Overview

Madrid, the capital and the largest city of Spain, is located northeast of the center of the Iberian Peninsula. Situated on the Manzanares River, Madrid is full of green spaces and parkland. It also serves as the political and major international business centre of Spain. The cultural and artistic heritage sof Madrid is preserved even today with areas dedicated to arts and museums of special design. For modern times and its people as well as the tourist population, Madrid offers some of the hippest nightlife in the world. Apart from preserving the look and feel of its past, Madrid has made great progress in modernizing its infrastructure for current times and to support its growth.

Activities & Attractions

Madrid is one of Spain's most popular destinations and is renowned for its large quantity of cultural attractions. It is home to many appealing historic buildings, museums, and interesting places of sightseeing. The Royal Palace of Madrid and the Teatro Real (the Royal Theatre) are some of the grandest opera venues in the world. The Buen Retiro Park is a magnificent park filled with beautiful sculptures and monuments, a peaceful lake, and a host of exciting events. Madrid houses many excellent art museums like the Prado Museum, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, a museum of modern art, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum are worth visiting.

A popular activity in the city is the bullfighting. The running of the bulls at Las Ventas intrigues visitors and locals alike every year. Besides bullfighting, Madrid also offers some outdoor games like soccer, golf, tennis, and horse riding.

Lodging

In Madrid, you can find a wide variety of accommodation ranging from expensive hotels to low priced affordable lodging facilities. You may stay in a beautiful Spanish monastery for about $30 dollars a day or choose a luxury villa where you are endowed with all the comforts. The Carlton Hotel, Westin Palace Hotel, and the Villa Real are some of the top rated hotels in Madrid.

Transportation

Madrid boasts of an extensive and efficient public transport network. The city provides rental cars and buses which makes it easy to move in and around the city. You even have the Metro network with trains running every three to five minutes. Always be sure to have a street map in hand to make getting around the city easy.