What is the best Spanish city excluding Barcelona, for a weekend break?
Madrid is the capital of Spain. Madrid is the largest city in Spain, as well as in the province and the autonomous community of the same name. It is located on the river Manzanares in the center of the country, in the historic region of New Castile. Due to its geographical location, wealth and history, Madrid is considered the main financial center of the Iberian Peninsula, along with Lisbon, and the political center of Spain. As the capital of the Spanish Empire, Madrid has been bestowed with a degree of cultural dominance. The general aspect of Madrid is modern, with boulevards and fashionable shopping areas, but the old quarters have picturesque streets. Its landmarks include the huge Royal Palace of Madrid; a restored 1850 opera house; the Buen Retiro park, opened in 1631; the imposing 19th-century building containing the Spanish National Library (founded 1712), the national archives, and an archaeological museum; and three superb art museums: Prado Museum, which houses one of the
