Aljaferia Palace was my favorite stop in Zaragoza, Spain! And, after research it came to no…read moresurprise! I uncovered the structure's roots, including four specific aspects that totally align with my interests. Aljaferia Palace is an (1) 11th Century/Moorish (2) fortified (3) medieval (4) Islamic palace! I want ALL of its detail in my own home!! Absolutely stunning! We might be able to design by computer, build fast & efficient, and sustain costs with alternative materials these days, but for what?? Obviously not for charm. I'd take this ANY DAY over today's buildings! For those interested in visiting the palace, note that it is a bit off the beaten track in comparison to the Basilica, but definitely worth a visit. You buy tickets at the entrance, cross the mote, and head for the front door where you're greeted by a security guard. One of the only manned, security detectors in the city's attractions we visited. You have the option of exploring the space on your own, or taking a group tour to navigate the interior. We loved exploring on our own. There are many rooms/spaces inside the structure - all of which are designed in breathtaking detail (and history)! I honestly could spend countless hours at the palace taking the most random pictures. I loved the interior garden/courtyard the most! It's a must see people!!

While visiting Zaragoza this is a must see! It's definitely no Alhambra but it's still a beautiful…read moresight to see. It is only 5 euros to enter and there are lots of great things to see. My favorite aspect were the white pillars. They reminded me of the ones at the Mezquita in Cordoba. Some rooms felt empty and unmemorable but overall I didn't regret coming here. Be sure to reserve your spot online before you arrive.

Here's something you don't see every day - it's a vertical garden. Not flat like the botanical…read moregardens nearby. This garden is a dramatic four-story (78 feet!) tall green wall near the CaixaForum building. Facing south, the garden gets near constant sunlight as it moves across the sky. And yes, it sure gets hot in Madrid. But you'll find yourself much cooler with a visit to the garden. Worth admiring the 250 different species of plants that survive and thrive without soil. It is an ever-changing, living piece of art. [Review 12542 overall, 2332 of 2019.]

The Royal Palace is a beautiful palace that I would highly recommend seeing if you're in Madrid!…read moreI'm glad we still decided to go after our initial booking was suddenly canceled (note this can happen with papal visits or official events held at the palace). I ended up re-booking our tickets a couple weeks ahead of our trip with an audio guide. The guide was helpful (although I think some rooms are out of order). It's definitely one of the largest and most impressive royal palaces I've ever seen. Though the royal family does not live there anymore, everything is well preserved and all the details in the rooms were very beautiful and ornate. The cathedral and even ceilings of the rooms were very impressive. The palace was enormous; the beginning felt crowded with tour groups but it thinned out later on. I would definitely recommend coming here (and booking tickets in advance) if you're in Madrid.

What a massive place and sooo maybe cool art displays…read more We bought our tickets same day and there was no wait time.

I have visited Madrid several times and did not realize that you can a) go into the Palacio de…read moreCibeles and b) that it is free. My bf made this discovery when he was exploring while I was at work. Great discovery! After entering through a security/bag check, you walk upstairs onto the 2nd floor. There is a tourist office as well as a large relaxing/working space. An exhibit offers an overview of the commitment to green spaces in English and Spanish. The floors above house the history of the building, including the architecture and design. There are also special exhibits featuring different artists. If you are visiting before early May 2026, I highly recommend Ana Juan's "Wunderkammer" exhibition. Beautiful and thought provoking! There is an observation deck that can be accessed for €4. It was closed in mid-Feb for technical repairs without a confirmed reopening date. Hopefully it will be available to the public again soon! A bit farther away but you can always venture to the top of the Riu hotel for incredible views.

Madrid is truly a treasure trove of architectural riches, but unlike Paris or London, I didn't…read morethink Madrid had a single defining landmark that came to mind. This mammoth building might be it. Jamie W and I just happened to be walking on the Gran Via when we were gobsmacked by the architectural grandeur of this dual purpose building (Photo 9). It's not only Madrid's City Hall but also CentroCentro, a thriving public cultural center. Designed by Antonio Palacios and open since 1919, the building has soaring ceilings with neo-Gothic towers that make it look like it started life as a cathedral. It didn't and was actually the main post office for years. The main draw here is the rooftop terrace which offers a panoramic view of central Madrid, in particular, the bustling Plaza de Cibeles below (Video). Admission is 4€, and a timeslot reservation is required to use their glass elevator. It's easier just to take the curving stairs from the top. En route, you can stop at Cornamusa Cibeles for a moderately priced set-menu lunch. We did and thought it was decent enough (review: https://yelp.to/wlIeOvQ_vQ). There's also a glass-vaulted gallery that hosts contemporary art exhibitions. On the ground floor is a cafe where you can have a light lunch or just a cup of coffee (Photo 8). We opted for the latter. It was hodgepodge but somehow it worked. RELATED - Exploring Madrid? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/wzXOFbYL73