Madrid

Madrid, Spain

The Manzanares River peacefully flows through the Iberian Peninsula and leads to Madrid, the “Gate of Europe”, the capital of Spain where the Spanish monarch resides.

Squares of all stripes, street buskers, museums, parks, Royal Palace – a stroll here opens your eyes to the artistry of the city's different historical periods.

With a whacking 1962 time-honored buildings, Madrid is an outdoor architectural museum, an epicenter of European art. As the night nears, the glow of the setting sun plays on the timeless city, making you feel you want the time to come to a standstill.

Getting around

• Bernabeu Stadium

  Stefano, Poos Cass, Ronaldo, Raul and Zidane all once wowed their fans with their dazzling display of skills on this home stadium of Real Madrid. It's one of the world's most prestigious football venues.

• Royal Palace of Madrid

  On the rubbles of an Austrian castle burned down in 1734 stands the Royal Palace of Madrid, the third largest royal palace behind the Palace of Versailles in Paris and Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna . Its interior décor features a ceiling frescoed by some of Spain's most celebrated art heavyweights.

• Plaza Mayor

  This quadrilateral plaza built in 1620 is a showcase of the past glory of the Habsburg period in Spanish history. Most in evidence in the center of the plaza is the statue of Kind Phillips III who was credited with its construction. For almost a century, the plaza has been a venue for fairs and public performances. Today, after sundown, restaurants that line the streets are packed with nightlife mavens, giving visitors a genuine taste of what the local nightlife culture is like.

• Toledo

  The ancient city, a World Cultural Heritage site dozens of kilometers away from Madrid, could be an eye-opening detour for diehard history enthusiasts. Ancient castles are perched on higher grounds. The front gate is emblazoned with the Eagle of Spanish King Carlos I.

• Plaza of Spain

  It was built in 1930 in commemoration of Cervantes whose statue looms over its leafy surrounds and the sculptures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Behind the statue are Edificio Espana and the Torre de Madrid which are all over 200 meters.

  
  
  
• Jamon Iberico

  The signature ham of Spain is a true sparkling treasure on Spanish menus. The way it slips and slides on the tongue, together with its aroma, makes for a delightful sensation. It takes 5 years for one piece to be served on tables, so don't let your eyes pop at the price.