The magic of mighty Madrid

Spanish bullfighter teases fighting bull at Las Ventas bullring in Madrid, Spain. [Liu Lu/China Daily]

If you have never been to Spain, you may well imagine it as passionate, sophisticated and vibrant, but be prepared to be delighted by these generous helpings of Latin flair and a lot more besides in a place far more diverse than you could have imagined.

If you spend even just a week or so in Spain you are likely to enjoy a truly enriching holiday that can take in myriad landscapes, colors and activities. You will find almost everything, from lush meadows, green valleys, hills and snowy mountains in the northern regions to desert zones in the south, which attract millions of tourists each year.

One of the best ways of taking the pulse of the nation in just a few days is to delve into the heart of Madrid, the country's capital and the largest city as well. It offers plenty of budget-friendly attractions, including many cultural ones, and is replete with many historic neighborhoods and streets.

The city features distinctively winding streets, many inclined. Streets with Baroque architecture and colorfully decorated roadside grocery and souvenir stores are particularly attractive.

Although the city is not short of modern infrastructure, it has also preserved the look and feel of many of its historic neighborhoods and streets. The city is a top-notch metropolis well worth scratching the surface of, full of beautiful things to see.

The city is not just the seat of the national government, but also home to the country's royal family, and you should not miss Palacio Real, the Royal Palace. It is the largest palace in Europe, and official residence of King Felipe VI, who ascended to the throne in June last year after his father Juan Carlos I abdicated. The palace is now used only for state ceremonies and other official events.

If you plan to visit the palace, be prepared to be surprised and dazzled by its magnificent displays of finery. There are 2,800 rooms, more than 110 doors, 870 windows, 270 balconies and 44 staircases and a banquet hall with a table that can seat 140 people.

Of the 2,800 rooms in the palace, the 50 or so that are open to the public are nothing short of spectacular, being full of antiques, rich tapestry, breathtaking crystal chandeliers and priceless pieces of porcelain. The layout and beauty of the palace gardens are another revelation.

Apart from being a drawing card for its beauty, the Palacio Real is worth visiting just to gain an appreciation of Madrid's and Spain's history. Guided tours in English are available. However, beware that it is closed on Sundays and at other times when it is being used for official business.

A visit to Madrid is incomplete without spending some time in the Plaza Mayor, the capital's principal and most emblematic square, located in the heart of the city. It is surrounded by three-story residential buildings with balconies, some of the most expensive real estate in Madrid.

Even if you are averse to large crowds, Plaza Mayor is a beautiful place to sit and watch the world go by and street artists performing, all the while eating tapas and sipping sangria, sweet wine with fruit that is indigenous to Spain and Portugal.