Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city in Spain. The population of the Madrid metropolitan area is around 6.5 million, the third-largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin. The city is located on the Manzanares River.
In the year 2006 Madrid was the fourth most visited city in Europe and the first of Spain, with almost seven million tourists.
We recommend you stay in Madrid for at list 3 nights.
Main sights recommended are:
- Plaza Mayor, a central plaza in the city.
- Puerta Del Sol, one of the best known and busiest places in Madrid.
- Alacala Street, the longest street in Madrid, with a variety of beautiful buildings.
- Plaza de Cibeles with Cibeles Fountain, one of Madrid's most important symbols.
- The Royal Palace, the largest palace in Europe by floor area.
- Plaza de Espania, with a monument to Miguel de Cervantes and bronze sculptures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
- The Beautiful Retiro Park, one of Madrid's main attractions.
- Prado Museum, the main Spanish national art museum.
- El Rastro, the most popular open air flea market in Madrid.
- Almudena Cathedral, Madrid's largest and most impressive church.
About 45 km northwest of Madrid, it is recommended to visit the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Visit the nearby Valle de los Caidos, a memorial honoring all the dead in the Spanish Civil war.
About 70 km south of Madrid, visit Toledo, the "City of the Three Cultures", declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is one of the most visited sites in Spain.
See more tourist information on Madrid including sights, hotels, etc.
