madrid gardens
visit madrid gardens and
madrid parcs, walking in open air madrid:
Madrid is a very green city that allows each one to enjoy
and rest from the pollution and hyperactivity of its urban
life in its different gardens and park and open-air monument.
OPERA
GARDENS A nice place to enjoy the sunset close to the city center.
Just in front of the Palacio Real you can sit down in the grass and relax listening
to street musicians. If you go by night after clubbing, very romantic atmosphere:
no noise, just you and your beloved, the sky, the Palacio Real, even more monumental
by night. PLAZA MAYOR The nerve of
the beautiful "Hapsburg Madrid" is the Plaza Mayor. The great quadrilateral
with his numerous gates forming the Plaza Mayor has been the colorful scene of
some of the most important events in Madrid's modern and contemporary history
and is now one of the first place to see when arriving in Madrid. TEMPLO
DE DEBOD It is one of the most unlikely structures that you would
expect to find in the capital. The temple is over 2,200 years old and was given
to Spain as a sign of gratitude by the Egyptian government in 1968, Spain having
given assistance to Egypt in helping to rescue the temple of Abu Simbel in Namibia.
The temple was dedicated to the god Amón. Entrance to the temple is free.
Metro Plaza de España. Nice and romantic place, perfect to spend
a sunny Sunday afternoon reading, beginning a love affair, and share nice moments
of quiet but active sensuality, as the night falls over the city. The temple affords
views out to the Casa de Campo from its relaxing gardens.
CASA DE CAMPO The 1800 hectares
and the vicinity to Madrid have made of Casa de Campo the main lung of the city.
It was created in 1560 as a hunting area, and became public in 1931. Today it
is one of the preferred sites for Madrid's citizens, to rest and entertainment
events. The Casa de Campo conserves its mount characteristics, arboreal species
and vegetables as oaks, chestnut trees, bananas, ash-trees, etc. You can row in
the artificial lake and later take a drink in any of the multiple "chiringuitos"
while enjoying one of the best views of Madrid profiles. A very nice way
of arriving to the park is taking the cable car (Teleférico) from Paseo
del Pintor Rosales and it offers from the sky a unique image of this part of the
city. Madrid's Teleferico runs along a route extending two and half kilometers
across the city's sky. Passengers enjoy spectacular panoramic views from a height
of 40 meters, discovering a uniquely different face of the city. Open all year
round on weekends, and during the summer every day until 20:30.h. 3,10 euros one
way (you can come back by Metro) or 4,50 euros return. RETIRO
PARK The Retiro can't claim to be Madrid's green lung in the way
that the Casa de Campo can, but it has an ineffable charm nonetheless. It's the
place to chill out and relax, particularly on Sundays, there are vendors hawking
everything, tarot readers, football and elderly men playing dominos or little
stone balls. Of course, you can enjoy the Peruvian version of "My
Way", but it is even better to go for a sunbath close to the pond and then
enjoy the sounds of the Urban Bongos while watching the sunset. Don't miss
the Crystal Palace: it is one of the jewels of the Retiro Park and the best iron-and-glass
in Madrid. Is is now used as an exhibition hall attached to the Reina Sofia Art
Center. MADRID BY BICYCLE A wonderful
tour and a pleasant and enjoyable way of exploring the city. You will pedal through
the centre of Madrid! (plaza de oriente, paseo del prado, retiro parc, puerta
de Alcalá…) Time: Sundays at 10h30, in English and Spanish.
Departure point: plaza mayor 27 (Madrid tourism center) prices: adults: 3,10 euros,
children (6-12), students and pensioners with in a card: 2,50 euros. If you aren't
taking your own bicycle, you will be charged 6 euros for the hire of the bike.
| 
