Cities of Spain by Eurail: Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city in Spain, making it the perfect starting point to tour Spain by Eurail pass. This city is population is 3.2 million and ranks along side cities such as London, Paris or Berlin in being a truly historic and cosmopolitan city.
Start with a ride on Madrid’s cable cars for an overview of the city. The cable car is 2.5km long and is from Pintor Rosales in Parque del Oeste, and it leads up to the large Casa de Campo park. Here you can gaze down over the historic old town.
Plaza Mayor is a huge square near to Puerta del Sol, another famous plaza in the city. It is quite attractive with lots of traditional shops and cafes to stop at. This square has been the historic center of Madrid since 1589!
Gran Via translates to ‘Great Way’, and is one of the most significant shopping streets in the whole the city. It is a flamboyant street that leads all the way from Calle de Alcala to Plaza de Espana, and has a number of interesting features along the way, including lots of hotels, cinemas and shopping areas. It is worth going just to walk down the street and admire the amazing architecture all around.
Museo del Prado is one of the top art galleries in the world, being home to an extensive collection of European art dating from the 12th to the 19th centuries. You can easily pass the day walking through its great halls and admiring the unlimited variety of art and exhibits.
Templo de Debod is a real Egyptian temple located right in the middle of Madrid. It dates back to the 2nd century BC, and was given to Spain in 1968 by the Egyptian government as thanks. It comes from the Nile Valley and was taken apart stone by stone and shipped to Spain, where it has been open to the public since 1972. It is located in Plaza de Espana.
Palacio Real is the Royal Palace and is the official house of the King of Spain, but is only used for state ceremonies. It holds the distinction of being the biggest palace in Europe.
Mercado San Miguel is your best bet for market shopping and is one of the best in Madrid. It is located in a delightful old building and is worth going just to walk around just to see it.
Bernabau Stadium is a stop any football fan can’t miss. It is one of the most important and prestigious stadiums in the world of football. Home to Real Madrid, one of the biggest football teams today, the Bernabau opened in 1947 and can hold over 80,000 spectators. It’s not as big as rival club Barcelona’s Nou Camp, but if you get to see a match here it will be an experience to remember.
Las Ventas is the most famous bullring in the city and is considered the home of bullfighting in Spain. It dates back to 1931, and has a capacity of 25,000. If you are a fan of bullfighting and want to visit then the season lasts from March to December, but the ring is worth seeing on its own if you don’t fancy watching a real fight.
Parque del Buen Retiro is for you if you want to get away from the bustle of the city. This huge park is the main one in the city, and it’s huge. As well as finding plenty of open space, you’ll also come across monuments, galleries, sculptures and even a lake. There is also a beautiful rose garden to walk through.
So grab a Eurail pass and start your adventure across Spain in Madrid!
