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Overview
The capital and the largest city of Spain, Madrid is located almost exactly in the geographical center of Iberian Peninsula. After London and Berlin, the city is the third most populous city in European Union. The city is located on the river Manzanares in the center of the country, between the autonomous communities of Castile and León and Castile-La Mancha.

Further, its economic, political and cultural importance makes Madrid one of the major cities of the world. In Spain, too, Madrid is best known for its great cultural and artistic heritage while it also boasts some of the liveliest nightlife in the world. Due to its economic output, standard of living, and market size, Madrid is considered the major financial center of the Iberian Peninsula it hosts the head offices of the vast majority of the major Spanish companies, as well as the headquarters of three of the world's 100 largest companies. As the capital city of Spain, seat of government, and residence of the Spanish monarch, Madrid is also the political center of Spain. The current mayor is Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, of the conservative Partido Popular.

While Madrid possesses a modern infrastructure, it has preserved the look and feel of many of its historic neighborhoods and streets.

Capital city of Spain and tourist hub – Madrid is a busy place , but never too busy to entertain and dazzle its enthusiastic visitors from far and beyond. Museums, macho matadors, regal palaces and royal gardens – Madrid, set scenically upon the banks of the Manzaneres River, is your gateway to Mediterranean Europe.

Madrid- Boundless Energy:
Madrid may be lacking in architectural beauty compared with other major Spanish cities, but it makes up for this with its boundless energy, blue skies, art, culture and some of the most exhilarating and exhausting nightlife in Europe. The city is compact and easy to navigate on foot - most of the sights of interest are found in the downtown area between the Royal Palace and Parque del Retiro.

The capital of Spain since 1562, Madrid sits in the geographic centre of the Iberian Peninsula and has long been an important stop on any art tour through Europe. The famous Museo del Prado on the city's 'Museum Mile' houses important works by Spanish and European masters from the Renaissance onwards, while the Museo Thyssen-Bornemiza houses one of the most extensive private collections in the world. The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia is devoted to 20th century Spanish art, with works by Miro, Dali and Picasso.

Visitors wishing to take a break from all that art may want to see the Plaza de Toros, Spain's largest bullring, where regular bullfights are still held. Sports fanatics who like something a little less blood-thirsty can watch Real Madrid, or Atletico de Madrid, Spain's most famous football teams kick off.

The city sits atop a plateau and is the highest capital in Europe, making its climate somewhat extreme with steaming hot summers and bitterly cold winters. Spring is the best time to visit and explore the squares and alleyways in the heart of this crowded city.

Madrid- A Lively City:
Madrid is a lively city - nobody is really sure when the Madrileños sleep. It may be the afternoon siesta that gives them the endurance to keep things going well into the night. Try it. It is one of the best cities to visit in Spain.

Plan several hours to see San Nicolas de los Servitas, then go shopping at Calle Serrano and the Gran Via. Visit the Victory Arch, the Palacio Real (the royal palace, with its own art treasures and crown jewels), and the Plaza de las Cibeles and Puerta del Sol (major intersections with fountains, monuments and shops). On Sunday, you must visit the Rastro Flea Market, located in La Latina, where you will find the Madrileño's real essence!

Madrid is a museum-goer's paradise. Including the Royal Palace, it has 15 important museums, dozens of galleries and several private collections. See the section on the art walk for more details about the three famous museums in Madrid: the Prado, the Thyssen Bornemisza and the Reina Sofia museum. You might end up spending more than one day just seeing museums. In fact, days could be spent in the halls of the Prado alone.

It is, however, actually quite possible to grow tired of all the museums in Madrid. If this happens, take a break, sit down at a terraza (outdoor cafe), and watch the world go by, or visit one of the many beautiful parks and lakes in the city.