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El Prado Museum Parque de Retiro Parque de Retiro Royal Palace Las Ventas Bullring Plaza Mayor Puerto de Alcala Europe Tower

A cosmopolitan city, right in the centre of the Castilian plain, headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family.

Madrid has the highest altitude of any European capital and its climate is blistering hot in the summer but often quite cold in the winter. It has wide boulevards that stretch from the narrow streets of the city's 17th century core to the concrete suburbs and their skyscrapers that have spread in recent years.

Madrid plays a major role in both the banking and industrial sectors. Most of its industry is located in the Southern fringe of the city, where important textile, food and metal working factories are clustered. Madrid is characterized by intense cultural and artistic activity and a very lively nightlife.

"Madrilenes" usually start their day with Chocolate "con churros" (lightly fried fritters) or coffee with "bollos" (rolls). Lunch is usually around three o'clock and dinner at ten. Thus restaurants normally open for lunch at one or two o'clock and close at four, and open at nine and close at midnight for dinner. Madrid is a nightlife city.

Although Madrid is a big city, the main tourist attractions can be visited on foot, the Prado Museum is Spain's finest Museum, and one of the best in Europe, a neoclassical building where you can find over 3,000 paintings with a formidable collection of Italian and Flemish masterpieces.

"Parque del Retiro" Madrid's major park is a place where many "Madrilenes" come on weekends to take a walk; it is perfect place to picnic or to just lie under the sun.

Bullfighting is a very popular tradition in Spain, especially in Madrid and considered an art. If you want to see a "Corrida", "Las Ventas" is one of the two best bullrings in Spain. On San Isidro's day (the Patron Saint of Madrid) a Bullfighting festival takes place here, and some of the best "Toreros", come to this Arena. One of the most popular souvenirs from Madrid is a real "toreador" poster, available at the arena.

The cities gems remain the opulence of the Royal Palace, the bustle of El Rastro's flea market and the sultry fever of late night flamenco.