Madrid is the capital of Spain situated in the heart of the country 646 metres above sea level. It is a cosmopolitan city with a population of over three million with the headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family all based there.
Luxury Madrid hotels are some of the best in the world, with many offering reduced weekend rates. There is a wide array of Madrid hotels and lodging available which range from the budget hotels to spectacular converted palaces.
Madrid's city centre is very compact with many of its main attractions being concentrated in a small area and easily covered on foot. Madrid also has an excellent public transport system including the metro (underground) system and a number of buses.
Madrid offers a diverse range of activities and attractions: it is the world's capital for bullfighting and the large number of museums and art galleries can keep you fully occupied for much of your stay here with the Prado Museum housing one of the world’s foremost art collections.
Other attractions worth visiting in this beautiful and historic city include Fuente de la Fama (Fountain of Fame), Convento de San Antón (St. Anton's Convent), San Isidro and Puerta de Alcalá Madrid has an abundance of parks and open spaces with the Real Jardín Botánico (Royal Botanical Garden), Casa de Campo (Home Field), Parque del Oeste (Park of the West) and Parque del Retiro (Retreat Park) where you can go rowing on the lake.
Madrid is an ideal base for exploring the surrounding countryside with Ávila, Segovia, Toledo and El Escorial summer palace all close enough to be visited on a day trip.
Madrid is a lively city fully of cafés, restaurants, nightclubs and theatres. Madrileños have been known to start the weekend clubbing late on a Thursday night and continue straight through to 9.00 am on a Monday morning. The most fashionable clubs are Pachá (Calle de Barceló, 11), El Sol (Calle de los Jardines, 3), Joy Esclava (Calle Arenal, 11) and Palacio Gaviria (Calle Arenal, 9).
You can experience a wide variety of regional Spanish fare when dining in Madrid. The cuisines of the Basque country and Catalonia are very popular, and you will find the best selection of tapas bars in the city are located around Plaza Santa Ana.
