International country code: 34
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin plugs are
standard.
Government
Parliamentary monarchy
Population
Madrid: 561,565
Religion
Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin plugs are
standard.
Government
Parliamentary monarchy
Population
Madrid: 561,565
Religion
Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%
Madrid - The Sleepless City By Edward
Kirwan
Spain’s modern bustling capital, Madrid, is smack
bang in the middle of the country. The heart of
Madrid is open with grand architecture and wide
avenues. Being relatively compact it is easy to
explore and enjoy the ambiance in all its glory.
When visiting you would be well advised to be
aware of the weather in Madrid. Sitting on a high
plateau with low mountains to the northwest it does
not enjoy the best of climates. Locally they claim to
Kirwan
Spain’s modern bustling capital, Madrid, is smack
bang in the middle of the country. The heart of
Madrid is open with grand architecture and wide
avenues. Being relatively compact it is easy to
explore and enjoy the ambiance in all its glory.
When visiting you would be well advised to be
aware of the weather in Madrid. Sitting on a high
plateau with low mountains to the northwest it does
not enjoy the best of climates. Locally they claim to
Madrid |
Time Zone: CET (GMT+1)
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You are not the only Real
Madrid Football Fan! The
"Madrileños" have a great passion
for their players as well.
Get your tickets here
Madrid Football Fan! The
"Madrileños" have a great passion
for their players as well.
Get your tickets here
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| Things To Do in Madrid |
| Car Hire |
Madrid Cultura Card
have three months of bad weather and the other
nine months are awful. This can be taken with a
pinch of salt, particularly if you are from colder
regions but the winters are cold with biting winds
while the heat of summer is best avoided. Typically
most "Madrileños" head for the coasts or mountains.
Check your Madrid travel guide but spring and
autumn are the best times to visit.
Whatever the weather there is always somewhere
to get away from it. With so many fine cafes, bars
and restaurants to choose from, catering for all
tastes and times of day you will have to plan your
time well.
Madrid being cosmopolitan, is not famous for any
particular regional dish but this does not detract
from the quality of what is on offer and it certainly
adds to the variety. Visit the side streets and
uncover small specialist tapas bars or hidden
restaurants offering gastronomic delights.
The famous Prado Museum, housing Spain’s finest
art works is complemented by the The Thyssen-
Bornemisza Museum, and the “Museo Nacional
Centro de Arte Reina Sofía”, The Queen Sophia
Museum of Modern Art.
The 18th century Prado built during the reign of
Charles III, is considered to be the best neoclassical
building in Madrid. Its collection of paintings is one of
the best in the world, housing the works of the
great Velazquez, Goya, El Greco, Murillo, Zurbaran,
Rafael and Rubens amongst others.
Behind the Prado is the huge expanse of the Parque
de Retiro; perfect to stroll and relax away from the
heat and the traffic. This is adjoined to the Royal
Botanical Gardens. Close by, those travelling by train
to or from the Atocha Station have the added
pleasure of the indoor botanical gardens to enjoy.
The Royal Palace “El Palacio Real”, and the
wonderful Sabatini Gardens are a must for many
visitors, while the Plaza de la Cibeles is considered
as the heart of Madrid. It is a good point from which
to orientate yourself. Between the two, seek out the
Plaza Major with its statue of Felipe III on horseback
in the centre. It is off the Calle Major close to the
Puerta del Sol and though large, it is mysteriously
missed by some.
The Calle de Alcalá, runs into the main shopping
street, the Gran Via. What a sight and what a
shoppers’ paradise! The large and famous
department stores, fashion houses, shoe shops mix
with the artisans and craft shops on this long
avenue. With its surrounding streets and side alleys
combined with long opening hours, Gran Via is the
shoppers dream. In Madrid there is nowhere to go
but the Grand Via. Look no further.
The great ‘Plaza de Toros Monumental de Las
Ventas.’, the bullfighting ring, is the largest in Spain.
Recently, live transmission of bullfighting has been
withdrawn from television but “afficianados” (fans)
can enjoy their art from May to October.
Another great passion of the "Madrileños" is of
course their beloved Real Madrid football club and a
visit to the gigantic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is a
nine months are awful. This can be taken with a
pinch of salt, particularly if you are from colder
regions but the winters are cold with biting winds
while the heat of summer is best avoided. Typically
most "Madrileños" head for the coasts or mountains.
Check your Madrid travel guide but spring and
autumn are the best times to visit.
Whatever the weather there is always somewhere
to get away from it. With so many fine cafes, bars
and restaurants to choose from, catering for all
tastes and times of day you will have to plan your
time well.
Madrid being cosmopolitan, is not famous for any
particular regional dish but this does not detract
from the quality of what is on offer and it certainly
adds to the variety. Visit the side streets and
uncover small specialist tapas bars or hidden
restaurants offering gastronomic delights.
The famous Prado Museum, housing Spain’s finest
art works is complemented by the The Thyssen-
Bornemisza Museum, and the “Museo Nacional
Centro de Arte Reina Sofía”, The Queen Sophia
Museum of Modern Art.
The 18th century Prado built during the reign of
Charles III, is considered to be the best neoclassical
building in Madrid. Its collection of paintings is one of
the best in the world, housing the works of the
great Velazquez, Goya, El Greco, Murillo, Zurbaran,
Rafael and Rubens amongst others.
Behind the Prado is the huge expanse of the Parque
de Retiro; perfect to stroll and relax away from the
heat and the traffic. This is adjoined to the Royal
Botanical Gardens. Close by, those travelling by train
to or from the Atocha Station have the added
pleasure of the indoor botanical gardens to enjoy.
The Royal Palace “El Palacio Real”, and the
wonderful Sabatini Gardens are a must for many
visitors, while the Plaza de la Cibeles is considered
as the heart of Madrid. It is a good point from which
to orientate yourself. Between the two, seek out the
Plaza Major with its statue of Felipe III on horseback
in the centre. It is off the Calle Major close to the
Puerta del Sol and though large, it is mysteriously
missed by some.
The Calle de Alcalá, runs into the main shopping
street, the Gran Via. What a sight and what a
shoppers’ paradise! The large and famous
department stores, fashion houses, shoe shops mix
with the artisans and craft shops on this long
avenue. With its surrounding streets and side alleys
combined with long opening hours, Gran Via is the
shoppers dream. In Madrid there is nowhere to go
but the Grand Via. Look no further.
The great ‘Plaza de Toros Monumental de Las
Ventas.’, the bullfighting ring, is the largest in Spain.
Recently, live transmission of bullfighting has been
withdrawn from television but “afficianados” (fans)
can enjoy their art from May to October.
Another great passion of the "Madrileños" is of
course their beloved Real Madrid football club and a
visit to the gigantic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is a
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Madrid Airport
Madrid Barajas International Airport
Airport code: MAD
Distance from city: 15km (9 miles)
Madrid Barajas International Airport
Airport code: MAD
Distance from city: 15km (9 miles)
mecca for many fans. Madrid caters for all tastes and younger visitors
often prefer the Warner Bros-Madrid Theme Park, the famous Zoo-
Aquarium, Faunia Theme Park, and the Wax Museum
While walking Madrid is the best way to see it, a city pass and the open
top bus will save your legs for the nights out. Should you find yourself too
far from your hotel and a little weary the metro system is very user
friendly even for a foreigner.
Hotels in Madrid offer the whole range of accommodation as you would
expect. From the luxurious five star hotels to the more modest “hostals”
or the simple private rooms: everyone’s budget is catered for. Note that
“hostal” in Madrid is in fact a denomination of an hotel. Don’t expect
peace and quiet though except perhaps in the very early hours or during
siesta if you are lucky! Spain is a noisy country and Madrid never sleeps.
Do not be surprised either that evenings start later than in many places
and a night out is just that. With that said Madrid is a great city to be out
on the town. Flamenco, blues, salsa and jazz compete with disco, rap and
techno as music emanates from every bar, restaurant, club and street
corner. This is a city full of people enjoying themselves.
Flights to Madrid are through Barajas International Airport which lies
15km to the east of the city. Transport to the centre of Madrid is by hire
car (take A-2 Barcelona route to the M-30 highway) taxi, route 89 bus or
the metro subway train service which takes you to the very heart of this
wonderful city by changing at Mar del Cristal.
You may leave Madrid exhausted, wondering when and if the
"Madrileños" ever sleep but you will certainly remember your visit.
For central Madrid. For M-40 highway take A-10 to Junction 3 or Junction 9.
There are taxis outside each Terminal's Arrivals area.
Journey time to central Madrid is around 25-30 minutes depending on
traffic.
• Fare: Around €15-€20 including airport supplements.
The Airport bus to the Plaza de Colon (Route 89)
The Madrid Metro subway system links the airport with the city
often prefer the Warner Bros-Madrid Theme Park, the famous Zoo-
Aquarium, Faunia Theme Park, and the Wax Museum
While walking Madrid is the best way to see it, a city pass and the open
top bus will save your legs for the nights out. Should you find yourself too
far from your hotel and a little weary the metro system is very user
friendly even for a foreigner.
Hotels in Madrid offer the whole range of accommodation as you would
expect. From the luxurious five star hotels to the more modest “hostals”
or the simple private rooms: everyone’s budget is catered for. Note that
“hostal” in Madrid is in fact a denomination of an hotel. Don’t expect
peace and quiet though except perhaps in the very early hours or during
siesta if you are lucky! Spain is a noisy country and Madrid never sleeps.
Do not be surprised either that evenings start later than in many places
and a night out is just that. With that said Madrid is a great city to be out
on the town. Flamenco, blues, salsa and jazz compete with disco, rap and
techno as music emanates from every bar, restaurant, club and street
corner. This is a city full of people enjoying themselves.
Flights to Madrid are through Barajas International Airport which lies
15km to the east of the city. Transport to the centre of Madrid is by hire
car (take A-2 Barcelona route to the M-30 highway) taxi, route 89 bus or
the metro subway train service which takes you to the very heart of this
wonderful city by changing at Mar del Cristal.
You may leave Madrid exhausted, wondering when and if the
"Madrileños" ever sleep but you will certainly remember your visit.
For central Madrid. For M-40 highway take A-10 to Junction 3 or Junction 9.
There are taxis outside each Terminal's Arrivals area.
Journey time to central Madrid is around 25-30 minutes depending on
traffic.
• Fare: Around €15-€20 including airport supplements.
The Airport bus to the Plaza de Colon (Route 89)
The Madrid Metro subway system links the airport with the city