Madrid City
Madrid, where past and present live together, is a creative, diverse, unique and attractive city. With more than three million inhabitants, it is characterised by its affability and hospitality.
Travellers arriving in Madrid undoubtedly know that it is one of the liveliest and most bustling capitals in the world, both during the day and more especially at night. Until well into the morning, discos, clubs, music cafes, disco-pubs, jazz clubs, flamenco establishments, bars and strange nightspots play host to a heterogeneous public (particularly at weekends) prepared to have a good time.
This happens all year round, but in spring and summer, to make the most of the good weather, the party goes out onto the streets. Squares and avenues - above all Paseo de la Castellana, Madrid's great artery linking Plaza de Colón to Plaza de Castilla, presided over by the modern Puerta Europe towers - are full of pavement cafes where you can while the night away.
Getting to know Madrid means immersing yourself in its rich cultural heritage, its extraordinary museums, theatre, cinema, opera, monumental buildings and its unique and lively nightlife.
Madrid offers cultural and leisure activities for all tastes and all ages - concerts, opera and ballet; movies and theatre; shows; nightclubs and tablaos flamencos; sports events and bullfights.
In addition, there are particular festivals celebrated in the city throughout the year that include Veranos de la Villa, San Isidro bullfighting season, carnival, Verbenas, Easter processions and the Festival of Madrid.
However, if you really want to enjoy Madrid, you cannot miss a fundamental facet of life here, the nightlife, which starts at sunset and ends whenever you choose. In other words, Madrid never shuts down. Madrid never sleeps.
The best way to really see Madrid is to walk through its streets. There are a large number of places worth visiting and a wide choice of organised walking tours.