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About Madrid Madrid oozes charisma and it’s apparent from every angle. Immediately upon arriving in Madrid travelers will be captivated by this Spanish city’s charm. The third largest city in Europe and Spain’s capital city, Madrid has something for everyone. Take part in one of Madrid’s famous fiestas or cultural festivals, study at one of the city’s top universities, and explore the ancient city center lined with Spanish architecture and packed with museums and monuments.
Summer and fall months host the largest festivals, so travelers booking Madrid flights during those times should plan to party. Carnival, Veranos de la Villa and Festival de Otono are among the top three all year. For the truly eccentric traveler, book a flight to Madrid in May for the San Isidro Festival, which signifies the beginning of bullfighting season. Take time out from the fiesta and hit Madrid’s fashionable shopping district. If travel to Madrid is for business purposes head straight to the Paseo de la Castellana, Madrid’s business quarter, where skyscrapers shape the landscape and the international headquarters of multi-million dollar companies make corporate history. Don’t despair – there will be time for fun outside the office. After a long day in the boardroom, head to Spain’s largest bullring at the Plaza de Toros where regular bullfights still take place.
Whether your flight to Madrid is for overseas studies or you found a cheap flight to Madrid for a long weekend full of arts and entertainment escapades, this exciting Spanish city bids you un tiempo bueno.
AttractionsThe top tourist attractions in Madrid feature the Reina Sofia Art Gallery and Museo del Prado - which exhibits one of the biggest collections of art in the world! There's also the Palacio Real , the largest palace in Europe which is home to the King and Queen of Spain and Puerta del Sol, the geographical heart of Spain!
Madrid has some beautiful parks and plazas, two of the most popular include Parque del Buen Retiro, 330 acres of parkland dotted with attractions and the impressive Plaza Mayor a 17th century square.
Maybe you'd like to go watch Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium or learn about their history in the Real Madrid museum. Or maybe you’d prefer to take in some Flamenco dancing in one of the city's tapas bars.
Many spectacles can be seen in Madrid – go and view the tremendous architecture of Palacio de Santa Cruz, or the Almudena Cathedral, which took years to build. Foreign influence can be seen in the Temple of Depod and the Arco de la Victoria’s design. The Alcala Gate is another site you might like to visit.
 If you want somewhere to sit and relax in the city, Madrid’s famous square Plaza de Cibeles is very popular amongst tourists to Madrid and the Royal Botanical gardens are perfect for those seeking peace from the hustle and bustle of the city.
If you feel like seeing the countryside then why not hire a car and visit popular destinations like Aranjuez, Chinchon, El Escorial and Toledo.
With so much to do and enjoy, it's easy to see why Madrid is one of Spain's top destinations!
Restaurants & barsFlamenco: The Corral de la Moreria Restaurant offers Madrid's best flamenco show together with some excellent Spanish food.
Traditional: Botin Restaurant is a classic, registered in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest restaurant in the world. Worth visiting just to say you've been there!
Modern: The decor of the Teatriz Restaurant is the work of famous French designer Philippe Starck, giving an avant-garde feel to a classic building which was once a theatre. The menu consists of creative Italian cuisine, with the option of some excellent tapas.
Paellas: So many establishments offer ready-made paellas for the tourist, but if you want to sample the real thing with an excellent choice of different varieties, the La Buganvilla Restaurant is the place to go.
Mediterranean: Top chef Frédéric Fétivea combines Spanish, French, Italian and Moroccan cuisines at the Cafe Oliver Restaurant, honoured by the El Mundo newspaper in the "More than a Restaurant" category of its gastronomic awards.
Seafood: An amazing array of different fish and seafood dishes are available at the La Trainera Restaurant, the ingredients purchased every day from Madrid's most important fresh produce distribution market.
Vegetarian: A myriad of vegetarian dishes such as salads, vegetarian paella, vegetarian pastas and macrobiotic dishes are presented at the Al Natural Restaurant in a warm and cosy atmosphere.
NightlifeMadrid is one of the world's liveliest cities, a city that never sleeps (the Spanish would say it has "mucha marcha"). During weekends or before public holidays, and also on the days running up to Christmas, it is not unusual to see more people out and about at 4, 5 or 6am in the morning than in many other cities during the day! Coincidence or not, it can hardly come as a surprise to learn that Madrileños are known locally as "gatos" (cats).
Madrid's nightlife has something for everybody, whatever your preferences, age or nationality. And don't worry if you're with kids. Children are freely admitted in all types of bars, cafeterias and restaurants and even some pubs, although this last idea is perhaps not to be recommended ... at the very least the owner or bar staff should be consulted first.
Start your discovery of "la noche", with this description of Madrid's night, a brief summary of the differences between bars and pubs, and a few recommendations plus areas of the city you can visit to pursue your favourite night-time activity. It's all in there: discos, pubs, bars, restaurants, flamenco and more.
If you or one of your friends are getting married, why not come to Madrid for your Stag Party or Hen Party?
Madrid caters for all tastes and nationalities, and its Irish pubs & bars cater for an ever increasing expat and overseas student population, together with the many locals who like to enjoy a pint of Guinness.
Or, take the easy option ... the Madrid Nightlife Tours, different coach tours for all ages, where you will be shown the night of Madrid, safely, securely, with no queueing and with all other entrance logistics taken care of.
Whatever you do, ¡Qué lo pases bien! (Have a good time!)
ShoppingShop Madrid at your leisure knowing that with this handy guide you will not miss a thing! Shopping in Madrid explained for all. From Stamps to Souvenirs, it is all here!
Behind the famous Siesta shopping comes a close second in the list of priorities for Madrilenos (after all you have to look the part when you go out to eat at least three times a week!) Top fashion labels as well as independent designers means there are a number of Madrid stores where that "unique" item can be had.
For those looking for cheap and cheerful souvenirs there are many options in either Europes largest Sunday market or one of the many tourist stores in the city centre.
Every Sunday morning the streets of Barrio La Latina are taken over by thousands of people as the whole area is transformed into Europes biggest outdoor market. El rastro is where small businesses, maket stalls and anyone with a table or suitcase come to sell just about anything!
Clothes, souvenirs, electrical goods, football jerseys, paintings and even medieval chastity belts are among the offerings. Its almost as if the accumulated wealth of the country is up for sale every week!
Shop Madrid recommends a visit even if you have no intention of purchasing anything!
Spanish towns and villages love their markets and in Madrid the only difference is the sheer variety of markets on offer. From the Madrid stamp market held in the historic setting underneath the arches of Plaza Mayor, to the fresh seafood on offer at one of the local fish markets there is something for everyone! Shop Madrid in those places that the guide books do not list & grab yourself a bargain.
Other things you should knowMadrid has been listening to the best flamenco since the early 19th century and has seen the best artists triumph here. Several activities surrounding this art form continue to flourish - well informed magazines such as Alma 100 (free, with some articles in English and Japanese) and La Caña, the radio program Madrid flamenco in Onda Madrid and hundreds of dance academies such as the famous Amor de Dios academy in Fray Luis de Leon street.
 Flamenco can be seen in many bars and taverns in Madrid. Normally you would go for an evening meal to one of these places, and listen to the music afterwards.
You could start off your day at Casa Patas, La Torre del Oro or Viña Pe, where you could sit down for lunch or just order a wine, some "tapas", listen to the music and take in the flamenco atmosphere.
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