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Madrid cultural information and guide
Madrid, a truly magnificent European capital, sits right in the centre of Spain. While its rich history dates back to the 9th century, Madrid today is the financial core of the Iberian peninsula, with a proud standing in culture, art and cuisine.
Experience Madrid’s "Golden Triangle" of famous museums including the Prado, sample the best variety of tapas and sangría in Spain, visit El Rastro's market, see some dazzling flamenco and be part of its nightlife.
Sightseers love the elegant Royal Palace, the fountains and the art collections, while pleasure-seekers can shop or relax in its many parks and boulevards.
TOP 5 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT MADRID
 Get High in Madrid! Geographically Of Course
 Altitudinally speaking, Madrid is the highest capital city in the Europe, unless you count the principality of Andorra.
Although it is commonly known as being situated in desert plains, many don't know that these plains actually sit around 600 metres above sea level.
So it's no wonder Madrid is famous for its hot summers! It's best advised to take advantage of the low-season period in Madrid if you are not fond of high temperatures.
Finally, Somewhere in Spain You can Drink The Tap Water
 Since much of Spain runs along the coast, the country is pretty thwarted by poor drinking water from the tap.
Spain as a holiday destination is renowned for having to buy bottled water in order to stay refreshed and hydrated.
But not so in Madrid, where the water comes direct from the surrounding mountains. This means an excellent quality of water for you in Madrid, straight from the tap.
When in Madrid, don't worry about the tap water. Drink up!
Madrid's Attractions for Free? It's All About Timing
 No, you don't have to spend a fortune on entrance fees and tourist passes. A bit of smart schedule planning will get you around Madrid's attractions for free.
See Picasso's Guernica at the Reina Sofia modern art gallery. It's free from 7-9pm weeknights (closed Tuesday), Saturday after 2.30pm, Sunday until 2.30pm.
For free flamenco, visit Los Gabrieles bar (near Sol metro) on a Tuesday night, after 10pm.
El Palacio Real (Royal Palace) is normally around 10€ entrance. See it for free on a Wednesday.
Check out the Prado museum, free to the public 6-8pm weeknights (closed Monday), Saturday after 2.30pm, all day Sunday. Museo Sorolla is also free on Sundays, if you like impressonist art.
More free Madrid favourites? El Rastro Sunday markets and the gardens of Parque del Retiro.
Cool Cool Summer- Chill out at Madrid's Snowzone
 Beat the soaring summer temperatures in Madrid by heading to the local ski slopes; the Xanadú Snowzone.
Set beside a shopping mall in Madrid's southern suburbs, this huge hangar-like snow dome incorporates several skiing pistes and snowboarding jumps, with a constant, year-round temperature of -2ºC.
If you want to really cool off during your stay in Madrid, the Snowzone makes the perfect day away from sightseeing.
Madrid's Very Best Tapas Uncovered...at the Tapas Fair
 If you want the complimentary tapas experience in Madrid, look up El Boñar de Leon, El Rincón Abulense or El Tigre.
However, if you are after a full-scale tapas chowdown, make it to Madrid in mid-June for the annual tapas fair.
At this mouth-watering event, every important tapas establishment in the city is invited to put out their best selection of tapas. You can take your pick and at just a euro each, with a caña (glass of beer), this is the best way to eat in Madrid.
MADRID CULTURE TAP
Madrid Food and Drink
 Spanish food has its regional variations and Madrid is no exception, with the biggest selection of tapas in Spain.
Breakfast is usually just a coffee, but lunch is a drawn-out affair of up to two hours. Between noon and 3pm, you'll find various lunch menus of three courses, at reasonable prices.
Look on the menu for cocido madrileño; a chickpea stew with meats and vegetables. Other specialities include snails, Spanish potato omelette (tortilla de patatas) and the tapas.
For paella, avoid the generic tourist-geared types and pick a restaurant in the La Latina-El Rastro area, which serve up the real deal to the locals who know better.
 Madrid enjoys a superb selection of locally produced, quality wines, such as Castilla la Mancha.
Wine in Spain is extremely inexpensive, compared to other European countries. You can pick up a good bottle of wine in the shop for a few euros.
When in Spain, try the sangría, a refreshingly fruity drink made with red wine, fruit juices and liquor. Variations include cider-sangría and white sangría.
Madrid; Siestas and Shopping
 Thanks to Madrid's stifling summer temperatures of around 40ºC, most madrileños and businesses alike, still abide by Spain’s most famous year-round past-time, La Siesta.
During 2pm and 5pm you can expect to find most traditional businesses and services closed.
This personal time allows the Spanish some time for leisure and repose; but most international corporations, stores, and eating establishments are open during these hours.
Madrid has an ample shopping portfolio to suit all tastes.
Salamanca's Golden Mile is a must for luxury stores, Gran Vía has Madrid's best high street shopping, or check Fuencarral in Chueca, for trendy boutiques.
For cheap and chic, Malasaña district has vintage clothing and El Rastro offers Spanish trinkets, antiques and bargain fleamarket finds.
Madrid Art Scene
 Although there are many interesting public art spaces in Madrid such as the Caixa Forum, a trip to the city really is not complete without doing the "Big Three", the "Golden Triangle" in classical and modern art, as follows:
Museo Prado or the Prado, with a 9,000 piece collection of works, is one of the world's top museums for art.
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, or the Reina Sofia, features practically every important artist from last century. Highlights include Miró and Picasso's Guernica.
Thyssen Bornemisza Museum, or the Thyssen, with major Western European artworks and the likes of Van Gogh as well as strong temporary exhibits.
For enthusiasts of up-and-coming artists, as well as those interested in buying art, have a browse from this list of Madrid galleries.
Madrid Nightlife
 Madrid’s nightlife is on par with that of its sister city, Barcelona. Due to its scale and international status, Madrid’s nightlife reputation does not go unjustified.
With a variety of live concerts, flamenco, festivals, bars and late clubs, Madrid has enough pulse to keep visitors and locals on their toes throughout the year.
The madrileños have a long dinner and then bar-hop for hours, so clubs don’t usually fill until after 2am.
But Malasaña is Madrid's undisputed area for nightlife. At around midnight the trendy crowds gather in its little bars. With a great mix of people, a night in Malasaña lasts until morning.
More about Madrid
Madrid neighbourhood guide
Madrid transport and parking
Our apartments in Madrid
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Location on map of our apartments in Madrid. Click  for more details
How to book an apartment
Frequently asked questions
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Madrid Apartments in the following neighbourhoods:
Atocha
Chueca
Del Prado
Gran Via
Huertas
La Latina
Lavapies
Opera
Rastro
Salamanca
Puerta del Sol
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