The Community of Madrid is Spain's political and cultural heart, a landlocked region on the Iberian plateau anchored by Madrid, one of Europe's great capitals. At 667 metres above sea level, the city claims the title of the highest capital in the EU. The region blends world-class art museums — the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza form the Golden Triangle of Art — with royal palaces, medieval villages, and the snow-capped Guadarrama mountains on its northern doorstep. Madrileños eat late, party later, and take leisure seriously, giving the region a vibrant street culture that runs from tapas-crawls in La Latina to all-night clubs in Malasaña.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy multi-day or weekly transit passes if you'll use public transport more than twice a day.
Keep small change handy for buses and shorter trips where contactless may not work.
Avoid rush hour (typically 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) for a more comfortable journey.