[A]
Casa de Campo. A popular family park which houses the Madrid Zoo and an amusement park (Parque de Atracciones de Madrid).
[B]
Parque del Oeste, a rambling Engish-style park, with winding pathways and water features.
[C]
Parque de las Montana houses the Temple of Debod, an authentic fourth century Egyptian temple, originally from the island of Philae. It was given to Spain by Egypt in recognition of their assistance in relocating mounuments that were in danger of being flooeded by the Aswan Dam.
[D] Plaza de Espana. At the Eastern end of the Gran Via, this plaza has a wonderful monument to Miguel de Cervantes (writer of the story of
Don Quixote de la Mancha) and his trusty squire, Sancho Panza.
[E] Plaza de Oriente, adorned by a statue of Philip IV on horseback, errected in 1843. The plaza is so called as it is located nearby the Palcio Real, also called the Palacio de Oriente.
[F] Plaza de la Villa at the center of which is a statue of Alvaro de Bazan, the Spanish Admiral who planned the Armada. The sqaure is overlooked by the Casa de la Villa (or Town Hall).
[G] Plaza de la Paja. A small medieval hidden plaza.
[H] Plaza del Callao. The heart of the cinema district.
[I] Plaza Mayor presided over by the statue of Philip III. The symmetrical rectangular square features a uniform architecture, very similar to the contemporary
Place des Vosges in Paris.
[J] Plaza de Santa Ana. One of Madrid's most popular areas for tapas bars. The square takes its name from the Convent of Santa Ana, which stood at this spot in the 16th century.
[K] Plaza de Colon. This plaza and its fountain commemorate the explorer Christopher Columbus (whose name in Spanish was Cristóbal Colón).
[L] Plaza de Cibeles centered around a fountain depicting the Roman goddess of nature (Cibeles) in a chariot pulled by two lions.
[M] Plaza Canovas del Castillo with the stauue of Neptune in the centre.
[N] Real Jardín Botánico. Opposite El Prado, the original aim of this Garden of 20 acres was not only to exhibit plants, but to teach Botany, promote expeditions for the discovery of new plant species and classify themt.
[O] Parque del Retiro, a beautiful 130ha park with lakes, palaces and endless paths for strolling.
[P] Plaza de Toros de las Ventas with its famous bullfighting ring.
[Q]
Parque de la Elipa has a number of swimming-pools, a water-slide, an enclosed nudist sunbathing area and a restaurant.