When taking city breaks to some European capitals, it can be common to face a local population who are indifferent or even rude to visiting tourists. This cannot be said of city breaks in Madrid where the people are welcoming to visitors from different countries and cultures, and are very friendly to tourists.

The residents of Madrid are called Madrileños and they have a very simple yet infectious philosophy - “life is for living”. They love having a good time and they do it pretty much 24 hours a day. Weekend breaks in Madrid are made unique by the vitality and warmth of the Madrileños; this can be best seen the evening when the capital’s tapas bars begin to open their doors. It is the norm for Madrileños to visit many tapas bars in one night, sociably enjoying a wide selection of locally produced bar food washed down with a few glasses of red wine or provincial beer. The term nightlife doesn’t really apply to short breaks in Madrid as things don’t generally start to get going until well past midnight. Madrid offers some of Spain’s liveliest and most outrageous bars and clubs which won’t start winding down until past dawn. Should you fancy something a little less lively then there are plenty of relaxed restaurants and laid-back bars where you can kick back in a more chilled-out atmosphere.

City breaks in Madrid are a great way to realise your inner passion: just don’t expect any early nights!

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Madrid really is one of Europe’s truly great cities. It has a rich heritage, beautiful buildings, a vibrant population and is never dull. For these reasons and more, city breaks in Madrid are hugely enjoyable for everyone.

Madrid is blessed with some of Europe’s greatest museums as well as world-class galleries that contain many of history’s most celebrated paintings. Any short breaks in Madrid must include a visit to the Prado, the Thysssen-bornemisza and the Reina Sofia, which are the three most prestigious museums in the city. Some of Madrid’s beautiful architecture dates back to medieval times and buildings such as the Royal Palace and the Theatre Royal are just far too glorious to miss. Although not popular with all visitors, the largest bull ring in Spain is in Madrid. The impressive Plaza de Toros Monumental de las Ventas holds 25,000 people and is a uniquely Spanish experience.

Children are well catered for on weekend breaks in Madrid with an aquarium, safari park, waterpark and theme park to choose from as well as a zoo where the animals are separated by moats rather than bars. In the summertime, children (and adults) can be amused for hours by entertainers who congregate around the lake of Madrid’s largest park, the Parque de Buen Retiro.

City breaks in Madrid offer rewarding days and stimulating nights. Add to this the wonderful food and some of the friendliest residents in Europe and you have a destination that really has it all.

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City breaks in Madrid are a great option for anyone interested in history and architecture. Add to this the great food, wonderful culture and exuberant people and you will see that weekend breaks in Madrid offer something for everyone.

The area around Madrid has been populated since prehistoric times, but first came to prominence when the Romans annexed the Iberian Peninsula in the second century BC. After the Roman Empire collapsed, advancing Arab armies conquered and settled the area in the 7th century. In the 9th century, the resident Arabs began to lay the foundations for the Madrid that we recognise today. However, in the 11th century, Alfonso VI of Castile defeated and expelled the Arabs from the Spanish mainland and from then on Madrid’s importance began to increase. Being situated in the centre of the country helped Madrid become the centre of Spanish political life during medieval times, although it was not until the 16th century that it became the official capital. The city flourished as the mighty Spanish Empire of the 17th and 18th centuries drew in huge wealth to Spain. The spoils of this ‘Golden Age’ can be seen in Madrid’s stunning Renaissance architecture, chief among them being the spectacular residence of the King of Spain, the Palacio Real.

Short breaks in Madrid are a great option for culture loving Brits as the Spanish capital is less than three hours flight away. With many cheap flights available, weekend breaks in Madrid are accessible to all.

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If you’re looking for a culturally rewarding holiday in Spain but you just don’t have enough time to spare then city breaks in Madrid may be the perfect answer. Although Madrid is used by some tourists as nothing more than a base to explore the beautiful outlying countryside, the majority of visitors come in order to experience the unique atmosphere and absorbing culture that the city offers.

Of course, Madrid has a long and varied history, but it is also a large, modern city. The metropolitan area is huge, but the principal area of the Spanish capital is compact and easy to get around on foot. This is where weekend breaks in Madrid come into their own as you will be able to see some of Europe’s finest galleries and museums without wasting any of your precious time getting from place to place. As you wander round, marvelling at the glorious Renaissance buildings and handsome squares, you cannot help but wonder why Madrid is so frequently billed as Spain’s second city behind its Catalan cousin, Barcelona.

With more museums and galleries than you can shake a stick at, some of the most electric nightlife around and infectiously friendly residents, short breaks in Madrid are up there with the very best. Summers in Madrid can be scorching and the winters freezing, but there is never a bad time to explore the plazas and vias that weekend breaks in Madrid can offer. Visit this wonderful city soon and see what you’re missing.

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