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Day 1

9:00am Real Basilica de San


Francisco el Grande
A 1760 church with exquisite Goya frescoes and other art
work

10:10am Almudena Cathedral


A Gothic-revival church with statues of contemporary artists
and stained glass windows

11:15am Palacio Real de Madrid


The royal palace has period furnishings, art and a Hall of
Mirrors

1:50pm Monasterio de la
Encarnacion
A church, monastery and cloisters make up this
architecturally beautiful complex

3:00pm Plaza Mayor


The city's main square surrounded by historical buildings
9:00am Real Basilica de San Francisco el Grande
Visit Duration: 1 hour
The Basilica of St. Francis the Great was constructed in 1760 during the reign of Carlos III. The cathedral is
thought to be located on the same spot where Saint Francis himself founded a Franciscan convent in 1217.
The Roman Catholic church is located in La Latina neighborhood and looks onto Plaza de San Francisco.
The neoclassical cathedral was designed by Francisco Cabeza but later developed by Antonio Plo and finally
on completion it was under Francesco Sabatini. The impressive structure has a 33 meter wide and 58 meter
high dome which is the 4th largest in the world and the largest in Spain. Within the dome there are incredible
frescoes and at the base of the dome are wooden statues of the 12 apostles. The interior has a round nave
surrounded by chapels each more beautiful than the last. Each chapel is decorated in a different style but the
most striking is the Chapel of San Bernardino de Siena where you can see frescoes by Goya. One of the
characters in the fresco is thought to be a self-portrait of the artist. The church holds a number of valuable
works of art including a painting by Zurbaran. The cathedral has some intricate wood carved furniture
Image By: Ernesto Paz Cainzos
including the choir stalls and the seven doors of the church which were carved by Casa Juan Guas. The Image Source:
cathedral is the final resting place for many of the country's most renowned artists and politicians. When http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_el_Grande_Basilica#m

visiting the church you can take a guided tour (in Spanish) or visit during the public services.
Tue-Sat 10:30am-12.30pm and 4pm-6pm, 3 Euro Address: Calle San Buenaventura, 1, 28005
Calle San Buenaventura, 1, 28005 Madrid, Spain Madrid, Spain
Phone Number: 91-365-38-00
Admission: €3
Opening Hours: Tue-Sat 10:30am-12.30pm and
4pm-6pm, July and August Tue-Sun
10:30am-12:30pm and 5pm-7pm
10:10am Almudena Cathedral
Visit Duration: 1 hour
Madrid's cathedral stands adjacent to the Royal Palace on Bailen Street; it is the seat of the Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Madrid. In 1561 King Filipe II moved Spain's capital from Toledo to Madrid and the new
capital needed a grand place of worship. Construction began in 1879 on the former site of Madrid's first
mosque. The cathedral is dedicated to and named after Santa Maria de la Almudena, Madrid's patron saint.
The Gothic revival structure was designed by Francisco de Cubas but following a pause in construction for
the duration of the country's Civil War the design was taken over by Fernando Chueca who added the
Baroque exterior. Finally the cathedral was completed in 1993. The beautiful church is 104 meters long and
76 meters wide. There is a neo-Romanesque crypt where you can see a 16th century image of the Almudena
Virgin. Visitors can see the mosaics in the church sacristy and the Chapter Hall. It is possible to go up to the
dome and get views across the city. The interior is light with bright bursts of color. For Europe the cathedral is
rather modern and unadorned. Among the modern elements of the interior are statues of contemporary artists
Image By: Alvesgaspar
and vibrant stained glass windows which have been referred to as pop-art. On the exterior is a statue of Pope Image Source:
John-Paul II who consecrated the cathedral. There is a cathedral museum where you can learn about the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almudena_Cathedral#mediaviewer/Fil

history of the edifice and the archdiocese of Madrid.


10 Calle Bailen, on corner of Mayor Street, Madrid, Spain Address: 10 Calle Bailen, on corner of Mayor
www.catedraldelaalmudena.es Street, Madrid, Spain
Phone Number: 91-542-22-00
Admission:
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-7:30pm
Web: http://www.catedraldelaalmudena.es/
Transportation:
Metro: Opera.
Bus: 3, 39, or 148
11:15am Palacio Real de Madrid
Visit Duration: 2 hours, 30 mins
Madrid's Royal Palace was constructed on the site of the old Alcazar fortress which was a Moorish castle.
This is the city's largest building and Western Europe's largest royal palace. It is situated next to the Plaza de
Oriente Square. The castle was originally designed by Filippo Juvarra for the court of Felipe V which
consisted of 3,000 courtiers. The first royal to live here was Carlos III. The palace has continued to be the
royal residence since then and today although the royals no longer live here it is still the official residence.
The construction project was begun in 1737 by Juan Bautista Sacchetti and later Francisco Sabatini and
Ventura Rodriguez took over and saw the project to completion in 1764. The building has a square floor plan
with a central courtyard which is accessed through the Puerta del Principe gate on the east side. The building
has galleries overlooking a parade ground. The palace complex includes the Sabatini and Campo del Moro
Gardens, the palace gardens. The palace interior has many highlights and is decorated and furnished with
valuable period furniture and art work. The main staircase has 70 steps and was designed by Sabatini. The
Image By: bepo2
Throne Hall has a stunning ceiling mural by Tiepolo and the Hall of Halberdiers was once Carlos III's private Image Source:
room. In the Royal Chemist's there are ceramic pots made by La Granja Factory and in the Royal Chapel http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Royal_Palace_of_M

there is a collection of antique string instruments made by Antonio Stradivari. In the Royal Armoury you can
see a large collection of weapons and armour dating back to the 13th century. The Painting Gallery holds Address: Calle Bailén, 4, 28013 Madrid, Spain
some valuable paintings like Salome with the Head of John the Baptist by Caravaggio and Luis Morales' Phone Number: 91-454-87-00
Virgin with Child. There are also paintings by Goya, El Greco, Velazquez, Sorolla, Mengs, Rubens, Giordano Admission: general admission - 11€; reduced
and Juan de Flandes. Other rooms of note are the Royal Guards' Room, the Royal Library, the Hall of Mirrors rate 6€ for citizens 5-16yrs, students up to 25;
and the Columns Room. Visitors can take a guided tour of the palace. The Changing of the Guard takes under 5s free. Free admission for EU citizens
place every Wednesday at 12 noon in the Puerta del Principe, but there is no ceremony in July, August or Oct-March Mon-Thurs 4:00pm-6:00pm and
September. April-Sept 6:00pm-8pm.
Opening Hours: Oct-March - 10:00am-6:00pm;
Calle Bailén, 4, 28013 Madrid, Spain
April-Sept - Daily 10:00am-8pm
general admission - 11€
Web:
Free admission for EU citizens, March Mon-Thurs 4:00pm-6:00pm and April-Sept 6:00pm-8pm.
https://www.patrimonionacional.es/real-sitio/palacios/6039
www.patrimonionacional.es Transportation:
Metro: Opera or Plaza de España.
Bus: 3, 39, or 148
1:50pm Monasterio de la Encarnacion
Visit Duration: 1 hour
The Royal Monastery of La Encarnacion is on the quaint Plaza de la Encarnacion sandwiched between the
Royal Palace and the Plaza Espana. Margaret of Austria commissioned the building's construction in 1611. In
1767 the building was redesigned by Ventura Rodriguez after sustaining fire damage. The site includes a
church, monastery cloisters, and a relics room with several fascinating items like the blood of Saint
Pantaleon. Legend has it that each year on the anniversary of the saint's feast day the blood liquefies. If it
turns to liquid at any other time of the year doom is foreseen for the coming year. The Relic Room is the most
interesting part of the monastery, each of the 700 relics is kept in a gold or silver reliquary. The monastery
holds a number of interesting and valuable works of art. The Baroque-style church is open to the public and
has beautiful frescoes on the ceiling. However the monastery can only be visited with a guided tour (in
Spanish). The tour takes you through rooms with works by Juan Van der Hammen, Pedro de Mena, Vicente
Carducho and Gregorio Fernandez.
Image By: Hakan Svensson Xauxa
Plaza de la Encarnacion 1, Madrid 28013 Image Source:
€6, Tue-Thu/Sat 10:30am-12:45pm, 4pm-5:45pm, Sun 10:30am-1:45pm http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Real_Monasterio_de_la_Enca

www.patrimonionacional.es

Address: Plaza de la Encarnacion 1, Madrid


28013
Phone Number: 91454 87 00
Opening Hours: Tue-Thu/Sat 10:30am-12:45pm,
4pm-5:45pm, Sun 10:30am-1:45pm
Admission: €6
Web:
http://www.patrimonionacional.es/real-sitio/monasterios/6
3:00pm Plaza Mayor
Visit Duration: 45 mins
Madrid's main square is also the most beautiful square, the Plaza Mayor is a rectangular-shaped square
surrounded by historical buildings. The plaza was built under Felipe II and designed by Juan de Herrera in the
1560s. Felipe III put the finishing touches to the square before its inauguration in 1620 and following several
fires the square was completed in 1853 by Juan de Villanova. Plaza Mayor holds a strategic position in the
city center which has afforded it the role of city market place, bullring, execution site, coronation site and even
the venue for Inquisition trials. The many functions of the square in the past and the historic events it has
witnessed have contributed to the names the square has had over the years. It has been called Plaza del
Arrabal, Plaza de la Republica and Plaza Real. It got its present name, Plaza Mayor following the Spanish
Civil War. There are nine entrances into the plaza which measures 129 meters by 94 meters. The plaza
buildings are three stories high with a total of 237 balconies looking on to the square. Most of the buildings
are residential except for the Casa de la Panaderia (Bakery House) which is now used for cultural events.
Image By: Sebastian Dubiel
Beneath the arcades which surround the square you'll find restaurants and cafes as well as wine bars and Image Source:
tapas bars. In the center of the square is a bronze statue of King Felipe III from 1616 created by Giovanni de http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaza_Mayor,_Madrid#mediaviewer/Fi

Bologna.
Plaza Mayor, 2-22, 28012 Madrid, Spain Address: Plaza Mayor, 2-22, 28012 Madrid,
Spain
Admission:
Opening Hours:
Transportation:
Metro: Sol
Day 2
10:00am Museo Thyssen
13th-20th century art in all genres housed in a neo-classical
building

12:35pm Museo Nacional del


Prado
A fine art museum with 12th-19th century European art

3:15pm Parque del Retiro


The city's main urban park surrounded by important
attractions

4:55pm Puerta de Alcala


Alcala Gate, 1778, is a neo-classical design by Francisco
Sabatini

5:30pm Palacio de
Comunicaciones
A fairytale-like neo-Gothic structure, stain glass ceilings,
marble floors
10:00am Museo Thyssen / Bornemisza
Visit Duration: 2 hours, 30 mins
This Madrid museum's collection of 1,000 pieces of 13th to late 20th century art covers all the genres of that
period; the art comes from across the globe but is predominantly the work of European artists. The museum
is housed within a neo-classical house built in 1806 in Madrid's Golden Triangle of museums. The collection
is displayed on 3 floors with the oldest art work on the top floor and the most contemporary pieces on the
lowest level. With almost all prominent artists represented in the museum it offers a great overview of the
history of art, artists and art genres. The evolution of European art can be seen in this world class museum.
The collection was amassed by Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza and his son. Their private collection was
bought for the Spanish capital's museum for $350 million and is valued at approximately $1 billion. Among the
highlights are Van Eyck's Diptych of the Annunciation; Our Lady of the Dry Tree, Petrus Christus and
Holbein's portrait of Henry VIII. Other major masterpieces are Rubens' The toilet of Venus and Rembrandt's
Self Portrait. Among the impressionist paintings are Degas' Swaying Dancer, Cezanne's Portrait of a Farmer
Image By: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT
and several paintings by Van Gogh. 20th century pieces include Picasso's Man with a Clarinet and Harlequin Image Source:
with a Mirror. There are paintings by Miro, Dali, Bacon, Pollock (Brown and Silver I) and Edward Hopper's http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyssen-Bornemisza_Museum#media

Hotel Room. Other artists represented are Murillo, Jose de Ribera, Caravaggio, El Greco, Lucas Van
Valckenberch, Constable, Monet, Sisley, Renoir, Edvard Munch, Matisse, Modigliani, Toulouse-Lautrec, Address: Palacio de Villahermosa, Paseo Prado,
Gauguin, Chagall, Henry Moore, Pissarro and Degas. Canaletto and Zurbaran. As you can see there is hardly 8, 28014 Madrid, Spain
a well known artist not represented. Phone Number: 902 76 05 11
Palacio de Villahermosa, Paseo Prado, 8, 28014 Madrid, Spain Admission: €12
Opening Hours: Mon-12pm-4pm, Tue-Sun
€12, Mon-12pm-4pm, Tue-Sun 10am-7pm 10am-7pm
www.museothyssen.org Web:
http://www.museothyssen.org/en/thyssen/home
Transportation:
Metro: Banco de España.
Bus: 1, 2, 5, 9, 10, 14, 15, 20, 27, 34, 37, 45, 51,
52, 53, 74, 146, or 150
12:35pm Museo Nacional del Prado
Visit Duration: 2 hours, 30 mins
This is arguably Madrid's finest art museum and one of the most important in the world thanks to its collection
of European art from 12th to 19th century and specifically Spanish art. The Villanueva building which houses
the museum dates back to 1785 when it was designed by Juan de Villanueva and built on the orders of
Charles III as the Natural History Cabinet. In 1819 it was opened as a public museum. Over the years the
museum has been expanded and acquired adjacent buildings. Today it is known as the Museo del Prado
Campus and includes the Cloister of the Church of Los Jeronimos. Spain's national art museum holds about
7,600 paintings, 1,000 sculptures and over 13,000 drawings, prints, medals, decorative arts, historic
documents and other works of art. At first the core of the collection consisted of Spanish art amassed by the
royals but gradually the collection was expanded. The museum collection highlights include a large number of
Goya paintings and work by Diego, Titian, Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt, Botticelli, Van Dyck, Velazquez
and Bosch. Velazquez helped the museum gather the fine pieces of Spanish and Italian art from the artists
Image By: Schnaggli
and he provided the museum with his own art including Las Meninas. Other works on display which shouldn't Image Source:
be missed include Titian's Charles V at Mulhberg; Raphael's La Perla; El Greco's Knight with his Hand on his http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museo_del_Prado#mediaviewer/File:G

Breast and The Three Graces by Rubens. Also at the Prado are Goya's Black Paintings; The Pope's Barber
by Velazquez; El Greco's Fable and The Flight into Egypt; Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights and The Address: Calle Ruiz de Alarcón, 23, 28014
Death of the Virgin by Mantegna. Works were brought from the Museo de la Trinidad, Museo de Arte Madrid, Spain. Four Entrances - Jeronimos
Moderno and much of the collection came from donations and purchases. The museum's wide range of art Entrance; Murillo Entrance (no access), Goya Alta
covering several centuries, countries and Old Masters makes this one of the finest art museums in the world. Entrance and South Alta Entrance.
Calle Ruiz de Alarcón, 23, 28014 Madrid, Spain. Four Entrances - Jeronimos Entrance; Murillo Phone Number: 91-330-28-00
Entrance (no access), Goya Alta Entrance and South Alta Entrance Admission: €15
€15, Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-7pm Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun
10am-7pm
www.museodelprado.es Web: http://www.museodelprado.es
3:15pm Parque del Retiro
Visit Duration: 1 hour, 30 mins
Retiro Park is Madrid's main green lung, it is one of the city's largest parks. The park's full name is Parque del
Buen Retiro or Park of the Pleasant Retreat. The park covers 1.4km² and is surrounded by many of the city's
main attractions like the Prado Museum. Under Felipe II the area was used as an escape from urban life for
the royals and royal lodgings. Later the royal lodgings were turned into a palace for special events, theatrical
performances, bull fights and parties. Successive kings made changes to the structure and today what
remains is the grand ballroom which is now part of the Prado Museum. Under Carlos III the area was
converted into an enclosed public park. Napoleon's troops invaded and damaged the park area during the
French occupation. Later the park was restored and reinstated as a public park. One of the central attractions
in the park is the semi-circular colonnade monument to King Alfonso XII. The monument boasts an equestrian
statue of the king which stands where Felipe IV's pier once jutted out into the lake. There are several
structures in the park like the Casa de Vacas where you can see art exhibitions; the Crystal Palace and the
Image By: Jvhertum
Velasquez Palace. The park has several fountains, the most fascinating of which is dedicated to the devil – Image Source:
The Fountain of the Fallen Angel, designed by Rocardo Bellver. The complex three tiered Galapagos http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buen_Retiro_Park#mediaviewer/File:A

Fountain dates back to 1832 and was designed by Jose de Mariategui. Ventura Rodriguez created the
Fountain of the Artichoke dedicated to Spring. The park has an area designed in the French-style "parterre" , Address: Plaza de la Independence, 7, 28009
the sections of this garden are divided by cedar trees which are the oldest in the city. Visitors can stroll down Madrid, Spain
the Paseo de la Argentina or Statue Walk which is lined with statues of Spanish Kings, the statues date back Admission:
to the 1700s. The recreational opportunities in the park include boating on the lake, taking a horse drawn Opening Hours: Apr-Sept 6am-12am / Oct-Mar
carriage ride or getting your portrait painted by one of the local artists. Several annual events are hosted in 6am-10pm
the park like an annual book fair and free summer concerts. Web:
Plaza de la Independence, 7, 28009 Madrid, Spain http://www.esmadrid.com/informacion-turistica/parque-del
Transportation:
Apr-Sept 6am-12am / Oct-Mar 6am-10pm
Metro: Retiro
www.esmadrid.com
4:55pm Puerta de Alcala
Visit Duration: 30 mins
The Alcala Gate in Madrid stands in the center of Plaza de la Independencia, spanning Calle de Alcala;
although this was not its original location. The gate was commissioned to replace the 16th century gate which
stood at the eastern entrance to the city. The new gate was to be larger and more elaborate in keeping with
the importance of the gate which led to Aragon and through which the king entered the city. Construction
began in 1764 during the reign of King Carlos III and it was completed in 1778. The grand, national
monument was designed by Italian architect Francisco Sabatini. The gate has a neo-classical design and is
made of granite. It has three large archways with two smaller rectangular openings on either side. Above
each archway is a lion's head created by sculptor Roberto Michel. Six statues designed by Francisco
Guttierrez are evenly spaced along the top of the gate. A plaque above the central arch gives the date of the
gate's inauguration and King Carlos III's name. the gate's central location is close to many sites and only a
few meters from the entrance to Retiro Park. The gate is the subject and title of a popular Spanish song from
Image By: Carlos Delgado
1985 by Ana Belen and Victor Manuel. In more resent pop history the gate featured in Katy Perry's music Image Source:
video for her song Firework. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerta_de_Alcal%C3%A1#mediaview

Plaza de la Independencia, 10, 28001 Madrid, Spain , 24/7


Address: Plaza de la Independencia, 10, 28001
Madrid, Spain
Opening Hours: 24/7
Admission:
Transportation:
Metro: Retiro.
Bus: 1, 9, 19, 20, 28, 51, 52, or 146
5:30pm Palacio de Comunicaciones
Visit Duration: 1 hour
In 1904 this building was built to house the telephone and telegraph company as well as the main post office.
It was designed by Antonio Palacios and Joaquin Otamendi and has a grand castle-like eclectic Neo-Gothic,
modern, renaissance and baroque style. The architects used a steel frame technology allowing for the open
spaces within the building from ground floor all the way up to the ceiling of the top floor. This brings in natural
light throughout the building which reflects off the white walls. The building style was influenced by the
predominant architectural styles in the USA at the time. The building is located on Plaza de Cibeles and the
curved façade has many cartouches, pilasters and Gothic-style pinnacles of different heights on a number of
towers. In the building entrance are grand marble staircases. The building interior features stained glass
ceilings and statues of mythological figures. There are tall white marble columns and both the interior and
exterior resemble a cathedral. In 2007 the building became home to the City Hall. There is a museum within
the building which holds cultural relics and artifacts related to the building's history and the artistry that was
Image By: Javierm 18
around during the construction. For €2 you can visit the building's rooftop for brilliant views across the city. Image Source:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Palacio_de_Comuni
Plaza Cibeles, 1, 28014 Madrid, Spain
€2, Tue-Sun 10am-8pm www.madrid.es

Address: Plaza Cibeles, 1, 28014 Madrid, Spain


Phone Number: 91 480 00 08 / tours 914 800
009
Admission: €2
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-8pm
Web:
http://www.madrid.es/portal/site/munimadrid/menuitem.
Transportation:
Metro: Banco de España.
Bus: 5, 14, 27, 37, 45, 53, or 146

.
Day 3
10:00am Real Academia de
Bellas Artes de San
Fernando
16th century to present day fine art displayed in a 17th
century palace

12:25pm Iglesia de San Isidro


Baroque church with intricately decorated interior and holds
St. Isidro relics

1:25pm Market el Rastro


A Sunday street market selling everything imaginable

3:25pm Museo del Ferrocarril


See the largest collection of railway artifacts in Europe
10:00am Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando / Fine Arts Museum
Visit Duration: 2 hours, 10 mins
Madrid's Royal Academy of Fine Art Museum is housed within a restored 17th century palace which belonged
to Juan de Goyeneche. The museum shares the building with the Madrid Academy of Arts and the National
Chalcography Museum. The fine arts museum was founded by Fernando VI in 1752 to display the works from
the academy where Dali and Picasso once studied and where Goya once sat on the board of directors. The
museum holds over 1,500 paintings and 570 sculptures from the 16th century to present day. The majority of
the works are by European artists, specifically Spanish, Flemish and Italian. Among the highlights are works
by Zurbaran, Velazquez, Van Dyck, Raphael, Mengs, Bassano, Van Loo, Haes, Juan Gris, Pablo Gargallo,
Pedro de Mena, Titian, Sorolla, Rubens, Cano, Murillo, Ribera, El Greco and Goya. Goya has an entire room
devoted to his work and includes a self-portrait painted in 1815.
Alcala, 13, 28014, Madrid
General admission - 6€, Wednesdays free, Tue-Sun 10am-3pm; Closed during August
www.realacademiabellasartessanfernando.com

Image By: Luis Garcia (Zaqarbal)


Image Source:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Real_Academia_de_

Address: Alcala, 13, 28014, Madrid


Phone Number: 91-524-08-64
Admission: General admission - 6€; Concession
3€ students; Free - under 18s and over 65s,
college students, large families. Wednesdays free
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-3pm; Closed
during August
Admission: 8 Euros
Web:
http://www.realacademiabellasartessanfernando.com/es
12:25pm Iglesia de San Isidro
Visit Duration: 50 mins
The Church of Saint Isidro in Madrid was designed by Pedro Sanchez and continued under the direction of
Francisco Bautista and Melchor de Bueras until its completion in 1664. The Baroque-style church became a
collegiate church in 1767 when the Jesuits were expelled. In 1769 the remains of Saint Isidro and his wife
Saint Mary of the Head were brought here from the Church of St. Andrew and the church was renamed in
honor of Saint Isidro, the patron Saint of Madrid. Part of the interior design was the work of Ventura
Rodriguez who added a new chancel and altar which was destroyed together with parts of the church in 1936
during the Civil War. Restoration began after the war and continued until the 60s when a new façade was
added by architect Javier Barroso. The Façade is of granite and has Corinthian columns on either side of the
entrance. The church has a richly decorated interior with side chapels heavily decorated with gold, paintings
and statues. The dome lets in natural light and the spectacular altar was created to look like the original. The
remains of the saints are within a sarcophagus in at the center of the altar. In the 90s the Almudena Cathedral
Image By: Enrique Cordero
replaced the Iglesia de San Isidro as Madrid's official cathedral. If you're in Madrid during the Easter Holy Image Source:
Week you can see the images of Saint Isidro and Saint Mary of the Head carried in a procession through the http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Colegiata_de_San_I

streets.
Address: Calle de Toledo, 24, 28005 Madrid,
Calle de Toledo, 24, 28005 Madrid, Spain Spain
Mon-Sun 7:30am-1pm, 6pm-9pm Phone Number: 91-369-20-37
Admission:
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 7:30am-1pm,
6pm-9pm Transportation:
Metro: La Latina or Tirso de Molina.
Bus: 17, 18, 23, 35, or 60
1:25pm Market el Rastro
Visit Duration: 1 hour, 30 mins
Madrid's most exciting market is held in Plaza de Cascorro between Calle Embajadores and the Ronda de
Toledo and spills over into the surrounding streets. The market is held on Sundays and public holidays. The
items on sale are an eclectic mix of traditional items, clothing, flea market type items and everyday household
goods that the locals might need. The market has been around since the Middle Ages and is one of the oldest
markets in Europe. Despite its age it is also one of the most modern markets on offer in Europe. There are
about 1,000 stalls which open for business at about 9am and continue until about 3pm. While in Plaza de
Cascorro look out for the statue of Eloy Gonzalo, a soldier who died in 1897. Bargain hunters, antique
enthusiasts and those looking for quirky mementoes from Madrid will have a field day. You can find almost
everything on sale in the market. Some of the streets have become associated with particular merchandise.
For example Calle de San Cayetano is where you can find art work; Calle Fray Ceferino where they sell birds
and domestic animals; Calle Carnero where they sell rare and collectable books and Calle Mira el Sol for
Image By: Alberto Salguero
movie memorabilia. No market is complete without some good street food, try the food and drinks served in Image Source:
the many bars and restaurants in the market streets. When shopping in El Rastro don't forget to bargain! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Rastro#mediaviewer/File:Rastro_d

Betwqeen Calle Embajadores and Ronda de Toledo,


along Plaza de Cascorro and La Ribera de Curtidores to Ronda de Toledo
Sundays 9am-3pm
www.elrastro.org
Address: Betwqeen Calle Embajadores and
Ronda de Toledo, along Plaza de Cascorro and
La Ribera de Curtidores to Ronda de Toledo.
Phone Number: 915 404010
Admission:
Opening Hours: Sundays 9am-3pm
Web: http://www.elrastro.org/
3:25pm Museo del Ferrocarril / Railway Museum
Visit Duration: 2 hours, 10 mins
Madrid's Railway Museum holds one of Europe's largest collections of railway related artifacts. It is located in
Las Delicias station which was designed by Gustave Eiffel in 1880. The historic 19th century railway station
provides the perfect backdrop to the large collection of classic trains. The station has a high ceiling and glass
sides which let in natural daylight and visitors can see the signal bridge which operated from 1932. You can
explore several sections of the station which each display a different aspect of railway history including
railway station clocks, exhibits about the rail infrastructure and traction. Madrid's railway heritage can be
traced through the displays which include large steam locomotives and you can learn about the development
of rail transportation across the country and through Europe. Tren de la Fresa or the Strawberry Train is one
of the favorites in the museum; this historic train runs between Madrid and Aranjuez in the Spring and
Autumn. Visitors can see inside the restaurant cars and passenger carriages to see how conditions of
traveling changed over the years. Steam, electric and diesel trains are on display. On the same site are a
Image By: Antonio Gonzalez
Photographic Library, Railway Library, Railway Historic Archives and Consultation Room. The museum opens Image Source:
Tuesday to Friday 09:30-15:00, Sunday 10:00-15:00 and in Saturdays 10:00- 20:00. Like most Madrid http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Museo_del_Ferrocar

museums it is closed on Mondays.


Address: Madrid Railway Museum,Plaza de las
Madrid Railway Museum,Plaza de las Delicias, 61, 28045, Madrid Delicias, 61, 28045, Madrid
€6 Phone Number: 902 22 88 22
Jun-Sept Tue-Sun 10am-3pm / Oct-May Mon-Thu 9:30am-3pm, Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am- Admission: €6
8pm
Opening Hours: Jun-Sept Tue-Sun 10am-3pm /
www.museodelferrocarril.org
Oct-May Mon-Thu 9:30am-3pm, Fri 10am-6pm,
Sat-Sun 10am-8pm
Web: http://www.museodelferrocarril.org
Transportation:
Metro: Delicias

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