Neighborhoods: Downtown

I’m your that when you think of Madrid you have in your mind the image of the angel of Metropolis building with the streets of Gran Vía behind it… That, my friend, is the Center of Madrid, the oldest, most popular and touristic district of the city. The Center is a charming neighborhood, which you wont get tired of visiting despite the crowds.

 

If you are about to arrive to Madrid, this is going to be your first destination for sure, so here we tell you a little about this district. First of all, the Center is divided into 6 neighborhoods: Embajadores, Palacio, Cortes, Justicia, Universidad and Sol. The entire district has an approximate area of ​​5km, so if you want to walk, you can visit every corner of the center by foot.

 

These are some of the places you should not miss:

 

Gran Vía: walking from the famous Metropolis building to Plaza Callao, you will find shops such as Zara, H&M, Primark and many more. As you get to Callao, you will find a lot of theatres… Don’t forget to watch a musical play during your stay in Madrid

 

Plaza Mayor: One of the most touristic spots of Madrid, the balconies that surround the square stand out and in the middle the statue of Felipe III. In summer, the restaurants take their tables outside so you can enjoy a privileged view. And in December, you can find the famous Christmas Market.

 

Puerta del Sol: Impossible not to go to Sol, it is the meeting point for thousands of Madrid residents. On one side of the square is Kilometer Zero, which marks the beginning of the most important roads in Spain. You will also see the building of the Royal Post Office and the famous clock that each year marks the 12 chimes to receive the New Year.

 

Palacio Real: the official residence of the King of Spain. Although he does not currently live there, it is the venue for multiple official events. You should not miss the guided tour to see it from the inside.

 

Catedral de Almudena: the Cathedral of Madrid, an imposing church that you can’t miss, whether you are religious or not. It has Museums and Crypts.

 

These are just some of the must-see places in the district … But the Center has much more to see. Be sure to visit every spot possible!