About the city of Madrid
The city of Madrid
Like other major European capitals, Madrid (pictured, above, the Puerta de Alcalá) is a city of contrasts with centuries-old buildings and districts alongside new ones; showing the way to the future in a bustling and fast-growing city.
Among Madrid's many offerings, you can visit a great range of monuments from many different periods (the Royal Palace, Descalzas Convent, Cibeles Square, the Post Office "Palace", etc).
Another option, which no visitor should miss, is our range of museums. One of the finest collections of paintings in the world can be found in a small area known as "The Art Triangle", the triangle formed by the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection and the Reina Sofía Museum.
Madrid is deservedly famous as one of the liveliest cities in Europe, with a wide variety of leisure activities. The range of shows and other activities is huge: theatre, music, dance, sport, bullfighting, the famous Rastro street-market, etc.
Outside Madrid
Madrid is set right in the centre of Spain which allows easy access to any part of the country in no more than a four-hour drive. Any stay in Madrid demands a visit to the nearby towns and cities, some of which have been declared World Heritage sites by UNESCO:
- Toledo - a city renowned for its history and culture
- Segovia - famous for its local cuisine and home to the stunning Aqueduct, one of the most famous achievements of Roman architecture
- Cuenca - the "hanging houses", the contemporary art museum, narrow bridges and steep lanes form part of the town's secrets
- Avila - the noble beauty of its medieval walls
- El Escorial - magnificent and monumental. Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries El Escorial was the centre of the largest empire ever known to mankind
- Chinchon - A traditional town, very near Madrid, with rural charm and excellent local cuisine
- Alcala de Henares - the unforgettable city of Cervantes
- Navacerrada - A high mountain town with spectacular surroundings. Winter and summer sports
- Salamanca - a student city and home to one of the world's most famous universities dating back to Medieval times.
Spanish in Madrid
Further information
International House Madrid
Zurbano 8, 28010 Madrid, Spain
Tel: +34 91 319 72 24 | Fax: +34 91 308 53 21
www.ihmadrid.com | spanish@ihmadrid.com
Spanish in Spain
Spanish in Barcelona | Cordoba | Madrid | Mallorca | San Sebastian | Seville | Valencia | Vejer
IH Spain comprises the International House Spanish language schools in Barcelona,
Cordoba, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, Seville, San Sebastian, Valencia and
Vejer de la Frontera, Spain.
www.ihspain.com