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 tight city streets give it a nice character. It almost feels like a North African city. Every…read morealley way seems to have a different surprise so it is worth just walking around for some time.

Alcázar de Toledo is an excellent museum and absolutely worth visiting. Entry was only 5 euros and…read morethey have a basic security check where selfie sticks and drones are not allowed. They also provide lockers to store your items which makes walking around much more comfortable. No one really spoke English during our visit, but everyone was very helpful and made the experience easy. All of the exhibits were interesting and well maintained, and there is even a listening tour available in both English and Spanish which helps you understand the history behind what you are seeing. The third floor is the highest point in Toledo and offers incredible views of the city. It is definitely a highlight of the visit and a great spot for pictures. Overall, I would recommend this museum if you are visiting Toledo and have about two hours to look around. It is a well curated and memorable experience.

Toledo's massive Alcázar, one of the city's most magnificent buildings, is an imposing citadel that…read moresits atop one of the city's most historic sites. The Romans built the first palace here in the 3rd Century, and its ancient foundations can been seen in the massive foyer of the military museum that now calls the Alcázar home. Those foundations, now displayed as part of one of the largest archeological excavations in Spain, are the most interesting part of the massive complex, much of which was reconstructed following the palace's destruction in the 1930s, after a two-month siege by Franco's Nationalist forces. The Alcázar's fascinating role in the Spanish Civil War (it's basically Spain's version of the Alamo) isn't given the attention it deserves in the present museum, which focuses on Spain's military history from the Visigoths to World War II. The exhibits are interesting (particularly the collection of medieval armor and swords), but they seem random and disconnected, and the lack of detail on the history of the palace itself feels like a missed opportunity. Worth maybe an hour of your time, unless you're a military history buff, in which case it's probably worth two.

If you are visiting Madrid, the Royal Palace is an absolute must-see. It is an amazing space that…read morefeels less like a museum and more like a living testament to Spanish grandeur. The palace is very interesting and full of history, sitting on the site of an old 9th-century fortress and reborn in the 18th century after a massive fire.  The scale of the building is almost hard to wrap your head around. It actually has 3,400 rooms (3,418 to be exact!), making it the largest royal palace in Western Europe. Thankfully, the visitor route is easy to follow, and we made it through about 35 rooms, which was just enough to see the highlights without feeling completely overwhelmed. Each room is more jaw-dropping than the last--from the velvet-draped Throne Room to the stunning frescoes on the ceilings.  I highly recommend visiting with a tour guide. Not only do they provide the context that brings the tapestries and armor to life, but it's the best way to avoid the long lines that wrap around the Plaza de la Armería. Having a pro lead the way made the entrance seamless and ensured we didn't miss the "hidden" stories behind the Royal Pharmacy and the Grand Staircase. Whether you are a history buff or just want to see some of the most beautiful interiors in the world, don't skip this. It was easily the highlight of our time in the city!

We had pre booked our tickets online for the first entry of the day. We got there before hand and…read morelined up in the pre booked line. They ended up opening the doors an hour after the website said, and because that was after our reservation they wouldn't honor our tickets. They said we had to buy new ones and request a refund for the tickets we had purchased already. Now two weeks later and I have yet to hear back from their team regarding my request. The visit was cool and it's a really great experience. Just be careful with your reservation, I'd recommend a few hours into their opening time to be safe.

4.5 stars and rounded up. A UNESCO world heritage site, one…read moreof the official residences of the Spanish monarchy, this location started as a hunting lodge in the 12th century then came into use for the royal household in the 16th century, with major constructions instigated by Phillip II and V, Ferdinand VI and Charles III. Today the palace rooms are open to the public as well as a several rooms at the entrance which chronicle the history, design and functional usage shifts of the palace. Compared to other royal residences, the number of viewable rooms are fewer though no less impressive. Highlights are the Salón Árab with its intricate Moorish-inspired carved and painted ceiling and walls, the Gabinete de Porcelana (Porcelain room) covered floor to ceiling with Roccoco chinoiserie motifs of birds, flowers, and Oriental-themed figurines strongly influenced by 18th century Romantic decorative trends. Personally I enjoyed seeing the more casual billiards room and imagining the games played hundreds of years ago. Also cool to see the wedding dresses worn by Spanish queens and princesses in the past century. The gardens surrounding the palace are fairly expansive and pleasant to walk around, you could easily spend an hour here. There are some fountains and manicured shrubbery, and scenic views along the Tagus River that borders the grounds. There's also a portion of the garden with many peacocks. Tickets are €9 to self tour the palace rooms. Gardens are free. Like many museums and palaces in Europe, unless you use the lockers (€1 coin operated, returned upon unlocking), they make you carry any larger bags or backpacks on your front rather than on your back. Museum store and bathrooms are available. Plan to spend ~2.5-3 hours here. There are several nearby restaurants with views of the river or more within a 15-20 minute walk closer to downtown.

Enchanting! I have yet to go inside yet have explored acres of the Queen's garden (jardine) and the…read morePrince's garden (Jardine del Principe). Many branches and varieties of trees and plants! Something different on every turn: statues or fountains!

It just looks so dang iconic. It is the closest thing to New York's Flatiron in Madrid. The feel is…read moresimilar, but distinctly European.