 Madrid
is a modern, world-class, but also historic city - the capital of
Spain - located almost centrally in the heart of the country. A contrast
of old and new, Madrid is a beautiful and vibrant city with great architectural
interest. You might find the drive into the city a bit boring with
its suburbs of concrete apartment blocks, but once in the centre, you will
enjoy the traditional streets, with medieval buildings and some narrow
and very atmospheric alleys, containing shops and bars.
The old quarter has a concentration
of magnificent attractions including the Prado Museum with its great
art collection, as well as the Reina Sofia and Thysssen-Bornemisza
galleries, displaying Picasso and many other European and American
masters.
The people of Madrid are
among the great attractions of the city. Commonly known as the "Madrileños"
they can be seen relaxing in the traditional cafes and cars, at the Sunday
El Rastro flea market, and also late into the night at the many
bars and nightclubs of Madrid.
For shopping, Madrid is a
shopper's paradise, including the classy and expensive shops of the Salamanca
Quarter. For those on a more modest budget, the El Rastro flea
market is highly recommended.
Other attractions include:
 Parque
del Buen Retiro (Park of the Pleasant Retreat) - a lovely green and
leafy oasis in the heart of the city including a lake where rowing boats
can be hired. There are also wonderful puppet shows for the children
in the park.
Temple of Debod -
an ancient Egyptian temple which has been rebuilt in Madrid. The temple
was originally built in southern Egypt, close to the first cataract of
the Nile and is dedicated to the goddess Isis, in Philae. Due to the construction
of the Great Dam of Aswan In 1960, and the subsequent threat it posed
to certain monuments and archaeological sites, UNESCO made an international
call to save this rich historical patrimony. As a sign of gratitude for
the help provided by Spain in saving the temples of Abu Simbel, the Egyptian
state donated the temple to Spain in 1968.
The Teatro Real (Royal
Theatre) which has the world's finest stage and acoustic settings for
opera.
The Santiago Bernabéu
Stadium - home to Real Madrid - is a must visit for football
fans.
The city has many relaxing
plazas with beautiful sculptures, including the Plaza de Cibeles with its
magical fountain and the Plaza Mayor, a lovely place for strolling, feeding
the pigeons and enjoying a cup of coffee at one of the sidewalk cafes.
 Weather
in Madrid: Freezing cold in winter, and boiling hot in summer!
Recommended seasons for visiting this fascinating city are Spring and Autumn,
when you can stroll around the city and enjoy its many pleasures in comfort.
Transport: with
the versatile metro and bus transport systems, plus convenient taxis that
can be hailed in the street, you will have no problems getting around Madrid.
In conclusion, Madrid is
among the world's most popular destination cities and is well worth the
visit.
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About the Author:
Anne Sewell runs the website
All Madrid Accommodation,
which offers hotel and apartment reservations in Madrid, along with great
private tours of the city and its surroundings.
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