About The City:
Located on the undulating Central Plateau in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula at 2,100 feet (635 m) above sea level, Madrid is a capital of Spain since 1562 . One of Europe's highest capital cities with a rapidly growing population , Madrid is a vast, primarily modern city that is always ready to wrap you in its lure and never-ending energy, no matter what your exhortations.
Madrid also is a world capital of bull fighting. During the day, the city is full of energy but while evening the central city becomes a bustle of human activity with lots of bars, clubs, discos and tascas offering the most vibrant enjoyment and fun.
A cosmopolitan city, a business center, headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family, Madrid also plays a major role in both the banking and industrial sectors. Most of its industry is located in the Southern fringe of the city, where important textile, food and metal working factories are clustered. Madrid is characterized by intense cultural and artistic activity and a very lively nightlife.
Weather Forecast:
Madrid is also the loftiest capital of Europe. With altitude and a central location, Madrid has warm, dry summers and cool winters. The weather in Madrid does have its peaks and troughs. At present, it is starting to dip after an oppressive summer, the temperature regularly hitting over 40ºC. Madrid in autumn is just great, neither hot nor cold, and going into winter there is always a chance of snow, especially in the mountains and ski resorts north of Madrid.
Tourist Attractions:
As Spain's capital and largest populated city by more than 3 million, Madrid boasts exciting nightlife, historic sites and monuments, and attains world-acclaimed museums. The Prado, with more than 7,000 royal collections of Spanish art, is among the world’s most important art repositories.
Among other popular attractions are the Royal Palace, and the Puerta de Alcalá arch. It's easy to get involved in Madrid's social lifestyle, with its crowded streets and busy 'tapa-tasting' cafes that stay open long into the night. For morning or afternoon coffee or evening sangria, people incline to the Plaza Mayor in the heart of Madrid, which once stood outside the city wall.
The Museo Del Prado, Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia make up an amazing assortment of three of the most amazing museums in Europe. Within walking distance of each other, they house amazing works from Picasso, Velázquez, Dalí, and Van Gogh. The Prado alone is world-renowned and would require a full day's attention for a true art aficionado. Of course, the art is a wonderful bonus in this city that parties until the break of dawn, so see the main paintings, but keep in mind that Madrid's other attractions still await.
A venue for open-air theatre and music performances and one of Madrid's oldest districts-Moorish quarter, officially known as the Plaza de Toros Monumental Madrid's main bull ring- Las Ventas, with a beautiful rose garden, La Rosaleda and an artificial lake Madrid's loveliest public garden-- Parque del Buen Retiro:--all these and many more attractions are awaiting for you.
Close Destinations:
30 kilometers out of Madrid, Alcala de Henares certainly deserves a visit for 15 th century city-walls, the church Iglesia Magistral, the 17 th century Convent of Bernardas and Casa de Cervantes, and the house of the author of Don Quijote.
Chinchón —a romantic gothic village 50 km from Madrid , is also a must see because of its well-reputed gastronomy and the anisette-brandy. Franco's favored residence Palacio Real de El Pardo, hills of the Sierra de Guadarrama and the majestic palace/monastery complex San Lorenzo de El Escorial are also some of the must see. Fast and efficient metro, with buses and regional trains are the Madrid's best ways to get around the city.
Accommodations:
Madrid is a victorious city and has a successful hotel to offer best suites to its visitors. In addition to many Paradors and simpler lodging sites there is a huge option for the visitors to select the best according to their needs. In Madrid hotels are rated from 1 to 5, also there services, rates, and facilities are different from the others.
Madrid possesses a number of standard hotels. But keep in mind that spring and autumn is the high season for them relatively than summer as visitors allow break to Madrid in these period. So it is advisable when you visit to the city, first do advance booking for the hotel as the Madrid is a busy city and lots of visitors are going over there every day. One of such websites that offer an outstandingly convenient and trustworthy online reservation system is hotel-listings-online.com that provides a complete list of hotels and resorts and other staying options in Madrid and in its neighborhood areas along with their affordable prices yet excellent facilities and exceptional room amenities.
Hotels Rates and Charges:
In Madrid, there is lot of hotels and paradors, but they can be expensive. The best option to save your money is private houses or night accommodation in hostels. The rates fluctuate according to seasons and may fall within the range of $30 to $450.
Almost all the one-star accommodation in Madrid is to be found in the historic centre, east of the Paseo del Prado, around the Puerta Del Sol, Plaza Mayor or Gran Vía or in Chueca. Unavoidably, parts of these areas are a bit seedy, but the establishment themselves are almost always acceptable, as long as you are not expecting luxury.
Lodging:
Madrid is a bustling, thriving city and visitors choose this city to spend their vacations. There is a big list for the hotels and their services and facilities. Health spa, fresh air, gardens, comfortable beds twin bunk bed set for kids, high speed internet facilities, fully equipped kitchenette or free room services, interactive satellite TV, video conference channel, direct dial telephone, fax-modem connection, minibar, and numerous other privileged amenities are provided by approximately all the accommodation options.
Amusing and Amazing Facts about the City:
The Armory Museum, which has just opened a gallery featuring the arms and armor of the last Habsburg kings, is always a draw for kids. Madrid’s streets, city with one of the liveliest nights in the streets, are called the botellon ('big bottle') as it is estimated that 300,000 impecunious young drinkers take to the city's central squares every weekend. Seville 's cathedral one of the finest in Spain and the Museo de Bellas Artes one of the country's best art collections offer much more to visitors.
Madrid is a compact city with an excellent modern subway system, the Metro, and an abundance of taxis. The main points of interest are located between Paseo del Prado in the east and Palacio Real in the west. A statue of a bear nuzzling a "strawberry" tree has become the symbol of Madrid. |
