Royal Palace: Madrid’s Royal Palace began its life as the country’s royal residence back in the mid 16th century and although it no longer serves that purpose, its beauty and upkeep has been well preserved in the years since it has stood unoccupied. The palace is a popular tourist destination with locals and visitors alike, offering some fantastic views of both its exterior and interior as well as scenic garden areas such as the Jardines del Moro and the Sabattini gardens. Not all rooms in the palace are open to visitors but the ones that are boast a collection of artworks by Juan de Flandes, El Greco, Goya, Rubens and Caravaggio. Sun’s Gate: or Puerta de Sol is Madrid’s central square and is a focal point for much of the city’s entertainment and social scene. Shops and restaurants in the square’s adjacent buildings draw large numbers of people while within the square itself is a constant hum of activity frequently punctuated by the sounds of street performers. Bars and nightclubs keep the square busy at night and into the early hours of the following day. The Rastro: is the city’s famous and ever-popular flea market and can be found between the La Latina, Plaza de Cascorro and the street of Embajadores. The market sells a huge variety of second hand or antique goods with everything from souvenirs to artwork, period furniture and matador outfits. The market opens weekends only and should not be missed. The temple was reconstructed on what was previously an army barracks close to the Campo de Moro and Parque del Oeste. Since it opened to the public in 1972, it has been a popular visitor site. It remains one of the few examples of Egyptian architecture not in Egypt itself and is certainly the only structure of its kind in Spain. | 
