By train in Madrid

El Retiro Park

Expansive, 19th-century park with boating lake & rose garden, plus numerous fountains & statues.

Royal Palace of Madrid

18th-century, ridge-top palace for state occasions, plus tours with rooms full of art and antiques.

Puerta de Alcalá

Triumphal arch near to Parque del Buen Retiro & rich with stone carvings & elegant sculptures.

Jardín del Capricho

Manicured 18th-century landscaped gardens with sculptures, water features & a Civil War bunker.

Plaza Mayor

Cafes & restaurants line the arches of this stately square with Philip III's statue in the center.

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

Sprawling museum for Spanish 20th-century art collection with works by Gris, Dali, Picasso & Miro.

Mercado de San Miguel

Circa-1916 covered market offering local food, delicacies & events in an elegant ambiance.

Temple of Debod

Ancient Egyptian temple & museum moved from Aswan & rebuilt in lush parkland, with sunset views.