Safety
by keeweechic
Madrid is relatively safe but it is a big city after all and you always need to be aware of your surroundings and your personal items. If you are approached for charities etc, just walk away. In crowded areas, hold your possessions close by and secure. Pickpockets will always have a go.
For you sunset watchers
by surferob
This picture shows the sun setting behind the Banco de Espana, which I thought looked quite pretty mixed with the Holiday lights still filling the trees. However, I would have to say you probably get the best sunsets over near the Royal Palace (which is probably no coincidence). In fact, there was a small outcropping of hillside somewhere south of the palace off of Avenida Bailen, just across a high bridge spanning the roadway down below, where I found a handful of locals milling around at dusk, taking in the colorful scene. It was actually a pretty romantic spot.
Navidad: Calles (Christmas: Streets)
by Redang
Pics:
- Main: El Oso y el Madroño. This is the symbol of Madrid. Puerta del Sol (metro: Sol, lines 1, 2 and 3).
- Second: Calle de Preciados (metro: Sol, lines 1, 2 and 3) or Callao (metro: Callao, lines 1 and 3).
- Third: Calle de Alcalá. This street is very long, and the pic shows the part from Plaza de Cibeles (metro: Banco de España, line 2) to Puerta de Alcalá/Plaza de la Independencia (metro: Retiro, line 2).
- Fourth: Gran Vía. You can visit this street in some different places. The most popular part is the one shown in the pic, from Plaza del Callao (metro: Callao, lines 1 and 3).
- Fifth: Paseo de Recoletos. The pic was taken from Plaza de Cibeles (metro: Banco de España, line 2).
San Nicolás de las Servitas
by xiquinho
Church of St. Nicholas of the Servitas. This church tower is one of the oldest buildings in Madrid. There is some debate over whether it once formed part of an Arab mosque. It was more likely built after the Christian reconquest of Madrid in 1085, but the brickwork and the horseshoe arches are evidence that it was crafted by either Moorish workers (Mudéjars) or Spaniards well versed in the style. Inside, exhibits detail the Islamic history of early Madrid.
Tues.-Sun. 6:30 PM-8:30 PM
Calle de Goya (Goya Street)
by Redang
Another trendy street with many shops, mostly on the odd numbers side. There are also big stores. How to get there:
- Metro: Serrano (line 4), Velázquez (line 4) and Goya (lines 2 and 4), depending on the part of the street you want to go to.