Madrid

Madrid, the capital of Spain, is located virtually right in the centre of the country, on the Manzanares river and its metropolitan area is the third most populous in the European Union (after London and Paris), with a population of some 6.5m people. It is the seat of government and the place of residence of the Spanish royal family, and has been a centre of population since Roman times. Developed by the Moors from the 9th century onwards, it was only in 1561 that the Spanish court finally moved to Madrid and became the main focus of economic activity for the city at the time. Now, however, Madrid is a thoroughly modern metropolis with an enviable infrastructure, prosperous economy, and plenty to attract the visitor.
Although looking at a map may give the impression that the city is rather isolated in the middle of the country, getting to Madrid presents no problem at all. Motorways converge on Madrid from all directions of the country, making driving to the capital very easy, but Madrid is also well served by both rail and air links. Barajas airport is Europe’s 4th busiest, and is a destination for budget airlines from almost every country in the EU. Rail travel is also a quick and easy way to reach the city, especially with the continuing development of AVE (Alta Velocidad Española), the high speed rail network which aims to bring every city in Spain within 4 hours travel time of the capital. Atocha railway station – one of the main ones in the city – has become a major tourist attraction in itself, housing 4000 sq meters of tropical plants in its indoor garden, with ponds of fishes and turtles to add to the charm.
Once in Madrid, there is no shortage of things to delight the visitor. Many of the main sights are situated in a compact area between the Palacio Real and the Retiro park. Museums and art galleries abound, including the famous Prado Museum which contains works by Velázcuez and Goya, and the nearby Reina Sofia Museum, where Picasso’s Guernica now hangs. For those who like visiting churches, Madrid will live up to expectations here also, with a large number, particularly in the baroque style and whose interiors were decorated with immense care by Spanish and Italian sculptors and painters. St Michael’s Basilica and San Antonio de los Alemanes are two of the most well-known, but there are many others worth a visit also. Madrid is an impressively verdant city, with more than 500,000 trees in its parks and streets, and walking around such a city is a delight. The Parque del Retiro is the city’s largest and most popular, spreading out to the north-east of the Atocha railway station, and was formerly the grounds of the palace built for King Felipe IV. The lake is now used for pleasure boating. A “must-see” in the city is Plaza Mayor, a sweep of arcaded buildings designed by Felipe II, and completed in 1619. It was envisaged as an outdoor theatre for public events, and it has served this function throughout its history, with happenings ranging from bullfights and executions to coronations and parades. It is now lined with cafés and restaurants, but in the summer months and during fiesta it serves as an outdoor theatre and music stage, as well as hosting fairs and Christmas bazaars.

Nightlife in Madrid offers almost unlimited variety, ranging from bars, restaurants and clubs to flamenco performances, rock music concerts and classical opera. Daily listings are printed in the newspapers El Pais and El Mundo, or a monthly pamphlet “En Madrid” is available from tourist offices. As in all of Spain, however, the timing of any night time event will always start considerably later than in the rest of Europe, with many of the bars and clubs not really getting going until the small hours of the morning.
Whatever your reason for coming to Madrid, you will find a friendly city that is easy to explore and get around, and an ideal destination for a city break or as a starting point for a longer touring holiday of this fascinating and diverse country.

Madrid Guide. As your Madrid travel guide, we will help you plan your travel to Madrid and suggest ways to enjoy your vacation.