Expansive plazas, local and foreign crowds, street
performers, colorful lights, window shopping,
restaurant signs promising the best paella, ham, and
churros con chocolate- this is downtown Madrid, a
collection of plazas interconnected by a network of
side streets. Some of these side streets are wide
pedestrian shopping routes, and some are hidden, so
it's possible to duck in and out of the bustle as
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desired. The iconic Puerta del Sol is the giant
crossroads of the city and a must-see attraction at
any time of the day. The nearby Plaza Mayor,
completely enclosed by historic red buildings, is an
ideal place to grab a bite to eat outside, amidst
scores of tables and people out for a stroll. Plaza
Isabel II (also known as “Opera”) is smaller and a
good meeting spot, and the stately Plaza del Oriente
is the front yard of the Royal Palace. Centro can be
touristy (pickpockets are unfortuately not unheard-of
here), crowded, and sometimes gimmicky, but it is also
the place to experience classic Madrid.
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