Elegant, monumental, unchained. The capital of Spain blends its special characteristics to provide you with a unique cocktail, from the worldly flavour of its wild nightlife to the cultural tastes of its extraordinary works of art.

Book an ITA Airways flight from Washington to Madrid to discover the incredible Paseo del Arte, a street that contains three of the most important museums in the world: The Prado, the Reina Sofia and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. You can admire the sumptuous beauty of the Royal Palace, visit the heart of the city, Plaza Mayor, and the cultural salon of Puerta del Sol, go shopping in the high fashion boutiques of Gran Via or in one of the many local markets, and see the legendary Real Madrid stadium, the Santiago Bernabeu. If instead you prefer to immerse yourself in some wild nightlife, then the Chueca neighbourhood is the perfect place to spend the small hours. Here are a few of the things that you can see during a trip to Madrid.

WHAT TO SEE IN MADRID

• - PASEO DEL ARTE. An exceptional street, a single kilometre that contains three of the most important museums in the world. First of all, the Prado Museum, which is worth a visit to Madrid on its own. Here, an extraordinary art collection is on display that features works from the last five centuries, from Caravaggio to Goya and from Raphael to Velasquez. Along the Paseo del Arte there are also the Thyssen-Bornemisza, which houses the most important private collection in the world, and the Reina Sofia Museum where, among other things, Picasso's Guernica is exhibited.
• - ROYAL PALACE OF MADRID. It is the largest royal palace in Europe and the official residence of the Spanish royal family. Inspired by Bernini's designs for the construction of the Louvre Museum in Paris, its interiors have been modified several times to meet the wishes of the rulers. Inside the 3,000 rooms there are art collections of exceptional value, and valuable objects such as five Stradivari violins and 215 vintage watches with the most extravagant shapes. It is home to official ceremonies, hearings, gala dinners and award ceremonies.
• - PLAZA MAYOR. The historic heart of Habsburg Madrid, it was built in the early 1600s, transforming what was previously the market square. Nestled between large buildings, cafes and restaurants, the Plaza Major is 129 metres long and almost 100 metres wide. In the centre is the equestrian statue of Philip III by Giambologna, while the most important building overlooking the square is the Casa de la Panaderia. Allegorical frescoes of the zodiac adorn its facade, while it is now the headquarters of the Spanish Tourist Agency.
• - PUERTA DEL SOL. If Plaza Mayor is the historical square of Madrid, the real centre of cultural life has always been Puerta del Sol. This square is also the most central point not only of the city but of all of Spain, given that is the location of 'kilometre zero', the original point of the nation's road network, as evidenced by a special plaque. All the major roads of Madrid also flow here, including the Gran Via, Calle Alcalà and Calle Preciados. Among the historic buildings surrounding the square, the oldest is the Casa des Correos, which was once the city's post office.

WHEN TO GO TO MADRID

There is never a bad time to book an ITA Airways flight from Washington to Madrid, thanks to the mild climate in every season and the wealth of events that the city offers throughout the year. It's impossible to get bored. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to explore the city on foot or relax in one of the extraordinary city parks, while summer is a season packed full of in events and concerts. Even in winter Madrid will not disappoint you: the Puerta del Sol New Year celebrations are the wildest in Spain, and probably all of Europe.

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