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Madrid

madrid

Madrid is the capital of Spain, set deep in the interior of the Iberian Peninsula, at the highest altitude of any European capital. Its summer is hot; and its winter, though often brilliantly sunny, somewhat cold. Founded several hundred years ago as an imperial centre and fought over in a vicious civil war in the first half of the twentieth century, Madrid has matured into a stylish and vibrant city.

 

Instructions

 

Government, finance and the media industries give the city its economic vitality. Buildings of the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries make up much of an impressive city centre. Some are now world-class museums, others part of the daily life of the Madrilenos, as the city's natives are known. Nightlife, theatres, and film are famously busy. Restaurants draw on the traditional cuisine of Castile, Madrid's local region, and of many other cooking styles from around Spain, Europe and the world.


Arts and Events


Carnevale takes hold of the city at various dates in February and March. For the particular festivals of Madrid the celebrant must wait till May: on the 2nd comes the Fiesta de la Comunidad de Madrid, and on the 15th the Fiestas de San Isidro. For some the festivals seem to continue all year long - Madrid's nightlife is an ebullient and exciting affair.

 

Daylight reveals two squares at the city's center: the Puerta de Sol and the Plaza Mayor. A stiff walk away are: the Prado, one of Europe's great museums, inheritor of some of the world's finest paintings; the Reina Sofia, home to much modern Spanish painting, including Picasso's "Guernica"; and the Thyssen-Bornemisza, comparatively small, but with some fine works.

 

Sports fans may revel in the performances of Real Madrid, one of the most successful soccer (football) teams in Europe; or in the bullfighting (season's climax in mid-May).

 

Attractions

 

Museo del Prado

Paseo del Prado s/n, Madrid 28014

Tel: +34 91 429 0770

The Prado Museum is considered internationally to be one of the world's most significant art institutions. Housed here is the majority of the work by both Goya and Velasquez, also many and notable works by El Greco, Murillo and Zurbaran. The galleries are similarly home to a substantial collection of Flemish paintings including work by, Rubens, Van Dyck and Rembrandt.

 

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia

Calle Santa Isabel 52, Madrid 28012

Tel: +34 91 467 5062

This world famous gallery houses what could be described as the vanguard of the early twentieth century art. Work of Spanish artists such as Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Juan Gris, Salvador Dalí is on display. The collection also shows artistic trends from the 1940's to the early 80's with works by artists such as Eduardo Chillida and Antonio Saura.

 

Palacio Real

Calle Bailén s/n, Madrid

Tel: +34 91 248 7404

With 3000 rooms the Royal Palace contains a larger amount of rooms than any other palace in Europe. Until 1931, the royal family inhabited the building; now, the royal family come here only for state occasions. The huge palace is decorated with frescoes by Tiepolo and Giaquinto, paintings by Goya, Rubens, Valezquez, and El Greco, dozens of Flemish and Spanish tapestries, and endless dazzling rococo decorations.

 

Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza

Palacio de Villahermosa, Paseo del Prado 8, Madrid 28014

Tel: +34 91 369 0151

The collection of this museum perfectly complements the classical paintings of the Prado Museum and the modern paintings of the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia National Museum. With more than 50 pieces that are considered masterpieces of the world, and works from Italian and Dutch Primitives, German Renaissance, 17th-century Dutch Painting, Impressionism, German Expressionism, Geometric Abstraction, and Pop Art, this museum has an amazingly impressive display of paintings.

 

Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor, Madrid

The extremely grand 17th-century arcaded square is in the heart of Madrid. Once the sight of bullfights, great festivals, and ceremonies, plays, public burnings of heretics, and the crowning of kings, Plaza Mayor has played a vital role in Spanish history. Now the beautiful square is decorated with eye-catching, kaleidoscopic-coloured murals and is surrounded by baroque architecture. One can visit the many plaza shops and cafes of the square and enjoy the calm mornings, the busy afternoons, or perhaps dinner at some of the liveliest tapas bars in the city.

 

Parque del Retiro

Parque del Retiro, behind the Prado Museum, Madrid

Madrid's best-known park the Retiro consists of 120 hectares in the very centre of the city. It began life as private garden of the Palace of the Buen Retiro and was opened to the public by decree of the First Spanish Republic in 1868. Attractions include the 'rosaleda' (a rose garden) and a boating lake, and here you'll find a large variety of shows and street theatre during the weekends.

 

Parque del Retiro

Parque del Retiro, behind the Prado Museum, Madrid

Madrid's best-known park the Retiro consists of 120 hectares in the very centre of the city. It began life as private garden of the Palace of the Buen Retiro and was opened to the public by decree of the First Spanish Republic in 1868. Attractions include the 'rosaleda' (a rose garden) and a boating lake, and here you'll find a large variety of shows and street theatre during the weekends.

 

Teatro Real

Next to the Plaza de Oriente and across from the Royal Palace at Plaza de Isabel II, Madrid

Tel: +34 91 558 8787 Fax: +34 91 516 0651

Teatro Real is a wonderful concert venue both acoustically and visually and is home of Spanish Opera. As Madrid's most prestigious theatre, the Teatro Real is immensely successful and fashionable. The theatre has recently been renovated.

 

Teatro Real

Next to the Plaza de Oriente and across from the Royal Palace at Plaza de Isabel II, Madrid

Tel: +34 91 558 8787 Fax: +34 91 516 0651

Teatro Real is a wonderful concert venue both acoustically and visually and is home of Spanish Opera. As Madrid's most prestigious theatre, the Teatro Real is immensely successful and fashionable. The theatre has recently been renovated.

 

Museo de la Real Academia de Bella Artes

Calcografia Nacional, Alcala 13 (Puerta del Sol), Madrid

Tel: +34 91 532 1543

Designed in the early 18th century, this museum has one of the most important art collections in the country. Its treasures include works by Goya, El Greco, Murillo, Velazquez, Correggio, Rubens, and Tiepolo. Within the building is the Instituto de Calcografia where one can buy limited edition prints from the original plates engraved by great Spanish artists including Goya and Picasso.

 

Café de Chinitas

Torija 7, Madrid

Tel: +34 91 547 1502

An impressive display of Spain's most singular cultural art form, flamenco, is performed here. The show is quite popular and does sell out quickly so reservations are recommended. At one time the Café de Chinitas was just a café, but now it is the best location in Madrid to enjoy authentic flamenco music and dance.

 

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas

Alcal 237, Metro: Ventas, Madrid

Tel: +34 91 356 2200

The bravery and skill of the matador enraptures the crowd as the battle between man and bull takes place. A performance of primal intensity, the bullfight is part of Spanish culture.

 

Museo Arquelogico Nacional

C. Serrano 13, Madrid

Tel: +34 91 577 7912

The history of human culture from prehistoric times to the 15th century is traced at the archeological museum. The collection includes artefacts from the Iberian, Celtic, Greek, Egyptian, Punic, Roman, Paleolithic, Carthaginian, and Moslem cultures, the majority of which were excavated in Spain.

 

Casino Gran Madrid

Autovia, A6 28250, Torrelodones, Madrid

Tel: +34 91 856 1100

The casino contains games rooms, a nightclub, three restaurants, and four bars. Men are required to wear jackets and ties.

 

Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol, Madrid

Marking the heart of the country in the centre of Madrid, this is the starting point for any tour and the most popular meeting place in Madrid. To mark the centre of the nation, there is a stone slab that states 'kilometro zero'.

 

Arab Wall

Puerta del Sol, Madrid

Marking the heart of the country in the centre of Madrid, this is the starting point for any tour and the most popular meeting place in Madrid. To mark the centre of the nation, there is a stone slab that states 'kilometro zero'.


Restaurants


Jose Luis

Serrano 89, Madrid

Tel: +34 91 563 0958

 

La Trainera

Lagasca 60, Madrid 28001

Tel: +34 91 576 0575Fax: +34 91 575 0631

 

Cabo Mayor

Juan Ramón Jiménez 37, Madrid 28036

Tel: +34 91 350 8776Fax: +34 91 359 1621

 

La Barraca

Reina 29, Madrid 28004

Telephone: +34 91 532 7154Fax: +34 91 521 5896

 

Horcher

Alfonso XII 6, Madrid 28014

Tel: +34 91 522 0731Fax: +34 91 523 3490

 

Viridiana

Juan de Mena 14, Madrid 28014

Tel: +34 91 523 44 78 Fax: +34 91 532 4274

 

Zalacaín

Alvarez de Baena 4, Madrid 28006

Tel: +34 91 561 4840 Fax: +34 91 561 4732

 

Jockey

Amador de los Rios 6, Madrid 28010

Tel: +34 91 319 2435 Fax: +34 91 319 2435

 

El Ampero

Callejon de Puigcerda 8, Madrid 28001

Tel: +34 91 431 6456Fax: +34 91 575 5491

Pedro Larumbe

Serrano 61, Madrid 28006

Tel: +34 91 575 1112 Fax: +34 91 576 6019

 

Lur Maitea

Fernando el Santo 4, Madrid 28010

Tel: +34 91 308 0350 Fax: +34 91 308 0393

 

Teatro Real

Felipe V-2, Madrid 28013

Tel: +34 91 516 0670 Fax: +34 91 559 9629

 

La Terraza (Casino de Madrid)

Alcalá 15-3, Madrid 28014

Tel: +34 91 521 8700 Fax: +34 91 523 4436

 

Club 31

Alcalá 58, Madrid 28014

Tel: +34 91 531 0092 Fax: +34 91 531 0092

 

Las Cuatro Estaciones

General Ibanez de Ibero 5, Madrid 28003

Tel: +34 91 553 6305 Fax: +34 91 553 3298

 

Principe y Serrano

Serrano 240, Madrid 28016

Tel: +34 91 458 6231 Fax: +34 91 458 6231

 

El Bodegón

Pinar 15, Madrid 28006

Tel: +34 91 562 3137 Fax: +34 91 562 9725

 

Principe de Viana

Manuel de Falla 5, Madrid 28036

Tel: +34 91 457 1549 Fax: +34 91 457 5283

 

Hotels

 

Hotel Hesperia Madrid


096

City Madrid
Street Paseo de la Castellana 57
ZIP 28046
Phone +34 (0)912108800
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Gran Melia Fenix


096

City Madrid
Street 2 Hermosilla
ZIP 28001
Phone +34 (0)914316700
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Hotel Ritz Madrid

 

096

City Madrid
Street Plaza de la Lealtad 5
ZIP C28014
Phone +34 91 701 6767
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Service
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