Stop #2

Madrid is one of Europe's largest cities, located at the very center of the Iberian Peninsula. It became Spain's capital in the 16th century and its architecture is generally posterior to that period. The 18th-century Royal Palace has a vast and extravagant interior and faces a recently-finished cathedral. The city center also features the historic Plaza Mayor, surrounded by 17th-century architecture, the Descalzas Reales monastery, and many other churches and buildings. On the shady Castellana boulevard is the Plaza de Cibeles, an elegant fountain surrounded by palaces and overlooked by the Puerta de Alcalá gateway. Nearby, the Prado Museum is one of the world's finest art galleries, with its vast collection of Spanish, Flemish, and other European paintings. Two more of the top-notch museums in Madrid are the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, part of an eclectic private art collection, and the Reina Sofía Art Center, which features Picasso's Guernica and other modern works. When you need a break from sightseeing, rest your feet in Retiro Park or one of the parks on the city's west side. And a visit of Madrid would not be complete without experiencing Madrid's legendary nightlife.