Though Madrid is a good distance from what many folks think about when they consider Spain - wonderful beaches and high rise resorts which are overrun by package travellers who turn an evil shade of pink on the first day and then blame the following sickness that results on the food - it instead offers plenty of cultural activities which make it an enormously popular destination for anybody searching for a weekend away in a fascinating and different European capital.
While Barcelona is frequently considered the most Western european city in Spain, Madrid has had centuries of culture behind it and lots of the wealth that was plundered from the New World in the beginning of the Spanish Empire were invested in patronising the arts, as well as building fabulous palaces.
This is obvious is the Prado, Madrid's most famous art studio that house many works from pre-eminent painters like El Greco and Velazquez. But Madrid isn't just about old pros; the Museo Reina Sofia displays Picasso's most noted work, Guernica, which depicts the aerial bombardment of the Basque town by the Germans during the Spanish Civil War. The museum also has works by Salvador Dali and other Spanish artists such as Juan Gris and Joan Miro as well as some world artists.
As well as art, there are a bunch of museums in Madrid eg the Royal Palace, which is still utilised for state occasions; the Museum of America, which concentrates on Spain's colonization of America; and weirdly enough, seeing as Madrid is in the centre if Spain and miles away from the coast, the Naval Museum.
Sports lovers also head to Madrid to see the internationally renowned football team in action, even though it is commonly a good idea to buy Real Madrid tickets in advance to prevent disappointment. With superstars like Christiano Ronaldo on board delivering goal and after goal and regularly devastating the opposition the atmosphere at the Bernabeu stadium is electric.
As well as culture and sports, there is also Madrid's famous nightlife. Although the city was constrained under the Franco dictatorship, once democracy was restored it feels like everything that had been repressed bubbled to the surface and now there is something for just every taste conceivable. Hit the nightclubs and bars around Puerta del Sol, listen to jazz, flamenco or big Brit and American artists at the various live places round the town. And the food is astounding also , with both local dishes as well as everything that's the best of Spanish cuisine.
While Barcelona is frequently considered the most Western european city in Spain, Madrid has had centuries of culture behind it and lots of the wealth that was plundered from the New World in the beginning of the Spanish Empire were invested in patronising the arts, as well as building fabulous palaces.
This is obvious is the Prado, Madrid's most famous art studio that house many works from pre-eminent painters like El Greco and Velazquez. But Madrid isn't just about old pros; the Museo Reina Sofia displays Picasso's most noted work, Guernica, which depicts the aerial bombardment of the Basque town by the Germans during the Spanish Civil War. The museum also has works by Salvador Dali and other Spanish artists such as Juan Gris and Joan Miro as well as some world artists.
As well as art, there are a bunch of museums in Madrid eg the Royal Palace, which is still utilised for state occasions; the Museum of America, which concentrates on Spain's colonization of America; and weirdly enough, seeing as Madrid is in the centre if Spain and miles away from the coast, the Naval Museum.
Sports lovers also head to Madrid to see the internationally renowned football team in action, even though it is commonly a good idea to buy Real Madrid tickets in advance to prevent disappointment. With superstars like Christiano Ronaldo on board delivering goal and after goal and regularly devastating the opposition the atmosphere at the Bernabeu stadium is electric.
As well as culture and sports, there is also Madrid's famous nightlife. Although the city was constrained under the Franco dictatorship, once democracy was restored it feels like everything that had been repressed bubbled to the surface and now there is something for just every taste conceivable. Hit the nightclubs and bars around Puerta del Sol, listen to jazz, flamenco or big Brit and American artists at the various live places round the town. And the food is astounding also , with both local dishes as well as everything that's the best of Spanish cuisine.
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