Madrid Hotels

The temptation in Madrid is to fall into the rhythm of the locals: long lunches, longer "happy hours", midnight dinners, and passing the rest of the night in discos, bars or cafes, waiting to watch the sun rise. Many visitors have wondered aloud how anything ever gets done. But Madrilenos, as the locals are called, have gotten plenty done. And if you want to see the results of their work, you will need to plan your days well. You can have your choice of hotels in Madrid: sleek and modern, or charming tradition. Madrid hotels offer the same wonderful blend of warmth and formality that you will find in the rest of city.

Start your visit at the Palacio Real. The Royal Palace was built in the early 18th century on the same strategic site where Madrid's first Alcazar (Moorish fortress) was erected in the 9th. Here stone statues of Inca prince Atahualpa and Aztec king Montezuma are perhaps the only tributes in Spain to these pre-Colombian American rulers. Inside you will be taken with the opulence of the 2,800 rooms of the palace.

Just to the south of Palacio Real is the Moorish quarter, one of Madrid's oldest districts. There's a short stretch of city wall here, built by the early-medieval Muslim rulers in the 9th century. In summer the area is a venue for open-air theatre and music performances.

The Museo del Prado hosts over 7000 works of art, featuring the likes of Velazquez, Goya and da Ribera. Flemish and Italian masters are also represented. The Museo Municipal houses an eclectic collection of artifacts from the Bronze Age to the Industrial Age. After a few hours in the galleries and museums you may be ready for a walk in the park. The Parque del Buen Retiro is Madrid's loveliest public garden. Take a stroll, hire a boat, enjoy a puppet show or have your fortune told. This is truly a relaxing spot.

Between the Palace and the Park there is a wonderful downtown area, complete with broad avenidas and narrow twisting streets, lined with shops, galleries and museums, and punctuated with plazas and smaller parks perfect for people watching and chatting. This is the real heart of Madrid - and perfect place to learn the rhythm of the locals.