NORTHERN ZONE
The north of Madrid has towns which are fascinating from a historic, architectural and artistic point of view. It offers visitors contact with the sun, good food and hospitality while they discover a rich cultural heritage of monuments and a dazzling natural environment.

Rascafría
Rascafría is located in the Lozoya valley, 73 km. to the north of the provincial capital. A place given over to tourism as well as livestock, and heavily devoted to the exploitation of its forests, its town limits are integrated into the La Cumbre, Circo y Lagunas natural park, and here you can find two of the autonomous community's ski resorts: Valcotos and Valdesquí. It has more than 1,600 inhabitants.

El Hayedo de Montejo
In the north of the autonomous community of Madrid, almost on the border with Castilla–La Mancha's province of Guadalajara, is a town with a small population but which contains within its limits one of the region's protected natural areas: the so-called – since 1974 – Sitio Natural de Interés Nacional del Hayedo de Montejo de la Sierra, better known as simply the Hayedo de Montejo, one of the southernmost beech wood forests in the Iberian peninsula and in Europe.

Buitrago de Lozoya
Buitrago de Lozoya is located next to the river from which it gets part of its name, at the base of the southernmost foothills of the Guadarrama mountain range and 75 km. north of Madrid. It is a town of pre-Roman origins: Litabrum.
Here, you can see:
- The medieval wall - as much Muslim as it is Castilian and Christian - which surrounds part of its historic centre and which is, at the same time, bordered by the Lozoya river. Its church, Santa María del Castillo, is Gothic, although in the 1980s its original structure was reworked in the Neo-Mudejar style, and currently the building is an artistic treasure that houses a museum where works by the international and brilliant artist Pablo Picasso are on exhibit.
- Its flagship monument is the alcázar or castle, located in the south-eastern part of the walled area, and built in Mudejar style over the 14th and 15th centuries. Officially a 'property of cultural interest,' the castle is joined to the wall, which has a perimeter of nearly 800 metres and is the autonomous community's best-preserved fortified area to have been declared a national monument. Another architectural item worthy of mention is the Arrabal bridge, sometimes simply called the 'old bridge,' which is probably from before the 14th century.
- In terms of nature, Buitrago is at 975 m. of altitude and through its lands flow part of the waters from the Puentes Viejas and Riosequillo reservoirs. It also serves as a satellite monitoring station. Forests of oaks, holm oaks and pine trees make up the landscape of this mountainous enclave.
- The most important celebrations in Buitrago de Lozoya take place in the middle of August and are held to honour the Virgin of the Assumption and Saint Roque. Less traditional because not as old,  but increasingly popular, are the Medieval Fairs, held in the month of September and taking advantage of the backdrop offered by the walled area.  At Christmas there is a living Nativity Scene of regional interest organised by the townspeople.

La sierra de Guadarrama
The southern strip of the Community of Madrid has a natural border, the Sierra de Guadarrama, which is part of the Central mountain range and is 2,430 metres tall at its highest point, the peak of Peñalara.
The mountain chain presents three clearly distinguishable ecosystems, which change along with altitude and give the chain the appearance of a sort of ecological “staircase”, where separate species of tree are apparent; their location changes in response to temperature conditions. In contrast to the plant life, the area’s fauna is more flexible with respect to harsh weather and is found throughout the area.
The chain’s eastern limit is the Sierra de Gredos and its western one is Somosierra. Black oaks, pine trees and thickets form the ecological layers of Madrid's mountain range, where a wide variety of fauna thrives and includes animals such as wild boars, roe deer, foxes, mountain cats and different species of eagles.

Manzanares el Real
Manzanares el Real is 53 km. northeast of the community's capital. The town is at the head of the river from which it takes its name, next to the Santillana reservoir.
It has a population of over 5,700 inhabitants and its historic nucleus is at more than 900 metres above sea level.
The town limits are found in the north of the Regional Park that covers the high basin of the Manzanares River, and of all towns lying to some extent within the park, one of the Community of Madrid’s important natural protected spaces, Manzanares el Real covers the most territory.

El Monte de El Pardo
The Monte de El Pardo is a forest of holm oaks covering approximately 16,000 hectares. It is situated along the middle section of the Manzanares River, which crosses the northern part of the mega city of Madrid. The Monte de El Pardo’s southern edge is only 8 km. from the centre of the capital and the park’s entire area lies within Greater Madrid.
The park is delineated by the Sierra de Guadarrama in the north and by the city of Madrid in the south. The east and west are bordered by motorways joining the capital with its surrounding areas.
A typical Mediterranean climate is dominant, with a markedly dry and hot season.
The average yearly precipitation varies between 500 and 600 mm, and the yearly temperature oscillates between 11 and 12ºC.

MADRID CITY
This cosmopolitan capital combines the most modern of infrastructures with an immense cultural and artistic heritage, the legacy of centuries of exciting history, and offers a multitude of cultural, leisure and entertainment possibilities to delight the millions of tourists that visit each year.

Palacio Real de Madrid
The Palacio Real de Madrid is one of the main tourist spots in the Spanish capital. In earlier times the grounds housed a fort and later the Antiguo Alcázar (Old Castle) and finally the Royal Palace, which is the official residence of His Majesty the King of Spain though the truth is that he does not actually live there. It has but one use, apart from serving as a museum, and that is for the celebration of ceremonial acts of state, such as diplomatic meetings and official events.
The origins of the palace hark back to the ninth century, when the Muslim kingdom of Toledo, worried about its defence against attacks by Christians, built a fortress that later would be used by the kings and queens of Castile. In the 16th century, the castle was built on the same foundation.
A fire on Christmas Eve in 1734 reduced it to ashes. Not much time would go by before Felipe V ordered the construction of a new palace on the same spot. The building, whose construction was carried out between 1738 and 1755, was planned with a domed structure using stone and brick, discarding the use of wood and flammable materials. Carlos III was the first monarch to establish his residence there, in 1764.
Address:
Calle Bailén, no number, 28071 Madrid
Tel.: 91 454 88 00
Public transport:
Buses: 3, 25, 39 and 148
Metro: Ópera, Lines 5 and 2
Local trains: Estación de Príncipe Pío
Royal Palace opening hours:
Winter: Monday to Saturday from 09:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday and Public Holidays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday and Public Holidays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Campo del Moro opening hours:
Winter: Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays and Public Holidays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Summer: Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays and Public Holidays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Puerta de Alcalá
The Puerta de Alcalá (Alcalá Gate) is one of Madrid's emblematic monuments. King Carlos III ordered its construction in 1778, and he entrusted its design and execution to Sabatini so that the old and deteriorated gate in existence could be substituted with another that would increase the magnificence of the streets that converge in it.
Located in the Plaza de la Independencia, in the heart of the city, it is situated at the beginning of Alcalá Street and is very near the main entrance to the Jardines del Retiro.
Of Neoclassic style, with its five openings - three with a semi-circular arch and two with a flat arch - the Gate became an unprecedented construction in all of 18th-century Europe.
Currently, it is the best-recognised and most popular image of Madrid, having become the symbol of the city for both locals and visitors alike.
Address:
Plaza de la Independencia (no number)
Public transport:
Buses: 1, 9, 20, 146, 15, 2, 51, 52, 74
Metro: Retiro (Line 2)
Local trains: Recoletos

Cibeles Fountain
This fountain is a Madrid icon. Since 1782, it has been located in the plaza to which it gives its name, between the Paseo de Recoletos and the Paseo del Prado.
The fountain, a representation of the goddess Cybele - symbol of the Earth, agriculture and fertility – on a chariot pulled by lions, was a project by Ventura Rodríguez during the reign of Carlos III. Created in marble, the fountain was initially placed next to the Buenavista Palace, in the Paseo de Recoletos, until it was moved to its current location in the centre of the plaza at the end of the 19th century.
It is difficult to speak of the Cibeles Fountain without mentioning the magnificent buildings that demarcate the plaza: the Palacio de Buenavista, Palacio de Linares, Palacio de Comunicaciones and the Banco de España.
These days, the monument has become a symbol for fans of the Real Madrid football team, who gather round the goddess to celebrate their titles.
Address:
Plaza de Cibeles (no number)
Public transport:
Buses: 1-2-5-9-10-14-15-20-27-34-37-45-51-52-53-74-146-150
Metro: Banco de España, Line 2
Local trains: Recoletos

Puerta del Sol and nearby
Madrid always grew towards the north and east. The centre of Morisco (Moors who were baptised under Christian rule) Madrid was the castle. Later, with the Catholic Kings and Queens, it would be the Plaza de la Paja. Austrias and Bourbons would transfer the privilege to the Plaza Mayor which, despite its grandiosity and monumentality, has shared stardom for some time with the most popular of all Madrid plazas, known as the Puerta del Sol.
After getting to know the Puerta del Sol, one can stroll through its nearby streets, firstly through the business commercial streets of Preciados and Carmen and after through the cosy and peaceful Plaza de Pontejos, which houses old commercial establishments devoted to the sale of lace, embroidered items and religious objects and images. There is even a Spanish guitar craftsman or two.
Public transport:
Buses: Lines 3, 5, 15, 20, 50, 51, 52, 53, 150
Metro: Lines 1, 2, 3. Estación Sol

Plaza de las Ventas
In its interior, the Plaza de Las Ventas houses the Museo Taurino de la Comunidad de Madrid (The Bullfighting Museum of the Community of Madrid). Access to its exhibition halls is in the bullring itself, through the horses’ corral. In it one can see, for example, the poster announcing the plaza's inauguration bullfight, which took place on 17 June, 1931 and in which eight bulls were fought by – among others - Marcial Lalanda, Nicanor Villalta, Vicente Barrera and Fermín Espinosa Armillita Chico. It isn't unusual for some of the bullfights to have charitable aims; the first one in Las Ventas was held to raise money for a “fund to resolve the crisis brought on by unemployment.”
Public transport:
Buses: Lines 53, 74, 106, 110, 146, 210, 38, N5,
Metro: Lines 2, 5. Estación Ventas

Parque del Retiro
The Retiro Park is the heart of the city. An infinite number of statues, fountains and commemorative monuments populate the gardens and convert it into an open-air sculpture museum. Of the lot, the Fuente de la Alcachofa (Artichoke Fountain) designed by Ventura Rodríguez, and the Ángel Caído (Fallen Angel') - whose peculiarity is that the fountain's main statue is a representation of the devil – are especially worthy of mention. In the 30s and 40s new gardens were added. These were created by head gardener Cecilio Rodríguez, who designed and built the Rosaleda and los Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez where the pavilion is located.
The park is located in the heart of the city and classic leisure activities such as boats with puppet shows, open-air concerts, kiosks, etc., cause Madrid natives and visitors to congregate here. Singers, musicians, puppeteers, painters, card and palm readers convert the park into a colourfully diverse place, an attractive place to take a walk and be entertained.
Address:
Plaza de la Independencia, no number, 28001 Madrid
Main entrance through the Plaza de la Independencia, numerous accesses through Alcalá Street, Menéndez Pelayo Avenue, Alfonso XII Street and Poeta Esteban de Villegas Street.
Tel.: 91 558 87 90 (Municipal Parks and Gardens Service)
Public transport:
Buses: 1, 2, 9, 15, 19, 20, 28, 51, 52, 74, 146.
Metro: Retiro, Line 3
Renfe: Estación de Atocha
Opening hours:
May to October from 6 a.m. to 12 midnight. November to April from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. Free entrance.