Madrid is the capital city of Spain located in the centre of the country. There are so many things to see and do in Madrid that you're likely to have difficulty completing your list on a short traveller's schedule. Luckily, most highlights are concentrated into a relatively small area between Retiro Park and the Royal Palace, the King's infrequent residence.

Madrid's Royal Palace

Madrid's Royal Palace is the largest royal palace in Western Europe. The Royal Palace, is Madrid's largest building and possibly its most beautiful. It was built on the site of the old Alcázar, the Moorish castle destroyed by fire in 1734, but the site has been occupied since the 10th century by the Moors, who having named the city's Manzanares river al-Magrit referred to the area as Mayrit which became Magerit, then Madrid. The old city walls around this area may still be seen.

Retiro Park

The Parque del Buen Retiro is the most popular park in Madrid. It can get crowded during weekends when many Madrilenian families go for a stroll in the park and street musicians, sidewalk painters, fortune tellers, jugglers and street performers animate the crowd.

Plaza de Oriente

Plaza de Oriente is a haven of peace and tranquillity. It is a very popular place with visitors to the city, as well as with local people. Any visit to Madrid should not be considered complete without a trip to this grand spacious plaza. There are many cafes that line the area where the visitor may rest a while and absorb the atmosphere, perhaps the most famous one being the Cafe de Oriente, which has a marvelous terrace to sit outside and enjoy the spectacular views of the square.

La Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor is Madrid's main square. It is located right in the centre of the city. this is still a marvelous place to sit out, try some good Spanish wine, sample some tasty tapas and watch the passers-by. it is located in the historic centre of Madrid, staying in this area is ideal to see the city's sights and monuments.

La Puerta del Sol This is Madrid's most famous and most central square, located just a short walk from the Plaza Mayor. Originally it was the site of one of the city's gates, which faced the east and was adorned with an image of the sun, hence the square's name. The square is actually almost semi-circular in shape and owes its current form to the major renovation work carried out between 1854 and 1860.