MADRID, SPAIN

 MADRID, SPAIN 

*This is a feature-blog of international travelers Reino and Sharyn. Today, we follow their travel destinations to important landmarks in this ancient and beautiful city of Madrid, the capital of Spain. 

Introduction 

Madrid was founded in the 9th century (wikipedia).  Madrid is also the political, cultural, and economic capital of Spain. If I have to add another feather to her cap, Madrid is also the tourism center of Spain.

The facade of Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain. 

The building was designed by Juan de Villanueva in 1875 on orders of King Charles of Spain. 

The statue that you see on the facade of this museum is that of Spanish Painter Diego Rodriquez de Silva y Velasquez, 1599 - 1660. 

Diego Velasquez was the leading artist in the court of King Philip IV of Spain and Portugal. 

Museo del Prado houses the paintings, sculptures and art pieces of the greatest artists and masters in the history of the Kingdom of Spain. 

(Source: www.shutterstock.com)

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*Madrid is the second largest city in the European Union. It lies on the river Manzanares in the central part of the Iberian Peninsula. (Wiki). 

Hereunder, is the map of Spain showing Madrid, the capital city of Spain. 

Source: Google Map and/or www.bing.com/images. 

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Madrid is located on the center of Spain. 

Spain is bounded on the north by France, on the south by Morocco, on the west by Portugal, on the east by Mediterranean Sea and the Balearic Islands. 

(Pease see map at the bottom of this Blog.)

Top Major Attractions 

There are several tourist spots that are popular in Madrid. Such as the following:

1. The Royal Palace of Madrid 

2. The Retiro Park, aka El Parque del Retiro 

3. Museo del Prado

4. San Geronimo el Real Parish Church 

5. Plaza del Dos de Mayo

6. Real Jardin Botanico de Madrid 

7. Parque de Madrid 

8. Puerta del Sol 

9. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

10. Temple of Debod, and many other historical sites and places, most of these are in the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Examples are: Monastery & Site of Escorial, Old Town of Segovia and its Aqueduct, Old Town of Avila and its Extra-Muros Churches, Historic City of Toledo, and more. 

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Photos below show the other historical sites and tourist spots in Madrid. 

Photos by Reino & Sharyn. 

Travelers Reino and Sharyn took a pause to have a picture with El Parque del Retiro Madrid. The park was created in 1680 (wiki) and had been improved by various monarchs as the years went by.  It used to belong to the Spanish Monarchy, but it became a public park in the 19th century. Today, El Parque del Buen Retiro is part of the collection of heritage sites that are listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Madrid. 

What? There is a Jollibee in Madrid? 

That's "over", lol.

Where to eat? 

For travelers from the Philippines, there's Jollibee. 

Of course, there are so many Bars and Restos in Madrid. Please check the following Bars & Restos if it fits your "liking". 

1. Wok to Walk 

2. Thunder Vegan 

3. 100 Montaditos 

4. Faborit Plaza de Espana

5. Opera Pizza 

6. Juancho's BBQ 

7. El Horno Azul 

8. Yatai Market 

9. Mercado de San Ildefonso 

10. Jollibee, of course for the Filipino & Asian travelers. 

11. Kalua Helado Artesanal

12. Tacos al Pastor, and many more. 

You can also ask the assistance of your hotel's front desk for the location of the nearest Bar & Restaurant to your hotel. I'm sure your hotel stay includes breakfast. So, you can eat lunch and dinner while you are out of your hotel to tour the tourist spots in Madrid. 

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Madrid is connected to all cities in Europe by Trains, Bus, Boats and Planes. 

Trains can also reach up to Russia, Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar Train Station), Beijing, and Hong Kong. 

But this topic can be the content of another Blog. 

Picture below, shows the Atocha Railway Station in Madrid. It is the central train station in Madrid that service the following routes. 

1. Madrid - Seville 

2. Madrid - Barcelona

3. Madrid - Granada 

4. Madrid - Levante

5. Madrid - Malaga 

(Souce: Wikipedia)

My Comment: 

In Australia, the central train stations that service all routes to Australia is located in Sydney. I once, traveled from Sydney to the Blue Mountains, Adelaide, and Canberra by the trains based in Sydney

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From Madrid Atocha, there are Commuter trains that service the regional areas in Spain. These routes are Madrid - Almeria; Madrid - Badajos; Madrid - Jaen; Madrid - Mostoles el Soto; Madrid - Valencia; Madrid - Valencia de Alcantara (the Portuguese border), and also Madrid - Barcelona. (Source: Wikipedia).

 

Photo of Atocha Railway Station or Madrid Atocha.

Photo source: Wikipedia or en.wikipedia.org

Thanks. 

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How to get there? 

There are available flights from various cities in the U.S. to Madrid. For example, from New York these airlines have direct flights from New York's JFK International Airport to Madrid, to wit: American Airlines, Finnair, and British Airways. 

There are also flights from Newark International Airport to Madrid. 

You can check the available flights online. 

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Where to stay in Madrid? 

There are several budget and luxury hotels in Madrid. The following is the list of hotels where you can stay while in Madrid, to wit: 

1. Hotel Marriott 

2. Hotel Charmartin the One

3. Hotel Mediodia 

4. Hilton Madrid Airport 

5. Hotel Europa 

6. Novotel Madrid Center 

7. Hotel Riu Plaza Espana

8. Hostal Los Alpes (considered as budget hotel) 

9. Travelodge Madrid Alcala 

10. Hostal Adeco

11. Hostal Marlasca 

12. A & Z Javier Cabrini, and many more. 

*** Please ask the help of your travel agent to book your hotel room. Also, you can visit the website of the hotel of your choice and ask for more information. 

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Conclusion

If you are a seasoned traveler or an adventurer, visiting the country of your choice and the tourist destinations within the country of your choice seem easy because of your expertise in searching for the right information to your questions.

This feature blog about Madrid is just a bit of information that could give you a glimpse about Madrid. Unless you are a solo backpacker or adventurer, the best way to travel is still by joining a package tour of the country, city, or place of your choice. 

Have a nice day. 

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Before you leave, please check the other places featured in this Blog. If you like this and other blogs here, please LIKE our Facebook Page, and SHARE this story with your friends. 

Arigato, Xei xei, Grazie, Thank you, Gracias, Luwid Kayo.

See you in the next Blog, Mikitiks. 

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Spain is bounded on the north by France, on the west by Portugal, on the south by Morocco, and on the east by Mediterranean Sea and the Balearic Islands. 

***November 2022.