Madrid Province
Madrid
State
Country
Spain
Continent
Europe
Size
604 KM2
Population
3,220,000
Spending Budget
$130 - $1,820
Famous For
- The city offers a wealth of cultural events and entertainments. Madrid was famous for its extensive and flamboyant street life, although people still live very much in the streets, especially during the intense heat of summer when the café terraces fill and people stroll up and down in the evenings.
Best Time to Visit
- January
- March
- April
- May
- September
- October
- November
History
Madrid lies on the River Manzanares in the center of both the country and the Community of Madrid region, of which it is also the capital. The first historical document about the existence of an established settlement in Madrid dates from the Muslim age. The Arab town, or medina, grew around the alcazar (castle) on a promontory. The Christian king Alfonso VI of Castile and León captured the town from the Muslims in 1083, and thereafter a number of kings of Castile spent time there. The parliament (Cortes) was called there as early as 1309. Under the Habsburg monarchs (known in Spain as the house of the Austrias), Madrid expanded even more rapidly. Architects such as Juan de Herrera and Francisco de Mora contributed to the monumental quality of the city. Madrid was officially made the national capital by Philip III, an entire generation after Philip II took the court to Madrid in 1561. Under the patronage of Philip II and his successors, Madrid developed into a city of curious contrasts, preserving its old, overcrowded centre, around which developed palaces, convents, churches, and public buildings.
Present Day
Madrid City is the Capital of Spain and Madrid province. With an estimated population of approximately 6 million Madrid is the country’s financial and art centre. It is the second-largest city in the European Union (EU), surpassed only by Berlin in its administrative limits, and its monocentric metropolitan area is the second-largest in the EU, surpassed only by Paris. It is home to one of the 17 autonomous communities in Spain, making Madrid not only a city but also a State. Madrid has taken on a cosmopolitan character with the influx of immigrants, particularly from Latin America, Asia, elsewhere in Europe, and North Africa. Madrid is a city that, with its style and flair, absorbs and holds those who live there or know it. Its inhabitants have a reputation for being attached to it. The proverb, “From Madrid to heaven, and in heaven a little window from which to see it”, is often used to describe their attachment. The city offers a wealth of cultural events and entertainments. Its cultivated people tend to be widely read including the youth who are up-to-date with the latest pop music. Football (soccer) is the sport of the natives. There are two major football (soccer) teams (Real Madrid and Club Atlético de Madrid), and the annual matches against the Barcelona squads are among the high points of the year. Madrid was famous for its extensive and flamboyant street life, although people still live very much in the streets, especially during the intense heat of summer when the café terraces fill and people stroll up and down in the evenings. Due to its economic output, high standard of living, and market size, Madrid is considered the major financial centre and the leading economic hub of the Iberian Peninsula and of Southern Europe.
Future
The UDN (Urban Development Network) held the first Spain-Italy-Portugal event to Shape the Future of Urban Development in the term 2021-2027. The Seminar took place in Santiago de Compostela and its motto was “Sharing experiences for the future of Spain, Portugal and Italy”. Several representatives of national and regional authorities, and politicians from Spain, Portugal and Italy attended the seminar. The involvement of cities that are applying their Strategies of Sustainable and Integrated Urban Development was divided into different discussion tables about several topics of interest for the future. A city from each participant State was invited as well to present an experience that could be inspiring for the future planning term. During the sessions, the participants had the chance to take stock of the successes, to discuss shared urban challenges, opportunities and specific solutions in urban sustainable development. This has also lead to a platform of exchange of ideas and good practices for the preparation for the next generation of urban strategies in the Cohesion Policies 2021-2027. Spain presented the actions that Madrid City Council is carrying out in order to include the SDGs in their local policies. In this context, the Deputy General Director of Internationalization of Madrid City Council, Juan Carlos de Castro, has taken part with an intervention titled “The experience of Madrid regarding the contribution to the SDGs through their local policies”. The Community of Madrid is finalising the procedures to begin the process to execute the Madrid Nuevo Norte urban development (previously called Operación Chamartín). The regional council will give the final go-ahead to a series of modifications that Madrid City Council has made to the project that it approved on 20 March, at the start of the State of Emergency. This process, which will be closed before the end of the summer, represents a definitive boost to the largest urban plan in Europe that is going to radically change the aspect of 2.68 million square metres, according to sources at the Community of Madrid speaking to La Información.
Prado Museum
A truly world-class museum, the Prado Museum has a collection of more than 8,000 paintings and 700 sculptures. Among its extensive assortment of artworks are many masterpieces, including celebrated paintings that rival the most famous works of the Louvre Museum in Paris. The Prado Museum displays around 2,300 pieces of the collection in more than 100 rooms on three floors. Trying to see it all in one visit can be daunting, but it's possible to focus on a specific itinerary of masterpieces. Part of the Prado Museum's exhibition space includes a contemporary building and the renovated 16th-century cloister of the San Jerónimo el Real monastery. These galleries display a noteworthy collection of 17th-century Spanish religious paintings.
Buen Retiro Park
The Buen Retiro Park (Parque del Retiro) is an oasis of peace in the heart of Madrid. This lush and beautifully manicured park offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The park encompasses more than 140 hectares and is shaded by over 15,000 trees. Created for the Count-Duke of Olivares in the 17th century, the historic park has an elegant ambience with its lovely landscaping and tree-lined paths. During the reign of Isabella II in the 19th century, the landscaping of the park was enhanced. The Parque del Retiro was owned by the Spanish royal family until the 19th century; since then it has been a public park.
Crystal Palace
Built in 1887, the Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace) is a splendid cast-iron and glass pavilion that houses art exhibitions. The Crystal Palace looks out onto a graceful fountain and reflecting pool. Visitors will find other interesting fountains at Buen Retiro Park including Los Galápagos (The Turtles), El Ángel Caído (The Fallen Angel), and La Alcachofa (The Artichoke). A pleasant pastime among locals is going for a spin on a row boat at the park's tranquil lake.
Royal Palace and Gardens
This grandiose palace is the Spanish version of Versailles, a royal court designed to impress. However unlike Versailles, which is now just a museum, the Royal Palace of Madrid is still the official residence of a monarch (the King of Spain) and continues to be used for official State events. The palace was commissioned by Philip V in the 18th century. The majestic Neoclassical facade is crafted entirely from granite and white Colmenar stone. The facade's Ionic columns and Doric pilasters are based on drawings that the sculptor Bernini originally intended for the Louvre in Paris. The balustrade features statues of Spanish kings. The most striking aspect of the interior is the imposing staircase at the entrance hallway, with a fresco of The Triumph of Religion and the Church, that leads up to the main floor.
Plaza Mayor
This elegant 17th-century plaza was built during the reign of Philip III and used as a center of commerce and municipal life, as well as the scene of ceremonial events such as the proclamation of a new king and the canonization of saints. The square also served as a venue for bullfights, dramatic performances, and knightly tournaments. Today, the Plaza Mayor continues to be an important gathering place in Madrid. The expansive cobblestone square is a pedestrian area, surrounded by outdoor cafés and atmospheric restaurants shaded by its arcades. In the evenings, the square takes on a lively ambience and is a popular hangout spot for both tourists and Madrileños.
Puerta del Sol
The Puerta del Sol was named after the sun emblem on the old city gate, which formerly stood here. This spacious town square aligns with the rising sun. Besides being a hub of public transportation (with several bus stops and Metro entrances), the Puerta del Sol is also the "Kilometer Zero" point from which all distances on the Spanish national road network are measured. The Puerta del Sol has been the scene of many historic events, including the Spanish resistance to Napoleon on May 2nd 1808, and in 1931, the Second Republic was proclaimed here. Nowadays the square is a place to hang out and enjoy life. Lined with shops and cafés, the Puerta del Sol is still one of the liveliest squares in Madrid.
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
Opened by Queen Sofía in 1986, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is Madrid's avant-garde center for contemporary art. Another wonderful surprise to visitors is the charming garden in the inner courtyard filled with imaginative sculptures. The Museo Reina Sofía contains over 23,000 artworks in its collections. In its thorough representation of Spanish modern and contemporary art, the collection includes remarkable masterpieces such as works by Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Alexander Calder. The artworks are displayed in various rooms spread out in a vast exhibition space of 39,000 square meters.
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu: Real Madrid's Stadium
Not all of Madrid's tourist attractions revolve around art. One of its most-visited museums draws football (soccer) fans to the stadium of the city's home team, Real Madrid. Visitors can take a tour of the stadium, as well as the museum with displays of trophies, team artifacts, and temporary exhibits. Tours also give fans a chance to enjoy the view of the field from the top of the stadium.
Puerta de Alcalá
This grand Neoclassical triumphal arch was commissioned by King Carlos III to celebrate the arrival of the monarchs to Spain's capital city. The monument was designed by Francesco Sabatini and built between 1769 and 1778. Nearly 30 meters high, the elegant granite entrance gate makes a grand impression. The facade is adorned with sculptures, capitals, and decorative reliefs.
Basilica de San Francisco el Grande
The Basilica of San Francisco el Grande was built by Carlos III in 1761 for a Franciscan friary. The church was designed by Francisco Cabezas, who modeled the Neoclassical architectural plan on the Church of Santa Maria in Campitelli in Rome. The construction was completed in 1784 by Francisco Sabatini. The interior features an inspiring 58-meter-high dome that is larger than the dome of Saint Paul's Cathedral in London. Magnificent paintings adorn the chapels of the basilica, including masterpieces by the Spanish Old Masters.