Madrid is impressive in both size and status. Spain's capital covers 375 square miles and is home to 4 million people. It not only sits conveniently in the center of the country, but is also the country's center for art, shopping, politics, cuisine, film, and all facets of modern Spanish culture. While in the city, tour one of the many museums such as the Prado Museum, or if you’re interested in government, take the time to visit the Parliament building. Madrid’s public transportation system of trains and buses allows students to travel throughout the country with ease. Those students interested in exploring Madrid are able to get around the city by walking, riding a bike, or can travel in a taxi should they choose to do so.
Food buffs will find that the streets are lined with cafés offering delectable treats—the city offers some of the finest culinary options in the world. The nightlife is also legendary. If you’re traveling in the city, it’s not uncommon to find yourself in a traffic jam at 3:00 a.m. In every corner of the city, you'll find shopping, cafés, restaurants, and enough adventure to keep you busy for a lifetime.
Madrid is a city of contrasts. The landscape, architecture, and general feeling can go from colorful to gray, from ancient to new, from quiet to bustling in the blink of an eye. Although the oldest part of the city, El Centro, has narrow, winding cobblestone streets dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, other parts of the city have wide, sprawling boulevards lined with shops, restaurants, flats, businesses, theaters . . . everything one would expect in a nation's capital. These are just some of the countless reasons why students and tourists choose Madrid as their destination, and why when it's time to go home, they find the city's charm and energy difficult to leave behind!