What should I see in Madrid

A. Madrid is a cosmopolitan city that is best seen at night when the streets are teeming with people in its many bars and restaurants.

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Information on what is going on in Madrid during your visit can be obtained in two English-languages magazines The Broadsheet and InMadrid -�both publications are available free in bars, restaurants and all tourist offices. However, if you are there to see the sights make sure you take in some of the following:

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Golden Triangle: Madrid has three famous art galleries known locally as the Golden Triangle - these are the Museo del Prado, the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Museu Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. If you wish to take in all three during your visit to the city then buy a Paseo del Arte voucher from any one of the galleries, it costs �5 and entitles you to admission to all three galleries at a discounted rate.

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Museo del Prado: is the best and most well-known art gallery in Madrid and is a great place to experience Spanish art especially the works of Goya, Vel�zquez and El Greco. It collections range from the 12th to the 19th Century and besides Spanish masterpieces it also house great works by other European artists like Bosch, Caravaggio, Rubens and Rembrandt. The gallery is open most days from 9am-7pm (it closes at 2pm on Sundays and is closed all day Monday). Admission is �1.90. More information is available online from www.museoprado.mcu.es

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Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza: The collection here spans European art from the 13th to the 20th Century. Some of its most famous work includes that by Titian, Ribera, El Greco and Caravaggio and more contemporary artists like Picasso, Kandinsky, Chagall, Pollock, O'Keefe and Dali are also featured. The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-7pm. Admission is �1.90.

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Museu Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia: This is Madrid's modern art museum, with its most famous painting being Picasso's Guernica. The gallery also houses some great pieces by Dali and Miro. Opening times are Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm; Sunday 10am-2.30pm (closed on Tuesdays). Admission is �1.90.

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Plaza Mayor: this square dates back to the early 17th Century and has some of the finest architecture in the city. The square is cobbled and amazingly preserved and shouldn't be missed, especially as it was originally designed as the public meeting place in the city.

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Puerta del Sol (Sun Gate): today this area is full of restaurants and cafes and is a great place to hang out, especially in the evenings. It is traditionally known as the centre of the city and its architecture reflects the influence of Habsburg kings Carlos I and Felipe II - lots of granite and slate buildings.

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Palacio Real: this palace dates back to the early 18th century when it was built by Felipe V. it is a huge structure that houses nearly 3,000 rooms, 50 of which are open to the public today.

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Catedral: Madrid's new cathedral can be found opposite the Palacio Real; it was opened in 1993 by Pope John Paul II after it had been worked on for centuries.

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Moorish Quarter: this is the oldest district in the city and is well worth a visit as some of its buildings date back to the 9th Century, and there are still some remains here of the old city wall. It also has an open-air theatre, which is very popular in the summer.

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Rastro Flea Market: this market is famous in the city and takes place every Sunday along the Calle de Embajadores. It sells junk, antiques, crafts, clothes and jewellery.

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Parque del Retiro: a huge lake forms a centrepiece in this park and its possible to take boats out on it at certain times of the day. It is home to the Palacio de Cristal (Glass Palace) constructed entirely of iron and glass and the Velazquez Palace (a great venue for art exhibitions).

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Zoo: One of the best Zoo's in Europe is found in the Casa de Campo. It houses over 2000 animals, including a giant panda. It also has a great dolphinarium. There is also a huge fun fair in the Casa de Campo.

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Casa de Campo: (with houses the zoo and fun-fair mentioned above) comprises 1,723 hectares of green space and it is actually possible to walk for two hours in the park without having to stop or turn round - you can't say that about any other European city. Only visit during daylight, as lots of the park is unlit and not entirely safe.

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Parque del Oeste: this park was totally destroyed during the Civil War and has been completely rebuilt since. Despite being relatively new, it is one of the best places to visit in Madrid. It contains birch, fir, cypress and cedar trees and has a great ambience. It has a fantastic, if somewhat scary, cable car or teleferico that provides stunning views of the Casa de Campo and parts of Madrid. If you visit in the summer, tables are set up all along the Paseo de Pintor Rosales (Ernest Hemingway's favourite street) serving food and drink.

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Acconia: is Madrid's first interactive science museum, with thousands of hands-on exhibits. It is quite far from the city centre, but well worth a visit. Situated in the Parque de Andalucia, Alcobendas, Madrid.

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Q. What is the best way to get around the city

A. The best way to see everything is on foot; alternatively the metro system is clean, fast and very efficient. If you do choose to use public transport during your visit buy a multib�s ticket - it is available from news kiosks and metro stations and entitles you to 10 journeys on the metro or bus.

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Q. How far is the airport from the city centre

A. Barajas airport is Spain's biggest and is located 13km north east of the city centre. It is easy to get a bus or train into town.

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Q. When is the best time to visit

A. March to June are the best months to visit, as the weather is not too hot and sticky. As Europe's highest city Madrid does experience extreme climate changes, during the winter months snow is not uncommon and in summer the dry mountain climate can be unbearable for some as temperatures often soar.

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Q. What is the population of Madrid

A. At its last census it had 3.3 million inhabitants.

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By Karen Anderson