotels.

Madrid holidays

San Isidro (May 15). Day of the city's patron saint, Saint Isidore the Tiller. According to legend, Isidore was born in the 12th century. in a poor peasant family, he performed many miracles during his life, and after his death he was canonized. On the day dedicated to Isidore, the city hosts bullfights, exhibitions, fireworks shows and concerts. Many Madrid residents go out in traditional costumes - castisos;
Holy Saturday, Chin-chon. A celebration dedicated to the passion of Jesus Christ. Themed theater performances can be seen in the Plaza Mayor;
Dos de Mayo (May 2). Celebration in honor of the anti-French uprising of 1808. Celebrations last 4 days;
New Year. Many Madrid residents celebrate New Year's Eve at Puerta del Sol. On New Year's midnight, at each of the 12 strokes of the clock on the tower, you need to have time to eat a grape, then, according to the sign, the coming year will be successful.

Architectural sights of Madrid

Museums, temples and other architectural attractions of the city are often located far from the center. The central street of Madrid, Paseo de la Castellana, which is the heart of the business districts, is lined with impressive office buildings - it is always crowded and there is constant traffic.

To the east of the central avenue there is a prestigious area of expensive shops - Salamanca, which received its name after the Marquis de Salamanca, who once made a significant contribution to the development of the area (19th century).

The streets of the Old Town of Madrid breathe antiquity - these quarters are called truly Madrid, or “Madrileños” among the city residents. Every Sunday you can see traders from the Rastro flea market here. In the western part of the city, on the opposite bank of the Manzanares River, lies the huge Casa de Campo park - a favorite place for residents to relax on hot days.

Cuisine of Madrid As is often the case in capital cities, Madrid restaurants are ready to offer dishes from every part of the country.

Despite the fact that Madrid is located quite far from the sea, the capital's cuisine is famous for its fresh seafood dishes. Also, dishes made from all types of meat and offal are held in high esteem here. A local saying very accurately defines this specificity of Madrid cuisine: “Everything that flies, walks and runs goes into the cauldron.” In the city's restaurants you will be offered dishes made from brains, ears, pig feet, as well as a special local dish made from entrails - callosa la Madrileña. The best way to warm up during the winter cold is to try the famous meat and vegetable stew called cocido madrileño. The so-called tapeo bars are very popular among city residents, where they offer “tapas” with drinks, that is, hot and cold snacks for every taste.

Neighborhoods of Madrid

The capital of Spain and the administrative territory of Comunidad de Madrid (Community of Madrid), to which the city belongs, are located on a hill in the central part of the country. To the north of Madrid there is a mountain range - skiers come here in winter, and vacationers tired of the city heat in summer. To the west of the capital, in the foothills region, is the famous royal residence of Philip II - the Escorial Palace.

Not far from the palace, in the Valle de los Caidos (Valley of the Fallen) there is a memorial mausoleum built during the reign of Franco in memory of those killed in civil war. In the vicinity of Madrid there is also the El Pardo Palace and the royal summer residence of Aranjuez, built in the 18th century.

Not far from Madrid, in the small medieval town of Alcala de Henares, there is a famous Renaissance university building.

Tourists can also go to the small but picturesque city Chinchon.

Shops and markets in Madrid Those who love shopping will certainly appreciate Madrid. There are shops for every taste here - from large prestigious salons to small shops in the old style.

Madrid holds the lead among all European capitals in terms of the number of family stores, and therefore it will not be difficult to find truly unique products here.

The main trade in Madrid is concentrated in two areas: the first is located near the pedestrian street Preciados and Plaza del Sol, the second is located in the vicinity of Calle de la Princesa. The most expensive shops (primarily antiques) are located in the Salamanca area. In the Chueca quarter you can buy the most fashionable clothes. And fresh vegetables and fruits are sold in vibrant markets scattered throughout the Spanish capital.

Opening hours

Madrid stores have a special opening schedule: most outlets close for a three-hour break during the day (opening hours from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00). However, large stores can work without a lunch break at all until 22.00.

On Saturday, small shops are usually open only in the morning until noon. Large shopping centers and department stores may be open on the first Sundays of the month. During the summer months (usually August), many small shops stop working for a whole month.

Annual fairs

Every year in February, the ARCO contemporary art fair is organized. The annual Fiesta San Isidro, which takes place in Madrid from May 15, is preceded by the Feria de la Cerámica ceramics fair, held in Plaza de la Comendadores in the Malasaña district.

The Feria del Libro book fair is also held at the end of May. It takes place in the Retiro Park (Parque del Retiro) and lasts two weeks. Both book publishers and bookstore owners take part in this fair.

Every year, in the run-up to Christmas, in December, the Feria de Artesanos fair of handicrafts and holiday souvenirs is held on Paseo de Recoletos. Another major Christmas market, the Mercado de Articulos Navideños, takes place in Plaza Mayor throughout December.

Recreation and entertainment The cultural life of Madrid is rich and varied, as in other major cities Europe. Famous musicians, dancers and theater groups regularly visit the city.

Film and music festivals are constantly held here. From morning to evening, the city is full of life - vacationers fill cafes and nightclubs, performances of all kinds are given not only indoors, but also right on the streets. Particularly noteworthy are the traditional Spanish spectacles: flamenco, bullfighting and a special type of operetta - zarzuela.

We must not forget that the residents of Madrid are passionate football fans, and ardent Madrid fans look forward to every match of the famous Real Madrid.

Theater season and tickets

The main events cultural life cities occur between September and June. In May the Fiesta San Isidro takes place, and from October to November the Festival de Otoño is a major festival of music, dance and theater. These two events are attended by the most famous creative teams from around the world.

In midsummer (July-August) the cultural festival of Veranos de la Villa takes place. The festival program includes a variety of events, from art exhibitions and jazz concerts to opera performances, film screenings and flamenco shows. To carry out the Veranos de la Villa will be used great amount concert venues and stages. Often, tickets for concerts and theater performances can be purchased at the box office of the FNAK and El Corte Inglés stores, or ordered online.

At many theaters and concert halls There are their own websites where you can book tickets in advance.

Cafes, bars and summer terraces

Madrid's cafes, bars and terraces (outdoor areas) are always full of visitors. The most famous terraces are located at Plaza de Santa Ana, Paja Chueca and Dos de Mayo. The city is proud of many cafes with a long history. One of these places is Cafe Commercial, which has preserved the interior of the early 20th century. perfect place for a friendly meeting.

Recently, in one of the theaters in Madrid there has been a cafe, “Cafe del Circulo de Bellas Artes”, decorated with high columns and frescoes on the ceiling. “Gijon” is one of the few literary cafes that have survived to this day, where once the most famous writers had friendly conversations over a cup of coffee. On a warm Madrid evening, you can go to a tavern, drink strong Spanish wine with a snack, or tapas - as the Spaniards call such dishes. There are many taverns in Madrid, but the most interesting of them are the ancient “Taberna Antonio Sánchez”, where they serve delicious tapas, “La Bola”, which attracts both Madrid residents and visitors, as well as “Taberna Maceiras”, where there are excellent Galician wines and traditional local cuisine.

Bullfighting

Today, bullfighting in Madrid is much less popular than in other parts of Spain, but still attracts a significant number of spectators. From May to October, once a week on Sundays, fights are held in the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas - the main arena in Spain, and, perhaps, the whole world. During the May Fiesta of San Isidro, fights take place every day, with the best bullfighters taking part. Tickets can be purchased at the Las Ventas Arena box office (opening hours from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00), or ordered online on the Taquilla Toros website (including from abroad), and then pick them up at the same Las Ventas ticket office two hours before the start of the fight.

Flamenco

Flamenco dance originates from Andalusia, but it has firmly established itself in Madrid - performances of the most famous flamenco dancers and performers are regularly held here. These dance shows range in style from traditional to more contemporary, influenced by choreographers such as Joaquín Cortés. The establishments where flamenco performers perform are called “tablaos” - here you can not only watch the artists perform, but also have a snack or drink. Remember that the performance may not include dance numbers, but consist exclusively of musical numbers. The best tablaos in Madrid, with rich history- these are “Cafe de Chinitas” and “Casa Patas”, as well as “Arco de Cuchilleros” and “Corral de la Moreria”. Flamenco shows are also often shown at Candela and La Solea, very atmospheric establishments.

Tablaos are very popular among flamenco fans, but the best performers of the best still often give shows on the stages of the city’s theaters.

Nightlife The Spanish capital has become famous as “the city that never sleeps,” and still maintains this reputation, despite attempts by local authorities to regulate the operation of establishments at night.

Fans of nightlife in Madrid are called gatos, that is, “cats,” and crowded fun parties in nightlife establishments are called la marcha (“party”). Many areas of the city have their own iconic nightclubs, each with a unique atmosphere. You can start getting acquainted with them from the establishments of the Huertas district, and then go to Malasaña, Lavapies, Chueca or Bilbao.

The busiest time for nightclubs is after midnight, and the most popular days for nightlife revelers are the end of the week, from Thursday to Sunday.

The Spanish capital, due to its convenient geographical location, ideal for a holiday base. To neighboring interesting cities– close at hand, and problems, where to go from for one day, for active travelers does not exist.

In the TOP directions

Having had enough of the capital's attractions, city guests usually flock to the surrounding area and suburbs:

At the foot of the majestic mountain range The Sierra de Guadarrama built the famous Escorial. The palace is well-deservedly famous, and its scale staggers the imagination of even today's engineers.
The Valley of the Fallen is a world record holder. The memorial is dedicated to those killed in the civil war, and its main attraction is the basilica, carved into the rock and stretching 262 meters underground.
The Alcazar Castle once inspired Walt Disney to create many masterpieces. It is located in, where the historical decision was made about Columbus's campaign to the west.
The birthplace of Cervantes, the town of Alcala de Henares boasts an abundance of ancient architectural monuments from the Roman era. The easiest way to get here is by train from Chamartin station.

Traveling around the capital's outskirts by car is very pleasant, but in the historical city centers there are problems with parking. Public transport in this situation is much more convenient, especially since the bus and train connections between Madrid and the suburbs and provinces are ideal.

Universal scale

Escorial is named among the top destinations where you can go from Madrid on your own. An hour's ride by train (timetables and ticket prices are available on the website - www.renfe.com) or by bus N661 and 664 from Moncloa station separates the traveler from the huge monastery-palace complex, the construction of which began in 1563 by King Philip II.
Today, the palace houses many works by great artists - Titian and El Greco, Coelho and Bosch, and the remains of Spanish kings rest in a magnificent pantheon of jasper, marble and bronze. The complex's library has collected the largest collection of Arabic manuscripts.
El Escorial is open six days a week except Mondays from 10am to 5pm. Price entrance ticket– 5 euros.
The N660 bus takes you from the palace to the Fallen in a few minutes.

From children's fairy tales

The outlines of the Alcazar Castle in Segovia will seem familiar to any child, because it was this majestic structure that told Walt Disney what it should look like.
90 km separates the city from the capital and when deciding where to go from Madrid, fans of ancient architecture choose the direction to the northwest. Segovia has the honorary status of a museum city and has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985.
In addition to the Alcazar Palace, the largest ancient Roman aqueduct in the Old World and Cathedral. Numerous restaurants in Segovia offer a signature dish - roasted suckling pig.

At the end of August I am flying to Madrid as part of the Madrid-Fuerteventura-Lanzaroti-Madrid trip. The capital of Spain is a completely new city for me, so I decided to prepare well for the trip in order to get as much done as possible in 3.5 days, but at the same time, not run around with my tongue hanging out, checking off “I was here” boxes. Good preparation before traveling always helps to save time searching for restaurants and shops, optimize movement around the city, choose the right hotel, save money on a travel card or tourist map cities. In printed guidebooks, as a rule, the emphasis is on describing the sights of the city, but publishers, unfortunately, forget about the practical part. In general, I share with you practical information, which I managed to collect while preparing a trip to Madrid.

Madrid Barajas Airport: how to navigate and move between terminals

Madrid airport is very large and has several terminals, so check which one you arrive at. Often, when flying from Russia to one terminal, you change planes and fly further from another terminal. Although the airport is large, everything in it is very conveniently arranged. Last year, during a flight to Tenerife, we had excellent time to get from one terminal to another within an hour of transfer, and even passport control pass the.

Look carefully at the airport diagram; it indicates what type of transport runs between specific terminals.

Download the transport diagram between the terminals

Madrid airport map

How to get from one terminal of Madrid Airport to another?

Madrid Airport has four terminals: T1, T2, T3 and T4, T4S. Terminals 1 to 3 are located next to each other, but 4 and 4S are separate. Flights from Russia, as a rule, arrive in Madrid at the T4S terminal, and then you transfer to another flight or exit into the city.

In Terminal 4S, in addition to the gate number, there are also letter designations that mean:

Gate M – flights within Spain;
Gates R,S,U – international flights from Spain.

This division was made to ensure that passengers arriving on international flights go through passport control and customs.

If you arrived at terminal T4S and are not flying anywhere further, or you continue your flight from terminal T4, then you need to go to the underground train, which regularly runs between terminals. That is, in any case, upon arriving at T4S, you go to the train, because the exit and luggage are also located in T4. You can safely follow the Exit signs (Exit or Salida in Spanish).

The train travels for about 5 minutes, the interval is about 10 minutes. The train is fully automatic and is controlled by a robot, not a driver.

If you are transported to another terminal, you can get to the desired terminal by bus.

A free bus for everyone runs around the clock between terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4 along the route: T1 (departure hall) – T2 (departure hall) – T4 (departure hall) – T4 (arrival hall) – T3 (arrival hall) – T2 (arrival hall) ) – T1 (low-cost parking) – T1 (departure).
Two free routes for transit passengers upon presentation boarding pass. The first is from the non-Schengen zone (waiting room 1 of terminal T1) and terminal T4. The second is from the Schengen area (waiting room 1 of terminal T1) to waiting room 6 of terminal T2.

How to get from the airport to the center of Madrid?

Usually, international flights landing at Madrid Barajas Airport. This is a gigantic airport consisting of several terminals connected by a transport line.
The easiest option is to order a taxi to the airport in advance using the international taxi ordering service http://kiwitaxi.ru. The advantages are that you will be met at the airport directly with a sign, taken safe and sound to your destination, and besides, you will know exactly how much the transfer will cost you.

In order to get to the center of Madrid, you need to follow the signs to the Aeropuerto T4 metro station (pink line, if you look at the map of the Madrid metro, it is on the right, at the top). You can buy metro tickets from the machines in front of the entrance. Please note that to travel to and from the airport you must purchase a special MadridMetro ticket, which costs more than a regular ticket. By the way, there are turnstiles at the exit from the metro to the airport, so don’t lose your ticket.

Here are the icons that are used to navigate around Madrid airport; I think it won’t cause any difficulties.

Airport navigation

The metro line from the airport ends at Nuevos Ministerios station (intermediate stations intersect with lines 4 and 9), from which you can change to lines 7 and 10 – see metro map, In my opinion, everything is extremely simple.

I booked the Mercury Hotel on the Plaza de Espa?a, which is located at the metro station of the same name on blue line 10, so it will be convenient for me to get from the airport to the hotel.

From Madrid airport to the center it takes about 40-50 minutes, but without traffic jams.

Undoubtedly, the metro is the most in a convenient way to get from the airport to the center of Madrid, but there are alternatives in the form of a bus or taxi. Bus number 200 goes from T1 terminal to the Avenida de America metro station, from which you will still have to take the metro to the center. It seems to me that it is more convenient to go straight down to the subway.

Madrid metro map

Official website of Madrid Airport

Public transport in Madrid

As in everyone big cities Europe, Madrid has metro, buses, and trams. Let's start with the metro.

Madrid metro map (download pdf here).

And an even more detailed metro map (download pdf here).

If you are going to travel around the city a lot, then it is more profitable to purchase a pass that is valid for all types of public transport.

Madrid metro tickets

You can choose your travel card's validity period and coverage area.

Zone A - your ticket will only be valid for public transport within the city limits of Madrid.

Zone T - your ticket will be valid on intercity routes, including Toledo (not valid on high-speed trains and RENFE trains). You can read more about coverage zones here.

About the zones in Madrid

You can buy a travel pass at the tourist center, at large metro stations, kiosks with newspapers and cigarettes, and they will probably be offered at the hotel.

Here are some of the most popular places to sell the pass in Madrid.

In the center of Madrid
Plaza Mayor, 27.
Schedule: Monday - Sunday:. 9:30 am - 8:30 pm
Open daily all year round.
Madrid Barajas Airport - Terminal 4

Madrid Barajas Airport - Terminal 2
Madrid Metro Customer Service Desk

Schedule: MS from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm and Sunday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

If you do not plan to travel a lot on public transport, you can buy a ticket for 10 or more trips at any ticket machine. This is much more economical than buying a ticket for one trip each time. Moreover, you can buy a ticket for 10 trips, for example, for two. Just indicate the number of people when purchasing, otherwise the ticket will not work several times in a row.

Madrid card – is it worth buying?

An important question that I asked myself when planning a trip to Madrid is whether it is worth buying a Madrid Card and what it gives.

Madrid card

The Madrid Card is such a magical card that allows you to visit a huge number of attractions without buying tickets at the box office or standing in lines. In addition, the card gives discounts on excursions, restaurants and shops. IN different cities I have my own list of included services, so each time I have to study their composition and figure out whether it’s beneficial for me.

Let's start with the cost of the card and its validity period:

As you can see, the longer the validity period of the Madrid Card, the more favorable its price. Buying online is cheaper. Locally in Madrid, this card is sold at every turn: in information centers, hotels, tobacco shops, newspaper stands, etc.

And now let’s move on to the most important thing - what bonuses and discounts are included in the price of the card?

The card allows you to skip the line to the following museums:

Prado Museum
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Royal Palace
Museum wax figures
Stadium (Barnabeu tour)

Here is a table of the main museums and tours with ticket prices included in the card.

No.	Museum in Russian	Museum in English/Spanish	Schedule	Website	Cost, euro
1	Prado Museum	Museo Nacional del Prado	From Monday to Sunday: 10:00 - 20:00. Sunday and holidays: 10:00 - 19:00 Closed: January 1, May 1 and December 25 Shortened days 10:00 – 14:00: January 6, December 24 and 31	http://www.museodelprado.es/en	14
2	Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum	Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza	Working hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: from 10:00 to 19:00 Closed: Monday 1st of January December 25	http://www.museothyssen.org/en/thyssen/home	8
3	National Museum of Art Reina Sofia	Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía		http://www.museoreinasofia.es/	9
4	Royal Palace of Madrid	Palacio Real de Madrid	Schedule: October 1, 2011 - March 31, 2012: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10:00 - 18:00 10:00 - 18:00 April 1, 2011 - September 31, 2011: 10:00 - 20:00 Closed: June 1st June 6	http://www.patrimonionacional.es/	10
5	The Wax Museum	Wax Museum	Schedule: Saturday, Sunday: 10:00 - 20:30 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 10:00 - 14:30, 16:30 - 20:30	http://www.museoceramadrid.com/	12
6	Royal Botanical Garden	Royal Botanical Gardens	Winter: 10 - 17:30 hours. Summer: 10 - 21 hours	http://www.rjb.csic.es/jardinbotanico/jardin/
7		La Almudena Cathedral Museum	Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10:00 - 14:30 Closed: Sunday	http://museocatedral.archimadrid.es/
8	Andén 0 (old metro)	Andén 0	Schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 11:00 - 19:00 Closed: Saturday, Sunday: 10:00 - 14:00
9	Bernabeu Tour (Real Madrid Stadium)	Tour Bernabéu	Schedule: Sunday: 10:30 - 18:30 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10:00 - 19:00 Closed: 1st of January December 25	http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/es/1193040472497/ContenedorEstadio/ESTADIO.htm
10	Madrid funicular	Teleferico Madrid		http://www.teleferico.com/	5,75
11	Excursion to the bullring	Plaza de Toros de las Ventas	Opening hours: daily: 10:00-18:00. Except the day of the show: 10:00-14:00 - Visiting time: 45 minutes Gift shop	http://www.lasventastour.com/en	10

Based on my plans in Madrid, buying a card is not profitable for me at all. I definitely won’t recoup its cost, let alone the benefits. And, by the way, I asked several people who have visited Madrid, everyone says that there are no queues at the museums.

In general, I say “no” to the Madrid Card. Buy online.

Shopping centers, shops and outlets in Madrid

Want to go shopping in Madrid? I want it too, but just a little, because after Madrid we’re flying to Canary Islands, where shopping is no less wonderful, and there will be more time for it.

I have put together a map of the main shopping centers in Madrid that are of primary interest. I also added two outlets that can be visited from Madrid. I’ll write a separate story about shopping in Madrid after the trip, but for now catch the main ones shopping streets and shopping center on the map.

View Shopping centers in Madrid on a larger map

Where to watch flamenco in Madrid

There are a lot of places where you can plunge into the atmosphere of fiery flamenco dance in Madrid. I will give an example of several popular and iconic places where the best flamenco artists perform. You need to reserve a table in advance, because there are a lot of people wanting it, for example, here.

No.	Restaurant or club	Website
1	Corral de la Moreria	http://www.corraldelamoreria.com/
2	Cafe Chinitas	http://chinitas.com/
3	Las Carboneras	http://www.tablaolascarboneras.com/web/index.html
4	Casa Patas	http://www.casapatas.com/
5	Corral de la Pacheca	www.corraldelapacheca.com
6	Torresbermejas	torresbermejas.com

Casa Patos is considered the best tablao (the name given to places where flamenco is danced). You can also attend a performance in Madrid National Ballet Spain, where you can see flamenco from an unusual perspective, combined with the classics.

Madrid restaurants you must visit

Spaniards love to eat, so there is no shortage of restaurants in Madrid. Judging by the map of Madrid restaurants, Spaniards don't just love food, they love their food. national cuisine. And this makes me very happy, because in many capitals of the world (including Paris, Moscow) you will have to run around to find national food. There are pizzerias, sushi, burgers all around... Madrid is another matter! Lots of tapas bars, Spanish taverns and even the oldest restaurant in the world, Botin. It’s easy to get lost in such diversity, so I mapped out for myself the restaurants I want to visit.

View Madrid Restaurants on a larger map

Top 10 attractions and entertainment in Madrid

Many people associate Madrid exclusively with the Prado Museum. However, this city can offer tourists much more attractions and entertainment than it seems at first glance.

1. Prado Museum

Of course, coming to Madrid and not visiting the Prado Museum would be unforgivable for me. The museum houses an invaluable collection of paintings, which puts the Prado on a par with the world's most important museums (Louvre, Uffizi, Metropolitan, Hermitage, etc.). El Greco, Velazquez and many others will definitely appeal to art lovers. Buy a ticket online.

2. National Art Museum Queen Sofia

The museum contains a collection of modern art. The works of 20th century geniuses Dali, Miro, Picasso and others are permanently exhibited. Here you can see the famous painting by Picasso “Guernica” (if you don’t know what it is, I recommend watching a program about it on the Culture TV channel, here is a link to the video). Buy a ticket online.

3. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

A private collection, which in terms of the number of paintings is much inferior to the neighboring Prado Museum, but the percentage of masterpieces makes this museum no less interesting. Carpaccio, Durer, Caravaggio, Rubens, Frans Hals, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Klee, Hopper, Kirchner... Buy a ticket online.

4. Madrid nightlife

The city has a huge number of bars and discos. Unlike most European cities, where after 22-00 there are rare tourists roaming the streets, in Madrid at this time everything is just beginning. If you want to have fun and dance until the morning, I recommend exploring this site, which contains a catalog of entertainment venues (look in the Rouge guides)

5. Shopping in Madrid

The Spanish capital has all the conditions for shopping. There are several large ones in Madrid shopping centers, several streets of shops for different wallets, as well as two outlets, although located outside the city limits.

In Madrid there is unusual market San Miguel, where you can not only buy food, but eat it right there. This is a kind of mixture of shopping tents with mini-cafes, where you will be offered fresh seafood prepared in front of you, a huge number of snacks (tapas) and, of course, Spanish fast food.

And in Madrid there is a famous swap meet El Rastro, which is open on Sundays. If you want Madrid flavor, and even buy something unique, then be sure to visit the flea market.

6. Flamenco in Madrid

Madrid is often called the capital of flamenco, although the birthplace of this dance is the hot south of Spain. However, Madrid has a large number of theatres, tablaos and clubs where the best dancers and musicians of this genre give performances. Flamenco is danced on a small stage in a fairly intimate hall. You will be offered dinner, and if you are not hungry, you can order wine and other drinks. The most famous establishments in Madrid where flamenco dancing are: Corral de la Morer?a, Cafe de Chinitas, Las Carboneras, Casa Patas, less known but recommended El de la Corral Pacheca, Torres Bermejas (online booking), Arco de Cuchilleros and Las Tablas.

7. Royal Palace of Madrid

This palace was built by order of the king, who moved his court from Toledo to Madrid. The inside of the palace is extremely luxuriously decorated, so it amazes even tourists who have seen a lot. Now the palace is not the home of the royal family, but remains a working residence.

8. Tour of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Football fans, you should definitely pay attention to this stadium. I don’t consider myself one of those, so I’ll pass by this attraction.

9. Bullring Las Ventas

Have you always dreamed of seeing a real Spanish bullfight? In Madrid you can afford it because, unlike Catalonia, bullfighting takes place every week during the summer season. At first I wanted to go to the bullfight, but then I watched a piece of the video and I simply felt sorry for the bull... so I won’t go. For people like me, you can just go on the Las Ventas Tour ( booking and prices on the official website).

If you still want a bullfight, you can buy tickets on this website. And here you can read about bullfighting (this official site).

10. Parks of Madrid

In Madrid, of course, there are parks where you can escape the heat of the day. The Retiro Park is interesting. Catch a puppet theater performance, listen to music, read a book in the shade of trees - all this can be done in Retiro.

Casa de Campo is a park on a hill that combines a zoo and an aquarium, an amusement park, a fish pond where you can ride a boat and a lot of greenery and beauty. The park can be reached by metro or Madrid's only funicular.

Royal Botanic Garden - neat paths along beautiful plants.

Of course, this is not all that is worth seeing and visiting in Madrid. In the city you will find beautiful squares, streets and churches, restaurants with excellent cuisine. By the way, it is in Madrid that the most old restaurant in a world called Botin.

Routes around Madrid

Before the trip, I decided to create a Madrid itinerary for each day in order to fit an extensive program into 3.5 days. I put attractions on the map and tried to optimize them, group them, and now I’m sharing them with you. Of course, on the spot, there are usually many factors that can change the route, but when there is at least some kind of reference point, it is much easier to move plans.

Itinerary of the first day in Madrid (starting at approximately 14-00)

View Madrid day 1 (we arrive in the morning) on a larger map

The first day will definitely not be complete, because we arrive only at 11-40, until we get to the hotel, until we check in, until we have lunch... Therefore, on the first day I laid out the route not far from the hotel, with a visit to Plaza de España, Royal Palace and its surroundings. And in the evening I booked a table at Cafe de Chinitas to have dinner and watch flamenco.

For the first day, I think we will have enough impressions, because the flight from Moscow will be early, we will get up at 5 am.

Second day itinerary in Madrid

View Madrid Day 2 on a larger map

The second day I want to devote to a walk along the most famous street of Madrid, Gran Via, the Maritime Museum and the Prado Museum. We will have lunch at the oldest restaurant in the world, Botin, where we booked a table. I plan to spend the second half of the day in the Caso de Campo park, maybe we’ll go to the zoo. We will return to the hotel by funicular, from which it is a few minutes walk to the hotel.

In the evening, I think we will go to a noisy street with an inspection, what kind of night life they have fun there. J

Itinerary of the third day in Madrid

View Madrid Day 3 on a larger map

On this day, I laid out a route along the second famous street of Madril, Alcale, visiting the most famous squares of Madrid: Mayor and Puerto del Sol (Gate of the Sun). Then we go to Retiro Park, Atocha Station and take the train to Escorial. In the evening, after returning to Madrid, I plan to drop into the El Corte Ingl?s shopping center... but it’s not a fact that I have enough energy for this. If we get too tired, I’ll postpone shopping until the next day, we’ll go after Toledo.

I’m allocating one day for a trip to Toledo, so I’m not drawing a route, but I’ll definitely write about Toledo separately.

Sightseeing bus in Madrid (City Tour, Hop-on-hop-off)

In Madrid there are CityTour double-decker sightseeing buses that travel along the route all day, making stops near attractions. You buy a ticket for 1 or 2 days, and you can get on and off the bus as many times as you like during this time. In addition, everyone is given disposable headphones; you will ride and listen to information from an audio guide (available in Russian). This option is suitable for tourists who do not feel very confident in a foreign city and are not ready to travel by metro. I am not going to use this type of transport, but many people prefer not to bother and ride the bus.

A CityTour bus ticket for one day costs 21 euros (children 9 euros), and for two days 25 euros (children 12 euros).

U excursion bus two routes, designated by colors: blue and yellow.

Buy a ticket online

Download the bus route map

Official website of the excursion bus

Useful books, films, programs for a trip to Madrid and the surrounding area

In my opinion, it is much more interesting to travel when information about the place is collected before the trip. For my trips, I usually collect information bit by bit on the Internet, read sites on English language, reviews from tourists who have already visited the city. And all this together allows me to collect so much interesting material that all our guidebooks seem like just baby talk.

In addition to information from the Internet, I like to get acquainted with more serious books about cult personalities, about the history of the city and the country. For this purpose, there are films and programs, books and magazines. So, here is the selection I managed to make for Madrid.

Books

Elizabeth Nash. "Madrid. History of the city."

Marcelin Defourneau "Daily Life in Golden Age Spain"

T. Kaptereva. "El Greco"

Elena Gritsak "Madrid and Toledo"

Tatyana Kaptereva “Walking around Madrid”

Maria Dmitrienko "Velasquez"

Movies

"El Greco" Directed by Yannis Smaragdis, Spain-Greece 2007.

"Naked Maha". Directed by Jose Juan Bigas Luna.

"Ghosts of Goya". Directed by Milos Forman, 2006.

Venus with a Mirror by Diego Rodriguez Da Silva Velazquez, BBC film

El Greco (1966) Italy-France-Spain, melodrama

TV series "Toledo"

Conspiracy in Escorial, Spain, 2008

BBC: Great Masters. Picasso: Bull in winter. Last years Pablo Picasso

Documentary series “The Power of Art”

World Art: Great Artists: Part 1 (4 DVDs) (Diego Velazquez)

BBC: Great Masters. Bosch. The Mysteries of Hieronymus Bosch / Nicholas Baum (1981, UK)

Transfers

Diego Velazquez. Program 9. Mikhail Shankov

Heads and Tails. Issue 9 (Madrid)

Bad Notes: Madrid. Episodes 1 and 2

Perhaps I will stop at this list, although there is information about Madrid and the artists whose paintings are exhibited in the Prado, the sea. I usually look for information on youtube.com, vk.com. imhonet.ru, I buy some things on ozon.ru and litress.ru.

If you are not familiar with Dali’s work and biography, then I recommend watching one of the films about him (there are a lot of them) and reading his memoirs. Dali's paintings are in Madrid, but still, it is better to get acquainted with him in Catalonia, at the Dali Museum-Theater in the city of Figueres.

I especially recommend watching documentaries and feature films to those who consider art galleries to be a boring pastime and who do not understand at all why everyone admires Goya and Velazquez. Believe me, after you understand a little about the work of these people, the Prado Museum will be very interesting. By the way, don’t forget to take audio guides in museums, they make watching paintings even more interesting.

Maps, diagrams that may be useful in Madrid

Map of Madrid with landmarks – download

Map of the main museums of Madrid – download

Map of the main architectural structures and squares of Madrid – download

Madrid metro map – download

Metro map with Madrid landmarks

Madrid tourist centers

If you want to receive free card cities, all sorts of advertising brochures, ask questions about the city, then visit one of the information tourist centers. Here is their list.

Usually, hotels have desks with a city map, excursions, museums and other promotional information, but these addresses can come in handy. Please note that there is an information center at the airport, it is very convenient to get all the information at once.

Where can you go from Madrid?

Not far from Madrid there are several beautiful places, by visiting which you can diversify your trip and further experience the atmosphere and history of Castile.

About an hour's drive from Madrid is ancient city of Toledo- the former capital of Spain, before its transfer to Madrid. All my friends who have been to Toledo unanimously say that you should definitely go there.

Another attraction that can be visited from Madrid is El Escorial. This is a gloomy castle-fortress, to which, by order of the king, the remains of his predecessors were brought; accordingly, in Escorial there is a huge crypt.

I have planned a trip to these two places; I don’t have enough time for the rest. Although I would love to visit a beautiful city Segovia, where, if you believe the pictures, there is such a beautiful castle. You can also go to the town of Cuenca, Salamanca. And in general, high speed trains and the central location of Madrid allow you to travel even to Valencia and Andalusia, but that's a completely different story.

I feel like I was well prepared for the trip. I hope that the information I found will be useful to our readers.

P.S. Counting down the days until my trip to Madrid!

Selection of hotels in Madrid

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