Madrid, with a bustling population of over 3 million people is the largest city and capital of Spain. Spanning a land mass of over 200 square miles, the city provides a wealth of attractions and historical landmarks to any visitors, either domestic or foreign.  Known as the cultural center of Spain, it is also the perfect place to sample delicious cuisine and get to know the locals.

Welcome to Madrid

(Picture by Javymetal)

Some Fun Facts about Madrid

• It is located on the Manzanares River

• Madrid is the political and commercial hub of Spain

• According to Forbes, it is the seventh most visited city in the world

• It is a candidate city to host the 2020 Olympic Games

• It has a Mediterranean climate with the hottest months being July and August

• The city is divided into 21 districts which are then further divided into neighborhoods

• It has the highest number of city trees in the world succeeded only by Tokyo

• Madrid is home to the largest bull fighting ring in Spain

• It has many local festivals typically held between May and November

• It is home of the famous football club Real Madrid, who have won 9 European cups

• Some of the oldest and most prestigious universities of Spain are located in Madrid making it a hotspot for education

• The Madrid metro system is the second largest in Western Europe succeeded only by London

(Puerto Del Sol by Mario)

Museums to Visit

• The Museo Del Prado is open from Monday to Saturday and has one of the best art collections in the world

• The Naval museum details the history of Spanish sailing

• The Museo de Americas has many artefacts from the Americas during colonization times

• The Museo de Historia de Madrid showcases the history of Madrid from 1561

• The National Archaeology museum is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays

(Picture by Fernado)

Landmarks to See

• The Plaza Mayor has a beautiful statue of Phillip the 3^rd but is also home to many shops and cafes

• The Palacio Real is the Royal palace, one of the biggest in Europe and is definitely worth visiting

• The Puerta del Sol is where the action place of daily Madrid life and it is home to many impressive buildings. It is the place where all tours and excursions are sold and where the locals hang out

(Picture by MarcP)

Things to Do in Madrid

• The Mercado de San Miguel is an indoor food market that is a perfect introduction to Spanish cuisine

• Row a boat on the lake in El Retiro Park

• See the variety of plants at the Royal Botanical Gardens

• Visit the Zoo and Aquarium that holds regular, scheduled activities to interact with the animals

Get around Madrid

Car leasing: Provided by Renault, Peugeot or Citroen, this choice is ideal if you want to tour other areas within Spain. Find out more…