Madrid is lively and charming, with many things to do, and the city's Santa Ana district never closes down - nobody is really sure when the Madrileños sleep. It may be the afternoon siesta that gives them the endurance to keep things going well into the night.

Madrid (metropolitan population: 5.84 million) has many things to offer, one could go shopping at Calle Serrano and the Gran Via. Than visit the Victory Arch, the Palacio Real (the royal palace with its own art treasures and crown jewels) and the Plaza de las Cibeles and Puerta del Sol (the last two are major intersections with fountains, monuments and shops). On sunday, there is the Rastro Flea Market, located in La Latina, there you will find the Madrileño's real essence!

Madrid is a museum-goer's paradise. Including the Royal Palace, it has 15 important museums, dozens of galleries and several private collections. See the section on the art walk for more details about the three famous museums in Madrid: the Prado, the Thyssen Bornemisza and the Reina Sofia museum. You might end up spending more than one day just seeing museums. Actually, days could be spent in the halls of the Prado alone.

But there’s much more than museums. One of the nicest parks in Madrid is Retiro Park near the Prado with its Victorian greenhouse and the Crystal Palace with its small lake and swans. For a panoramic view of Madrid take the elevator to the bar on the 26th floor of the Edificio de Espana which faces the Plaza de Espana.

Madrid is a city that never seems to close down, bars and restaurants are open very late. Dinner doesn't usually begin until after 10 pm and after that revellers head off to their favourite disco show, jazz club or late-night cafe to party until dawn. For a concentrated area of late-night activity head to Huertas Street after midnight and you're sure to find something to match your tastes.

Hemingway fans may want to check out the Museo Chicote bar described in many of his Spanish Civil War stories (and a very trendy spot). Those who love traditional performing arts will want to go to the Teatro Real for Spanish light opera known as zarzuela. You can also find good flamenco shows in several nightclubs including Cafe Chinitas.

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