Madrid, a beacon of European culture, symbolized by breathtaking architecture, history around every corner and an atmosphere all it´s own. Taking advantage of the city bike rental scheme (www.bicimad.com), this is the best bicycle tour of Madrid!
First stop on bicycle tour of Madrid
Let´s begin on Paseo de la Castellana, joining up with Paseo del Prado. The road is extremely level, with no peaks, so it is easy for the first-time city biker. The boulevards are wide, tree-lined and offer a perfect balance between sun and shade. This bicycle tour of Madrid also takes in some of the most eye-catching buildings of the city, offering a great glimpse of the capital. You will also have the chance to see Madrid´s three most famous plazas, Cibeles, Neptuno and Colón. If you begin at the Ministry of Agriculture, you can follow the road down, taking in Museo del Prado, Museo Thyssen, La Caixa Forum and the National Library.
Second Stop
Once you have glided through the centre of Madrid, taking in the wonders of the city on your bike route, you can take a break at Plaza de Cibeles. From here, you will journey up to Retiro Park. This is an oasis of calm amidst the bustle of the city and it is also very easy to navigate. If you travel down from Cibeles to Puerta de Alcalá, the route will widen out and you can take in even more of a view from your bike. You can enter the park through the gates, passing by Palacio de Cristal and Retiro Lake, which is a good place to take a breather. This part of the bicycle tour of Madrid can be taken at your own pace, and can even be an opportunity to have a picnic and stretch out under the trees.
Last stop
From this point, you can hop on your bike and tour down through the old Bourbon heart of Madrid to the Palacio. This is a wonderful finishing point for your Madrid bicycle tour, and allows you to see the vista of the city before you. Try to arrive in time to see the sun set over Templo de Debod and the palace gardens. The palace sits impressively on an embankment which slopes down, providing a panorama of Europe´s largest green space, Casa de Campo. If you have time, you can extend your cycling tour of Madrid by biking down to the entrance of Casa de Campo and enjoying the variety of bars and restaurants on offer. It´s a great place to unwind after a hectic day and is a great antidote to the rush of the city.
Moving on in your bicycle tour of Madrid
If you wish to head back into the heart of the city, you can tour with your bicycle along to Principe Pio from Palacio, which will give you access to Madrid Rio, a regenerated space tailor-made for bicycles along the Rio Manzanares. There are plenty of different paths, and soon you will end up at the south side of the city. You can even enjoy some of the free activities, including a zip-line and play-parks. From here, you can continue along the river, making time to stop for dinner or you can finish at El Matadero, a converted abattoir cum cultural space.
Do not be afraid to disappear off the beaten path, and to take in some of the sights that are often skipped over in tourist guides. It is here that you often find the treasures and what better way to do it than on top of a bicycle.