| The cosmopolitan capital city of Spain is not just a | | | | is the five star Hesperia Hotel. What Not to Miss A |
| business centre and home to the Spanish Government | | | | weekend in Madrid wouldn't be complete without a visit |
| and Royal Family, it also makes an exciting location for | | | | to at least one of the many art galleries it has to offer. |
| a city break. Getting There Madrid's Barajas Airport is | | | | Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, in the Atocha |
| about 8 miles from the city, and has great connections | | | | district, is the place to see some great Spanish |
| to the city centre. The metro is the best option, and | | | | contemporary art and pulls in the crowds with work by |
| takes less than half an hour-head to Nuevos | | | | the likes of Picasso and Dalí, and it houses |
| Ministerios from where you can connect to the | | | | sculptures and modern media artwork such as |
| nearest metro station to your hotel. There is also an | | | | photography and film as well as paintings. For lovers of |
| airport bus to the city centre, dropping you off at Plaza | | | | more traditional works, the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) |
| de Colón in the city centre, or if you want to be | | | | has opened its doors and has a good display of |
| dropped to your door, you can take the AeroCITY | | | | paintings by Rubens, Velázquez, Goya, El |
| minibus or get a taxi. These are the slower options | | | | Greco and Caravaggio among others. There are also |
| however as traffic is notoriously heavy. Travelzoo is a | | | | Tiépolo frescos to see in the palace. |
| good place to find cheap flights and holiday deals to | | | | Madrid of course is also famous for bullfighting, so for |
| Madrid. | | | | the not so fainthearted (and if you condone it) head to |
| Where to Stay To get the most out of a short stay in | | | | La Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas. Or, for a slightly |
| Madrid, book yourself into one of the many centrally | | | | less bloodthirsty sport, head to see one of the world's |
| located hostels or hotels (although Madrid is fairly | | | | greatest football teams in action and catch a Real |
| compact and easily navigated by metro, so you won't | | | | Madrid home game if you can. If your trip doesn't |
| be too far from the action wherever you stay). If you | | | | coincide with the football season you can still take a |
| do want to stay central and you are on a budget | | | | tour around the Bernabéu stadium and visit the |
| there are plenty of hostels to choose from including | | | | trophy room, and have a stroll on the pitch. You can fly |
| Hostal Acapulco, which is one of the best, or Hostal | | | | directly to Spain with Fly Monarch, who offers cheap |
| América, which has a roof terrace where you | | | | flights to Spain, as well as flying to other Spanish |
| can look out across the city. For a little extra you could | | | | destinations like Barcelona; the country's capital may |
| try Ateneo Hotel, which is quieter and rooms have | | | | make a useful starting point for a Spanish trip. |
| private balconies, or for that more luxurious stay there | | | | |