Madrid, Spain

Madrid, Spain's central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters.

Time in Madrid:

Madrid

9°

Sunny

Feels like: 8°C
Wind: 14km/h N
Humidity: 53%
Pressure: 1030.48mbar
UV index: 1

TueWedThu

15/2°C
14/1°C
12/0°C

Madrid, Spain’s central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry.

In the 1970s Madrid became the epicenter of La Movida, a burst of expression in the arts. The Prado forms a “Golden Triangle” with the Reina Sofía Museum (home to Picasso’s “Guernica”) and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Sunday flea market El Rastro is in the medieval La Latina neighborhood, popular for nightlife, theater and tapas bars. Central square Puerta del Sol houses the statue of the Bear

and Strawberry Tree from the city’s coat of arms, while the Museo Arqueológico Nacional displays a vast collection of historic artifacts. Real Madrid, the dominant soccer club, plays at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

When to visit

Madrid is a year-round destination, with more visitors arriving in the warmer months Apr–Oct, though the city tends to empty in Aug when temperatures soar and shops and restaurants may be closed.

Major local events include the San Isidro Festival (2 weeks in May), celebrated with parades, street parties and bullfights;
Madrid Pride Week (Jun or Jul).
New Year’s Eve (Nochevieja) is celebrated by thousands in the Puerta del Sol square.