Madrid & Spain Guide

Walking through Madrid, with the sun on your back, is perhaps one of the foremost reasons people like to visit Spain. Madrid is the capital of Spain and is situated in the heart of the country right in the centre of the Castillian plain (646 meters above sea level). Over three million people reside in this sun-soaked city, and with clear skies, intriguing culture, and hot sun, it's not hard to see why.

Madrid can be summed up in one word: 'Cosmopolitan.' The industry is mainly kept to the Southern Fringe, and the city is renowned for its lively nightlife, making this the ideal weekend break, whether you are travelling for business or for pleasure.

Striking statues, buildings, and monuments litter this diverse and captivating city, and it has a whole host of sights for people to see. Tourists will find this an accommodating and friendly city , which is easy to get around, and has plenty for visitors to do.

Madrid is also a shopping Mecca for the fashion conscious. Long has this capital city been renowned for its style and grace, and the shops in this metropolis offer the best of world fashion. So, if you are looking to pick up some stylish accessories and outfits then this is your city, but be warned, things can sometimes be quite expensive in Madrid.

Madrid is no longer the cheap budget holiday of the past; it is now a cultured and sought after holiday destination, which attracts the affluent and stylish. If your idea of a perfect vacation involves sun, shopping, culture, and a little bit of history, then Madrid is the ideal city for you to visit.

If you are planning to visit Madrid then you should make a game plan before you go, in order to fully maximise your stay. By taking a little time before your trip to find out where things are and how to get to them, you will leave yourself much more time to enjoy what the city has to offer when you get there.

Because there is so much to choose from we have outlined the details of the Top 10 Attractions in Madrid below. We hope that you find something in here that catches your eye. If not, don't worry. Madrid has plenty more to offer, and the listed attractions should merely act as a starting point for your excursions!

1. Museo del Prado
2. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
3. Arab Wall
4. La Casa de Campo
5. Plaza Mayor
6. Puerta del Sol
7. Museo Arquelogico Nacional
8. Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
9. Café de Chinitas
10. Parque del Retiro

Madrid is literally spilling over with museums for tourists to visit. There is plenty for the intrepid museum explorer to see, and you will never be short of somewhere to spend an afternoon. Almost all of Madrid's museums are worth a visit, and it's a hard task to try and decide which are better than the others.

However, there are a few museums that stand out head and shoulders above the rest. The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza houses a collection ranging from primitive Flemish to contemporary works. More than eight hundred paintings, sculptures, tapestries, carvings, and other items can be found on display here.

The Museo del Prado is well worth a visit, and it houses masterpieces by Ribera, Velázquez, El Greco, Goya, Poussin, Zurbarán, Botticelli, Titian, Raphael, Fra Angélico, Bosch, Rubens, Van der Weyden, Watteau, Lorrain, Mengs, Rembrandt, and Dürer, among others.

The Palacio Real Royal is a palace that is no longer used as a residence, but it has been kept intact since it last functioned as home to the king, primarily serving as a tourist attraction.

Finally, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is a cultural centre containing a permanent collection of Spanish contemporary art. This museum also offers a wide variety of temporary exhibitions.

If you are a night owl, then you will find Madrid a paradise. Many of the city's restaurants don't open until eight or nine o'clock in the evening. Some other nighttime establishments don't open until the early hours of the morning.

If you are looking for things to do and places to go, then you need look no further than the Plaza de Santa Bárbara , the Glorieta de Bilbao, and Alonso Martínez. These areas house a large number of popular bars, pubs, fast food restaurants and ice cream parlours for tourists to enjoy at their leisure.

However, if you are looking for a younger, student atmosphere, then you would be wise to try out the bars in the districts of Arguelles and Moncloa.

Those who travel to Malasaña, in the vicinity of the Plaza de Dos de Mayo, will find countless cafés and bars with live music, in addition to moderately priced restaurants.

Many other quality restaurants and popular night spots can be found in Paseo de la Castellana, Paseo de Recoletos, and Paseo del Prado. If you travel to Madrid in the summer months, you will also find many open-air terraces in the areas of the Paseo de la Castellana and the Parque del Oeste.

Useful Links

www.englishwarehouse.com  - a useful site for full of informtion for both teachers and students alike.

Spanish Classes - If you prefer one-to-one classes, several of our trainees are very happy with Jesus, who teaches private classes in his flat near our school.

English Speaking Church - If you are looking for a relaxed English speaking church, try Oasis Madrid.

www.spainexchange.com