Introducing Madrid

Here is a place where the passions of Europe’s most passionate country are the fabric of daily life, a city with music in its soul and an unshakeable spring in its step. But Madrid is also one of the most open cities on earth. As a result, it doesn’t matter where you’re from for the oft-heard phrase to ring true:
‘If you’re in Madrid, you’re from Madrid’.

Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a cosmopolitan city that combines the most modern infrastructures and the status as an economic, financial, administrative and service centre, with a large cultural and artistic heritage, a legacy of centuries of exciting history.. Madrid is best known for its great cultural and artistic heritage, a good example of which are the El Prado, Thyssen and Reina Sofía museums. Madrid also boasts some of the liveliest nightlife in the world.
 
But if there’s one thing that sets Madrid apart, it must be its deep and infectious passion for life that finds its outlet in the friendly and open character of its inhabitants. Concerts, exhibitions, ballets, a select theatrical offering, the latest film releases, the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of the best Spanish and international gastronomy, to savour the charms of its bars and taverns… all these are just a few of the leisure options on offer in Madrid. There is also a tempting array of shops and businesses featuring both traditional establishments and leading stores offering top brands and international labels.
 
Madrid’s lively nightlife is another key attraction of Spain’s capital, due to its variety and the exciting atmosphere to be found in its bars, pubs, clubs and flamenco halls.

An Artistic City

Few cities can boast an artistic pedigree quite as pure as Madrid’s and many art lovers return here again and again, so rich is the city’s art collection. For centuries, Spanish royals showered praise and riches upon the great artists of the day, from home-grown talents such as Goya and Velázquez to a stunning pantheon of Flemish and Italian masters. Masterpieces by these and other Spanish masters such as Picasso, Dalí and Miró now adorn the walls of the city’s world-class galleries. Three in particular are giants – the Museo del Prado, Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza – but in Madrid these are merely good places to start.

Culinary Capital

Rising above the humble claims of its local cuisine, Madrid has evolved into one of the richest culinary capitals of Europe. This is a city that has wholeheartedly embraced all the creativity and innovation of Spain’s gastronomic revolution.

Killing the Night

Madrid nights are the stuff of legend, and the perfect complement to the more sedate charms of fine arts and fine dining. The city may have more bars than any other city on earth, a collection of storied cocktail bars and nightclubs that combine a hint of glamour with non-stop marcha (action). But that only goes someway to explaining the appeal of after-dark Madrid. Step out into the night-time streets of many Madrid neighbourhoods and you’ll find yourself swept along on a tide of people, accompanied by a happy crowd intent on dancing until dawn.

Put simply, this is one beautiful city.

 
More tourist info:

madridtourist.info
turismomadrid.es
 

Weather in September

By September the temperatures have dropped to slightly more comfortable levels. They remain high, though, so you can expect hot and sunny days in Madrid if you visit at this time of the year.
 

Averages for Madrid in September.

The average daily temperature for Madrid in this month can reach highs of 25°C (77°F) or drop to an average minimum temperature of 14°C (57°F). Madrid sees an average of 9 hours sunshine per day and an average rainfall of 32 mm over 6 days throughout this month.
 
 

Public Transport from the Airport

METRO

METRO (subway-underground) is the easiest way to arrive to Madrid downtown from Barajas International Airport. All Terminales are connected by Line 8 (pink line), which endes at Nuevos Ministerios station, where it is possible to connect to several Metro lines, buses and city trains.

Metro de Madrid
Metro map (PDF)
 

BUS

There are also buses coming from the airport, the fastest way to get downtown by bus is the Express Line. It takes approximately 40 minutes and endes at Atocha train station during daytime, or Plaza de Cibeles during the night.

EMT Bus Madrid
Airport Express
 

TAXI

Taxis are also avaible at all Terminal exits. Departing from the airport, fixed fares are charged depending on the destination. From the airport going to any location within Madrid downtown (inside M30 ring road) costs 30€ fixed fare.

My Taxi App (Android, iOS & Blackberry)
Hailo Taxi App (Android & iOS)