Plaza de España

Plaza de España has been, is, and will continue to be for years and years a Madrid 'must'. Tree-lined, green, '70s-style, with that legendary statue of Quijote and Sancho Panza and that monument to Cervantes that no tourist hasn't taken photos of, it's cool in summer, romantic at sunset... it's a place of relaxation for so many locals who stretch out on the grass to rest, do capoeira, or meet up with friends to head out to the surrounds. Plaza de España is a favourite because it's where you hang out before going to see a film in original version at the nearby Plaza de los Cubos and Martín de los Heros; also because it's a good place to start or finish a walk to or from Gran Vía, Plaza de Oriente or the Templo de Debod; or even because of the emblematic buildings (Torre de Madrid and Edificio España), the tallest in their day, then vacant and even occupied by squatters along with other neighbouring buildings, until recently – a sign of the economic crisis – that now show signs of being big deals once again with new hotel projects.