El Rastro is an area that contains a large outdoor market. It is a colorful area that has become a major attraction for tourists. Even if you do not plan to buy anything, it is worth visiting this area. Madrid is home to many worthwhile museums. Make sure to visit the Prado Museum which contains many temporary and permanent art displays by artists such as Goya, Rubens and Murillo. The Reina Sofia Art Museum is home to works by famous artists such as Picasso, Dali and Miro.



The Palacio Real is the official residence of the Royal family. It is only used for state occasions and is otherwise open to the public. You can visit its huge courtyard or its lavish halls, the throne room, the Royal Armory or the residential areas. Madrid has been recognized by UNESCO for some of its attractions. These include the monastery and royal site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, the university and its surroundings at Alcala de Henares and the landscaped area of Aranjuez.

For a relaxing stop in the middle of the city, make sure to visit Retiro Park. It was once a palace garden and you can see evidence of this in its majestic fountains and beautiful leafy walks. It also contains a boating lake. You can find Punch and Judy shows, a number of stalls and musicians playing music to the passing crowds.

Madrid hosts many festivals each year. The most popular of these are the festival of St Bartolome, the Fair of Motin, the festival of Our Lady of Carmen, the festival of Maya and the procession of the Virgen de la Sol. The Fiesta of the Bulls is common to all communities in the area. Madrid is also known as the home of Flamenco and it is alive with dancing.

In Madrid, you can be sure to find a range of holiday accommodation options. The city is full of hotels, hostels, hostals, aparthotels and self-catering rental apartments. Aparthotels are a cross between a hotel and an apartment. In fact, they are apartments that are located within the hotel complex. They provide extra space and privacy with some, but not all of the amenities of a hotel. These are ideal for families. A self-catering apartment is also a good choice for families or groups, especially if you will be in Madrid for more than a few days. These also provide more space and freedom than a hotel.

Youth hostels have shared dormitories and are good options for those traveling on a budget. They may also offer group or family rooms. Hostals (not to be confused with hostels) are similar to guesthouses. They are similar to small hotels in that you have your own room, but they do not offer the amenities that hotels do. They may have shared bathrooms.