Madrid Main | Description | Hotels WHY MADRID? Over 50 museums and a royal palace with over 2,600 rooms! Unprecedented nightlife lasting through the wee morning hours El Escorial, the Palace of Felipe II The romantic Retiro Park Delectable tapas around the Plaza Santa Ana (pictured right: Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid) Located in the heart of Spain, the country's capital city is vibrant and full of diverse neighborhoods that range from the bustling business center to the hip and trendy Chueca quarter. The 'Golden Triangle of Art' is an area within the city's center that houses three famed museums: Museo del Prado, Museo National Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, and the Museo Thyseen-Bornemisza. Madrid's historic center is full of winding cobblestone pedestrian streets and the elaborate main square, Plaza Mayor, is filled with cafes and arcades that house shops, bars, bakeries and souvenir stands. Just outside of the city within easy driving distance are: El Escorial, the palace of King Felipe II; El Valle de los Caidos, Spain's monument to victims of its Civil War; and Alcala de Henares, the birthplace of Cervantes. Additional great options for day trips are the three nearby UNESCO World Heritage Cities of Avila, Segovia and Toledo.