Madrid Essentials

The stops, in walking order

1. 1

   

   Stop 1: Catedral de la Almudena

   ~15 min here

   The Almudena Cathedral is Madrid’s Catholic cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin of Almudena and serving as the seat of the city’s archdiocese.

2. 2

   

   Stop 2: Plaza de Oriente

   ~3 min here

   Plaza de Oriente opens out as a monumental square beside Madrid’s Royal Palace, with the Teatro Real completing its opposite boundary.

3. 3

   

   Stop 3: Palacio Real

   ~3 min here

   Palacio Real is the immense palace before you, built for Spain’s monarchy and now chiefly used for state ceremonies.

4. 4

   

   Stop 4: Mercado de San Miguel

   ~3 min here

   Mercado de San Miguel is Madrid’s covered gourmet market, housed in an iron-and-glass building beside Plaza Mayor.

5. 5

   

   Stop 5: Plaza Mayor

   ~3 min here

   Plaza Mayor is Madrid’s principal public square, enclosed by residential buildings and arcaded walkways.

6. 6

   

   Stop 6: Puerta del Sol

   ~3 min here

   Puerta del Sol is the busy public square spread around Madrid’s symbolic kilometre zero, with the Royal House of the Post Office forming its most recognisable historic building.

7. 7

   

   Stop 7: Gran Vía

   ~3 min here

   Gran Vía is the broad urban street opening a powerful route through central Madrid, lined with shops, hotels, theatres, and substantial early-twentieth-century buildings.

8. 8

   

   Stop 8: Edificio Metrópolis

   ~3 min here

   Edificio Metrópolis is the office building whose rounded tower marks the meeting point of Calle de Alcalá and Gran Vía.

9. 9

   

   Stop 9: Fuente de Cibeles

   ~3 min here

   The Fountain of Cybele is the monumental fountain filling Plaza de Cibeles, and the sculptural group at its heart gives this place its identity.

10. 10

    

    Stop 10: Edificio Villanueva

    ~3 min here

    Edificio Villanueva is the Museo del Prado’s principal building and its earliest site in chronological terms.

More walks in Madrid

• HighlightsMadrid Essentials: Sol to Plaza de la Villa in an Hour5 stops · ~35 min · 1.2 kmSee the walk
• Royal HeritageRoyal Madrid: Palaces, Convents and the Medieval Walls7 stops · ~1 hr 30 min · 3.3 kmSee the walk
• Food & DrinkTaverns, Chocolate and Convent Sweets6 stops · ~45 min · 2.2 kmSee the walk
• Art & GardensArt Walk to the Retiro7 stops · ~2 hr 20 min · 4.6 kmSee the walk
• ArchitectureGrand Madrid: Cibeles, Alcalá and Dalí’s Dolmen6 stops · ~1 hr · 3.2 kmSee the walk
• Local LifeMalasaña and Chueca: Squares, Markets and Legends5 stops · ~55 min · 2.0 kmSee the walk
• Hidden GemsPalace Gardens and Goya’s Chapel4 stops · ~1 hr 50 min · 2.3 kmSee the walk