 When you find yourself in the heart of this exceptionally dynamic capital for the first time, you may get the feeling that you are lost. But the moment you ask any of the locals for the way, you will meet the typical Spanish warmth and conviviality, and from that moment on, you will feel at home here.
 | | Maja desnuda from Goya |
Although the capital of the Spain is the modern centre of a modern land, the citizens of Madrid suffer no slight against their monuments and sights. And they have good reason to be proud. There are many museums and galleries in Madrid, and of these possibilities the most famous is el Prado. In Prado you can see more than six thousand works by many world famous painters.  As well as the gallery, you must not miss the Palacio Real (the Royal Palace) from the 18th century. If there are no official celebrations going on, part of it is to the public open. Madrid's Royal Palace was built over the place where the Muslims had their castle and, later on, King Philip II built his Alcazar (palace) when he made Madrid his capital. The Old Alcazar was burnt out in Christmas Day 1734. King Philip V, the first Bourbon, had it rebuilt between 1738 and 1755.
 | | Plaza de Cibelles |
Madrid is famous for its many fountains and water displays, as in the square named after Christopher Columbus, Plaza Colon. It is as if it wants to show where this famous sailor spent most of his life. The cascades and the complex of large fountains there will overwhelm you, not only by daylight, but especially in the evening when it is all brilliantly lit by many colorful lights.
And now off to enjoy ourselves in the whirl of the nightlife. Madrid is lively everywhere, but he centre for all events is the Plaza de la Puerta del Sol, where the famous sculpture of the bear eating fruit from a strawberry tree stands  (El Oso y El Madrono), a motif you will also find in the city’s coat of arms. It is interesting too, that this square is the point of from which all Madrid roads and highways are measured, running like rays from here to all corners of the land. On the square and its vicinity you will come across many bars, luxury restaurants, pubs and cafes open till the morning. An equally pleasant spot is another important Madrid square, la Plaza de la Espana, close to the Royal Palace.
 | | Salsa dancers by de_profundis |
And where do you find good music in Madrid? If you love any kind of modern music, you will find many clubs here. Fans of house music can go to the Coppelia Club, while lovers of funk gather together in the Da Joint Club. And if you like to meet celebrities, go to Gabana 1800 or Joy Eslava. Randall is a great place of 500 sq meters for learning to dance and salsa firstly.
 Bullfighting or Corrida is a typical part of Spanish culture which increases just from 8th century. Every year are killed more than 20.000 bulls in front of over 30 million lovers of Corrida.  The Corrida is ritual spectacle with dramatic atmosphere in arena in which the Matador (the bullfighter) must stab swiftly and cleanly the heart of the bull to cause immediate death. The bullfighting show you can see from March to October and Madrid is a centre for the bullfighting (La Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas).
 More information about Madrid:
Madrid hotels: http://www.accutravel.net/madrid/hotels
 Madrid webcams: http://www.accutravel.net/madrid/webcams
Madrid bookstore: http://www.accutravel.net/madrid/bookshop
Madrid weather:
http://www.accutravel.net/madrid/weather
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When you find yourself in the heart of this exceptionally dynamic capital for the first time, you may get the feeling that you are lost. But the moment you ask any of the locals for the way, you will meet the typical Spanish warmth and conviviality, and from that moment on, you will feel at home here. ;)
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