Must-see attractions in Madrid

  • Bosque del Recuerdo

    Madrid

    West of the Jardín de los Planteles in the Parque del Buen Retiro is the moving Bosque del Recuerdo, an understated memorial to the 191 victims of the 11…

  • Edificio Carrión

    Madrid

    The eye-catching Edificio Carrión, on the corner of Gran Vía and Calle de Jacometrezo, was Madrid’s first pre-WWI tower-block apartment hotel. It is now…

  • Palacio de Velázquez

    Madrid

    Between the lake and the Palacio de Cristal, the sober 1883 Palacio de Velázquez is used for temporary exhibitions organised by the Centro de Arte Reina…

  • Edificio Grassy

    Madrid

    Edificio Grassy, with the Rolex sign, was built in 1916. With its circular ‘temple’ as a crown, and profusion of arcs and slender columns, it’s one of the…

  • Jardín de los Planteles

    Madrid

    Occupying much of the southwestern corner of the park is the Jardín de los Planteles, one of the least-visited sections of El Retiro, where quiet pathways…

  • Puerta de Dante

    Madrid

    The Puerta de Dante, in the extreme southeastern corner of the Parque del Buen Retiro, is watched over by a carved mural of Dante’s Inferno.

  • Jardín del Príncipe Anglona

    La Latina & Lavapiés

    Down the bottom (at the northern side) of the Plaza de la Paja is the walled 18th-century Jardín del Príncipe Anglona. It's a peaceful garden.

  • Armería Real

    Madrid

    Part of the Palacio Real, the Armería Real showcases weapons and striking suits of armour, mostly dating from the 16th and 17th centuries.

  • La Rosaleda

    Madrid

    At the southern end of the Parque del Buen Retiro is La Rosaleda with its more than 4000 roses.

  • Statue of Felipe IV

    Madrid

    This important landmark in the centre of the Plaza de Oriente was unveiled in 1843.

  • Banco de España

    Madrid

    Built in 1891, Spain's national bank is perfectly suited to Plaza de la Cibeles.

  • Cementerio de la Florida

    Madrid

    Across the train tracks east of the Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida is the cemetery where 43 rebels executed by Napoleon’s troops are buried. They…

  • Iglesia del Sacramento

    Madrid

    Just down the hill from the Plaza de la Villa is the 18th-century baroque remake of the Iglesia del Sacramento, the central church of the Spanish army.

  • Palacio del Senado

    Madrid

    Spain's Senate building, which dates to the 16th century, is imposing rather than beautiful. It's closed to the public.