Spain is one of the major tourist countries in the world. It is known for its vibrant attractions, ancient monuments, marvelous buildings, and luxurious hotels. Whether you are newly married couple or coming here for business reasons, Spain won’t let you down in terms of providing high quality services and so many interesting activities. Let us have a look at the list of top 10 best tourist points in Spain.
10. Air Force Museum
The Air Force Museum is situated several kilometers away from Southern Madrid, in a corner of Cuatro Vientos AB. The museum has well exhibited some of the highly impressive and interesting collections of historical monuments. It has a wide collection of air birds such as the Heinkel HE-111, the Junkers JU-52 and Boeing KC-97L Stratotankers—all of these were used in flight-fueling of the Spanish Phantoms. The museum was founded in 1981, and has been divided into six exhibition galleries. More than 200 aircrafts have been kept in display here. Be informed that Cuatro Vientos was inaugurated in 1911, and is regarded as the very first military airfield of Spain. The museum is expanded in an approximate area of 66,000 m2, including outdoor display sections and seven hangars. The planes and helicopters, kept here, used to serve in Spanish Air Force. Some worth see aircrafts kept here are the Jesús del Gran Poder, the Breguet 19, the de Havilland Dragon Rapide, the Heinkel He 111, and the Junkers Ju 52.
9. Aranjuez Railway Station
The Aranjuez Railway Station is one of the oldest railway stations of Spain. Aranjuez is actually, situated about 42 km in the south of Madrid, at the confluence of the Tagus and Jarama rivers, about 42 km away from Toledo. This town is considered to be one of the Royal Estates of Spain since 15th century. There have had been various theories about the origin of this beautiful area’s name. But the widely accepted theory says that it has originated as a result of Basque language, derived from arantza. During 11th century, the Order of Santiago acquired this area. Truly it has a long history which gives a lot of information about the historical values of Spain. It remained as the spring residence of Kings of Spain during 19th century. On the other hand, in 16th century, the Philip II laid the foundation of royal palace in this area. The design of this palace was presented by Juan Bautista de Toledo and Juan de Herrera.
8. Arco de la Victoria
The Arco de la Victoria is one of the most ancient monuments of Spain. It was constructed in 1956 with the purpose to present tribute to the Nationalist army which had defeated the republicans during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). The Arco de la Victoria is also known as the Puerta de Moncloa or Moncloa Gate. This makes us believe that it has various names. The approximate height of the arch is 39m/128ft. It has been topped by a statue of a four-horse chariot. Franco derived along this route regularly by traveling to Madrid from his house, the El Pardo Palace. Just like various other cities of Europe, Madrid’s Arco de la Victoria is one of the major tourist attractions. It is at the Plaza de la Moncloa, near the Oeste Park. This was originally built between 1953 and 1956, and the architects like Arregui, Jose Ortells, Lopez Knoll and Paschal Bravo contributed their skills and efforts in its beauty and construction. The purpose of this arch was to commemorate the victory of the Spanish Civil War. It underwent minor reconstruction during the times of Franco in 1956. It is said that Franco had passed from this route regularly.
7. Army Museum
The Army Museum of Spain was founded as the result of the emergence of several military museums at the end of 19th century and at the start of 20th century. The core of this museum has been formed by the Museum of Artillery and Engineers. During 1803 the Prime Minister Godoy ordered to form the Royal Military Museum in Madrid. This was the beginning of the Army Museum we see nowadays. It is one of the most ancient museums of Spain, and has a lot of monuments and preservation of objects related with military history in its different display centers. Presently, all of the exhibition and collections at this museum are considered to be for educational purpose only. It was constructed with an aim to collect the supporting soldiers’ training and supplementing teaching materials from the military academies. In 1827, the museum was divided into two sections: the Artillery Museum and the Engineers’ Museum. Both of the sections operate differently and have totally different collections. During the end years of 19th century, many new military museums were created. Some of them are the Quartermasters' Museum (1885), the Cavalry Museum (1889), and the Infantry Museum (1908). In 1929, an idea was turned to the practical form when a new museum was created by merging all of those ancient military museums. Until the Second Republic, the Military History Museum was created, which comprises of different sections of weapons, the Quartermaster and Military Medical Corps equipment, and other monuments.
6. Atocha Station
Atocha Station Madrid is also named as Madrid Puerta de Atocha. It is one of the largest railway stations of the city that serves the commuter trains, and regional trains of south, AVE trains of Barcelona, and other various trains. The Spanish national railway company is responsible to run all of these train services. The station is situated in the Atocha, close to the district of Arganzuela. It is surrounded by streets like Calle de Atocha, Paseo del Prado, Paseo de la Infanta Isabel, Avenida de la Ciudad de Barcelona, and Calle de Méndez Álvaro. This station has been formed by the emergence of the Madrid Atocha Cercanías and Madrid Puerta de Atocha stations, as well as the Atocha Renfe station. The railway station was constructed in February, 1851. It was reconstructed in 1892 after being destroyed by fire. The architect, Alberto de Palacio Elissagne, in collaboration with Gustave Eiffel, presented a totally new style of construction of this railway station. Also the engineers like Henry Saint James participated in the project.
5. Azca
Azca is nowadays regarded as the Avenue of Paseo de la Castellana. It is a famous financial district of Madrid. Azca is situated between the streets Raimundo Fernández Villaverde, Orense, General Perón and Paseo de la Castellana. It dates back its history from the times of the Plan General de Ordenación Urbana de Madrid (PGOU), which got approval in 1946. This has been created with an aim to come up with a big block of modern-style offices, having metro and railway connections in the north Madrid, in front of Real Madrid stadium. Close to it, you can also find the very beautiful government complex of Nuevos Ministerios. Also there is one botanical garden, a library and an opera house near to Azca. Its construction was started in 1970. Today, it has some of the finest and very beautiful skyscrapers of the city; most famous are Torre Picasso (157 m), Torre Europa (121 m), Banco de Bilbao (107 m), Torre Titania (104 m), Torre Mahou (100 m), and Banco Santander Tower (100 m). In 2007, a new and very beautiful skyscraper was constructed in the north of Paseo de la Castellana. During 2005, Windsor Tower (106 m) was destroyed by fire.
4. Basilica of San Francisco el Grande
The Royal Basilica of San Francisco el Grande is called as Real Basílica de san Francisco el Grande in Spanish language. It is a Roman Catholic church, situated in the center of Madrid, located in the Barrio close to the La Latina. The main façade is facing the Plaza of San Francisco at the intersection of Bailén, the Gran Vía de san Francisco, and the Carrera de san Francisco. It has formed some parts of the convent of Jesús y María. The convent was constructed during 13th century at a chapel. The design of basilica is Neoclassic style, and is based on the ideas of Francisco Cabezas, developed by Antonio Pló, and completed by Francesco Sabatini. The church has some fantastic paintings of Zurbarán and Francisco Goya. The temple used to function as the National pantheon, and had enshrined the monuments of various artists in the history. The church has incorporated three chapels, all of which are magnificently beautiful. The seven major doors have been carved by Casa Juan Guas. Also the Gothic choir stalls of 16th century have come from La Cartuja del Paular in Segovia province. The dome of the church has approximately 33 m diameter, and 58 m height. Its shape resembles the Pantheon's dome. It has circular shape and is distinctive from the various typical domes of 18th century.
3. Campo del Moro Park
Situated behind the Palacio Real is a big and very beautiful park of Madrid, the Campo del Moro Park. It is spread in an approximate area of 20 hectares and is also known as Field of the Moor. Beside the park is the Manzanares River. In 11th century, the Almoravid Chieftain Ali Ben-Yusuf had settled his camp here at the time he worked hard for capturing the Alcazar from the Christians. Unfortunately, he couldn’t succeed in these attempts and had to retreat, but the field was given the name of Campo del Moro since then. The time when the Alcazar burned down, King Felipe IV ordered to re-build the Palacio Real along with the park and garden. With the help of some funds, the park was reconstructed, because at that time there wasn’t enough money as the cost could be. When Isabel II was still a minor, under the regency of her mother Queen Maria Cristina, the park was reconstructed. Not only this but also the Triton and Seashell Fountain were taken from the Royal Palace of Aranjuez and Boadilla and were kept in the park. Its design is in geometric form. By 19th century’s end, it was renovated and given a look of English style. More than 60 plant species were kept here including the long trees and flowering plants. Nowadays, the park presents a very romantic and beautiful style. Many of its trees are over 150 years old such as oaks, elms, and other types of trees.
2. Carriage Museum
It is one of the best museums of the world, carrying the wider collection of carriages. This outstanding museum was founded in 1960 by architect Ramón Andrada. It has a marvelous ingenious system of hexagonal modules that add great value to the overall beauty of the museum. This museum presents a variety of carriages that used to belong to the royal family. The museum has a wide collection of artifacts and monuments, belonging to the Royal Mews. We can regard it as one of the very few museums of Europe that have been specialized in carriages. The Cocheras del Rey is the name given to a series of ancient buildings, belonging to 18th century. These used to be the service points of the Royal Household, covering their transport requirements. The collection of the museum is called the Casa de los Oficios del Viaje. Not only this but also you can view the carriages that belong to 1771 and 1870. Some of the other highlights of this museum are ancient vehicles, horse-drawn carriages, sleighs, harnesses, post house items, hunting equipment, and various other things.
1. Cason del Buen Retiro
The Casón del Buen Retiro is an annex of the Museo del Prado complex. It is the house of the Escuela del Prado, and one library. In the display, you can view the Picasso's Guernica canvas and the sketches which have deep association with the creation of this place. Their history can be dated back from 1981. It was the time when delivery to Spain from New York was made possible. In 1992, various monuments from Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) were brought to Spain. Currently, it is located at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, in front of the Puerta de Felipe IV entrance, in the western Retiro Park. The Casón was originally constructed as ballroom of the Buen Retiro Palace. It is of great value from an artistic point of view. In 2010, this was brought to the Alcázar de Toledo, and had housed the Museo del Ejército (Army Museum). During 1960, it was used as Museo de Reproducciones Artísticas, and was settled by President, Antonio Canovas del Castillo. The building’s use as an exhibition remained until 1971. Finally, the collections of ancient paintings, sculptures, and other monuments were brought here.
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