Casa Botín
Credit : Casa Botín the legendary Antonio Stradivari ; the Royal Armory , which is home to one of the most significant collections of its kind , housing weapons and armor worn by the kings of Spain and other members of the royal family since the 13th century ; the Painting Gallery and the Royal Kitchen , the oldest well-preserved kitchens of a European royal residence , the palace offers visitors a look at royal life down through the centuries .
Similarly , with its elegant arcades and stunning facades dating back to the seventeenth century , the Plaza Mayor is a true architectural gem that transports visitors to a different era . The Puerta del Sol — the bustling central square that serves as the symbolic center of Spain — bridges time as its famed clock tower hearkens back to centuries past while , at the same time , marking the stroke of midnight on New Year ’ s Eve as people flood the square each year to celebrate the arrival of the new year .
Cibeles Fountain
Credit : Álvaro López del Cerro © Madrid Destino
Meanwhile , less than two miles away , in the Cuartel de la Montaña Park , sits the Temple of Debod , an ancient Egyptian temple dating back to the 2nd century BCE that was dismantled and rebuilt in Madrid as a gift from Egypt . Apart from the temple ’ s historical significance , the site on which the temple now stands offers breathtaking views of the city skyline , further adding to the splendor of a visit .
Other must-see sites in Madrid include the Puerta de Alcalá Gate , the Cibeles , Apolo , and Neptuno ( Cybele , Apollo , and Neptune ) Fountains , the Alcachofa ( Artichoke ) Fountain , the “ Obelisk ,” or Monument to the Fallen , and the Monument to Alfonso XII at the lake in El Retiro Park .
THE GASTRONOMY OF MADRID
It ’ s very on-trend nowadays for destinations to tout their bonafides as ‘ food meccas ,’ though perhaps some are not wholly deserving of such an accolade . Madrid , however , is not one of them .
With a total of 26 restaurants with Michelin stars , including DiverXO , the city ’ s only three Michelin-starred restaurant helmed by Chef Dabiz Muñoz , who himself was recently named best chef in the world for the third year in a row , Madrid more than amply backs up its claim to foodie fame . Deessa ( Chef Quique Dacosta ), Coque ( Chef Marlo Sandoval ), Ramon Freixa Madrid , Smoked Room ( Chef Dani Garcia ), DSTAgE Concept
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