Culture, history, great food and night-life – what else could you want? Madrid is a city that encompasses all those things and more. As the capital of Spain, Madrid is a bustling city of over 3 million. It’s the financial centre of the country and a major destination for tourists from around the world.
Located in the centre of the Iberian peninsula the city enjoys a Continental Mediterranean climate with cool winters and hot and dry summers. Due to the higher altitude you can expect a trip full of sunshine with little to no precipitation.
History
Madrid has been occupied for thousands of years, and it shows. It was a major city during the Roman era and has had significant influence over the years from many different cultures, which is also present in the ultra modern city. From Arabs to Christians, the impact of different occupations presents itself in the architecture and culture of today’s city and its inhabitants.
Getting around
The best way to get around Madrid is through its extensive public transport system. The city is the central hub for Spain’s rail system and can be accessed from nearly any major city in Europe. Bajaras International Airport is served by the world’s major airlines and is connected to central Madrid through Metro Line Eight.
Taxis also present an option for larger groups getting to the city however cost considerably more (around €25, as opposed to the metro at €2). When you are inside the city there is a bus system that provides transport to nearly every area, as well as the metro stations.
Culture
There are many museums of art and history throughout the city. Madrid is also famous for its culinary expertise and there is no shortage of amazing authentic food to be found in restaurants, cafes and sold by street vendors. Surprisingly for a landlocked city, an incredible supply of fresh and tasty seafood is present at many of the Madrid’s restaurants.
If you’re up for a real adventure consider watching a game of football at one of the local clubs, Real Madrid. For you shoppers out there you won’t be disappointed. Madrid is home to many fashion companies and clothing boutiques.
The people of Madrid are friendly and the younger generations are usually fluent in English. If you’re looking for adventure and inspiration, look no further.