Sightseeing
Madrid is known above all for its 'Golden Triangle', formed by three key museums: the Prado, Thyssen and Reina Sofía. Located close together, they form the Paseo del Arte (Art Promenade) to the east of the city's central point, Puerta del Sol. The eastern gate (puerta) of the city in the fifteenth century, the Sol, is now at the heart of everything. The monument of a bear and madroño (strawberry tree) at its centre 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 Alcalá, a grandiose addition of Charles III, leads east of Sol to the Plaza de Cibeles. The statue of a Greco-Roman fertility goddess astride a lion-drawn chariot is an instantly recognisable landmark of Madrid to all Spaniards. Visitors, however, may be less impressed by the crazy merry-go-round of traffic that encircles her. Among the imposing buildings overlooking the goddess and traffic fumes, is the grandiose 'Palace of Post Offices' - the Art Nouveau Palacio de Comunicaciones.
The cityscape is softened by the greenery of numerous squares, such as the lovely Plaza de Oriente, and parks, including the landscaped Parque del Buen Retiro and the Jardín Botánico (Botanical Gardens) to the east and the wilder Casa de Campo to the west. Greenery sprouts up in the most unusual places, including the gardens within Madrid's major station - Atocha Estación.
Tourist Information
Oficina Municipal de Turismo
Plaza Mayor 3
Tel: (91) 588 1636. Fax: (91) 588 2930.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-2000, Sat 1000-1400 and 1500-2000, Sun 1000-1500.
The Comunad de Madrid (regional tourist information office) has branches at Duque de Medinaceli 2, Barajas airport, Chamartín station and Mercado Puerta de Toledo.
Passes
The Paseo del Arte (Art Promenade) ticket allows entry to the Prado, Thyssen and Reina Sofía. It is available from the participating galleries for Pta1275. The state museums (including the Prado and Reina Sofía) are free on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. 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).
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