Madrid

City Life

Living in Madrid means having splendid weather, experiencing tolerance for alternative lifestyles, and enjoying the influence of the royal court. It seems everyone in this city, the seat of the medieval Iberian kingdoms, enjoys fine art and dining with as much zest as he does sports and shopping. Whether you enjoy seeing works by Picasso, Bosch, or Caravaggio, you’ll get the opportunity to view the old masters in the city’s museums.There’s the Museo del Prado, the Reina Sofia National Museum and Art Centre, and the Real Academia de Bella Artes de San Fernando. Of course, museums aren’t the only places with vast and priceless art collections. Check out the site of 2004’s royal wedding, the Cathedral de la Almudena. The royal palace itself is a treat, with the changing of the guard ceremony scheduled every Wednesday. If art isn’t your passion, then you might enjoy El Retiro, where Madrid’s lucky residents spend leisure time picnicking and rowing on the scenic lake. Whatever you do, make sure not to miss the flamenco dancers at the Corral de la Moreria.