Madrid Tourist Info
Location
This website is a guide with top Madrid tourist attractions and best sights, with recommendations
on what to see and do during your visit to the city.
And information about culture, leisure, famous monuments and parks, events, itineraries, tourist map,
subway map and airport map.
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain, located in the centre of the peninsula plain 646 meters above sea level and spans a total of 698 km² (233.3 sq mi).
The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million (2011); the entire population of the metropolitan area.
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain, located in the centre of the peninsula plain 646 meters above sea level and spans a total of 698 km² (233.3 sq mi).
The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million (2011); the entire population of the metropolitan area.
Information As the capital city, a cosmopolitan city, a business center, seat of government, Spanish Parliament, and residence of the Spanish monarch, Madrid is also the political centre of Spain. Madrid is characterized by intense cultural and artistic activity and a very lively nightlife. According to legend the original name of the city was "Ursaria" ("land of bears" in Latin), due to the high number of these animals that were found in the adjacent forests, which, together with the arbutus ("madroño" in Spanish), have been the emblem (The Bear and the Strawberry Tree) of the city from the Middle Ages. |
Events Madrid goes wild each May in honour of the city's patron Saint, San Isidro, with a traditional round of partying, feasting and dancing in the streets that goes on for about 10 days around the designated saint's day, 15 May. And regular bullfights in "Las Ventas" Bullring. Arco is Europe's largest contemporary art fair and turns Madrid into the centre of the international art world during its five-day run each year. Festimad is a Spain's rock music event of the year, Festimad hosts well known and up and coming rock bands for a two-day party that attracts thousands of people from all over Spain. Held at the Butarque Leganes Stadium just outside Madrid. |
Attractions • Royal Palace • Santa Cruz Palace • Royal Theater • Almudena Cathedral • Debod Temple • Prado Museum • Queen Sofia Museum • Fine Arts Museum • Archaeological Museum • Puerta del Sol • Gran Via Street • Plaza Mayor Square • Plaza España Square • Santa Ana Square • Cibeles Square • Alcala Gate • Victory Arch • Atocha Station • City Hall • Bullfighting Las Ventas • Botanical Garden • Buen Retiro Park • Casa de Campo Park • El Rastro Market • AZCA Buildings |
ARCOmadrid 2012
From 15 to 19 February, the Ifema trade fair showground is hosting the 31st edition of the International Contemporary Art fair of Madrid, a meeting point for gallery owners, collectors and the general public alike. This year's programme introduces a new approach: each of the 160 galleries will feature one artist and the fair will provide special coverage of their work. The event will include three curated programmes: Solo Projects: Focus Latin America; Opening: Young European Galleries; and Focus The Netherlands (guest country at the event).
