Madrid is a fascinating city and there are many things to see. Here is a list of some of Madrid's most popular sights.
The Plaza de Oriente is a beautiful place with lots of charm located in the historic center of Madrid, surrounded by two of the most significant buildings in the city: The Royal Palace and the Royal Theatre.
It has a rectangular shape and its character is monumental. Within it is located a sculpture collection of twenty Spanish kings: five Visigoth kings and fifteen of the first Christian kingdoms of the Reconquest. These statues were placed in two rows and are popularly known as the "Reyes Gordos" (Kings Fat).
The Plaza de Oriente houses various art historical gardens where lies the first equestrian statue in the world, it is supported by two horse´s legs. The square features three different spaces: the central parterre, the Cabo Noval Gardens and the Lepanto Gardens.
Lepanto Gardens and Cabo Noval are open spaces with gardens ideal for spending a quiet moment in harmony with nature, you will see a lot of trees and even banana plantations.
The place has a special atmosphere, charm and glamour that will transport you to another time. It is surrounded by cafes and traditional restaurants that make it a nice and elegant area. However, lately is an open space for chain restaurants that take away elegance to the area.
During your stay in Madrid, you should make the Plaza de Oriente a must to visit. A good idea is to enjoy a picnic with wonderful views of the Royal Palace, the Royal Theatre or to the Almudena Cathedral.
Do not forget to stop by the Café de Oriente, considered one of the literary cafés of Europe and where you can savour a good meal or just a coffee. Then you can visit the Segovia.
Images Credit:
Plaza de Oriente Madrid Flickr Gallery Jl Cernadas
Plaza de Oriente Flickr Gallery SPDP
Silueta Plaza de Oriente Madrid Flickr Gallery Ruben Vike