Instituto Cervantes (Cervantes Institute), Madrid

Instituto Cervantes (Cervantes Institute), Madrid

The Cervantes Institute, established in 1991, is a public institution dedicated to promoting the Spanish language and disseminating Hispanic cultures worldwide. It operates from two main locations in Madrid: one is situated on the bustling Calle de Alcalá, near Gran Vía, while the other is in Alcalá de Henares, the birthplace of the renowned writer Miguel de Cervantes.

The headquarters in the Chueca and Salesas neighborhoods is housed in the iconic Caryatid Building ("Edificio de las Cariátides"), formerly the headquarters of Spain's Central Bank ("Banco Central"). This architectural marvel, designed by Antonio Palacios and Joaquín Otamendi, marked a significant departure from the city's traditional norms. While similar office buildings were commonly found in American cities like Boston and Chicago, as well as in England, it was a novelty in Madrid.

With a presence in 88 cities across 45 countries on five continents, the Cervantes Institute offers a vibrant cultural program that caters to diverse audiences. This includes exhibitions, workshops, lectures, film screenings, concerts, and more.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Madrid. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Instituto Cervantes (Cervantes Institute) on Map

Sight Name: Instituto Cervantes (Cervantes Institute)
Sight Location: Madrid, Spain (See walking tours in Madrid)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Madrid, Spain

Create Your Own Walk in Madrid

Create Your Own Walk in Madrid

Creating your own self-guided walk in Madrid is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Madrid Food Tour

Madrid Food Tour

Spain is internationally reputed as a major gastronomic power and its capital city Madrid attests to this claim, being home to vibrant food markets and multiple establishments serving traditional Spanish food in a soul-warming atmosphere.

One of the iconic food destinations is Plaza Mayor, a bustling town square where you can savor traditional Spanish dishes. The square is home to numerous...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Golden Mile Walking Tour

Golden Mile Walking Tour

Similarly to 5th Avenue in New York City, Champs Elysee in Paris, or Bond Street in London, the Golden Mile is one of the wealthiest and most expensive neighborhoods of the Spanish capital. Forming part of Madrid's Salamanca district, this posh area is known for its upscale shopping, cultural attractions, and gastronomic delights.

One of the prominent local landmarks is Columbus Square...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Buen Retiro Park Walking Tour

Buen Retiro Park Walking Tour

Buen Retiro Park, which translates to "Park of the Pleasant Retreat", is one of the main attractions in Madrid. Similarly to Central Park of New York City or Hyde Park of London, this former royal retreat is the most popular public outdoor space in the Spanish capital.

A green oasis in the heart of the city, the park has long been a favorite spot for both locals and tourists to go for...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Miguel de Cervantes' Madrid Walking Tour

Miguel de Cervantes' Madrid Walking Tour

The name of the iconic Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes is closely associated with Madrid. The author is known for a number of works, but his 1605 novel Don Quixote de la Mancha is often held as the first modern novel.

Despite being regarded as one of the fathers of modern literature, very little is known about Cervantes' early life. Born in 1547, he had spent some of his young years in...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Madrid Introduction Walking Tour

Madrid Introduction Walking Tour

A city of elegant boulevards, beautiful squares, and manicured parks, the Spanish capital is renowned for its rich repositories of European art, portico-lined Plaza Mayor, baroque style Royal Palace and many other cultural and historical monuments.

Although the site of modern-day Madrid has been occupied since prehistoric times, the first historical document about an established settlement here...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Souvenirs Shopping Tour

Souvenirs Shopping Tour

Shopping for souvenirs in Madrid is an exciting and delightful experience for anyone visiting the vibrant Spanish capital. Indeed, it would be a pity to leave Madrid without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original. With this in mind, we've compiled a list of must-visit locations where you can find souvenirs, which are unique to Madrid and make for...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles

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