Greater Madrid is one of Europe's greatest regions, blending stunning architecture, cultural riches, glorious gastronomy and vivacious nightlife with a passionate spirit that captivates your heart and lifts your soul.
It is also the highest European capital at almost 700 metres, it's altitude and proximity to mountains giving it one of Europe's most variable climates for a capital but also making it one of its sunniest cities.
Madrid also makes the perfect golf city break, as it is blessed with more golf courses within a 25Km radius than any other European capital.
Getting there is easy, too. Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport is just 12Km from Madrid and is served by direct flights from across Europe and many other parts of the world, while you can be in the city in 20 minutes by train, metro, taxi, express bus or rental car.
Madrid is the epicentre of Spain's extensive road and highways network and has fast train connections with cities throughout the country as well as with neighbouring France and Portugal. Once in Madrid, its excellent public transportation and roads make it easy to combine a few days of golf on top notch layouts with exploring this beguiling city and experiencing some of the best it has to offer visitors.
At the end of your break, you will leave with a huge smile on your face while wanting to return as soon as possible to do it all again.
MADRID GOLF COURSES:
The Madrid Golf Courses Association (Asociacion Campos de Golf de Madrid) has almost 20 golf venue members, all close to the heart of the Spanish capital and all welcoming visiting golfers. They include serveral top drawer golf courses, with the likes of Robert von Hagge, Rees Jones, Jack Nicklaus and Spain's Seve Ballersteros and Jose Maria Olazabal among designers to have left their mark on them.
Founded in 2014, the non-profit association promotes Madrid as a golf destination nationally and internationally as well as promoting the golf courses in the Community of Madrid, its golf industry and the regions tourist attractions.
WORLD HERITAGE:
The region of Madrid is home to five sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, three of which are the historic centers of Alcala de Henares, Aranjuez and San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Tourists can discover them through attractive itineraries either on foot or by bicycle, touringaround these unique and highly regarded histrocial sites.
MADRID ATTRACTIONS:
Join the throng of tourists along the cities Gran Via thoroughfare to browse the shops and admire the buildings, then stop for a refreshing drink at one of the street-side bars.
A visit to Madrid's so-called Art Triangle is a must, to take in the grand, colonnaded Museo del Prado. The national art museum of Spain, it is lauded as one of the World's finest art institutions and houses a vast collection of Spanish and European artworks spannig seven centuries, many by some of the greatest artists. You can gase at more masterpieces at the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Eating is a passion bordering on religion in Spain, and it Madrid you can feat on regional cuisines from all over the country and beyond.
GASTRONOMY:
Embrace traditioal gastronomy. From gourmet markets to starred restaurants, you will be spoilt for choice. Or why not loose yourself in greater Madrid countryside, where you can take on a tapas, cheese or wine route?
Wine tourism has boomed, and it is increasingly common to visit the wineries within the region. A visit will provides a greater understanding of the culture, process of wine making and finally a nice tasting.
Once the sun goes down, hit one of Madrid's bars - it is said to have more than any other city in the World - and savour the city's fun nighttime atmosphere.
If you're a football fan, try and catch a Real Madrid game - you can also take a tour of their famous Bernabeu stadium - or go and watch thier arch rivals and neighbours, Atletico Madrid.
::: GREATER MADRID