Located in a wonderful residential neighbourhood, butchers, bakers, green grocers, and local super markets are right at
hand with their wonderful smells and visual delights. Some of Madrid's best international restaurants line the street.
This fifth floor "áttico" has views of the Plaza España two blocks away. The Palacio Real lies just to the left and the
Egyptian Templo de Debod (a gift to Spain for its assistance in the Aswan Dam Project) to the right. In the opposite
direction lies the Palacio de Liria, home of the Duchess of Alba who holds more titles than the Queen of England.
Entering the Plaza de España you find the Gran Via which will lead you past so many shops, theatres and restaurants en
route to the Paseo del Prado. Break away, if you can, at Plaza Callao and stroll two blocks down to Puerta del Sol, the
geographic centre of Spain and equivalent to New York’s Time Square on New Year’s Eve. Across the Plaza España take Calle
Bailen two blocks to the front of the Palacio Real and the Cathedral Nuestra Señora de la Almudena. Across the Plaza
Oriente from the palace is the Teatro Real and Opera House. Just beyond the Cathedral you will come to the beginning of the
Calle Mayor leading you past the beautiful Ayuntamiento de Madrid to the Plaza Mayor. Adjacent is the Mercado San
Miguel with its wonderful fresh foods and produce. The Plaza once entertained bullfights within its four walls of apartments.
Passing through it’s Arco de Cuchilleros and down the stairs you will find numerous tapas bars each with a specialty food,
and ultimately the world’s oldest restaurant and Hemingway’s favorite, Botin.
For information on transport from the airport, see our
Madrid airport transport page.
