{"id":2214,"date":"2014-10-28T21:29:12","date_gmt":"2014-10-28T21:29:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.spainexchange.com\/?p=2214"},"modified":"2014-10-28T21:29:12","modified_gmt":"2014-10-28T21:29:12","slug":"stop-and-visit-madrid-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spainexchange.com\/articles\/stop-and-visit-madrid-spain\/","title":{"rendered":"Stop and Visit Madrid, Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"

Madrid is the capital and largest city in Spain, as well as the capital of the autonomous community of the same name, the Comunidad de Madrid<\/em>.\u00a0 The city has a population of nearly 3.4 million, making it the third-largest city within the European Union after London and Berlin, and its extended metropolitan area, with a population of roughly 6.5 million, is also third-largest in Europe, after London and Paris. Madrid is unquestionably the political, cultural and economic hub of Spain, and although the city now boasts a very modern infrastructure and the third-largest GDP in the European Union, it continues to have a comfortable old-world feel and welcoming atmosphere, making it one of the most oft toured cities in all of Europe.<\/p>\n

Madrid is located in the center of the Iberian Peninsula on the banks of the Manzanares River. It has an average altitude of 650 meters and a continental climate, featuring dry, hot summers and fairly cold winters, characterized by overnight frost and the occasional snowfall.\u00a0 Nearly all of the city\u2019s tourist areas are located in the city\u2019s center, including the well-known areas of Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real, and Plaza de Col\u00f3n. The major streets in Madrid include the Gran Via, Alcal\u00e1 Street, and Paseo de la Castellana.<\/p>\n

The culture and landscape of Spain can best be described as a unique mixture of conservatism and liberalism.\u00a0 Enormous churches and cathedrals are plentiful throughout the city, as are cafes, bookstores, bars and clubs, featuring some of the liveliest nightlife on the planet.\u00a0 In fact, Madrid has the largest number of bars per capita of any European city and a very active social scene, as some Madrile\u00f1os (citizens of Madrid) and tourists are known to literally dance the night away, often partying until as late as 5AM-7AM.<\/p>\n

The lifestyle of the Madrile\u00f1os\u2014or the more traditional yet seldom used term “gatos” (cats)\u2014is heavily influenced by the city\u2019s climate.\u00a0 Some of the more traditional citizens still practice the midday \u201csiesta\u201d\u2014a break from the heat of the midday sun\u2014although most Madrile\u00f1os can only afford this luxury on holidays and weekends.\u00a0 Tourists will be happy to know that most of the stores in Madrid now remain open throughout the day, as do restaurants and other must-see attractions including the Santiago Bernabeu, home of Real Madrid, nominated the best club of the 20th century by FIFA. See here for Real Madrid tickets<\/a> Primera Division.
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A few of the interesting neighborhoods to check out when visiting Madrid include:<\/p>\n