"Madrid" Madrid by DanielF

Madrid Travel Guide: 5,307 reviews and 10,736 photos

Madrid's Unique Energy

For many decades, Madrid has had a really bad press. Even its most enthusiastic inhabitants were not reluctant to admit the city's humble origins and its seemingly little appealing location. Madrid is actually a city whose growth has been fuelled by politics and power, with all their negative connotations and, apparently, little else to offer. In spite of the crisp blue skies that the city enjoys most of the year, its image used to be rather grey and dull. The natural backdrop did not help much to improve that image: the city sprawls in the middle of a barren plain criss-crossed by overfilled expressways, far away from the sea or any body of water of consideration.

Even today, Madrid continues to be a fiercely conservative stronghold within the forward-looking and self-confident contemporary Spain. However, since the country's return to democracy, the city has proved it could overturn the stereotypes and become a terribly fun place to be.

Far less innovative or transgressor than its archrival, Barcelona, Madrid has managed, however, to develop an extremely active cultural agenda which lures hordes and hordes of visitors and new citizens every year, adding to the intensely energetic feel of the place, a feeling which is rare to find elsewhere in the old continent. Prosperity has allowed the city to refurbish its historical areas while impressive infrastructure projects have been thrown out, resulting in a city where traditional and cutting-edge go hand in hand. In addition, a less superficial observation proves that the variety of environments in the city's outlying areas is impressive and that even in a small radius from the city centre, numerous patches of pristine landscapes are still to be found.

As with any other place, come without prejudices to Madrid, but above all, come fit to resist the city's overwhelming rhythm.

  • Intro Updated Jun 13, 2008
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Comments (37)

  • chicabonita's Profile Photo
    Feb 24, 2009 at 3:07 AM

    Great pictures!

  • aeroarce's Profile Photo
    Jan 30, 2007 at 11:07 AM

    Thank you for the words you say about my city. very good Tips specially the General tips!

  • Jetgirly's Profile Photo
    Sep 5, 2006 at 2:55 PM

    Great photos- that hotel looks like it just radiates heat. I must say that the NH in Marbella was one of the worst hotels I've ever stayed in... the staff seemed to share about ten brain cells!

  • MM212's Profile Photo
    Jul 24, 2006 at 2:10 AM

    Great collection of architectural photos!

  • CALSF's Profile Photo
    Jan 23, 2006 at 8:19 PM

    ----

  • Larnie's Profile Photo
    Mar 17, 2005 at 10:44 PM

    Great pics...I had plans for Madrid, but ran out of $$$ Great birthdate too :o)

  • matcrazy1's Profile Photo
    Jul 17, 2004 at 7:18 PM

    Some very interesting info and amazing pictures! I see, i must revisit Madrid haha.

  • mesoblonda's Profile Photo
    Jun 16, 2004 at 5:55 PM

    GREAT Madrid pages! Still working on viewing the rest of your pages...cheers from San Francisco!

  • Henkster's Profile Photo
    Aug 19, 2003 at 5:50 AM

    Wow, what a page about this fascinating city! I dont like Real, but I will have to see Madrid one day!

  • mel_bee's Profile Photo
    Jul 1, 2003 at 9:33 AM

    Your pages are great! Brings back happy memories of my trip to Madrid :-)

DanielF

“Balnea, vina, Venvs”

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