Madrid Facts

Spaniards will tell you that while the rest of the world lives to work, they work to live. Nowhere is that more evident than in the capital, where the free-spirited Madrileños (Madrid's denizens) provide the main attraction for visitors. The unrivaled number of bars, cafés, discos, restaurants, and live music venues, combined with the locals' enthusiasm for enjoying themselves, make this the place to come for fun. Although Madrid may not have as many historical sites as Paris, Rome, or even Barcelona, you'll still find plenty of intellectual stimulation at some of the best museums in Europe like the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemizsa.

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The heart of it all! You should start your tour...

..., where narrow cobbled lanes and 17th-century chapels border modern boulevards and gleaming skyscrapers. Such is the diversity of modern Madrid, where locals revel in the centuries-old sport of bullfighting in the afternoon and then feast on sushi in the evening. And if you ask Madrileños about their favorite attractions, they're just as divided: The masterpieces of the Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums vie with junk-shopping at the Rastro.

Things to Do

Your feet will grow weary before you make your way through the masterpieces of the Prado. The collection rivals that of the Louvre, with works from around the world, but since you're in Madrid you may as well focus on the rich collection...