Thank you for all your suggestions. I think I'm going to stay in Madrid. Heading outside the city doesn't fit into our itinerary. Do any of you know of "off the beaten path" type places in Madrid? The Plaza, museums, palace all look like great places, and if I don't find something else, I plan on proposing at one of those places. But if anyone has any suggestions that are NOT as common, I'd really appreciate hearing them.

Okay, I'm going to take one more shot at this, but I think I'm running out of ideas.

I went a bit overboard and got a bit creative on this (It's summer, I'm a student, I'm bored, haha):

Templo de Debod

You can see a whole bunch of photos at sunset and during the day doing a quick Google image search of "Templo de Debod."

One of the websites I looked at said that the temple was built for two gods: Amem and Isis. Amem is an invisble force, sort of the holy spirit of Egyptian times.. but what atracted me more to the spot was this line : ( See page on Amem )
I also researched Isis, and I saw: It goes on and on, but you get the idea. (See more at Isis .)

Anyhow, I guess something that is 2,200 years old would give the idea of permanence. And you said you wanted something off the beaten path...well, I lived in Madrid for several years and I never once heard of this place!

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When you finally do propose, let us know where you did, b/c I at least am curious.

fuegofuego writes: This is crazy! I proposed to my wife 40-some years ago in the Plaza de Oriente (she lived just around the corner, on C./Arrieta). I think it was in front of the Wamba (Visigoth King of Spain) Statue. There was an open-air restaurant (also named: Wamba) where we had our wedding reception. It's not there any more. Neither is the Church (la Pilar en el Barrio de Salamanca) which was rebuilt shortly thereafter. A good spot for building lasting relationships.

Homework well done, Super Lau

Templo de Debod is a favorite of mine - as a, at least part time, photographer, it's an ideal location for not only views of the city but also for the actual temple. As I recall, Temple de Debod was a gift to Spain from Egypt - it had to be moved when the Aswan Dam was constructed.

For staying in Madrid proper - I can't think of a more lovely nor meaningful spot to propose.

Please return to to board after you and your almost fiance have been to Madrid and let us know where the "event" actually did take placde.

On the Spanish section of the board, member Enrique posted a message that describes the following as very romantic spots in Madrid:

1. Los Jardines de Sabatini

2. The reservoir (estanque) where the "Palacio de Cristal" is located at in "Parque del Retiro".

3. "Parque del Moro", on the west Façade of Palacio Real.

If you can read Spanish here's the link where Enrique describes in more detail these places.

http://www.madridman.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=000052

The only deterent to the suggested Palacio de Cristal in Retiro
is that the area is normally crowded ...sometimes very crowded - lots of people - lots of noise - not the most romantic setting in the world ....

The Templo de Debod at sunset has long been considered one of the most romantic places in Madrid. The area is a favorite for couples at that time of day. You wouldn't be alone, but it's not crowded, and you'd most likely to surrounded by like-minded people!

You may want to check out the place you choose before you propose, just to make sure it's OK. Some of the parks need a trash cleanup at times, or have newly painted graffiti. The area around the Templo de Debod is usually in good shape.

All the best!

jimbo1976

Whatever happens and where you pop the question, we would like to know how it went.

Good luck!

Bill

No-brainer:

Toledo at night. There are about 500 romantic corners and 50 super-romantic ones. Let me remind you that Toledo was the capital of Spain a milenium before Madrid and that the concentration of monuments per sq meter can´t be find anywhere in the current capital. BTW Madrid was built to protect Toledo.

A.

You're all forgetting the botanical gardens! (my fiancé agrees it'd be a good place, as well)

And then, if she says yes :p , you might want to check out the nearby restaurant Samarkanda to celebrate (sorry they don't have a website!)

Best of luck!!!