Madrid Pictures

Madrid is Spain's capital city and home to some impressive architecture, world-renowned museums and stunning outdoor plazas, including Cibeles. Image Source Getty Images

One of the highlights of Retiro Park is its rose garden. Vicente Méndez Getty Images

Not sure where to party? Start at Sol, the city's center. Emad Aljumah Getty Images

You can't leave Spain without sampling some tapas. One of the most popular tapas is also the most simple: bread with cheese and Iberian ham. klublu Getty Images

Being a premier party destination in Europe, Madrid is best seen after the sun goes down. Take a late-night walk down Calle de Alcalá or Gran Vía from Sol to really breathe in the life of the city. Allan Baxter Getty Images

The Madrid Royal Palace contains a whopping 3,000 rooms and features two gardens open to the public. If you're not interested in taking a tour, the best (and most beautiful) time to visit is at sunset. fotoVoyager Getty Images

If you're around the Royal Palace, walk north along Calle de Bailén to Plaza de España. Pictured is the plaza's famous Cervantes monument, featuring the author's famed characters Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. efired Getty Images

El Rastro is a must for those looking to get some shopping done in Madrid. The best time to go is as soon as it opens, as the main street gets gridlocked by crowds by noon. carterdayne Getty Images

The Prado is not only considered the most important art museum in Madrid, but it is regularly grouped with the Louvre as one of the best in the world.  Christian MartA-nez Kempin Getty Images

Retiro is Madrid's premier free attraction, offering visitors art exhibitions, puppet shows, sports courts and gardens. Did we mention it also has more than 15,000 trees?  Daniel Hernanz Ramos Getty Images

One of Retiro Park's most popular sites, the Crystal Palace offers visitors free art exhibitions year-round. Juan Jimenez / EyeEm Getty Images

The Reina Sofia is home to Picasso's famous "Guernica." Make sure to visit the last couple hours of the select weekdays and all day Sundays for free admission. Joaquin Cortes/Roman Lores Courtesy Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia

Once a private collection, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum boasts paintings from Van Gogh, Picasso and Dalí, to name a few. Iris Flickr

Don't buy a meal at Plaza Mayor. If you're really set on dining in this plaza, order a cortado. Or visit the adjacent Mercado San Miguel to get a better bang for your buck.  Pvicens Getty Images

The Prado Museum sits adjacent to San Jeronimo el Real, a 16th-century Roman Catholic church.  Paul Biris Getty Images

From paella to macarons and even pizza, the Mercado San Miguel has everything your foodie heart desires. Alex Segre Getty Images

Inside Mercado San Miguel, travelers will find stalls hawking everything from fresh produce to vermouth on tap. Federica Gentile Getty Images

At the Mercado San Miguel visitors can purchase some wine, grab a cocktail, juice or coffee, snack on a variety of ready-to-eat tapas, or pick up some ingredients for dinner later from the fruit, seafood and meat stalls. marianagabellini Getty Images

The Palacio Real is particularly picturesque at dusk.  Allan Baxter Getty Images

The elegant Prado Museum has been welcoming visitors for 200 years.  carterdayne Getty Images

Although some travelers say that the cafes that line Plaza Mayor are overpriced, most still recommend sparing some euros at one of the sidewalk cafes.  Glowimages Getty Images

Plaza Mayor was first built at the end of the 15th century. Alberto Manuel Urosa Toledano Getty Images

The neoclassical Sabatini Gardens are adjacent to the Royal Palace of Madrid, and easily accessible via street stairway. fotoVoyager Getty Images

Inside the Mercado San Miguel you'll find a bevy of food stalls and seating. Courtesy Mercado San Miguel

If you're in Madrid for the holidays, don't miss a visit to Puerta del Sol. Photo By CaesaR BH Getty Images

Puerta del Sol bustles with people at all hours of the day. LucVi Getty Images

To really see Cibeles in all its glory, recent visitors recommend stopping by at night.  Image Source Getty Images

The main building in Plaza de Cibeles, the Cibeles Palace, was formerly a post office but now serves as Madrid's City Hall.  Glowimages Getty Images

The merchants at El Rastro Market hawk everything from kitschy souvenirs to art and antiques and even everyday household items. Hisham Ibrahim Getty Images

El Rastro is one of Spain's most popular flea markets. Alberto Manuel Urosa Toledano Getty Images

The garden at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía features sculptures by Alexander Calder, Joan Miró and Eduardo Chillida. Joaquin Cortes/Roman Lores Courtesy Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía houses temporary exhibits in the Velázquez Palace in Retiro Park. Joaquin Cortes/Roman Lores Courtesy Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

The best way to get around Madrid is by metro. Alberto Manuel Urosa Toledano Getty Images

The Egyptian Temple of Debod dates back to the second century B.C. It was donated to Spain by the Egyptian government to save the temple from floods. You'll find it in Cuartel de la Montaña Park. Westend61 Getty Images

Though the idea of the Almudena Cathedral dates back to 1879, it wasn't considered officially completed until 1993. Sir Francis Canker Photography Getty Images