The center of the Spanish capital is a huddle of medieval alleyways and squares whose most elegant reminder of old Habsburg Madrid is the zone between the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor. Dissecting it is the Manhattan-style Gran Vía, while across the wide, modern Castellana avenue leading north to the Plaza Castilla are the spacious charms of Retiro Park, which embraces 19th-century residential areas. Fanning out around Madrid, expanding suburbs and fashionable American-style satellite towns are gradually absorbing much of the capital's booming five-million-plus population.
At its heart the city remains as vibrant, sociable, and exciting as ever. We provide a brief orientation of its various multifaceted barrios, or districts, as well as detailed advice on how to get around by public transport (very good value) or even on foot (even better value).
