Tourism in Madrid, from the Hostel Horizonte

J. L. Gamallo. The sun, in whose shadow is produced tourism "boom" of the '60s, is still today, almost more than ever, with our precious historic and artistic heritage and the rich and varied gastranomía, our main supporter economic. Although Madrid has neither sun nor beaches, of course, it is in the center of the Iberian Peninsula, has other attractions make it a target Aque prime tourist. And no wonder, since in the cutting villa and there are a number of artistic treasures espléntidos are worth an offset. Thus in the called "Art Walk", the Paseo del Prado, the great arterial road devised by Carlos III, is distributed main museums in Madrid offer: National Center of Art Reina Sofia, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Caixa Forum, the Museo Nacional del Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, the Naval Museum, the National Museum of Arts Decorative, the CentroCentro (Palacio de Cibeles), and the National Archaeological Museum, one could also include although in a more anecdotal, the Wax Museum. Offer can not be both quality and quantity. In the historic Madrid, built mainly during the Habsburg dynasty, and developed and from the construction of Plaza Mayor, one of the iconic landmarks of Madrid. In the historic Madrid, built mainly during the Habsburg dynasty, and developed and from the construction of Plaza Mayor, one of the iconic landmarks of Madrid.

In the Madrid de los Austrias temples abound a must, as the Monastery of the Descalzas Reales, the Royal Monastery of the Incarnation, the papal church of San Miguel, the Sacramento church, the church of St. Nicholas, the former cathedral San Isidro, the Church of St. Andrew and the newly restored chapel of San Isidro. The culmination is the Royal Palace, it was built in 1735, because the fire of the Alcázar de los Austrias. The surroundings of the Palace is the most beautiful tourist and Madrid, with the Plaza de Oriente, in whose center stands the equestrian statue of Philip IV, on a large monument built by Elizabeth II. Front, closing the square stands the Teatro Real, and become one of the undisputed centers of world poetry, which come to enjoy its productions amateurs and experts from Europe and America. Horizon opposite the guest house is one of the most desirable neighborhoods, the Letras district or of the Muses, where they lived most of the writers of the Golden Age, Lope de Vega, Cervantes, Tirso de Molina, Quevedo, Gongora, etc.. Should visit the house of Lope and the Trinitarian monastery, where Cervantes and his wife buried. This neighborhood has the advantage that its streets are pedestrianized and have been opening small boutique shops. On the side closest to the Plaza de Santa Ana, Prado, Echegaray, Prince. Nunez de Arce, Alvarez Cat, Angel, Espoz and Mina, Cross, Victoria, unfolds before the tourist an infinite number of bars, pubs, clubs, bars where you can enjoy one of the biggest attractions of Madrid, the lid and the skewer, these small portions with which usually accompanies cane Beer or glass of wine. Here you can find an infinite variety, from traditional tapas like Spanish omelet, ham and potatoes bravas, prawns, potato salad, a more elaborate skewers as fried goat cheese with raspberry jam, or crunchy egg with morcilla de Burgos. No one will be disappointed. Those who like cinema and theater also feature a very interesting offer. At the Yelmo Ideal cinema complex (About 10 rooms) in Jacinto Benavente Square combines the most popular releases with movies aimed at moviegoers, but all in original version with subtitles in Spanish. Another site especially recommended for arte and autor films is the Spanish Film Library, installed in a peculiar cinema restored early twentieth century, the Doré. Obviously, programming film is based on the past, cycles of directors, actors or themes, infrequent movies, cinematography distant countries, etc. The hall, in Art Deco style, is the most unique of Madrid. It has a cafe and book store. The offer is also very large theater, for less than 10 minutes from the hostel is located the main theaters of Madrid's cultural life: Spanish, Nuevo Apolo, Comedy, Valle Inclan, Figaro, Calderon, Queen Victoria, in which various programming between the classical repertoire and commercial. Those who like experimental theater in small rooms Lavapies there is a whole network where small works mounted and displayed experimental trends. In the Gran Via, where were the big run theaters have been converted into theaters dedicated to various musical and the great success of the last few seasons has been the Lion King. For nature lovers Madrid offers a wide range of possibilities, from historic gardens such as Retiro, Park West, Fuente del Berro, Quinta de los Molinos or Caprice, Casa de Campo, to the newest, and the extraordinary design Madrid Rio, a stunning park along the banks of the Manzanares, through which ran before the M-30, now underground, and instead long garden extending from Legazpi, where it joins the Park Manzanares, reaches Bridge of the French. You can walk, skate or by bike. They have planted thousands of trees have been built fountains and playgrounds.