Top 10 Photo Spots in Madrid
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Whether you're an amateur snapper looking for some good holiday shots or a professional photographer working on your portfolio, Madrid's small city centre is the perfect playground to test your skills. With lots of interesting architecture, impressive public art and bustling urban life Madrid constantly throws up visual delights. Best of all, the city centre is easy to explore by foot - making this a day out that will cost you barely anything at all.
This guide highlights some of Madrid's best photo spots and walks you through a route that will cover them all in a hectic morning or a relaxing day's outing.
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Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
Begin your photo odyssey at the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid's modern art gallery. Unusually for an art museum, you can take pictures inside, so take advantage of this unique opportunity and snap away at those sculptures and paintings. Unfortunately Pablo Picasso's Guernica is off-limits, but there are plenty of paintings by Dalí, Miró and other surrealists to really inspire your imagination. Once you're finished, take a short stroll north up the leafy Paseo del Prado.
CaixaForum
Outside the imposing floating art gallery that is the CaixaForum, you'll see Madrid's vertical garden - a wall covered in grasses, plants and flowers. With the post-modern building shapes and this verdant wall you'll get some unusual shots and if you're lucky they'll also be an outdoor sculpture from the gallery's current exhibition in the little plaza outside. From CaixaForum continue north straight up the Paseo del Prado, past the statue of Neptune, until you meet the Calle de Alcalá.
Plaza de Cibeles
You'll be really spoilt for choice here. To your east lies the gate of Alcalá while right in front of you is the statue of Cibeles, goddess of fertility, riding her chariot. Behind her looms the impressive old post office building - now Madrid's city hall. Once you've got some great close-ups of these iconic Madrid monuments, it's time to look for a more panoramic view. Head west down the Calle de Alcalá and stop where it meets the Gran Vía.
Circulo de Bellas Artes
This is the only shot of the day that's going to cost you, but it's only €2 and it's definitely worth it. Take the lift to the rooftop terrace of the Circulo de Bellas Artes to shoot stunning views across the north, east and south of the city. From up here you're spoilt for choice, and you can even snap that famous shot of the Metropolis building on the Gran Vía. But beware - the terrace is only open 11am to 2pm and 4:30pm to 10pm, so time your walk right to make sure you get here when it's open. Back on the street, cross the road and make your way up the Gran Vía towards the Plaza del Callao.
Plaza del Callao
Halfway along, the Gran Vía opens up onto the Plaza del Callao. On the south-east side of this square you'll find the department store El Corte Ingles. Head inside and take the lift to the top floor cafeteria, from here you'll get an amazing view east across the city. Complete your collection of rooftop panoramic shots of Madrid with shots of church spires, the opera house, the royal palace and the cathedral. Try to avoid coming here at lunch time though as the cafeteria is very popular and the crowds can ruin your shots. Once you've finished snapping the panoramic views, continue north-west along the Gran Vía.
Plaza de España
Where the Gran Vía ends you'll find a large square called the Plaza de España. In the middle of the square, among the olive trees, you'll find two huge statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, two of Spain's most famous literary characters. Their statues are full of character and pose a great opportunity for some fun snapping. Once you're done, continue diagonally across the Plaza de España to the eastern corner and cross the road into another park.
Temple de Debod
Strange as it may be to find ruins of an Egyptian temple in Madrid, the Temple de Debod makes for some great atmospheric shots. The ruins turned up in the Spanish capital after they were given to the Spanish government as a gift by Egypt in 1972. When you're finished exploring this mysterious temple, backtrack towards the Plaza de España and follow the Calle de Bailén south.
Palacio Real de Madrid
Before you know it, you'll be on top of the huge royal palace. Known as the Palacio de Oriente, it was built by the first Bourbon king of Spain in the 1700s after the previous royal palace burnt down. Inside and out, it's an impressive building and its gardens offer no end of opportunities for beautiful shots. Yet don't miss the Catedral de la Almudena de Madrid, just to the south of the palace and only finished in 1993. From outside the cathedral follow the Calle Mayor east on the last leg of the tour.
Plaza Mayor
You'll spy the Plaza Mayor through the archways as you make your way east along the Calle Mayor and you won't be able to resist exploring this incredible square. The historic heart of Madrid, it has seen coronations, bullfights, festival and executions. Its terracotta coloured buildings date from the 1790s but it's a great place take photos - be it of the cafés, the statue of Philip II, or the many street performers who fill the square. When you're done, continue along the Calle Mayor to your final spot.
Puerta del Sol
If the Plaza Mayor is the historic heart of Madrid, the Puerta del Sol is its living, beating one. It's a jumble of people and cars, the symbolic centre of Spain from which all distances are measured, and the perfect place the finish photographing the Spanish capital. Make sure you keep an eye out for the famous Tio Pepe sign, and don't miss the statue of the bear and the strawberry tree - Madrid's famous symbols.
Useful links
CaixaForum Madrid
Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
Circulo de Bellas Artes
Madrid Tourist Office
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