In these difficult times, Madrid becomes a city full of hope. We know that this year the plans will be different and you are kindly requested to enjoy outdoor plans, but we can still continue to enjoy the lights, the Christmas markets and the nativity scenes. Here are some plans you can make in Madrid in the coming weeks.

 

Strolling through the streets of the capital at Christmas has become a leisure activity full of light and color. Since last November 26, millions of led lamps already occupy their positions in the streets, squares and buildings throughout Madrid. You can visit the Gates of Alcalá, del Sol, Toledo and San Vicente; Plaza Mayor and Oriente; the Cibeles and Neptuno, the Carrera de San Jerónimo, Colón or Madrid Río. In addition to the sections on Calle Alcalá, between Seville and Sol; the Prado-Recoletos axis; Sanchinarro and Las Tablas and the surroundings of Joaquín Costa.

 

You can start your tour of Madrid at the large 12-meter diameter ball of light located next to the Metropolis Building, with its 43,000 led lights. We can continue the route if we walk to Cibeles and along the Paseo de Recoletos we will come across the Megamenina de Colón, 10 meters high and with 37,000 lamps.  Finally, we can visit the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid, which has prepared for another year the show Naturaleza Encendida, with its motto: "When the sun goes down, magic blooms." It can be seen from Monday to Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. with passes every 15 minutes and a reduced capacity.

 

 

 

This year a total of 25 nativity scenes have been installed in emblematic places of the city such as the Palacio de Cibeles, the Casa de la Villa, museums, streets and churches.  In fact, it is necessary to visit this year the Nativity Scene of the Madrid City Council of José Luis Mayo Lebrija of the Palacio de Cibeles Center. A nativity scene that consists of several handcrafted pieces that cover the best-known scenes along with others less represented. The Municipal Nativity Scene in the Plaza de la Villa and the illuminated nativity scenes that have been placed at the entrances of the Plaza Mayor are also worthwhile.  The Royal Palace, for its part, presents a Neapolitan nativity scene that has its origin in that of the Prince, initiated by Carlos III for his son Carlos IV. It is made up of more than 200 Neapolitan, Genoese and Spanish figures dating from the 18th to the 21st century.