Tour #2 - The Bourbon Monarchy in Madrid

Depending on how fast you walk, this tour can take about two hours.

Start at Plaza de Colón and walk along Paseo de Recoletos. You will see many of the old palaces now most of them turned into banks.

Have a look at the National Library on the left.

You can have a coffee at the popular Café Gijón, where playrights, philosopher, journalists and actors used to meet.

There are several interesting sculptures along the way, specially the one dedicated to the playwright Valle Inclán.

Once you reach the Plaza de la Cibeles have a look at the Cibeles Fountain, the Casa de America located in the Linares Palace and the Town Hall located in the former Palacio de Comunicaciones.

Calle Alcalá crosses the square and on the left you can see Puerta de Alcala one of the symbols of Madrid.

Continue now along the Paseo del Prado and stop for a moment at the Apollo Fountain.

On the right you will find the Thyssen-Bornemizsa Museum and a few meters farther away is the Plaza de Neptuno with Neptuno Fountain.

On the other side of the square is the Ritz Hotel, almost in front of the Palace Hotel.

At the square turn to the right until you get to the Cortes (Parliament) with its lions in front of the main entrance.

Cross to the other side of the street, and after passing the luxury Urban Hotel on the second street to the left you have the Venencia, where you can have a sherry and some olives.

Continue along calle Echegaray until you get to calle del Prado, turn to the right and continue until you reach Plaza de Santa Ana. There you will find enough things to see and do!

Here is a map of the tour.

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