Architecture, Madrid

The site where the Real Madrid Sports city were based is now occupied by the Four Towers Business Area, formed by four skyscrapers standing in a row which set a new record for building heights in Madrid and probably in Spain.
The four towers are: The Repsol tower (236 meters), the Sacyr Vallehermoso tower (236 meters), the Glass tower (250 meters) and the Space tower (223 meters).
All are spectacular to photo specially when the light offers the beauty of reflections.

Take a sightseeing tour on local transport, bus number 27. The bus serves a route along the Paseo del Prado and the Paseo de la Castellana between Estacion de Atocha and Plaza de Castilla.

On this route you can see many well known sights like the Museo del Prado, Plaza del Cibeles, Torres de Colon and the Estadio Bernabeu.

Last but not least you can do some people watching on the bus.

Please also check my transportation tip for more information about the local transport in Madrid.

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If you have time I urge you to visit this place. It is about 30 min by bus from Madrid's Cuatro Caminos bus station, and buses leave every 30 min.

The castle is simply fantastic and looks like it belong in a fairy tale. Yet it is real and historic XV century stronghold. If you are in Spain you have to see at least one castle, and this one is among the best preserved and most beautiful. Also it is the closest castle to Madrid I believe.

The mountains behind it are awesome and add to the scenery.

Kio towers, or Port of Europe. Interesting architecture. Both towers are 15 degraes leaning. Madrid impressed me with old architecture, and wonderful buildings, but this one modern is something I have to mention.

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In the middle of AZCA center, or Madrids Manhattan you can find this beautiful little external decoration. A modernistic “little” clock just hanging there at the wall, almost as a part of the wall itself.

Things you see when you look around :-)

Quite dull in the outside, and surprisingly elegant in the inside, the church of San Jose (early XIX century) has two remarkable qualities that probably make it worthy a visit. First, the church placement could not be more convenient (from the tourist point of view), as the church is right in the Gran Via street. Besides, the church acoustic is truly remarkable, and the church hosts many interesting concerts of camera music and chorus.

This tip is not from San Francisco El Grande church; that's something that your guide book has already recommend you, therefore it will not lay exactly under the "off the beaten path" category, isn't it? No, the tip is actually about the little, absolutely gorgeous and completely overlooked chapel that is placed to the right of the big church. Access to the chapel is only allowed from 11AM to 1PM during Saturdays mornings, and pictures of the interior are not allowed, though I personally consider that none of this restrictions deprive the chapel from its considerable charm. :-)

It's almost impossible for me to keep my eyes away of this church while walking along Alcala Street. It's simply so out of place, its Byzantine style is so different to the surrounding Salamanca district...

And its luminous interior has a fabulous decoration made of mosaics. It seems unfair that this beautiful church doesn't receive the promotion that it deserves...

One more thing: If you feel curious and want to check the church's web site, you better shut down your computer speaker... you'd been adviced! :-p