Madrid, Spain's central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry.
Here is our short list of top five things Madrid is famous for:
Prado Museum. Museo del Prado.
The Center of All The Roads in Spain. Kilometer 0 in Madrid.
Calamari Sandwiches. Calamari sandwich.
The Oldest Restaurant In The World. Sobrino de Botín.
The Biggest Zara In The World. Zara on Paseo de la Castellana.
Madrid is generally a safe city, although you should, as in most European cities, be wary of pickpockets on transport and around major tourist sights. Although you should be careful, don't be paranoid; remember that the overwhelming majority of travellers to Madrid rarely encounter any problems.