Overview
As Spain's capital for over 400 years, Madrid is a lively, thriving city, famous for bullfights and all-night fiestas. Its streets are always hopping, from sightseers marveling over historic landmarks to partygoers darting in and out of noisy cafés. Tourists often stroll through the old center (Madrid de los Austrias) or along the tree-lined Paseo del Prado. Highlights include the Palacio Real, a shrine to Rococo extravagance, and the Plaza Mayor, where heretics were once burned at the stake. The city boasts several world-class museums, such as the Prado and the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, which features work by Picasso, Dalí and Miró. Each May, the San Isidro festival kicks off two weeks of the best bullfighting in Spain.
