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A large city that can go from modern in one neighborhood to medieval in the next, Madrid
is impressive both in size and stature. The capital of Spain not only sits conveniently
in the center of the country, it is the center of the country. Covering a mind-boggling
375 square miles, it seems amazing that there are only 4 million people living within
its borders.
Madrid is a city that of contrasts. It can go from colorful to gray, from old to new, from
quiet to crowded in the blink of an eye. Although sometimes confusing, this is what makes
Madrid such a wonderful place to live and is why tourists from all over the world flock
to visit.
The most famous areas of the city are all located in the center, within walking distance
of each other. From the Plaza Mayor you can walk to the famous Puerta del Sol and then
down to the Prado, which houses works by El Greco, Velazquez, Rembrandt, Ribera, Goya and
many more. If the Prado doesn't satisfy your need for art, you can also head down the street
to the Reina Sofia to see some of the most famous works of modern art, including Picasso's
Guernica.
Madrid doesn't just begin and end with art and architecture. There are beautiful parks on
both sides of the city, as well as more shops and restaurants then you could possibly visit
in a lifetime.
If the day doesn't leave you exhausted, the evening certainly will. With a mind-boggling
number of clubs, bars, discos, restaurants, theaters, and nightly special events, there is no
lack of activityever.
Traditionally, the nightlife of Madrid comes alive much later than the rest of Europe. Many
people begin eating dinner as late as 10pm or 11pm and will not go to a club until 1 or 2am. It
may take some getting used to when you first arrive, but before long it will become your
way of life.
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