Taking a Holiday in Madrid
If you're taking a holiday in Spain, you may want to visit Madrid, the capital of the country. As Spain's largest city, Madrid has many different great cultural sites and museums as well as a very active nightlife. Madrid is located near the centre of the Iberian Peninsula, although it's a bit north east of the actual centre. Many visitors to the country spend at least a few days in Madrid visiting the amazing sites and seeing many different things.
You can arrive in Madrid through several different methods. The Barajas International Airport is about 20 minutes from Madrid, and it brings in guests from all around the world. A metro train line runs from the airport to Madrid, and there are always taxies available. Many companies that specialize in car hire in Spain are also available at the airport. You can also travel by train from other cities in Spain or by bus. Note that if you do a car hire, Spain and Madrid in particular have some confusing streets, and GPS navigation systems often cut out if you go through an underground junction.
Once you're in Madrid, you can see the sites by taking public transportation or your hired car. What's very nice about Madrid is that you can purchase a tourist pass that gives you access to all subways and buses. This is often much cheaper than taking a taxi everywhere. You can also rent bicycles, although few people ride bikes in Madrid and drivers are often not used to dodging bikes.
What is there to see in Madrid? Art lovers will want to go to the golden museum triangle. This area features three major art museums: the Museo del Prado, the Reina Sofia National Museum and Art Centre, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum of Art. Many pieces of art by major artists can be found at these three museums, including works by Picasso, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, van Dyck, and Botticelli. There are a number of other great museums in Madrid as well, including the National Archaeology Museum, the Museo de America, and the Museo de Lazaro Galdiano.
A visit to the Puerta del Sol, the heart of Madrid, is a great place to visit. It's often quite busy, with many tourists stopping by the area to see the famous bear statue. Plaza Mayor is another famous square that features many different shops and things to see.