Gallery

View of 20th century Santa María de la Almudena's Cathedral, from the barrio of Vistillas, at dusk (1zoom.es)

Comforting solitude inside the 19th century Crystal Palace at Retiro Park (I. Riestra Nava)

Two thousand years old Debod's Temple near Plaza de España, a gift from the Egyptian Government (J. C. Rodríguez)

There are many examples of street art in Madrid beautifying the corners of the city, this one in Puerta Cerrada (Levi Sun)

The iconic Metrópoli building, where the ancient Calle de Alcalá and the modern Gran Vía meet (Alex Azabache)

Casa de Cisneros at the back, Casa de la Villa on the right, with the sculpture of Álvaro de Bazán and full moon over Plaza de la Villa (F. Fokkelman)

There are many popular markets making it for the daily lifes of madrileños, some still preserving 19th and 20th century features (Pasqualantonio Pingue)

To enter a traditional tabern in Madrid is to start enjoying all your senses with the colours, tastes, smells... (Madrid at your Feet)

There are fragments of the Christian medieval walls hidden behind many buildings in Madrid, this one in the Calle del Almendro (Madrid at your Feet)

From late 19th to early 20th centuries Madrid had an important growth thanks to merchants and burgeoisie, as seen in many colourful modernist shops and buildings (J.A. Gallego Vázquez)

For the madrileños, any small corner is suitable to set it up as a terraza  and enjoy life with friends and some goods; this one at Pretil de Santisteban (Madrid at your Feet) 

For the madrileños, any small corner is suitable to set it up as a terraza and enjoy life with friends and some goods; this one at Calle de la Pasa (Madrid at your Feet) 

If looking for it, it is easy to find cheap & chic stuff, like these old vinyl records from the alleys at the back of Gran Vía (Jose Antonio)

In the summer nights, young madrileños used to go out to collect verveine leafs ... That's the origin of the cheerful summer verbenas on the streets (Alberto Frías)

This dramatic 19th century sculpture of the Fallen Angel at the Retiro Park, is one of the few dedicated to Lucifer in the world (Jorge Busto)

There are many surprising angles to look for in Madrid, like this geometric view inside the 18th century Hospital de San Carlos, today's Reina Sofía modern art museum (Madrid at your Feet)

During most of the year and thanks to the good weather, many lively and cozy book fairs spring across the city's parks, squares and alleys (Leigh Cooper)

Walking through the narrow streets of the Moorish barrio it is easy to find hidden charming corners, like this one in Calle del Granado (Madrid at your Feet)

At this corner in Calle de la Villa was the 16th century Humanist school, where Miguel de Cervantes was a student (Madrid at your Feet)

While walking Madrid, remember to look upwards to discover new views, mostly unknown, like these at the Bank of Spain building (Madrid at your Feet)

Iron and glass, Victorian style for this late 19th century astonishing structure: the Crystal Palace at Retiro Park (Alev Takil)

Typical violette sweets from Madrid, honoring the popular violeteras from old zarzuelas (Madrid at your Feet)

In the old Austrian's Madrid, it is easy to find quiet and cozy alleys like this one in Calle del Rollo (Madrid at your Feet)

In Malasaña can be found the sculpture dedicated to Julia, the student that had to dress like a boy to be allowed to get into University (Madrid at your Feet)

Neon lights to call for a traditional flamenco show, in a successful combination of epochs and styles (Manuel Nobauer)

Three signs of authentic in Madrid: the Tío Pepe neon lights, at the back of the Enlightened king Carlos III, in Puerta del Sol (Madrid at your Feet)

This charming smallest square in Madrid, Plazuela de San Javier, preserves the 16th century buildings and layout, next to Calle del Conde (Madrid at your Feet)

Among the many taverns in Madrid, either the centenary ones that are still on, or the recent and trendy, there is always a respect for authenticity (Madrid at your Feet)

View of some the oldest roofs of ancient Madrid, looking up from Plaza de la Villa (Madrid at your Feet)

Medieval tower and 17th century architecture, together at the church of San Pedro el Viejo (Madrid at your Feet)

Madrid had a Moorish quarter, from the 12th to the 17th century, located near barrio of Vistillas down to Plaza de la Cebada (Madrid at your Feet)

Remains of the 9th century Muslim walls, located just at the back of 20th century Almudena's Cathedral (Madrid at your Feet)

Remembrance of the old Moorish barrio gate that was located in the 12th century walls, next to Plaza de la Cebada (Madrid at your Feet)

Sharp view of the 14th century tower in San Pedro el Viejo, preserving some mudéjar features, like the horseshoe arches (Madrid at your Feet)

Mudéjar tower in San Nicolás de Bari, one of the few medieval remains in Madrid, with horseshoe arches (Madrid at your Feet)

The legend of San Isidro, farmer and dowser, devoted Christian and godfather of Madrid, dates back to the 12th century (Madrid at your Feet)

The tower and houses of Lujanes from the 15th century at Plaza de la Villa, some of the most important remains of Late Middle Ages (Madrid at your Feet)

In the 19th century, at the center of Plaza Mayor was located the sculpture of Philip III on horse, from 17th century and superb example of mannerism (Madrid at your Feet)

At the 17th century Plaza Mayor took place many of the official acts and other events such bullfighting or theater up till 19th century (Madrid at your Feet)

Plaza de la Paja, one of the oldest squares in Madrid, was a crowded market during medieval times and flanked by palaces during Austrian times (Madrid at your Feet)

17th century Casa de la Villa at the namesake square, it has been Madrid's city council for centuries (Madrid at your Feet)

One of the many charming corners at Austrians' Madrid, Plaza de la Cruz Verde (Madrid at your Feet)

The current street, marked with these tiles was one of the old ditches (cava) surrounding the Christian walls of the city and filled up in the Austrian times (Madrid at your Feet)

Typical 'trickery' house from 17th century, built purposely to make it look smaller and humble (Madrid at your Feet)

The astonishing Cibeles Palace designed by Palacios and Otamendi is currently the house of the City Council, and in the past was the Correos Society (Madrid at your Feet)

One of the many literary passages engraved on the streets of Huertas, this one of Romantic Zorrilla’s drama: Don Juan Tenorio (Madrid at your Feet)

Commemorative tiles of 17th century great writer Lope de Vega's burial, that once was at 16th century San Sebastián church in Huertas (Madrid at your Feet)

The Covent of the Barefoot Trinitarias from the late 17th century, where is supposed to be buried Miguel de Cervantes (Luis García)

Sculpture honoring immense Federico G. Lorca at Plaza de Santa Ana, in the heart of the Literary Quarter (Madrid at your Feet)

At this alley, meet the 15th century poet descendant of the 'gatos', and the characters of the most known work of the 'absurd theatre' creator: Valle-Inclán (Madrid at your Feet)

The charming streets of Huertas are packed with old taverns for delicious wines, vermouth, beers and tapas (Madrid at your Feet)

The glamourous Hotel Reina Victoria at Santa Ana, favorite among celebrities and bullfighters during 20th century, in back of dramaturg Calderón de la Barca (Madrid at your Feet)

Alternative view of the 18th century Royal Palace of Madrid, from Plaza de la Armería (Madrid at your Feet)

Sculpture of Charles III the Enlightened king on horse, looking at the Puerta del Sol watch-tower (Madrid at your Feet)

The 18th century Royal Palace of Madrid amazes due to its superb architecture in every corner (Yuni Martin)

View of the Isabel II square, known as The Opera, reformed in the 19th century and place also for the Royal Theatre (Madrid at your Feet)

The Congress is a paradigm of neoclassic building, and its lions are part of the popular culture, although only few people know their names (Madrid at your Feet)

View of Ventura Rodríguez's Fountain of Cibeles from 18th century, and Bank of Spain building from late 19th century (Madrid at your Feet)

The emblematic Puerta de Alcalá from 18th century, by italian architect Sabatini, near the place where had always been a gate on Calle de Alcalá (Madrid at your Feet)

Beauty and city lights at the Metrópoli building at night, where Calle de Alcalá y Gran Vía meet (1zoom.com)

View of the Crystal Palace, iron and glass gallery from late 19th century, and its reflection of the lake at Retiro Park (Madrid at your Feet)

This early 20th century roses labyrinth, designed by Cecilio Rodríguez, is considered magical and delightful (Madrid at your Feet)

Early 20th century impressive composition owning the Great Lake, with Alphonse XII on top, who died of tuberculosis at 27 (Madrid at your Feet)

People attending at one of the regular classical music performances, in Retiro's early 20th century music kiosk (esmadrid.com)

Surprising and dramatic sculpture at Retiro Park by Ricardo Bellver depicting the Fallen Angel, from late 19th century (Madrid at your Feet)

Peaceful and bucolic: theatre and fantasy at the Parterre, one of the many lovely corners within the gardens of Retiro Park (Madrid at your Feet)

Trendy art exhibitions are usually held inside the late 19th century, richly decorated Casa de Velázquez, named after its architect (Madrid at your Feet)

The Metro station of Callao, at the center of Gran Vía, is a classical rendez-vous  and a popular landmark (Emiliano Cicero)

Stone memorial from 1916 at the beginning of the Gran Vía, praising the construction of this modern avenue (Madrid at your Feet)

The Telefónica building, from 1930, is a superb art déco construction owning the center of the Gran Vía (Madrid at your Feet)

Still on, the famous cocktail-bar Chicote was one of the favorites for actors, singers, smart celebrities ... and scenario of so many affairs (Enferelis)

A walk-through across Gran Vía is a spectacular show with a fantastic combination of different architectural styles (Madrid at your Feet)

Many roofs at Gran Vía are crowned with mythological sculptures, here Diana with her bow and arrow pointing to the Phoenix (Madrid at your Feet)

The Carrillón building stands out like a headland in Callao, and shows one of the symbols of postmodern eclectic Madrid (Alberto Restifo)

One of the oldest churches in Madrid, San Jerónimo el Real, from early 16th century, with a unique Isabelino-gothic style, located next to Retiro Park (Madrid at your Feet)

The still surviving 19th-early 20th century shops are scattered through all the streets in Madrid, and cohabitate with the newest performances (Erika)

In many street corners are still preserved these 18th and 19th century tiles, used to identify the number of houses for the general surveys (Madrid at your Feet)

One of the most beautiful early 20th century decorated building, Casa Allende, located in Plaza de Canalejas (Madrid at your Feet)

Baroque example of Basílica de San Miguel's façade, occupying the tight space of previous church of San Justo at the namesake street (Madrid at your Feet)

A cut from Almodovar's film Women on the verge of a nervous breakdown, where the protagonist looks at Gran Vía from her roof (esmadrid.com)

The Viaduct of Segovia still preserves the brutalism and rationalism from the 1930s construction, with the arches made by an upside-down catenary (Madrid at your Feet)