Madrid which has been the capital of Spain since 1562 is also the country’s largest city with about 3 million inhabitants. Situated on the River Manzanares, it is not only a cultural destination, but is also a thriving metropolis with a vibrant nightlife.  Nearby, you can enjoy short trips from Madrid to the enchanting historical attractions of Toledo and Segovia or the slopes of the Sierra de Guadarrama. It has over seventy museums! And there are attractions for the old as well as the young crowd. People living here are very friendly and welcome the others. The place is also known for the best Football team of the 20th Century, Real Madrid CF.

Climate

The climate is dry, warm and pleasant. It’s high altitude and closeness to mountains causes some wide variations in winter and summer temperatures. In summer the heat can be intense but the evenings turn pleasantly cool. Winters, on the contrary, have temperatures dropping to just below freezing. Rain in Madrid is a rare sight, with a short rainy season in late October and some showers in spring. . March to May and late September and October are the most popular times to visit.

Places to visit

The largest bull ring in Spain is in Madrid, hence it is popular here. Three of the famous museums are the Prado, the Thysssen-bornemisza and the Reina Sofia. These are a must visit. There are several bars and pubs, clubs and discos which go on till early morning! Hence the place is fun for those who prefer to work hard and party harder. Also the gay scene here is good. The largest park is the Parque de Buen Retiro; it is a sight if visited in the right season. Attractions for children include a zoo, which is one of the finest in Europe with animals separated by moats instead of bars, an aquarium, a safari park, a water park, a theme park and an interactive science museum.

Airport

Madrid-Barajas Airport is the main international airport serving Real Madrid in Spain and is well signed on major roads from the city. It is the country’s largest and busiest airport, the world’s 11th busiest airport (2008) and Europe’s fourth. Car rental facilities are provided at the airport by Avis, Advantage, Budget, Hertz, Alamo, National, Dollar, Thrifty, payless, E-Z, Simply Wheelz, Enterprise, Europcar and Practical.

Transport

Buses in Madrid are frequent, clean and cheap. You can use your metro ticket interchangeably with the EMT red buses. The commuter trains are another transport option. Run by the state company RENEFE, trains run from Atocha and Chamartín stations and reach many great sightseeing destinations as well as the airport. Having a car is also a convenient option although you may have to get used to the somewhat chaotic traffic behavior.

– Book guided tours directly from private tour guides. Get in touch with the local tour guide behind each tour. Find travel tours, day trips, city tours & adventure tours, off the beaten tourist path.

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