Spain > Madrid
By Jessica Lloyd

The Capital of Spain
Madrid is a beautiful city full of idyllic parks and plazas, and in proper Spanish style, many monuments and fountains. Over three million people reside in this cosmopolitan city, which is also the business centre, the home of the Spanish Parliment and also the Spanish Royal Family. The things that set Madrid apart are a big cultural calendar and lots of artisitic flair. The nightlife also has a lot to offer, with the most bars and restaurants per capita than any other place in the world.

Nightlife
Madrid has great bars and restaurants, and lots of nightclubs - the favourites are the small bars on the sides of the streets, or tucked down laneways. Fringing the plazas you will find these great little places, all with a different theme, and the great thing about them is they are not all trying to pretend to be something they are not. They provide atmosphere and in some of them you could almost imagine that the bar staff were your friends, and this was their house. It's that kind of place. Madrid is supposedly the party capital of Europe - I'm sure some will disagree, but it rates highly, more.

Things to do
You could see a football team full of superstars play a match or visit one of the famous museums. A trip to Madrid is not complete without the musems. Retiro park has small boats you can paddle around in, and 330 acres of greenery to enjoy the peace and quiet in. If you just want to sit and have a cold drink or some Tapas, there are many bars and cafes to cater to your needs. Spanish Tapas and a cold beer are excellent, at any time of the day or night.

Museums
Madrid is famous for it's museums and is not finished without a visit to the 3 great ones - Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofia, which are all close to each other. You can get a discount card for entrance into all three from any tourist office. Free entrance is available for Prado on Saturdays after 2.30pm, and on Sundays between 9am and 2pm. The Reina Sofia has free entry after 2.30pm on Saturdays and between 10am and 2.30pm on Sundays. Most museums are closed on Mondays, except the Reina Sofia, which is closed on Tuesdays.

Shopping
Madrid has fantastic shopping, with some top designers such as Zara, Trucco and Mango and leather in Spain is cheap, good quality and elegantly designed. You can get a guide, or go by yourself, whatever your choice you will find a variety of shops and value for money. There is a famous flea market called Rastro which happens every Sunday. It has lots of colourful stalls and handicrafts, clothes and antiques. Plaza Mayor, in the heart of Madrid, has shops which are more than 200 years old. They sell famous fans, embroidered silk shawls, antiques and religous items. Corte Ingles is Spain's superstore, with these big department stores found everywhere. They offer almost everything you can think of, from microwave ovens to cans of tunafish.

Climate
Madrid has great weather, with springtime (May) being the best time of year - it's still cool, but warm in the day with brilliant sun and cloudless skies and wrap-yourself-in-your-blankets cosy nights - and then there's the gorgeous spring blossom smells. The summertime is too hot though, and is not a good time to visit. You will find most of the residents flee to the coast for summer, and the unfortunate few still left working are sweltering in the 45 C degree heat. The weather in Spain is the envy of the rest of Europe, with flawless days and nights. It has the most sun out of any other European country, and is very dry due to lack of rainfall, almost arid in fact.

Transport
Madrid is easy to get around, with the metro going to almost anywhere you might want to go. Failing that, buses do the rest. It is easy and cheap, and very, very hard to get lost. But hey, you can try! The metro and buses are all of good quality, though if you need to get early flights, the metro doesn't start until 6am, and finishes at midnight. Try a bus or taxi instead. Madrid is a well laid out city, and is an excellent and fun place to visit. Enjoy.

Useful links:
Adult Madrid
Accommodation in Spain
Dating & Escorts