As visitors have been discovering for decades now, there's much more to Madrid than just the Prado Museum. In fact, you're spoiled for choice. Cultural amenities run the gamut from grandiose palaces and churches to information-crammed museums and art galleries.
One of the more recent developments has been the increasing growth of green belts in the city, with kilometers of new grassy areas added to the city's historic parks and gardens. Leisure and sports facilities also abound, whether you want to participate or simply sit on the side as a spectator.
Traffic, as in all European cities whose centers were originally designed for the horse and carriage, is a problem, especially at rush-hour times. Best therefore to avoid driving downtown yourself unless you absolutely need to. But don't let the traffic stop you from getting out and exploring. It's easy to get around with the inexpensive and well-run combination of bus, metro (subway), and cercanías (suburban line train) transport. Taxis too are still a good value. So dive in and enjoy the fun.
