Atop the 2,000 foot high Castilian plateau of central Spain, Madrid can be hot in summer or cold in winter, but its skies are a deep, clear blue, and it is always inviting. The city sprawls with remarkable energy down major thoroughfares and through narrow, winding streets in the neighborhoods. It is Spain’s largest city, and the capital since 1562.

Madrid has a distinct rhythm, often very pleasant for visitors. Despite its cosmopolitan atmosphere, the city still runs at a different pace. At night, the city takes on a new life as residents frequent the tapas bars. Families of all ages are often seen out on the streets as late as midnight. Madrid really does stay open 24 hours a day. Don’t be surprised to be in a traffic-jam at 4 a.m. People going to work sometimes run into their neighbors returning home after enjoying a whole night out! Madrid provides a wealth of opportunity for extracurricular activities including concerts, jazz, theater and cinema. It is a very cosmopolitan city, with an enormous variety of shops, restaurants, parks, discos, monuments and museums.

Madrid enjoys a pleasant climate during the spring and autumn months with average temperatures around 15 centigrade. Summers can be very hot, and winters get chilly. Madrid has an average of 125 days of sunshine per year.

Museums

Madrid has many important museums, including:

Prado Museum. One of the most important collections of paintings worldwide, with works by Goya, Rubens. Velazquez, and Rembrandt.

Museum Thyssen-Bornemisza. A tremendous private collection that covers all periods in Western art, from medieval paintings to Jackson Pollock.

Reina Sofia. Contemporary art of Spanish and international artists including Picasso, Miro and Robert Rauschenberg.

Attractions

Retiro Park. A beautiful park that offers refuge from the city.

The Plaza Mayor. A highlight of the old city.

The Rastro. One of the world’s biggest fleamarkets.

Shopping. From designer to distinctive, Madrid has it all.

Dining

Madrid has numerous great restaurants that feature the unique Spanish cuisine. Be sure to try cocido, a Spanish stew, morcilla, blood sausage with rice, and the dozens of varieties of ham. Eat Spanish style, with lunch as the main meal of the day, and a few tapas for dinner around 9 or 10 at night.

Nightlife

Madrid is famous for its nightlife, and has something for everyone. Discos, bars, theater, concerts, and jazz. Madrid is very creative and open, people are up all night (the unofficial weekend begins Thursday night). You will have no trouble finding something that pleases you. And for such a big city, Madrid is relatively safe. There is far less crime than in other large cities.

Transportation

The Metro is the most popular and quickest means of transport. It runs from six in the morning till one-thirty at night. Madrid also has more than 165 bus lines whose routes extend over the whole city and run from 6 AM to midnight. After these hours, there is a night service called the Búho (owl) which leaves from Cibeles Square. Taxis are easily identified by their white color and red band and they are quite reasonable.