The City of Madrid

The general aspect of Madrid is modern, with boulevards and fashionable shopping areas, but the old quarters have picturesque streets. This city has three reference points: the Puerta del Sol, the city’s absolute centre; the Plaza Mayor, the Golden Age core; and the glorious Plaza de Cibeles, with the most extravagant architecture. Madrid also hosts the largest Plaza de Toros (bullring) in Spain, Las Ventas, which is considered by many to be the world center of bullfighting and has a seating capacity of almost 25,000. Madrid's bullfighting season begins in March and ends in October.


Madrid is one of the world's liveliest cities, a city that has "mucha marcha", as the spaniards says. Madrid's nightlife has something for everybody, whatever your preferences, age or nationality. Madrid has a remarkably compact old town and is here where you’ll find most of its government buildings, major cultural institutions, restaurants and nightlife. Some of the most popular night destinations include the neighbourhoods of: Bilbao, Tribunal, Alonso Martinez or Moncloa, apart from Puerta del Sol area and Huertas, destinations which are also filled with tourists day and night. The gay district of Chueca has also become a hot spot in the Madrilenian night life, not only for gay people but also for straights looking for fun in their crowded clubs and popular discos.