Visit Palaces Museums Madrid
Enter the National Library with your local host. Witness the Palace of Liria, where its library bestows the first edition of the universal nivel, first one ever written in Spanish language, "El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de La Mancha", by Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra. The Fountain of Cibeles, a landmark of Madrid carved out of granite just like most of Madrid's constructions, Paseo de la Castellana, parallel to famous and fancy Serrano and Velázquez streets, where you behold the most elegant side of the once metropolis of the Spanish Empire, with Kings Carlos V, Felipe II, Felipe III, Felipe IV and Carlos III. Barroque and classical elegance in this area's architecture, cafes, boutiques and urban design. Café Gijón and the legends of the ghost haunting the Palace of the Marquis of Linares, until our present time, now House of America in Madrid. Palacio Real de Madrid is the largest royal residence in Europe with one of Spain's most beautiful square Plaza de Oriente, overlooking the Real Casa de Campo (Royal Countryside House). A square created by order of Napoleon Bonaparte's brother Jose I de Bonaparte, whom said emperor had appointed King of Spain after his invasion in 1808, hence this Joseph I gained the nickname "the square king", "el rey plazuelas", as by reiterately ordering the demolishing of buildings, many priorly non-existing squares, were formed, such as Plaza de Santa Ana. Charming Plaza de la Villa with the oldest building in Madrid, Casa de los Lujanes. Medieval churches like Parroquia de San Ginés. Main square of the ancient town, the Plaza Mayor de Madrid, historically a place for market, executions and even bullfighting celebrations, in Spanish "Faenas". Nearby, the oldest restaurant in the world, certified by Guiness Book of Records, El Sobrino de Botín, suckling and lamb in an 18th century oven, bringing in the product from neighbouring Segovia.