spain holiday rentals: apartments in madrid

Madrid is the capital of Spain and the Community of Madrid. Also known as “la Villa y Corte” (Town and Court), it is the largest and most populated city in the country.

The climate in Madrid is Continental Mediterranean and is highly influenced by the urban conditions.  Madrid in 2006 was the fourth most visited city in Europe, and the first in Spain, with over 3.9 million visitors this year.  It is also the headquarters of the World Tourist Organisation and the International Tourist Fair, as well as being leader in the hosting of trade fairs and exhibitions, being the main organizer in Europe.

The majority of the tourist attractions in Madrid are located within the “central kernal” (the area within the M-30 motorway), mainly in the areas of Centro, Salamanca, Chamberí, Retiro and Arganzuela. The neurological centre is the “Puerta del Sol”, where thousands of people gather every New Year’s Eve to eat their grapes to the 12 chimes of the clock tower, accompanied by a glass of Cava, an event which is retransmitted to the whole of Spain and the rest of the World for millions of people.

Events related to literature, music, theatre and cinema can be found all-year-round throughout the city, not to mention the parks and museums and famous art galleries, which lead the World with their masterpieces.

The nightlife in Madrid is famous for its great variety, its public transport puntual and efficient.  The Metro of Madrid is the second most extensive network in Europe after the London Underground.

Its gastronomy is complete and varied, and if the weather is fine at lunchtime what a good excuse to try a succulent filled “bocadillo” of fried squid!

The most important festivals are “San Isidro” –patron Saint of Madrid- on the 15th May when you can see various typical street celebrations, or couples with their traditional dress in the middle of street parties and processions.  It is also a good time to visit a bull-fight in Las Ventas Bullring, where the best bull-fighters of the season will be demonstrating their art.   The open-air dance of La Paloma, from the 6th – 15th August, is also worth a visit, where you can see people dressed in traditional regional attire.