Host city
Madrid is the capital of Spain and is deemed the largest city in the country. Being the major financial center of Southern Europe and the Iberian Peninsula, Madrid hosts a vast majority of the major Spanish Companies. The city is considered one of the most touristic destinations in Spain and one of the greatest cultural hubs in the world.
Major landmarks in Madrid consist of the Royal Palace of Madrid; Teatro Real (Royal Theatre) with the restored 1850 Opera House; the Buen Retro park (founded in 1631); the 19th century National library building (founded in 1712) containing some of Spain’s historical archives.
Among the most well-known art museums is the Golden Triangle of art located along the Paseo del Prado which comprises 3 museums. The most popular of the three is the Prado museum which contains highlights such as Diego Velzquez, Las Menenas and Francisco de Goya’s La majavestida and La majadesnoda.
Alternative and expressive art venues are mostly located in the city centre, which include the Opera, Anton Martin, Chueca and Malasana. There are also festivals surrounding these themes such as the Festival of Alternative Art and the Festival of the Alternative Scene.
The capital hosts the largest Plaza de Toros in Spain – Las Ventas, which was established in 1929. The venue is considered by many to be the world centre of bull fighting. Bull fights are held everyday during festivities of San Isdiro from Mid-May to early June, as well as every Sunday and public holiday for the rest of the season.
Getting to Madrid
By plane
Barajas International Airport welcomes all international flights arriving in Madrid. It is located in the northeast, 12 kilometres away from the capital. Madrid Barajas Airport, has in operation over 100 airline companies from various countries and is amongst the top five airports in Europe. The Torrejón Airport, not far from the capital, also receives some private flights, particularly air taxis.
By train
Madrid has an extensive railway network that enables access to the capital from all parts of Spain, offering the possibility to move around with ease and comfort within the national territory. Atocha and Chamartín are the two main railway stations as they receive short-haul, long-distance, high-speed and suburban trains. Furthermore, Chamartín also receives international arrivals from France and Portugal.
By coach
Every day, thousands of passengers from around the whole country arrive at one of Madrid´s two main bus stations. The heaviest traffic in the capital comes through the Méndez-Álvaro station. In close standing is the station of Avenida de America.
Estación Sur de Madrid (South Station)
Méndez Álvaro, 83. Metro: Méndez Álvaro (L6).
Estación de Avenida de América
Avenida de América, 9. Metro: Avenida de América (L4, L6, L7, L9).
Intercity coach lines
Various interurban buses leave from Aluche, Conde Casal, Moncloa, Plaza Castilla, Plaza, Príncipe Pío and Ronda de Atocha and connect Madrid with surrounding cities and towns in the region, as well as nearby cities from central Spain. For example, Alsa offers a Madrid - Toledo service from Plaza Elíptica and La Sepulvedana offers a Madrid – Segovia service from Príncipe Pío.
For detailed information please visit: http://www.esmadrid.com/en/transport-madrid.
Local Transportation
Metro
The underground (Metro) is the fastest, most efficient and most affordable way to move around in Madrid. The city has a vast metropolitan network, one of the most comprehensive in Europe and covers almost all the points in the capital and many of the neighbouring cities.
Madrid's metro network
Bus
Madrid has an extensive city bus network which covers practically the whole capital. Most lines operate everyday between 6 am and 11.30 pm, with buses leaving at intervals between 4 and 15 minutes, depending on the time of day. The buses are less frequent during weekends. There is also a bus line (200) connecting Barajas Airport (T1, T2 and T4) with Avenida de Amιrica, at the same price as a single bus ticket. Line 101 connects Canillejas to T1, T2 and T3.
Taxis
Taxis are painted with a red diagonal stripe on their doors and have a green light lit on the roof of the cars to indicate when they are available for hire. The approximate fare to the centre of Madrid from the airport is €25 during the day and €30 at night.
For detailed information please visit: http://www.esmadrid.com/en/transport-madrid.
Relevant Links:
Official City Guide for the City of Madrid
Madrid Barajas Airport
