The Grand Via, Madrid’s principal artery, has been at the centre of the Spanish city’s essence for over 100 years. Inspired by grand European arteries like the Paris’ Champs Elysees and Rome’s Via Condotti, the broad avenue was to solve the city centre’s congestion problems, and its creation resulted in the destruction of hundreds of houses and over a dozen streets. This major feat of construction took over four decades to complete, and helped propel the Spanish Capital into the 20th century, making it one of Europe’s most enviable. What is it that you do once you get to Gran Via? Everything! You can shop till you drop, eat till you burst and admire some of the most stunning architecture in the whole city. If you want to experience a vibrant, trendy and avant-garde scene, then book your holiday rental apartment on Gran Via in Madrid and take a historic walk along this most mesmerising avenue. It may be difficult to look up, while you walk along Gran Via, but you really should! Gran Via is home to some of the most sumptuously decorated buildings in the city, and a little window-shopping pause will be well rewarded. Starting your walk from the eastern ...

The hypnotic aspects of flamenco have seen the classical dance rise to new heights and have helped propel this most entrancing dance to international cult-like status. Nowadays, there isn’t a city in the world which isn’t home to a flamenco school! Yet of the millions of tourists who visit Spain every year, few take the opportunity to take a few flamenco lessons whilst on vacation. Think it’s too hard or you’d need to travel far? Think again. The magical flamenco may have been conceived in the Andalucía region, yet Madrid is home to the oldest flamenco school in the country, as well as innumerable other schools. Book your next holiday rental apartment in Madrid’s city centre and take the time to learn all about this most intrinsic part of Spanish culture. The history of flamenco Organized flamenco shows where dancers, singers and musicians play in a cafe or restaurant is a relatively new phenomenon. Before the mid-1800s, the dance was practiced only by gypsies who were historically marginalized from the greater community. Most people deem flamenco music a sorrowful and melancholic expression, and indeed it was always meant to reflect the plight of the less fortunate. Comprising of three main elements of ...

Visiting the city of Madrid provides one with the opportunity to experience some of the best historic and cultural attractions in Spain, and indeed in Europe. Visited by almost three million people annually, the Prado museum is an art gallery and museum which is home to an absolutely stunning collection of art. The building was created in the 18th century at the request of King Charles the 3rd who wanted to use it as a National History Cabinet, although the decision was later made to use the facility as for its current purpose. The building is expansive and the design incorporates a large number of windows and statues which provide it with a distinct and unmistakable appearance. It took a few decades after completion for the museum and gallery to be opened to the public, but once it was in 1817 it proved to be an instant hit and its popularity has continued to grow ever since.Some examples of artists who have work on display here are El Greco, who is one of the most important figures from the Renaissance era, Romanesque and Gothic artists Fernando Gallego and Jaime Serra, Italian artists Tintoretto and Boticelli and Dutch artists Vermeer and ...

One of the busiest and most popular areas in Madrid is the Puerta del Sol district, largely due to the fact that it was one of the gates to the city in historic Madrid. It was an area where people would meet and much trade and entertainment would take place here. Modern Puerta del Sol is similar in this respect as there are plenty of bars and restaurants to keep one entertained. If you choose a holiday apartment in the Puerta del Sol area don't miss some of these typical Spanish restaurants!Abaceria de la VillaAddress: 83 Castello, MadridAlthough this restaurant has a traditional small town feel to it, it produces high quality food and only uses the best and freshest produce from the local markets. The specialities at this restaurant include game and wild mushroom dishes as well as low fat alternatives. ZalacainAddress: 4 Calle Álvarez de Baena, MadridThis has long been regarded as one of the best restaurants in Madrid. It is the perfect location for a romantic meal in the city centre as it pays attention to every detail of the service. This Michelin Star Madrid restaurant serves top class Spanish dishes which are hard to match for ...