Madrid is best known for its 'Golden Triangle' of art museums (
Prado, Reina Sofia and
Thyssen-Bornomisza). The celebrated Art Walk (
Paseo del Arte) links all three. The city's focal point remains the Puerta del Sol - the eastern gate (
puerta) of the city in the 15th century. The monument of the bear and
madroño (strawberry tree), in the centre of the square, symbolises Madrid. The
Calle Mayor leads west from Sol, to the
Plaza Mayor, which evokes the splendour of Spain's Golden Age. The wide
Calle de Alcala - a grandiose thoroughfare constructed in the reign of Charles III - leads east of Sol, towards the
Plaza de Cibeles. The fountain, with its statue of a Greco-Roman fertility goddess astride a lion-drawn chariot, is a landmark instantly recognisable to all Spaniards. Visitors may be less impressed with the crazy merry-go-round of traffic encircling her. Overlooking
Plaza de Cibeles is the imposing
Palacio de Comunicaciones (the head post office dating from 1904).
The Madrid cityscape is softened by numerous green spaces - lovely squares, such as the Plaza de Oriente, in front of the Royal Palace, and parks, most obviously the landscaped Parque del Buen Retiro and Jardin Botanico (Botanical Gardens) near the Prado. Further west is the wilder Casa de Campo, which also contains the Parque de Atraciones funfair and leisure grounds. More unusual is the greenhouse in the Atocha railway station (entrance at concourse, gate fourteen), popular with Madrileños and visitors alike.
Oficina Municipal de Turismo
Plaza Mayor 3
Tel: (91) 588 1636 or (902) 100 007. Fax: (91) 588 2930.
Website: www.munimadrid.es/ayuntamiento
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-2000, Sun 1000-1500.
The Comunidad de Madrid (regional tourist information office) has branches at Calle Duque de Medinaceli 2, Barajas airport, Chamartin and Atocha railway stations and Mercado Puerta de Toledo, Ronda de Toledo 1.
Passes
The Paseo del Arte (Art Promenade) ticket allows entry to the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofía museums. This pass costs EUR7.50 and is available for purchase at any of these three galleries (the ticket is valid for one trip to each gallery within a year of the first visit). The state museums (including the Prado and Reina Sofia) are free on Saturday 1430-1900 and Sunday. Monuments managed by the Patrimonio Nacional (including the Palacio Real, Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales and Monasterio de la Encarnacion) are free (officially for EU nationals only) at least one day a week (usually Wednesday).
