Things to Do in Madrid, Spain

The top things to Do in Madrid, Spain

Madrid is a city so full of life and culture that it’s hard to do justice to it in a few paragraphs. Artistically the city holds its own against any in Europe, with the of the best art museums on the continent where renaissance masterworks and seminal 20th-century pieces are waiting to captivate you.

Take in all the historic sights and get the background on the Spanish Empire that spanned the globe in the 16th and 17th-centuries. There are also countless little things that make Madrid memorable, whether that’s a café con leche in a stately square, drinks at a rooftop bar or a wander through the Retiro or Casa de Campo on a sunny day.

Puerta del Sol

Eduardo Ortín Madrid, Puerta del Sol

This grand square next to the Casa de Correos (Post Office Building) is a popular meeting place, suffused with meaning for both city and country. Nearly every Spanish person will recognize the clock at the top of the Casa de Correos, as this marks the televised countdown on New Year’s Eve. There’s a tricky ritual involved too: With every chime, you’re supposed to eat a grape for good luck (12 in total). Also in the square is El Oso y El Madroño statue, a symbol for Madrid since the Middle Ages.

Gran Vía

Source: flickr

If you’d like to get a sense of the city, a walk along the Gran Vía is a superb place to start. It’s Madrid’s entertainment, shopping, and cultural nerve center, a buzzing avenue often full of life until dawn. By day it throngs with shoppers stopping by the many malls, high-street stores like H&M and Zara and luxury boutiques. In the evenings there are couples arm-in-arm, stepping out to the cinema or a musical. And after dark the street pulses with many of Madrid’s top nightclubs. Sights to spot as you stroll include the vast Telefónica Building, dated in 1928 and an early example of a skyscraper.

Plaza Mayor Square

Plaza Mayor

Source: flick

Another of Madrid’s “musts”, Plaza Mayor is a handsome renaissance square, laid out in the early-1600s and completely sequestered by historic three-story-high residential buildings. There are nine entrances to the square and within the porticoes at the bottom of the buildings are several cafes. Order a coffee (overpriced but necessary because of the location) at an outdoor table and watch Madrid in action for a few minutes. After that you could wander up to the 400-year-old bronze statue of King Philip III, who was in power at the height of the Spanish empire.

Churros at Chocolate Shop

San Ginés

Source: bidaiahmadrid

Perfect in winter, Spanish hot chocolate is one of the most luxurious things you’ll ever taste. It can be so rich and thick you sometimes need a spoon to drink it. And the perfect pairing is a sugary churro, which if you don’t know, is piped dough, deep-fried. Just off the Puerta del Sol, visit the Chocolatería San Ginés, which has been serving churros and hot chocolate since the 19th century and does it as well as any joint in the city. If you can’t make it to San Ginés there are loads of stalls on the streets in the cooler months of the year.

Visit the 18th-century Royal Palace

Paulo Valdivieso Palacio Real de Madrid View from the Plaza de Almería

Built-in the mid 18th century for King Philip V the Royal Palace is on the site of Madrid’s Moorish Alcázar fortress-palace, which burned down in 1734. It’s the largest royal palace in western Europe and has a blend of baroque and neoclassical styles. You have to go inside for the full experience because the royal collections and frescoes are sublime. Here are works by Goya, Caravaggio and Velázquez, as well as stunning displays of watches, tapestries, porcelain and silverware.You can see the only string quartet of Stradivarius instruments in the world, and the Royal Armoury that includes the personal weapons used by Charles V in the 16th Century.

Have a drink at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium Café

Gilbert Sopakuwa Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid

Whether you’re a supporter of the club or not, the truth remains that Real Madrid C.F. is Europe’s most successful football team with record-breaking 11 European Cups to their name. So any fan of the game should consider a pilgrimage to their gargantuan 85,000-seater stadium, where history has been made many times down the seasons. A tour will grant you panoramic views of the stadium, you’ll step inside the dressing room, visit the dugouts and see all sorts of interesting bits including the trophy collection, press room and presidential box.

Relax at “El Retiro” Park

Madrid’s green heart and full of elegant gardens, the Retiro is just a few steps east from the Prado and was a royal property up to the end of the 19th century when it was opened to the public. If you’re visiting with little ones, paddling on the Grand Pond next to the monument of Alfonso XII is a fun option on a sunny afternoon. The iron and glass pavilion built to house the Philippine Exhibition in 1887 is magnificent and growing in the pond in front of it are bald cypresses, strange swamp trees that turn a lovely golden brown in summer. The oldest tree in the city is close by: It’s a Montezuma Cypress planted in 1633 and ringed by an iron fence.

Visit the National Museum “El Prado”

Museo del Prado

Source: wikipedia

Absolutely essential, the Prado is one of the best and most popular art museums in the world. There’s an overwhelming collection of masterpieces by renaissance and baroque masters. Spain is represented by Velázquez and El Greco, the low countries by Rembrandt, Brueghel, van Dyck and Rubens, while Titian, Caravaggio, Botticelli and Tintoretto form the Italian contingent. Of the many must-see works are Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights and David with Head of Goliath by Caravaggio. The artist with most works hanging at the Prado is the Spanish Romantic Goya, whose 14 Black Paintings are a Spanish cultural reference point.

Explore the Archaeological Museum

Carole Raddato National Archaeological Museum of Spain, Madrid

With invaluable pieces gathered from across Spain, this museum is a trip through Spain’s rich history. What may surprise you is the wealth of magnificent items that predate the Roman period. The best of these Iberian treasures and sculptures look almost new, despite being at least 2,500 years old. The Lady of Elche is a bust of a woman with an incredibly detailed headdress and coils over her ears. Much later but no less impressive is the Treasure of Guarrazar a Visigothic set of crosses and votive crowns dating to the 600s.

Mercado San Miguel

Source: flickr

Mercado San Miguel

An easy walk from Plaza Mayor is this gorgeous art nouveau marketplace that dates to 1916. It’s less of a fresh produce market (although there are grocery stalls) and more of a gastronomic destination to purchase the best that Spain has to offer, like cava, Paprika spice and saffron. There’s a host of tapas bars here serving all the favorites like patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo and boquerones… To do your food shopping like a real Madrileño head to the vast Mercado de Maravillas in Cuatro Caminos. It’s Europe’s largest municipal market with 200 stalls.

El Rastro

Source: flickr

On Sundays, it will seem like the entire city has descended on Ribera de Coritodores and Plaza de Cascorro. This is when some 3,500 stalls are open, hawking pretty much anything you can think of, whether used or new. It’s the largest flea market in Madrid and gets pretty hectic, so it’s always a good idea to show up early. Even though it’s a Sunday the antique shops on the streets branching off Ribera de Cortidores will be open, and there are also cafes if you’re in need of a pick-me-up after wading through the crowds.

Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum of Art

Source: wikipedia

If you still have an appetite for art after the Prado, amble over to this museum, which is also part of Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art. You shouldn’t get bogged down, because the attractions in the Triangle are complementary, each covering schools and periods that the others do not. Here you can see works from the English and German schools by artists like Hans Holbein, Hans Baldung Grien and Albrecht Dürer. These are accompanied by pieces from other renaissance masters like Tintoretto, Veronese, Rembrandt, van Dyck and many more. There’s also a big collection of American abstract expressionism, and a host of impressionist and post-expressionist pieces by the likes of Monet, Renoir and Degas.

Reina Sofia Museum

Source: wikipedia

Round off your journey through Madrid’s art collections with the third museum on the Golden Triangle. This museum focuses mainly on Spanish art and is more modern in scope than the others. The best reason to come is to the many works by the 20th-century artists Picasso and Dalí. Just to show that isn’t overkilled: Picasso’s epoch-making Guernica is on display, so it’s an opportunity you really shouldn’t miss. Among the other Spanish greats represented at Reina Sofía are Joan Miró, Juan Gris and the important abstract sculptor Eduardo Chillida.

Flamenco tablaos

Source: flickr

Flamenco is a dance that originated in Andalusia, Murcia and Extremadura, and even if it’s not strictly native to Madrid the city has some of the most famous tablaos in the country. These are special halls that cropped up in the 1960s, and here you see a show over a candlelit meal with sangria. It’s a fine way of killing two birds with one stone: Tucking into Spanish specialties while seeing one of the country’s most famous art-forms expressed by some of the best dancers in the flamenco world.

Palace of Charles V

Alhambra Palace, Blog, Granada, Palace of Charles V

Palace of Charles V, the Reinassance building of the Alhambra

Charles V, King and elected Emperor, was a monarch that was travelling throughout Europe when he decided to build his Palace in the Alhambra. His aim was not to establish his capital in Granada but to build another royal residence, significant for its symbolic value and location: a Muslim citadel conquered by his grandparents, the Catholic Monarchs.

The construction of the Palace in the Alhambra, despite its careful design, changed the aspect of the complex, altering its internal structure and its connection to the city. The original project included a large colonnaded square to the west and a smaller square to the south, thus significantly modifying the accesses to the citadel.

The Emperor decided to build the Palace in 1526 following the “Roman” style, probably influenced by the Governor of the Alhambra and Captain General Luis Hurtado de Mendoza, whose family played an important role in the introduction of the Italian culture in Castile, although the model of the palace could also have been suggested by Baldasare Castiglione, a friend of Rafael and Giulio Romano.

The original project was designed by Pedro Machuca, trained in the artistic circle of the Rome of Lion X, who supervised the works of the palace between 1533 and 1550, the date of his death, completing the palace’s façades except for the west and east façades. Pedro was succeeded by his son Luis who developed the circular courtyard; the works were abandoned for 15 years owing to the rebellion of the Moors in Granada in 1568. In 1619 the construction of the high colonnade of the courtyard was completed and the works continued until they were definitively abandoned in 1637, leaving the roof unfinished.

When Philip IV visited Granada in 1628 he could not stay at the Palace, as it was not inhabitable after 90 years of works. The Palace remained unfinished until Leopoldo Torres Balbas devised a plan to recover the building in 1923. In the formal design of the Palace there was a strong intention of expressing a “Roman-like” architecture through the originality of the ground plant design, a circle enclosed in a square, and the use of the Renaissance architectural language.

Noteworthy in the general design is the use of the octagonally shaped chapel, a geometrical shape that can be considered the second core structure of the Palace, and which was very popular in the Renaissance.

The top 10 attractions you shouldn’t miss in Porto

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vista geral porto com ponte — ©Marco Duarte

Of all the cities in Portugal, the capital is often the favourite, but Porto is fast becoming the destination of choice. While it may be smaller than Lisbon, Porto packs a feisty little punch when it comes to the best attractions. First of all, it’s the home of port and the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia are a must-visit (and must-taste). Secondly, its Ribeira district is one of the most Instagrammable historic quarters you’ll have ever laid eyes on.

Also like Lisbon, this northern city is rather hilly, but there are heaps of heavenly parks in which to take a breather. From many points in Porto you’ll get an extraordinary view of the Douro River, which is crossed by the iconic Dom Luis I iron bridge to connect Porto to Gaia. And let’s not forget the amazing array of traditional restaurants to visit.

Whatever your interests, Porto will have something to suit you. And to narrow down your search, check out our guide to the ten best attractions in Porto.

Clérigos Tower

This ornate, 75-metre bell tower, which watches lovingly over the city of Porto, is arguably the city’s most iconic silhouette. It was opened in 1763 and is blessed with a beautiful barrage of Baroque motifs thanks to its Italian designer Nicolau Nasoni. Given its prominent position, you can get some amazing 360° views of the city from the top, but you’ll have to climb 225 steps to get there.

Attractions, Parks and gardens

Crystal Palace gardens

When Googling this park, if you’re faced with a bunch of fiberglass dinosaurs, then you’re in the wrong Crystal Palace. Despite the lack of prehistoric models, these gardens are somewhat more exotic than what London has to offer. Not only does this verdant paradise have a maze of walkways, tree-lined waterways, sculptured topiary and a huge domed pavilion (all thanks to German landscape architect Emile David), but it overlooks the Douro River too. Well worth the hike up there.

Attractions, Historic buildings and sites

Serra do Pilar

Vila Nova de Gaia

The Serra do Pilar is a jagged hill above the Douro river on the Gaia side. Needless to say, the view is spectacular, especially at sunset. Visit the thirteenth-century monastery to find out more about the four World Heritage sites in Portugal’s northern region: the historic centres of Porto and Guimarães, the Douro wine region and the Côa Archaeological Park.

Porto Wine Cellars

Porto’s sister city Gaia has beaches and those famous Port wine cellars. They’re gorgeous, with guided tours to teach you the history of the stuff and the distinguishing features of each variety (there are many varieties of port). Every tour has a happy ending: a Port tasting. We recommend the Sandeman Cellars (Largo Miguel Bombarda, 3; the ones with the chap in the black cape), which include a museum; Taylor’s (Rua do Choupelo, 250), featuring the highly-rated O Barão de Fladgate restaurant; and Cockburn’s (Rua Serpa Pinto, 346), where you can enjoy a picnic with some lip-smacking Portuguese delicacies.

Shopping, Bookshops

Livraria Lello

Galerias

The Guardian and travel website Lonely Planet picked this as the world’s third most beautiful bookstore. Are they having a laugh? It’s gorgeous! More than a century old, Lello is an art nouveau pearl with gothic details, stained glass and a fabulous red staircase, said to have inspired the one in Hogwarts (JK Rowling once lived in Porto). Harry Potter fans: make a beeline here immediately. There are so many visitors these days that you are now charged to enter, but this is discounted from any purchase. Plenty of tours go to the Lello Bookstore.

Buy

Attractions, Historic buildings and sites

Porto Cathedral

Sé

Porto’s Cathedral (‘Sé’) is the city’s most important church. Built in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, it’s a national monument. Look out for the gothic cloister, the chapel frescoes, the Teixeira Lopes sculpture in the baptistery and the medieval portrait of Our Lady of Vandoma, the city’s patron saint. When locals talk about the ‘Sé’, they don’t just mean the cathedral: the name also applies to the historic district at Porto’s heart. Wander its streets, keep Google Maps turned off and you’ll thank us for it.

Attractions, Railways

Why are we directing you to a train station? Because it’s one of the world’s most stunning. We’re not being biased either, as São Bento was voted tenth most beautiful in Travel+Leisure magazine’s list of the World’s Most Beautiful Train Stations. First, take in the Belle Epoque, Parisian-esque exterior, then prepare to have your mind just a little bit blown upon entering. The concourse is jaw-droppingly wonderful, with 20,000 decorative tiles covering the walls, which took painter Jorge Colaço 11 years to complete, no less. Get up close and personal to truly appreciate the scenes of intricately painted Portuguese history, daily life and transportation (for the trainspotters). And if you do wish to travel, you can catch a train from here to nearby towns such as Miramar (with its beautiful beaches and mansions), Braga or Guimarães.

Foz

Foz is almost a mini-city within Porto. In the nineteenth century it was a seaside resort where Brits and well-heeled Porto residents went on holiday. Nowadays, visit it for its beaches (several of them have a blue flag), seaside-y outdoor cafés (try the ones at the Praia da Luz and iBar’s, located among the rocks), or a stroll in the sun along the Avenida do Brasil with its view of the Atlantic. Nearby is the Queijo Fort, the Passeio Alegre Fountain, the Felgueiras lighthouse, the Molhe Breakwater and Old Foz (a quainter part of the district). You can eat very well around here: try chef Pedro Lemos’s eponymous restaurant (for a splurge), Casa Vasco, Cafeína or a burger at Peebz.

Ribeira

If you’re in Porto you absolutely, positively must visit Ribeira. This old city district located by the Douro is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Yes, it’s swarming with tourists, but don’t let that put you off. Cross the river in a rabelo boat; go wobbly looking at the Luíz I, D. Maria II and Arrábida bridges (great backgrounds for dramatic photos); visit the Bacalhoeiros Wall, the Casa do Infante museum, the Rua da Reboleira, Cubo square, São Nicolau Church and the ‘Alminhas da Ponte’, a sculpture by artist Teixeira da Lopes. Eat at the Adega de S. Nicolau (they sometimes have fado nights), have a drink at the Pestana Vintage Hotel’s amazing RIB bar, then head up to the heights on the Guindais Funicular Railway. Phew!

Marés Swimming Pool

Leça da Palmeira

Just you try and resist diving straight into this breathtaking pool. Go on, we dare you. Designed by famed Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, Marés Pool is quite literally built into the rocks that divide the land and the ocean and is quite a sight to behold, let alone swim in. Although do be sure to take a dip, as it’s filled with salty seawater and is great for floating your cares away.

Original post written by Danielle Goldstein on Time Out

Former madrasah of Granada

Blog, Granada

Built by Yusuf I in 1349, the Madrasah of Granada was the first university of Al-Andalus

Located in the heart of Granada, in Oficios Street, is the only Nasrid building that remains in the heart of Granada. Until the 15th-century in the area was located the main Mosque of Granada and the main bazaar or Alcaicería.

There were relevant poets, philosophers, politicians and doctors among its students and teachers. For instance, Ibn al-Khatib or Ibn Zamrak, whose poems decorate the walls and fountains of the Alhambra.

The name Madrasah (Madraza in Spanish) comes from the Arabic word "Medersa", meaning Koranic school or college.

The Catholic Monarch, Ferdinand II, gave the building to the Cabildo´s house (town hall) in 1500, after the content of its library was burnt by Cisneros in Plaza Bib-Rambla. It was, sadly, one of the biggest public bonfires across Europe. Since then it has been completely transformed to reach its current baroque appearance in 1722, demolishing the remains of the former Arab construction.

Until 1841 the Town Hall was located here - also known as the Old Town Hall - and finally, the state recovered it in 1943. Nowadays is part of the University of Granada and became the headquarters of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.

From its Nasrid splendorous past, we can see only the Oratory and its beautiful mihrab. Admire its amazing octagonal dome. However, it underwent extensive restoration work. The rests of its white marble facade are at the Archaeological Museum of Granada (temporarily closed).

Opening Hours

Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 07:00 pm.

Price

2,00 EUR

Places You Have To See when visiting Portugal

Blog, Lisbon, Oporto, Portugal

Portugal is a gorgeous country to explore and much more than cork products, gorgeous sea and yummy port that it has become famous for. It’s one country that just seems to draw me back time and time again with shed loads of historic cities, gorgeous National Parks and enough bacalhau to satisfy even the hungriest of tummies!

One of the things I love most about Portugal is how unique each of the places feels. You can literally travel 30 minutes up the road and feel like you’re in a totally different country – it really is very special.

1.) Wander around Braga

A city perched pretty close to Porto and Amarante, it’s the perfect place to see some of Portugal’s most impressive buildings and history. Make sure you visit the stunning Bom Jesus do Monte… ohh, and take a bottle of water – the many steps will make even the best Olympian out of breath! 🤣

2.) Explore the town of Amarante

Not too far from Porto in the north of the country, Amarante is a great place to explore some of the histories of this beautiful region. Look out for the gorgeous arched bridge of Ponte São Gonçalo and wander the riverside route where there are lots of independent restaurants and cafes that line the route. You won’t be able to resist the sweet treats!

3.) Porto

Porto is one of the country’s largest cities that sits in the north of the country. This hilly is one heck of a place to visit, think cobbled streets, and fresh seafood. Make sure you haul yourself up to Torre dos Clérigos and discover the Ribeira area of the city.

4.) Visit the Medieval village time forgot, Sortelha

Sortelha is a tiny village that is dominated by one of its most imposing residence, the castle that overlooks the region! Make sure to wander the castle grounds, though you’ll need comfy walking shoes for this ramble.

The whole village feels like you’ve been thrown back into Medieval times. A town that time forgot!

5.) See the village built around a rock

Monsanto, a small village close the border with Spain, is one of the most unique towns you’ll ever come across. With less than a 1,000 residents, it’s a rural and quaint little place that has to be seen to be believed. Head over to Adega Tipica O Cruzeiro for a tasty bite to eat and some incredible views across the region.

Want to visit more villages like this? Check out our full list, here

6.) See the beauty of Sintra

It’s hard not to fall head-over-heels in love with Sintra. Perched within the Sintra Mountains, this region has some of the prettiest castles in all of Europe (shhhh, don’t tell the others). Around 30 minutes from the center of Lisbon, it’s pretty easy to visit for a day trip (or two).

The Beautiful Pena Palace Of Sintra, Portugal (1)

The Beautiful Pena Palace Of Sintra, Portugal (15)

Make sure to visit; Pena Palace, Monserrate Palace, Castle of the Moors and the Palace of Sintra. These UNESCO World Heritage Sites are just too beautiful to miss.

7.) Discover the beauty of Cascais

The Beautiful Seaside Town Of Cascais In Portugal... (56)

The Beautiful Seaside Town Of Cascais In Portugal... (77)

This historic fishing town, just down the coast from the city of Lisbon, is the perfect place to chill out, explore the quaint town and explore the dramatic Atlantic coast. Make sure to visit some of these top sites that you shouldn’t miss. You’ll love your time, here!

The Beautiful Seaside Town Of Cascais In Portugal... (50)

The Beautiful Seaside Town Of Cascais In Portugal... (27)

Read our full post on what to see, do and eat in Cascais, right here

8.) See the waterfalls of the Azores

The Azores is a volcanic archipelago that sits in the mid-Atlantic Ocean. A few hours by flight (and a little longer by boat), it’s one of Europe’s most dramatic sets of islands. Think, beautiful trails, incredible scenery and the most stunning natural landscapes you’ll witness.

Don’t forget to visit the beautiful, Poço da Alagoinha on Flores Island – it’s breathtaking.

9.) Explore the streets of Lisbon

The capital city of Lisbon is an amazing place to visit. If it’s your first time to Portugal, you’re going to love how stunning it is. Made up of various neighborhoods, Lisbon has a whole array of eye-catching places you won’t want to miss. If you’re looking for some of the best views in the city, check out these perfect spots to see, they offer the perfect vistas to enjoy this gorgeous place.

Photographs And Postcards… From Portugal (12)

Make sure to visit the Belém Tower, explore Bairro Alto and grab a bite to eat at Kais which is based in an old warehouse in the city. It really is unique. Alternatively, check out one of these other top places to fill your tummy.

Photographs And Postcards… From Portugal (15)

Photographs And Postcards… From Portugal (9)

10.) Visit the island of Madeira

In between Portugal and the Canary Islands is the relatively small island of Madeira, Make sure to explore the capital city of Funchal, head out into the countryside and soak up the unspoilt landscape that is often overlooked when visiting Portugal.

11.) See the Chapel of Bones in Évora

Évora is one stunning Roman city that’s now been protected with UNESCO World Heritage Status.

Make sure you visit the Roman Temple, Praça do Giraldo and the rather macabre but a must to see, the Chapel of Bones that line every wall. It’s part of the bigger, Igreja de Sao Francisco church complex that’s just too beautiful to miss.

12.) Visit Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina

It may have a pretty long name and one that I still can’t pronounce correctly, but it really is a gorgeous area of Portugal to visit. This natural park is considered to be one of the finest stretches of coastline in Europe. Untouched by development, the whole coastline hasn’t changed for thousands of years – it really is beautiful.

13.) See the dramatic Sagres

Jutting out off the very tip of south-west Portugal, Sagres is one of the most dramatic coastline areas in the region. Make sure you visit the fort, explore the cliff side walking routes and Cape St. Vincent, which is next to Sagres Point.

14.) Walk the cliffs around Lagos

Perched on the southern coast of Portugal, Lagos is a small town in the Algarve region. Make sure to visit Lagos Castle, visit the close by cliffs of Ponta de Piedade and the ornate, Igreja de Santo António. Only a short drive from Sagres and other beautiful places, it’s a great place to stop for a long afternoon and a bite to eat.

15.) Visit the best beaches

There’s no denying that Portugal has some of the best beaches in western Europe. If you’re looking to ride the waves on a board, head across to areas like; Sagres, Ericeira or more on the west Atlantic Coast.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a little dip, relaxing and beautiful sandy bays, head over to places like Benagil in the Algarve. The whole region is famed for its glorious beaches.

Post written by HandLuggageOnly.com

Mausoleum in Moulay Idriss Zerhoun

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Mausoleum in Moulay Idriss Zerhoun

[at_icon icon=”td-marker-location-2″] Moulay Idriss, Morocco, North Africa

The Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss is Morocco’s most important pilgrimage site, and the town is swamped every August during the annual moussem to venerate it; it’s said locally that five pilgrimages to Moulay Idriss during the moussem equals one hajj to Mecca. The entrance is located at the top of the town’s main square, via a three-arched gateway surrounded by shops selling religious trinkets – non-Muslims cannot enter beyond the inner barrier, but it’s worth a peak inside the grand entrance.

Moulay Ismail created this pilgrimage site by building the mausoleum during the late 17th and early 18th centuries in a successful attempt to rally the support of the faithful.

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