MADRID MUST SEE TOUR – 10KM

This run kicks off at Puerta de Alcala with a “warm up” jog through the famous El Retiro Park, the most important historical-artistic park in the city and one of the most beautiful green urban spaces in the world. In the park we’ll stop at the Crystal Palace, which was constructed mainly out of glass and metal. Once out of the park we’ll venture up the tree-lined Paseo del Prado, where we’ll take a left at Neptune’s Fountain on the way up to Plaza Mayor which was once the centre of Old Madrid. From there we’ll head for the Plaza Oriente, where we’ll see the Royal Palace and its gardens on the one side, and Teatro Real opera house on the other. Further along we’ll pass the Plaza de Espana, which is currently undergoing a revamp, but this is where the statue of one of the most renowned authors, Don Miguel de Cervantes is situated. The statue portrays Cervantes’s most famous fictional characters, Don Quixote on his horse and Sancho Panza his trustworthy squire on his donkey. After passing Plaza de Espana, we’ll proceed to the Temple Debod, an Egyptian temple which was originally built 200 years B.C.  We’ll then head back up the popular Gran Via which continues to be a main artery for the city of Madrid, lined with theatres and cinemas, hotels, shops and restaurants. At the top of Gran Via we’ll head down the Calle Preciados, one of the most expensive commercial streets in the world, towards Puerta del So where we’ll see the famous clock whose bells mark the traditional eating of the 12 grapes and the beginning of each New Year. Here we’ll also see the “Oso y el Madrono”(the Bear and the Strawberry Tree) ,which can be found on the Madrid coat of arms. On our way back we’ll pass the famous Cibeles Fountain, and the Cibeles Palace, two “must-see”landmarks. We’ll finish off at “Puerta de Alcala”, probably one of the most popular reference points and a “must-see” in this “not to be missed” Madrid city tour.