What to See in Madrid | Hotel Sterling Madrid
Madrid
Madrid of the Austrias
Puerta del Sol is home to several notable buildings, including the Casa de Correos, as well as important statues such as the popular Bear and the Strawberry Tree. You can also visit Plaza Mayor, which features a statue of Philip III at its centre. The square is surrounded by bars and restaurants where you can sample traditional Madrid cuisine. The Royal Palace is sure to impress, with more than 3,000 rooms. The Almudena Cathedral features works dating back to 1883, and its façade forms an architectural ensemble with the Royal Palace.
Bourbon Madrid
Puerta de Alcalá is located at the roundabout in Plaza de la Independencia and was designed in 1869 by urban planner Ángel Fernández de los Ríos. It replaced an old Baroque gateway commissioned by Philip III to welcome his wife, Margaret of Austria. The Retiro Park is a vast green space for tourists and locals to enjoy, with several attractions, including a country house and a lake where you can take a boat trip.
Shopping in Gran Vía
In the vicinity of Gran Vía, you will find practically everything you need. Just a few steps from the hotel is Calle Fuencarral, perfect for shopping for cutting-edge fashion at a wide range of national and international brand stores, or taking a stroll around the Fuencarral Market and discovering unique shops in one of Madrid’s most modern areas. On the other side are Calle del Carmen and Calle Preciados, where you will find not only major shopping centres such as FNAC and El Corte Inglés, but also plenty of shops selling shoes, records, clothes, souvenirs and all kinds of curiosities.
Museums in the capital city
Madrid offers you an endless variety of museums, many of them world-renowned. The Reina Sofía Museum houses 20th-century contemporary art, including renowned works by Miró and Picasso. The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum brings together art from the 13th century to the 20th century and features around 1,000 works of art from different periods. The Prado National Museum houses an extensive collection of paintings from different periods, featuring European artists from the 16th to the 19th centuries, with particular emphasis on Spanish painters such as Goya, Velázquez, Murillo and El Greco.
Theatres and shows
The Lope de Vega Theatre has become one of the most prominent venues on Madrid’s Gran Vía, with a capacity of 1,350 seats. The Lara Theatre is one of the oldest theatres on Gran Vía, having opened in 1880. Although relatively small, with a total capacity of 460 spectators, it boasts splendid architecture. Several important works in the history of Spanish theatre premiered at this theatre, including “Los intereses creados”, “El amor Brujo” and “Canción de cuna”. The Compac Gran Vía Theatre is one of Madrid’s most iconic theatres and has changed its name and undergone renovations several times. Musicals, comedies, dance performances and major productions all take centre stage in this impressive venue.
Gastronomy
In every Madrid neighbourhood, you can savour a rich and diverse cuisine. In the city centre, you will find historic establishments such as ham shops, traditional taverns and tapas bars. The most typical dishes of Madrid cuisine include cocido madrileño, game and offal. Traditional favourites also include acorn-fed ham and squid sandwiches, perfect for enjoying on the terraces around the squares in the city centre.
Tablao La Carmela
Pure flamenco. Located in the former coal cellars of the Taberna "La Carmela" (the former Convent of La Victoria, demolished in 1836 after the Peninsular War). A mystical place steeped in history, where traditional Castilian cuisine and top-level flamenco artists come together under the direction of maestros Juan Andrés Maya and Raquel Martos. You can find more information here.