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Madrid

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Madrid
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Madrid Travel Guide

  • About Madrid
Energetic, cosmopolitan and creative, Madrid has all the features of a modern European capital. At the same time, the legacy of its rich and complex history (once the centre of the Spanish Empire and dominated by the Catholic monarchs) is visible everywhere. There’s the enormous cathedral, the Royal Palace, and countless historic buildings full of pomp and circumstance.Apart from being Spain’s financial and political hub, Madrid is an art haven, especially within the city’s Golden Triangle of Art. The Prado features Spanish greats; modern art can be found in Reina Sofía; and the Thyssen-Bornemisza hosts world-class exhibitions.There are also plenty of contrasts, from the labyrinthine streets of the medieval quarter to the wide boulevards of the 18th and 19th centuries. Meanwhile, downtown barrios have transformed in recent years, with boutiques, bars and galleries popping up. Take a drink here on one of the outdoor terraces and watch the world go by.Tourists tend to stick to the central area between the Palacio Real and the Puerta del Sol, but each of Madrid’s neighbourhoods is distinctive – Lavapiés, Malasaña and Chueca being the most hip. At the northern end of Paseo de la Castellana are the ‘leaning towers’ of the Puerta de Europa, while down from the Plaza Mayor is the district of La Latina, where hip new cafés sit alongside traditional bars.When it comes to nightlife, the city boasts the largest number of bars per capita in Europe, with Madrileños known to party ’til dawn. Apart from the superb tapas joints and clubs, there are thrilling flamenco shows to be found in the centre.When you want to escape the urban bustle, the expansive El Retiro park offers a peaceful retreat with shaded woods and a glassy lake. Otherwise, head to Madrid Río, a 10km-long (6 miles) spread of pedestrian and biking paths complete with an orchard, historical monuments and even its own beach. The project has rejuvenated the riverfront and shown what can be done in spite of Spain’s economic difficulties. Madrid is a city looking forwards, with new ideas and renewed spirit.
  • Madrid History
The area that Madrid now stands on was inhabited in prehistoric times and there is evidence of a Roman settlement nearby dating back to the 4th century. The real founding of Madrid, though, came courtesy of Muhammad I of Cordoba in 9th century, who built a castle on the site of the present-day Palacio Real.In the 11th century, the Christians took Madrid from the Moors, turning the mosque into a cathedral, and in the 14th century, Ferdinand IV of Castile sowed the seeds of the Spanish parliament here. During the Spanish Inquisition that took hold in 15th century, Jews and Moors were persecuted and eventually expelled from the city.Charles I of Spain moved the court to Madrid in 1561, and the city became the Spanish capital. By the 17th century, it had become wealthy, with money pouring in via the now vast Spanish Empire. The Siglo de Oro, or Golden Century, had arrived and the population increased dramatically.Madrid was greatly modernised in the 18th century, with new city gates, bridges and buildings springing up. The Palacio Real was constructed next to the large Plaza de Oriente square on the site of the ruins of the Alcazar (the old Moorish castle, destroyed by fire in 1734).In the early 19th century, Napoleon seized control of the country. After his defeat, Spain saw a period of decline leading up to the formation of the short-lived First Spanish Republic.The Second Spanish Republic came in 1931 and culminated in 1936 with the Spanish Civil War, during which Madrid was damaged heavily. In 1939, General Franco assumed control of the country. The city was greatly expanded and industrialised, while Spain was massively centralised around Madrid.After Franco’s death in 1975, his named successor, King Juan Carlos I, helped guide the country back to democracy. As Spain opened up to the world after decades of repressive dictatorship, Madrid became a centre of counterculture with boldly liberal art, music and film. In spite of the eurozone crisis that hit Spain in 2009, Madrid maintains this dynamic outlook today.
  • Did you know?
During the Spanish Civil War, Madrid became the first European city to be bombed from the skies. Lying in the very heart of Spain, Madrid might seem an ideally based capital, but the Moors probably first built a citadel here to defend the long-time capital, Toledo. The city became one of the main centres for art in 16th and 17th centuries, boasting painters like Velazquez and El Greco. Cervantes’ Don Quixote was also first published here in early 17th century.
  • Weather in Madrid
Madrid sits at an altitude of 667m (2,188ft) so despite its Mediterranean climate, its winters are cool. The best times to visit Madrid are between March and June and then from September to October, when temperatures peak around 21°C (70°F).Spring (March to May) is lovely. Apart from good weather, there is a string of festivals including the city’s biggest celebration, the Festival of San Isidro.Summer (June to August) is hot. July is when the heat is at its most extreme. August is also a hot month and sometimes temperatures can reach over 35°C (95°F) when heatwaves strike, so join the locals and enjoy a good siesta in the middle of the day when it gets unbearably hot outside.With average temperatures dropping from mid 20°C (70°F) to 10°C (50°F), Autumn (September to November) is another popular season to visit Madrid.Winter (December to February) is cool (7°C/45°F) rather than cold, and there are also many sunny days. January is one of the cheapest months to visit Madrid so it’s good news for budget-conscious travellers.

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