Capital of Spain since 1561 Madrid is the home of the Spanish government and of the Spanish royal family.

Furthermore it is the countries cultural capital. The Prado, one of the greatest art galleries in the world houses unrivalled collections of Goya, Velázquez, El Greco and Titian as well as important works by El Bosch and the Flemish School. Across the road you will find the Tyssen Bornemisza museum and the Reina Sofia, home of Picasso's "Guernica".

For those seeking high culture, the opera house opposite the Royal Palace, has recently been restored. Additionally theatre and classical music in the Auditorio Nacional are with in easy reach.

Madrid prides itself on its nightlife and large zones of the city center are devoted to bars, pubs, clubs and music. The menus of the city's numerous restaurants offer regional specialties from every corner of Spain.
Bullfighting in Madrid takes place during the festival of San Isidro in May and also at the beginning of October.
Outside of Madrid are the historic towns of Toledo, Segovia, Avila and Chinchón. Also close by are El Escorial, Filipe II's palace/monastery and the former royal retreat at Aranjuez. For walking excursions the Sierra de Guadarrama (scene of Hemingway's "For Whom the Bell Tolls"), is an hour north of Madrid.