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Much Ado About Madrid

Positioned in the middle of the Iberian Peninsula, Madrid’s central location befits its designation as the capital city of Spain. If you want to get to know Spain, then getting to know its heart should be on your to-do list, and the best method is a Madrid tour.

The city may not have an easily recognizable landmark, one that automatically calls Madrid to mind the way the Empire State Building would for New York or the Tower Bridge would for London, but that does not mean it lacks for beautiful architecture. In fact, the opposite is true.

Madrid is filled with fantastic art and architecture, as any Madrid city tour will show. Beginning from its very center, in Puerta del Sol, you can take a gander at two fine sculptures: the statue of King Carlos III and city’s emblem, El Oso y El Madroño. The city is compact and if you’re willing, you can explore it through a Madrid walking tour. Joining Madrid bus tours or going by bike or even by Segway are also quick and easy ways to see the sights.

The top three museums that bear witness to the city’s rich artistic heritage are in one area and are very accessible on a Madrid tour. The museum buildings themselves are as impressive as the collections they house. Make sure to visit the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in the Palacio de Villahermosa; the Neoclassical building by Juan de Villanueva that is the Museo Nacional del Prado; and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, whose building has undergone so many changes and additions since its original purpose as hospital. Within easy reach are other beautiful Madrid landmarks: the Puerta de Alcala, Fuente de Cibeles, Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real, and the Temple of Debod.

Beyond beautiful buildings and artwork, Madrid is a city of parks and gardens. Topping the list is the city’s biggest and most famous: Parque El Retiro. This park is a popular destination not just for tourists but also for Madrileños themselves, serving as a venue for numerous local cultural activities. El Retiro covers 125 hectares and within it are many popular gardens, a lake, and the beautiful Glass and Velasquez Palaces.

Segovia-Toledo

After you've explored the city with a Madrid tour, take a day trip to two great destinations right outside of Madrid: Segovia and Toledo. These two medieval towns are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites and make great day trips from Madrid.

Segovia is smaller but it is filled with pretty sights. Its incredible Roman aqueduct, the Alcazar, and the Catedral de Segovia are standards. There are Romanesque churches aplenty so you definitely won’t miss out, but try to pass by Casa de los Picos and the Juderia for a change of architectural pace.

Toledo is bigger. It, too, has an Alcazar (castle), cathedral, and a Jewish Quarter; and they, too, are standard on the must-see stops. The cathedral by itself has many wonders to offer, if not for believers, then for art lovers: from its Gothic architecture to its famous El Transparente and the Capilla Mayor’s elaborate altar. Toledo also has more of the Mudejar influence in its architecture as can be seen in the Puente de Alcantara, and the Iglesia de Santo Tome.

Barcelona-Andalucia

Due to Madrid’s central location, it makes for a popular launching point for visiting other cities. In Spain, tours packages often begin and end in Madrid, and often include Madrid tours alongside day trips or overnights in the rest of the country's great cities.. The most popular of these tours is the Barcelona vacation package. Because Barcelona is one of the most famous destinations in Spain, many visitors to the Madrid frequently make it a point to go to the capital city of the Catalonian region as well. Take a tour for Barcelona and spend time walking through the city filled with Gaudi’s beautifully fanciful creations.

Head down toward the Mediterranean and enjoy Andalucia’s gems: Seville, Costa del Sol, and Granada. Take an alluring Seville tour and fall for her Parque de Maria Luisa and Plaza de España. Costa del Sol lives up to her name with all that warmth and sunshine. The many cities—like Malaga and Marbella—that dot its coast have name recall for a reason. Then, let Granada wow you with the Alhambra, known all over the world as one of the masterpieces of Moorish architecture. Discover Granada’s Gypsy Quarter and then get lost in her Arab Spice Market.

Spain tours are not limited to the country. The many tour packages from Madrid or any of Spain’s major cities can conveniently take you to other countries as well. A three-country tour including Spain, Portugal, and Morocco heads west and south. And a northeastern tour of Spain, France, and Switzerland are popular among those who want to see beyond the Spanish borders.