The best places and cities to visit in Spain

Madrid

Spain’s capital, Madrid bustles with activity from dawn to the wee hours of the morning. Whether taking a stroll on the 17th-century Plaza Mayor where bullfights and public executions were once held or rambling through the Buen Retiro gardens formerly owned by the Spanish Monarchy, Madrid’s history is woven into the fabric of everyday life in this forward-looking city. Home to the Prado Museum, which boasts the most extensive collection of Spanish art in the world, Madrid is a place where culture, art and fine living are taken in stride.