polly.walker

I am going to Madrid on Thursday and was wondering if anyone can suggest some historical places to visit. I will be staying near the convention centre in Madrid.

steviedeluxe

Hi. How long are you in Madrid?
Also, what things interest you? Shopping? Museums/art galleries? Sport? Music? Bar-hopping and tapas sampling?

A couple of sites to get you started:

http://www.madridman.com/

http://www.in-madrid.com/

steviedeluxe

Also - top things to do in Madrid

http://www.gomadrid.com/top-10/

If you're there more than a few days, try and take a day trip to any one of Segovia, Toledo, Chinchon, Avila, Aranjuez or Acala de Henares. Well worth visiting.

polly.walker

Thank you. Just going for 2 days. I am mostly interested in historical stuff, buildings, castles ect.

steviedeluxe

Well if you were in Madrid a bit longer I'd definitely advise visiting Segovia or Toledo for historical buildings.
Madrid is fairly modern by comparison. You've got the Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, and places in-between around the "Madrid de los Austrias" zone. But it's more a city that has grown in the last 100-200 years or so. The streets leading off the Plaza Mayor towards La Latina may prove evocative, and the alleged "world's oldest restaurant" El Botin is close by (but not cheap!)
Quite detailed article in Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madrid
this feature on Hemingway's Madrid, may give you a different aspect to the city (although heavy on the toros side)
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/201...011MADRID.html

polly.walker

Thanks very much for the info. Will definitely visit the royal palace.

Lenox

Madrid is divided by the Castellana and, roughly speaking, the lower left side of the city is the 'old part', with narrow streets and interesting sights. You can follow along through any combination towards the Puerta del Sol (the 'centre of Spain'... Kilometre Zero) and behind is the wonderful Plaza Mayor. The Royal Palace is in the nearby Plaza de Oriente.
Lower right side of the Castellana, now the Recoletos, is the Prado and other wonders (the Retiro park has some palaces). Madrid is a beautiful city to walk around.

polly.walker

Thank you all. Really looking forward to my visit