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Madrid

Autonomus region: Madrid
Tourist Office: Plaza  de Colón, 28013 Madrid (Madrid)
Tel.: +34 915 882 900 Fax: +34 915 882 900

General:

Madrid, Spain's capital is a cosmopolitan city. Its position as a centre for economics, finance, administration and services combines the most modern infrastructure with an important cultural and artistic heritage and the legacy of centuries of fascinating history.

Madrid is strategically located at the geographical centre of the Iberian Peninsula 646m above sea level. Its old town is exemplary among major European cities and blends harmoniously with the most modern urban infrastructure.  Combined with the momentum of a society that is dynamic and open, yet at the same time warm and welcoming, Madrid is recognised as one of the western world's great capitals.

The Madrid area has been settled since the Lower Palaeolithic age, but it was not until 1561 that King Philip II made it the capital of his mighty empire. The historic old town also known as "Madrid de los Austrias" (referring to the Hapsburg empire) is a living example of the city's 16th and 17th century heyday as is its impressive Plaza Mayor (main square), which opened in 1620 and remains one of Spain's most popular tourist attractions.

Nearby the Plaza Mayor is the so-called "aristocratic centre" of Madrid home to the stunning Royal Palace, a monumental 17th century building that combines Baroque and Classical styles. Next to the palace you find the Plaza de Oriente, the Opera House and the modern Almudena Cathedral, consecrated in 1993 by Pope John Paul II. This ensemble is completed by the Puerta del Sol, a square flanked by boutique shops and the "Paseo del Arte", so called for its unique museums, palaces and gardens.  Also of interest are the unmistakable Bank of Spain building, the Palacio de las Telecomunicaciones (currently home to the Spanish Post Office) and the Cibeles and Neptuno fountains.

Art and culture are central to Madrid life. The city has 73 museums that cover all fields of human knowledge. The most important are the Prado Museum, one of the world's greatest art galleries.  The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum with more than 800 paintings, sculptures and tapestries from the earliest Dutch masters to the most avant-garde and the Reina Sofía National Art Centre which is dedicated to Spanish contemporary art with works by Picasso, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí and Juan Gris among others.

Visitors and residents alike can enjoy the sun, walks, pleasure boating or even feed the squirrels in Madrid's large, impeccably maintained parks and gardens.
The Retiro Park (once playground of Spanish Monarchs), the Casa de Campo and the Juan Carlos I Park among many others make Madrid one of Europe's greenest capitals.

Madrid is also one of Europe's most attractive business centres. Its international airport receives more than one thousand flights weekly from all over the world and it has two major conference centres, including the modern Campo de las Naciones exhibition centre with a capacity to hold more than 80,000 people in varied conference and meeting facilities.

If there is one thing that characterises Madrid, it is the deep contagious passion for life reflected in its friendly welcoming people.  Madrid boasts concerts, exhibitions, ballets, world class theatre productions and the latest cinema releases. You can sample a wide variety of the finest Spanish and international cuisine or be enchanted by its bars and taverns.  Need retail therapy? Madrid offers a staggering choice of shopping opportunity with traditional establishments and world-famous outlets stocking the finest international brands at reasonable prices.

Madrid's nightlife is another major attraction. Its pubs, bars, discos and flamenco clubs have legendary atmosphere, while by day there are traditional verbenas (open-air dances), popular festivals and the San Isidro bullfighting festival, rated as the world's most important.

Museums in Madrid

 

Museo Nacional del Prado (Madrid)

Address: Paseo del Prado, s/n 28014 Madrid (Madrid)
Tel.: +34 913 302 800 Tel.: +34 902 107 077 Fax: +34 913 302 856
Website: www.museodelprado.es

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (Madrid)

Address: Calle Santa Isabel, 52 28012 Madrid (Madrid)
Tel.: +34 917 741 000 / Fax + 34 917 741 056
Website: www.museoreinasofia.com

Thyssen Bornemisza Museum

Address:Paseo del Prado, 8 . 28014 (Madrid)
Tel.: +34 913 690 151. Fax: +34 914 202 780
Website: www.museothyssen.org

Madrid Theatre

 

Teatro Real

Address: Plaza de Oriente, 28013 Madrid
Tel.: +34 915 160 660 Fax: +34 915 160 651
The theatre stages around seventeen operas (in-house and co-productions with other major European opera houses) per year, as well as two or three major ballets and several recitals.

Teatro de La Zarzuela

Address: Jovellanos 4, 28012 Madrid
Tel.: +34 915 245 400
Website: www.teatrodelazarzuela.mcu.es
Madrid's Teatro de la Zarzuela hosts an annual season of zarzuelas (Spanish musicals), as well as dance, theatre, classical concerts and events for children.

Football lovers

Real Madrid - Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)
Address: Avenida Concha Espina, 1 28036 Madrid (Madrid)
Tel.: +34 913984370 / Tel. Reservas: +34 902 30 17 09