Madrid - "Movida" and more!

Madrid, Spain’s capital city is a vibrant, dynamic destination, the major financial centre in the Iberian peninsula and the seat of the country’s government and monarchy, Madrid is a bustling European capital that boasts a wealth of cultural and leisure attractions, including numerous world-renowned museums housing unmissable art collections, emblematic buildings such as the Palacio Real and the Biblioteca Nacional, flamboyant, fun-loving inhabitants never short on something to say, the world’s most successful football club plus a frenetic, full-on night life amongst the most exhilarating in Europe. The Spanish capital has experienced a spectacular rebirth socially and economically since the late 1970's, yet each neighbourhood, or barrio of the city has retained its original flavour and energy, remaining true to its roots as an unmistakably Spanish city.

Essential visits include an afternoon admiring the collections at the El Prado Museum, with masterpieces on display from artists such as Velazquez, Goya, Raphael, Rembrandt and Botticelli, or contemporary works at the Reina Sofia Museum including Picasso’s Guernica. Also essential is a day at El Rastro flea market, with everything under the sun on offer.

Madrid is a city that provokes the senses and has a place for everyone, from the sedate, tranquil El Retiro Park and well-to-do Salamanca district to down-to-earth, multicultural Lavapies, the upbeat, bohemian Chueca with its well-established gay and lesbian community and the rebellious Malasaña, whose Plaza Dos de Mayo became a focal point for the famous "Movida Madrileña", the energetic post-dictatorship Madrid scene that spawned a new generation of artists, musicians and filmmakers, including the Oscar-winning Pedro Almodóvar.

Madrid is also home to the inimitable Real Madrid FC, whose wordwide army of fans have been enthralled over the years by legends such as Puskas, Di Stefano, Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham, and winners of 31 domestic titles, 17 Spanish Cups plus picking up a record 9 Champions League titles along the way.

Get a taste of life in Madrid, a European capital without compare.