What to see in Madrid? With so many beautiful sights and buildings, it’s a pity that Madrid doesn’t have an icon as London does with the Big Ben or Paris with the Eiffel Tower. Although not as easily recognizable, Madrid’s most iconic symbols are visible from the Plaza de la Cibeles: the Cibele fountain, the charming Palacio de las Telecomunicaciones and the splendid Puerta de Alcalá.

Another icon is Puerta del Sol, Madrid’s main hub, the starting point of all roads in the country and the host to a very Spanish tradition: eating twelve grapes for each bell stroke at 12:00 am in New Years Eve. To get an insight of the best of Madrid’s old quarters, from Puerta del Sol follow your map Madrid to the nearby Plaza Mayor, a magnificent square and former site of executions and public meetings.

To enjoy Spain’s rich art tradition, the best museum Madrid hosts is the Museo del Prado, where you can find many pieces by Velázquez and Goya. If you are lucky to have a little more time, you should also visit the Madrid museum of modern art, the Reina Sofía, which hosts many pictures by Dalí and Picasso, including the Guernica.