Madrid: The Capital For All Seasons!
Madrid takes a mid-summer siesta in July and August. You will find the normally bustling Spanish capital with half of its’ bars and restaurants closed as many of the Madrilenos head for the coast. However all of the tourist attractions, museums and especially the nightlife stays in full swing. There is also a major program of summer entertainment. It’s a great time to be in town but not for doing business.
Madrids’ main sights are in a compact area between the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) and the gardens at El Retiro. The great trio of museums, the Prado, Thyssen, and Reina Sofia are to be found along the Paseo del Prado.
The most ancient part of the city is the Madrid de los Austrias, named after the Habsburg kings who built it around the fabulous arcaded Plaza Mayor. If you are short of time you must see this heart of Madrid but you will need lots more time to explore and discover the various distinctive ‘barrios’ or neighborhoods of the capital. Be sure to taste the city too in its’ superb concentration of ‘tapas’ bars and restaurants.

Plaza Mayor is Madrids most important landmark. But be careful not to miss it, as it is set back from the ‘calle’ (street) Mayor through stepped passageways. This makes it all the more impressive in its’ continuous sweep of arcaded facades. The architect was Juan Gomez de Mora and Plaza mayor was finished in 1619 soon after Felipe II made the city capital.
Be warned that it is expensive, but not to be missed, as the air of grandeur is palpable. In the summer months it becomes an outdoor theatre and music stage. In the autumn there is a book fair and in the run up to Christmas it’s a bazaar for festive decorations and religious regalia.