Madrid Travel Forum

Hello Everybody
I'm going to stay in Madrid for a week (25/04 to 02/05).
I love Castles and Royal Palaces.
Any suggestion around Madrid (easy to reach please)
Thanks a lot
Kisses
Deb

You'll be in 7th heaven in Madrid. There's the Palico Real (Royal Palace) very close to the city centre. Allow most of the day to visit and please include the royal armoury where there is one of the best medieval armour display - including armour for a large dog (would have been ceremonial) and a couple of boys armour (if rich dad had a mercedes then son wanted a toy one - LOL).

Not so much a castle, but 45 minutes away by fast train is the amazing Toledo and the whole old city is UNESCO world heritage listed and surrounded by walls. Others may disagree but I'd suggest a couple of days in Toledo - leave on an early train and get back on a late one the next day.

Hi - I second the Royal Palace (Palacio Real). It is huge - 2800 rooms (you only see about 50). The rooms that are open to the public were magnificent. I loved the throne room, the royal armory and the dining room (which had a table for 140+). The chandeliers were also my favorites – with thousands of crystals hanging from them, I was just glad I didn’t have to clean them. Some of the rooms were just so ornate and tacky – the more tacky, the more I loved them!

There are conducted tours of the palace but I would definitely take the audio guide which allows you to go at your own pace.

(Next door to the Palace is a very pretty church. Can't remember the name of it, but it's worth a look. Entrance is outside of the Palace grounds.)

Don't forget the tapas too! Enjoy!

A very close and beautiful place is Segovia. I loved Toledo, but I think the Alcazar of Segovia is more what you are looking for. Very short train ride from Spain -go to Renfe, Cercanias section (cercanias means "near-bys").

Donna: the church is La Catedral de la Almúdena. Lovely!

Thanks Mariel. One of my favorite things is to find treasures not on my "planned itinerary". That was one of them!

Madrid: I ithink the roal palace was open for free on wednessday.
Toledo: Alcazar (this was the palace of Carlos 5 th. it houses now a military museum
Segovia: Alcazar, a disney-like fairytale castle. its a reconstruction of the mideaval fortress. it has sevaral rooms decorated with wapons, paintings and furniture. in the squre formed tower you have a great view over the mountains
Lalace Aranjuez: This palace is build in the 18 th century. it has numorous of chambers in barroque style, such as the Chinese china salon, the mirrorroom and the smokingroom. The palace has a very big garden. the Prince garden with its statues, fontains and trees is very impressive. in the garden you find the sailors house which exposes the boats of the royals.

Hola

40kms from Madrid is the famous El Escorial - http://www.patrimonionacional.es/en/escorial/escorial.htm.

And yes don't miss the Royal Palace in Madrid. TIP 1.get there at opening time to avoid queues 2. The palace is closed sometimes for official duties so check this when you get there ASAP to avoid disappointment. 3. If your visit falls on the first Wednesday of the month, look for the changing of the guard ceremony, which occurs at noon and is free to the public.

Ciao Debora,

In Madrid you should not miss the Royal Palace (Palacio Real), right in the city centre. Outside Madrid you should visit the Royal Palace in Aranjuez, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can reach Aranjuez by commuter train from Atocha Station in Madrid. Well worth the short trip.

Segovia boasts one of the most picturesque castles anywhere in Spain, a real must. Toledo also has a famous though not so quaint castle. Both cities can easily be reached from Madrid by bus or train. Something to bear in mind is that the castles in Segovia and Toledo are more commonly known as "alcazar" (a word of Arab origin, from "al qasr" meaning "fortress"), rather than "castillo", Spanish for castle.

Have a great time in Spain.
Eugene

Avila is nearby and the wall alone is worth taking the trip for. But also lots of little nooks and crannies churches and other historical builings to see.

Avila is nearby and the wall alone is worth taking the trip for. But also lots of little nooks and crannies churches and other historical builings to see.