If you are planning on spending some time in Madrid, the capital city of Spain, there are some must-see attractions along the way that speak to the great history of Madrid and showcases the grandeur of the past and the cultural experiences that define Spain.

? Plaza Mayor
Literally translated, the Grand Square, is the hub of the city. The cobblestone square is surrounded by tall red bricked buildings. Cafes line Plaza Major for a coffee or snack.

? Puerta Del Sol
Puerta del Sol, gate to the sun, is a popular meeting place for locals filled with shops, cafes, restaurants, and hotels.

? Bullfighting
It seems the first event everyone thinks of when they visit Spain is bullfighting. The brightly dressed matadors and the pageantry of this ancient tradition can be spellbinding. Las Ventas is THE arena to see bullfighting and make sure to pay extra for the shady seats.

? Prado Museum
Museo del Prado is one of the finest art museums in Europe and houses works by El Greco, Goya, Velazquez, and Picasso.

? Retiro Park
Situated in the center of Madrid, Retiro Park is one of best places to get away from city life, walk by the lake, explore the Crystal Palace that houses works of art, or see the statue of Lucifer.

? Gran Via Street
Gran Via is in the Theater District of Madrid with some great performances, restaurants, and shops. Gran Via is a great place for a stroll in Madrid if you are interested in the hustle and bustle of one of the busiest streets in the city.

? Cibeles Square
This is perhaps the most beautiful post office in the world! Cibeles Square houses the post office and the Bank of Spain in incredible architecture and a magnificent fountain in the front.

? The Royal Palace
Although not the primary residence of the King and Queen, the Royal Palace is used for royal ceremonies and events and is open daily to the public.

After seeing the sights, you?ll be ready to stop for a bite to eat.

? Gula Gula
Gula Gula is a trendy restaurant with international dishes and a fun atmosphere. There are two drag-queen shows nightly and the prices are reasonable.

? Museo del Jamon
This is a great place for a quick bite with every type of meat available. The prices are fair and there is a location in Plaza Mayor.

? Botin
Famous for its roasted suckling pig and lamb, Botin is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest restaurant. Make sure you make reservations well in advance!

? San Gines Chocolateria
But if it?s sweets you crave, San Gines Chocolateria is the place! Their specialty is hot chocolate with churros (fried dough sticks).

Getting around Madrid is simple. While many choose to walk to take in the scenery and the sights, there are faster, more efficient ways to get around the city.

? Metro/Subway
The Metro is one of the fastest, cheapest ways to get from one spot to another in Madrid. The subway is clean, safe, and leaves every 3 minutes and takes you to almost every major tourist attraction in the city. It costs about 1 Euro per person, and you can buy tickets in 10s to cut your rate in half.

? Tourist Bus
If you want a way to visit the different sights in Madrid while getting a birds eye view of the city, a tourist bus is your best bet. Sit on the second level of the bus to see all the sights. There are three bus lines that run daily, the red line takes you through historical Madrid, the blue line takes you through modern Madrid, and the green line takes you to the monuments of the city. You can get an audio tour with headphones in almost any language. You can buy a one day bus pass for 13 Euros.

When you?re ready to settle in and get some rest for the evening, Madrid offers some first class hotels for your stay.

? Westin Palace
The Westin Palace is one of the best hotels in the city. It?s a true five-star hotel only 5 minutes walk from Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, and the Prado Museum. Sure it?s a bit pricey, but if you?re looking for a luxury hotel in the heart of Madrid, the Westin Palace is the place!

? Emperador Hotel
Perfectly located on the famous Gran Via, the Emperador Hotel is close to shops, restaurants, discos, and theaters. This is a top rated hotel and there?s even a swimming pool on the rooftop.

Madrid offers so any things to do including historic museums, a lush park, extravagant shopping, fine dining, world-class theater, and nightlife. It has traditional Spanish cuisine and fresh and funky dining experiences. Getting around Madrid is easy with tour buses and the inexpensive Metro system. Enjoy your stay in the capital city of Spain!