Madrid is Spain's capital and the most populous city in the country: around 3.3 million inhabitants in the municipality and over 6.7 million in its metropolitan area. It is the seat of the Government and the Cortes Generales, as well as the country's main financial, cultural and administrative hub.
It sits in the heart of the Meseta Central at 657 metres above sea level — the highest capital in the European Union — and was chosen as the seat of the royal court in 1561, when Philip II turned it into the new centre of his empire. From that decision came the city that today brings together the Golden Triangle of Art (Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen), the Royal Palace, the Puerta del Sol with its Kilometre Zero, the Plaza Mayor, the Retiro park and Gran Vía. It also makes the perfect base for day trips to Toledo, Segovia or the El Escorial Monastery, three UNESCO World Heritage gems less than an hour away.
But Madrid isn't Spain's most touristy city, and that's the best thing about it. It doesn't live off tourism: it lives off Madrileños. You get the best museum in the world, a nightlife that never ends, a cuisine that ranges from cocido madrileño in a century-old taberna to the creative tapas of Ponzano, and neighbourhoods where life happens on the street — Malasaña, La Latina, Chueca, Chamberí.
Three days is the sweet spot. The best time to visit is from April to June or from September to October: avoid July and August, when Madrid pushes 40 °C and the Madrileños head for the beach.
