As the capital of Spain, Madrid is a city of great cultural and political importance. Located right in the centre of the Castillian plain, it is one of Spain's most popular destinations and is renowned for its quantity of cultural attractions.
It’s a cosmopolitan city, a business centre, headquarters for the Spanish Parliament and home of the Spanish Royal Family. The city also plays a major role in both the banking and industrial sectors and is characterized by intense cultural and artistic activity and a very lively nightlife.
While the city possesses a modern infrastructure, it has preserved the look and feel of many of its historic neighbourhoods and streets. Landmarks include the huge Royal Palace of Madrid; the Teatro Real with its restored 1850 Opera House; the Buen Retiro park, founded in 1631; the imposing 19th-century National Library building containing some of Spain's historical archives; an archaeological museum of international reputation; and three superb art museums: Prado Museum, which hosts one of the finest art collections in the world, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, a museum of modern art, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, housed in the renovated Villahermosa Palace.
Madrid's emblem is ‘el oso y el madroño’, which translated means ‘a favourite meeting place’ and the city is noted for its nightlife and nightclubs. Some of the most popular night areas include the neighbourhoods of: Bilbao, Tribunal and Alonso Martinez, all areas that are the popular places to visit day or night.
