Bustling with people and lined with restaurants and cafés, Spain’s capital is the city that never sleeps. View masterpieces in the world famous Prado Museum and lounge in the 350 acre Retiro Park. Stroll leisurely through the theatre district, stopping at the many boutiques along the way. Be awed by the majestic architecture and grandeur of the Royal Palace. You could spend years discovering all the charms and activities that this pulsating city has to offer!

Madrid can be separated into two distinct groups, due to the footprints left from its past. In Habsburg Madrid, known as "Old Madrid," you'll come across many tourists enjoying the picturesque monuments. The Plaza Mayor, found in Habsburg Madrid, dates back to the 16th century. At the turn of the 18th century, the Habsburg era fell to the Bourbon monarchy. The stunning Royal Palace is found in this district. Contrasting architectural styles make Madrid a colorful and varied city.

Day to day living in Madrid may seem less "Spanish" than other smaller towns and cities in Spain. The Spanish siesta, or midday nap, is gradually and steadily diminishing, being replaced by more traditional business working hours. The fast paced lifestyle of businessmen and women seems to contradict the slower, Mediterranean ways of life. However, it is precisely these reasons that make Madrid unique to the country, offering its visitors and inhabitants a complex and beautiful mixture of old Spain and modern life.

Among the clamor of this large, metropolitan city, you will still find Madrileños pausing their work day for an hour-long coffee break in bars or cafés. Spanish tapas are served throughout the city, from restaurants representing a variety of regions in Spain. Clubs often do not close until dawn, and the city lights and pedestrian activity make it hard to distinguish between 3am and 3pm. Come and experience the harmonious blend of progress with tradition, nationalism with tolerance, and people from all over the world--all within Madrid.

Plaza Mayor: A large square with nice arched gateways, built by Felipe III in 1619 during the reign of the Hapsburgs of Austria. It has been the sight of bullfights, the executions of heretics during the Inquisition, and the crowning of several kings. Now, the Plaza is considered a hot spot where Spaniards and visitors convene to shop, mingle, dine, relax, and people watch.

"Kilometro 0:" Located next to the Puerta del Sol metro stop, this plaque marks the center of the city, and is the point from which all other distances in Madrid are measured. This is a popular meeting place.

The Gran Via: This road is the main boulevard which cuts through the city to the Plaza España. Along the Gran Via are several restaurants, boutiques, theatres, and discotheques.

Retiro Park: Located in the center of Madrid, the Retiro is a beautiful park with gardens, walkways, coffee shops, restaurants, fountains, monuments, and even a lake. The 350 acres provide its visitors a relaxing escape from the bustle of the city.

The Prado, Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museums: Masterpieces from all over the world make these museums unforgettable and impossible to miss. Check the local newspapers to find out when entrance fees are waived.

¿Habla inglés? Do you speak English? (formal)
¿Hablas inglés? Do you speak English? (informal)
(No) Hablo español. I (don't) speak Spanish.
Perdóname/Con permiso. Excuse me (used when cutting through a crowd).
Pasa. Pass (the response to perdoname).
Lo siento. I'm sorry.
¡Ayuda! Help!
¡Socorro! Help! (in an emergency situation)
¡Cuidado! Caution, look out!
¿Cómo está? How are you? (formal)
¿Cómo estás? How are you? (informal)
(Muy) Bien. (Very) Well.
(Muy) Mal. (Very) Bad.
Gracias. Thank you.
Por favor. Please.
Buenos días. Good morning
Buenas tardes. Good afternoon.
Buenas noches. Good evening.
Adios. Goodbye.
No entiendo. I don't understand.
¿Cómo se llama? What is your name? (formal)
¿Cómo te llamas? What is your name? (informal)
Me llamo... My name is...
Mucho gusto./Encantado. Nice to meet you.
¿De dónde es? Where are you from? (formal)
¿De dónde eres? Where are you from? (informal)
Soy de... I am from...
¿Qué hora es? What time is it?
¿Dónde está el hotel? Where is the hotel?
¿Dónde está un teléfono? Where is a telephone?
¿Dónde está el baño? Where is the restroom?
¿Cómo voy a...? How do I get to...?
¿Tiene usted...? Do you have...? (formal)
¿Tienes...? Do you have...? (informal)
¿Cuánto cuesta? How much is it?
Me gustaría... I'd like to order... (in a restaurant)
La cuenta, por favor. The bill, please.
Soy vegetariano/a. I am a vegetarian.
¡Salud! Cheers!/Bless you! (after a sneeze)
¿Cómo se dice ____ en español? How do you say ______ in Spanish?
¡Vamos! Let's go!