Madrid is the capital of Spain, located in the center of the Iberian peninsula in the Castilian plain. Because Madrid is a landlocked city, it has a very dry climate, and summers can see temperatures of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Madrid is a truly “Spanish” city with a strong cultural identity and rich traditions. Home of flamenco dancing and bullfighting, Madrid keeps its history alive while playing an important role within modern Europe.

A stroll through the city center reveals the several “faces” of Madrid in its variety of architectural styles: Bourbon, Neo-Classical, Francoesque, Baroque, Art Deco, and Modernist, to name a few. The Plaza Mayor, at the heart of Old Madrid, is especially grand with its ornate balconies, dormer windows, and intricate frescoes that grace the facades of the surrounding buildings. In the past, Madrid's most famous square has hosted pageants, bullfights, and even public executions. Today, the Plaza Mayor is home to outdoor cafés, tapas bars, and shops.