Rick Steves’ Europe: One Great Day in Madrid

See the historic sights of Madrid without the need of a car.

Madrid's cobbled Plaza Mayor has seen centuries of history, from bullfights to carnival celebrations to gruesome events of the Inquisition. Cameron Hewitt, Rick Steves' Europe

I’m standing on a tiny balcony overlooking the Times Square of all of Spain—Madrid’s Puerta del Sol. Within a 10-minute walk I can visit one of the greatest palaces in Europe—Madrid’s Royal Palace, the ultimate town square—Plaza Mayor, or my favorite collection of paintings under any single roof in Europe—the Prado Museum.

Just like in New York’s Times Square, crowds in Madrid fill Puerta del Sol on New Year’s Eve while the rest of Spain watches the action on TV. As Spain’s “Big Ben” atop the governor’s office chimes 12 times, Madrileños eat one grape for each ring to bring good luck through each of the next 12 months.