| Madrid, Spain ranks third in population amongst cities | | | | "Guernica." |
| in Europe, and is the largest city in Spain. It's size, | | | | In addition to its many museums, Madrid also has a |
| however, doesn't seem to stop thousands of tourists | | | | number of other attractions that are popular with |
| from visiting the city every year. That's probably | | | | tourists. Among them are the enormous Royal Palace |
| because Madrid offers an incredible variety of | | | | of Madrid, the Teatro Real (also called the Royal |
| attractions ranging from classical music venues to | | | | Theater) and its refurbished 1850 Opera House, and |
| hopping night clubs. | | | | the National Library building, which was established in |
| Because of its location on the Manzanares River, | | | | 1712 and holds many of Spain's historical archives. |
| Madrid has been home to people since pre-historic | | | | After spending a busy day touring Madrid's many |
| times. However, the city's documented history begins | | | | sites, tourists can also take part in the exciting |
| in the 9th century when a small palace was built on | | | | nightlife the city offers. Madrid is very well known in |
| the present day site of the Palacio Real. The palace | | | | Europe for its wild nightlife and numerous night clubs. |
| was built under orders from Muhammad I. The | | | | It's not at all uncommon for the young people of |
| Muslims living in the area at the time called the | | | | Madrid to spend an entire night dancing then, without |
| Manzanares "al-Majrit," which means "source of | | | | sleeping, shower and report to their places of |
| water." As a result, the region was named Majerit, | | | | employment. |
| which later became Madrid. | | | | Another big draw for Madrid is its bullfighting season. |
| Today Madrid is one of the most popular destinations | | | | The season begins in March and ends in October. |
| for travelers to Spain. It's best known for the large | | | | During the San Isidro festivities, bullfights take place |
| number of monuments and cultural attractions. Madrid | | | | every day from mid-March to the end of June. Then, |
| is also considered among the best cities in Europe for | | | | for the remainder of the season, bullfights are held |
| touring art museums. Along the Paseo del Prado sit | | | | every Sunday as well as on public holidays. |
| three popular museums that are endowed by the | | | | Although Madrid attracts thousands of tourists, it is |
| Golden Triangle of Art. | | | | well equipped to comfortably accommodate them all. |
| The Prado Museum is the most well-known of the | | | | There are a number of beautiful places to stay, |
| three Golden Triangle museums. It contains Diego | | | | including both hotels and holiday apartments. |
| Velazquez's "Las Meninas" and Francisco de Goya's | | | | One of the nicest things about locating vacation |
| "La maja vestida" and "La maja desnuda." The | | | | accommodations in Madrid is that you're not limited to |
| Thyssen Bornemisza Museum is another of the | | | | an area with only a certain type of attraction. There |
| Golden Triangle museums, and is comprised of art | | | | are several hotels and holiday apartments centrally |
| from a mixed private collection. The third museum, | | | | located to cultural attractions as well as shopping and |
| the Reina Sofia Museum, holds Pablo Picasso's | | | | nightlife. |