Between the bustle and unrestrainedness of Madrid, there is a quiet corner that interweaves the mysterious atmosphere of ancient Egypt with the sunset glow of the Iberian Peninsula, like a secret place where time and space intersect.
This is the Temple of Debod (Templo de Debod) – an ancient temple that originally belonged to Egypt, spanning cultures and countries, and was completely relocated to the city center of the Spanish capital. Every dusk, the golden sunset shines between the stone pillars and the water, and the entire temple seems to be given new life, which is fascinating.
Unlike the long queues at the Prado Museum or the noisy crowds in front of the Royal Palace, the Temple of Debod and the hidden quiet attractions around it are a journey that cannot be missed when exploring another side of Madrid. Here, it is a touch of tranquility in the bustling city, and it is also an ideal place for travelers to think alone and indulge in the beautiful scenery.
1. Temple of Debod: Egyptian ruins in the city center
Location: Calle Ferraz, 1, 28008 Madrid
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–19:00 (closed on Monday)
Suggested time to visit: 17:00–20:30, especially recommended during sunset
Transportation route: Metro Line 3 to Plaza de España Station, about 5 minutes walk
Booking platform: GetYourGuide, Tiqets
Fee: Free admission (if you need a guided tour, the third-party platform costs about 8–15 euros)
The Temple of Debod is not an original Spanish heritage, but a precious gift from Egypt. In 1968, in gratitude for Spain’s support in the protection of Nubian temples, the Egyptian government dismantled this ancient temple and rebuilt it on the edge of Casa del Campo Park in the center of Madrid.
The most talked about thing about the Temple of Debod is its unparalleled sunset view. Standing by the pool in front of the temple, the sunset dyed the ancient stone walls golden, and the figures reflected in the water merged into the orange sky. This picture of tranquility and magnificence is a finale that should not be missed in any trip to Madrid.
Since there is no ticket required here, it is one of the few good places in Madrid where you can watch the sunset for free, so it is recommended to arrive early in the evening and find an ideal location to wait for the sunset.
2. Moncloa Lighthouse: 360-degree panoramic city view
Location: Avenida Arco de la Victoria, 2, 28040 Madrid
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 09:30–13:30 / 15:30–20:00
Suggested time to visit: before dusk or in the morning when the view is clear
Transportation route: Metro Line 3/6 Moncloa Station, about 3 minutes walk
Booking platform: Civitatis
Fee: 3 euros for adults, 1.5 euros for students and people over 65 years old
Few people know that near the University City of Madrid, there is a 110-meter-high “Moncloa Lighthouse (Faro de Moncloa)”, which was originally built for radio communications in the 1990s and has now become a viewing platform.
After climbing the tower, you will have a great view of the entire city of Madrid: from the Royal Palace in the distance, the Madrid River, to the greenery of Casa del Campo, all at a glance. When the weather is clear, you can also see the outline of the Guadarrama Mountains in the distance. The lighthouse’s glass viewing platform is modern in design, and the transparent elevator also adds fun to the process of climbing the tower.
Although this landmark is not as famous as Retiro Park or Puerta del Sol, it is very suitable for travelers who like photography and overlooking the city skyline because of its unique perspective and reasonable ticket price.
3. Casa del Campo Park: A hidden tranquility in the city’s green lung
Location: Paseo Puerta del Ángel, s/n, 28011 Madrid
Opening hours: Open all day
Suggested time to visit: Early morning or dusk
Transportation route: Metro Line 5 to Casa de Campo Station
Booking platform: GetYourGuide (cycling/rowing experience), Viator
Fee: Free admission, some activities such as rowing cost about 5-10 euros
Casa de Campo Park (Casa de Campo), located in the west of the city, is the largest urban park in Madrid and an extension of the high ground where the Temple of Debod is located. Although its area is equivalent to five central parks, it is often overlooked by tourists and has become the first choice for Madrid people to walk their dogs, ride bicycles and run in the morning.
There is an artificial lake in the park where you can rent boats for boating. The cafes along the lake are very lively in spring and summer, perfect for a drink while basking in the sun. There is also a trail leading to the wildlife park in the depths, and you can take a cable car (Teleférico) in the south of the park to overlook the entire green “green lung” of the city from the air.
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in nature and tranquility, this is undoubtedly the best choice. It is recommended to book a cycling tour or canoe experience through a third-party platform to explore this urban oasis in more depth.
4. Plaza de España Rooftop Garden: Low-key Sky Garden Bar
Location: Plaza de España, 5 (Rooftop of Torre de Madrid)
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 12:00–00:00
Suggested time to visit: around dusk, suitable for enjoying the nightfall
Transportation route: Metro Line 3, Plaza de España Station
Booking platform: TheFork (dining reservation), Civitatis (rooftop viewing experience)
Cost: Free entry, drinks cost about 8–15 euros per cup
Many tourists only notice the Cervantes statue and the square fountain when passing by Plaza de España, but ignore the secret space on the top of the tower. On the roof of Torre de Madrid, there is a hidden sky garden bar, which is not only a good place to enjoy the city skyline, but also a niche check-in place because of its low-key and local atmosphere.
Surrounded by green plants, the layout is like an aerial courtyard, providing local wines, specialty cocktails and exquisite snacks. In the evening, the breeze blows gently, and the sunset casts a gentle glow on the Temple of Debod and the Royal Palace, which is particularly romantic when viewed from a high place.
Although it is not advertised to the public, you can reserve seats through TheFork, which can also avoid the regret of returning without a seat. It is recommended to take an hour in the evening during the trip to have a drink here and enjoy the most quiet time over Madrid.
5. Madrid River Trail: A city slow path away from the hustle and bustle
Location: Along the Manzanares River, it is recommended to start from Puente de Segovia
Opening hours: Open all day
Suggested time to play: Early morning or evening
Transportation route: Metro Line 5 to Puerta de Toledo Station, about 10 minutes walk
Booking platform: RentBike Madrid (bicycle rental), GuruWalk (walking guide)
Cost: Free walking, renting a bicycle costs about 8-12 euros/hour
After being renovated, the banks of the Madrid River (Río Manzanares) have become a riverside trail suitable for walking, jogging and cycling. The starting point is recommended to be Puente de Segovia, which is a great place to take pictures of the Royal Palace and the Temple of Debod.
This trail is far from the traditional tourist route, but it is a relaxing area often visited by city residents. There are many art sculptures, fountains, and water parks on the trail, and even a small water play area is open in summer for children to play. Strolling along the river at dusk or renting a bicycle for a leisurely ride are both good ways to deeply experience the rhythm of life in Madrid.
If you want to learn more about the development and history of this riverside, you can join the free local walking tour through GuruWalk; and for the bicycle experience, it is recommended to use the lightweight city bike provided by RentBike Madrid. The route is recommended to extend to the Matadero Cultural Center.
Madrid is not just a tourist city surrounded by check-in points, it also has another side that is gentle, slow, and not noisy. From the sunset at the Temple of Debod to the city view from the Moncloa Tower; from the green echo of Casa del Campo to the aroma of wine on the roof of Plaza de España, to the evening walk along the river – these attractions combine to form a perfect travel proposal to avoid the crowds and immerse yourself in Madrid.
Traveling does not always mean following the crowds. The real exploration is to discover the unnoticed beauty in the gaps of the city. I hope this guide can give you an exclusive perspective of your own in Madrid.
