"YOUR APARTMENT IN MADRID"

Madrid the capital of Spain is situated in the centre of the peninsula and has excellent transport connections. Its is easy to get to, move around in and has easy access to other parts of Spain and Portugal.

Flights arrive / depart at Barajas International Airport which can be reached from the centre ( Plaza de Colon ) by bus or by metro on line 8.

The trains which arrive from abroad or the south, east and west of Spain including the high speed AVE train arrive and depart from Atocha Station which is also a metro station Atocha Renfe. Trains from the north arrive to Chamartin ( metro Chamartin ) although many also pass through Atocha and vice versa.

In general buses are the cheapest way to get around Spain. The main station is Estacion del Sur ( metro Mendez Alvaro ) close to Atocha train station in the South of the city. However please note that there are some bus companies that connect with the North of the Spain that have their own stations.

Madrid has 6 main routes of access to the city. From the A-1 to the A-6 ( the 'A' meaning National motorway ). It also has other connecting routes circunvalacion like the M-30 and M-40, M-45 and M-50.

Madrid is situated on the banks of the River Manzanares in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula. Although a prehistoric population existed the true city emerged with Moorish influence from a race that was named Magerit.

Conquered by Alfonso VI in the XI century it only began to gain importance throughout the XV century when several Kings of Castilla resided there.

In 1561 Felipe II decided to move the Royal residence to Madrid converting the city into the capital of the kingdom. Madrid continued to expand in the XVII and XIX centuries and in particular during the reign of Carlos III to whom to date the greatest changes are attributed to.

The city centre, Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor became the heart of the city when it expanded in the XVI century. It is here where great historical moments took place like the overturning of the French and the proclamation of the second republic.

Today you can visit an area in which you witness several emblems of Madrid like the Plaza de la villa with the town Hall and Torre de los Lujanes, La Plaza Mayor, known as Madrid de Asturias and area full of old bars and businesses and La Colegiata de San Isidro and the Palace of Santa Cruz.

Madrid is the economic centre of the country, the home of the government and courts. It's varied culture offers the tourist numerous choices on how to spend his spare time and on how to entertain himself.

What to do and see

Places not to be missed

- La Plaza Mayor; This square sits on top of the old Plaza del Arrabal, the economic and commercial centre of the Medieval Madrid. Its was built under the reign of Juan Gomez de Mora (1619) and originally built for public acts , bull fights , autos de fe..etc. Since then it has survived 3 major fires after which it under went several renovations carried out by Villanueva with an enclosure built and symmetry which one can admire today.

- Parque del Buen Retiro; This park is situated in the centre of the city and the most popular and Spanish of the Mardileno parks. It's creation began in 1630, originally the gardens of the former Royal Palace. In 1868 Isabel II gave the gardens to the people of Madrid and the gardens then became the venue for the city's entertainment. Later on the Palace of Velazquez and the Glass Palace were built to use as permanent exhibition halls. Today the Retiro reaches its height of visitors on Sundays where people sample the wide choice of things to do - from rowing on the lake to watching the street entertainers perform.

- Biblioteca Nacional; A project managed by Francisco Jareno de Alarcon. Queen Isabel II laid the first brick stone in 1866 and the grand opening took place in 1892 in commemoration of the Discovery of America. It is one of the richest and most important libraries of the world, owning an exceptional collection of manuscripts, incunabulums,and priceless books.

- Museo del Prado; El Prado Museum is one of the most important museums not only Spain but of the world. It is situated in one of the most emblematic parts of Madrid on the Paseos del Prado where you will find other important museums - The Thyssen Bornemisza Museum, and the Museos del Centro de Arte de Reina Sofia. It houses one of the most important schools of art from the XII and XIX centuries. Spanish art from the XIX century can be found in the large neighbouring house in el Buen Retiro.

- Palacio de Oriente; The Royal Palace is situated on the beautiful Plaza de Oriente where you can seethe equestrian statue of Felipe IV. The construction of the Palace began under the reign of Felipe V. Inside you can see the magnificent Gasparini Room, the Museum of Tapestries which is in the old rooms of Queen Maria Cristina, the Throne Room, the Museum of Music and the Museum of Paintings, Embroideries, Porcelaines and Glassware. Next to the Royal Palace you can see Campo del Moro, a beautiful garden which completes the ensemble.

- Plaza de La Cibeles; A collection of sculptures forming the monument was created by F. Gutierrez and R.Michel in the XVIII century. You can also admire remarkable buildings around La Cibeles like the Bank of Spain, The Palace of Commuications, the Palace of Linares and the Palace of Buenavista ( the military headquarters ).

Entertainment:

- Theatres: Real, Zarzuela, Albeniz, etc.

- Flamenco: Casa Patas, Café de Chinitas, etc.

- Traditional Places: Joy Eslava Disco, Café Gijon, Chocolateria San Gines ( where you can experience the traditional breakfast ).

- Other: Parque de Atracciones ( Them Park ) , Aqualung ( waterpark ) , Café Central ( Jaz ) , Parque de Warner etc.

- Bull Fighting and Football: Plaza de Ventas ( bull fighting ) , Vicente Calderon ( football ), Santiago Bernabeu ( football ).

LOCAL FIESTAS

JANUARY:

- Cabalgata de Reyes. ( The three kings procession ). On the 5th around the central streets of Madrid

- San Antón. n the 17th pets are blessed in this church in Hortaleza Street.

- FITUR. International Tourism Fair..

FEBRUARY:

- ARCO. International Contemporary Art Fair.

- Semana del Cine Experimental ( Weekly Film Festival ).

- Alternative Theatre, Music and Dance Festival..

Carnaval.

MARCH:

- Teatralia. Childrens Theatrical festival.

- Festival of the Community of Madrid of Holy Art.

- IMAGFIC. Cinematic Festival.

- Semana Santa Easter Week ) Religious processions at varios times ( sometimes in April ).

APRIL:

- Antique and second hand book Fair in Paseo de Recoletos

- The pinnacle of Flamenco.

- Spring Festival of Iberian music.

MAY:

- Madrid Day. Fiestas on the 2nd May in the Plaza de dos de Mayo in the Malasena area to celebrate the conquering of the French.

- Fiesta of San Isidro the worker. Fiestas in Madrid from 8 - 15 May. Concerts, competitions, exhibits, dances and parties. One mus not miss the Fireworks over the Almudena Cathedral in the Gardens of Vistillas.

- Bullfighting Fair of San Isidro.

- Ceramic and Pottery Festifal. Plaza de Comendadoras.

- Rock Festival in Villa de Madrid.

- International Book Fair. Parque del Retito.

JUNE:

- In the Moncloa area . Fiestas on the 13th in San Antinio de la Florida

- iestas de San Juan. Bonfires in the Retiro from 17- 24th.

- Chueca. Gay Pride Fiestas.

JULY:

- Chamberi Area. Fiesta of the Virgen del Carmeb from 9-16.

- Summer: "Verano de la Villa " until september: cinema, concerts, theatre and other in varios different locations

AUGUST:

- Fiestas de San Lorenxzo, San Cayetano and the Virgen de la Paloma from 6-15. In the areas of La Latina, Lavapies and Las Vistillas.

SEPTEMBER:

- Area of AQrganzuela from 5-13 in La Melonera.

- Area of Chamartin Autumn Festivals from 24- 29.

OCTOBER:

- Zarzuela Season. Zarzuela Theatre until December.

- Autumn Theatre Festival.

- Festival to celebrate woman in Cinema

NOVEMBER:

- Virgen de la ALmudena on the 9th ( patron saitn of Madrid ).

- Jazz Festival.

- Art Fair in the halls of IFEMA.

- Festival of Gay Cinema ( Lesgaycinemad )

DECEMBER:

- Christmas. Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair in Paseo de Recoletos.

- Famous San Silvestre Race on the 31st.

- New Years Eve. Listen to the chimes at Puerta de Sol and take obligatory lucky grapes ( one for each chime ).