161 Facts About Madrid, Spain That Will Make You Want To Pack Your Bags

One thing that has kept us all engaged and engrossed in the grim times of the pandemic is La Casa De Papel, popularly known as 'Money heist'.

The professor’s heist in the bank of Spain and the Royal Mint of Spain has kept us on the edge of our seats and made us forget somewhat about the deadly virus. The show broke all the records on Netflix and deservedly so.

Not only did the gang become household names and Professor the talk of the town, but it also enhanced the curiosity of people towards Spain, making it a favorite tourist destination for many. Blockbuster hits can have a significant impact on where people want to travel to. Through this article, we aim to cater to your curiosity while taking you to Madrid, one of the glorious cities of Spain. So, the next time you are planning to travel to a filming destination, the city of Madrid in Spain must make it on your list.

Read on for some interesting facts about Madrid, Spain which you must check out before embarking on a trip to the city. After reading about the largest city in Spain, also check Valencia Spain facts and Toledo Spain facts.

Fun Facts About Madrid

Madrid is a lovely Spanish city in the center of the country. It's a great spot to pass the time because of its sunshine, nice people, and calm daily life. Even if you already know a little about Madrid, this list will undoubtedly make you learn new things about Madrid. Here are some fun facts about Madrid, Spain which you will certainly enjoy:

• Madrid is a city that understands how to have a good time. It's a city with incredible architecture, world-class galleries, a rich history, delectable cuisine, and exciting nightlife. If you enjoy all of the aforementioned activities, you will undoubtedly fall in love with Madrid.
• Madrid is the capital of Spain. It is also one of Europe's most populous cities, with a population of over 6.5 million people.
• It is named after the Arabic word 'magerit', which means 'many streams'.
• Madrid is the third-biggest city in the European Union. Only London and Berlin succeed in Madrid in terms of population.
• After the stunning demography of London, which has a population of roughly 8.5 million people, and Berlin, which has a population of 3.6 million people, Madrid is third in terms of peaking population numbers in the European Union.
• In 2020, the buzzing capital of Spain was estimated to have 3.4 million residents; nearly the entire population of Armenia!
• The bear standing up on its hind legs and eating berries from the madrona tree is Madrid's national symbol. The symbol is a metaphor for Madrid's development and signifies the possession and significance of wood, which is necessary for the construction of a country. It is located in Puerta del Sol, Madrid.
• Madrid is Europe's sunniest city. In comparison to Europe's many beaches, Madrid is the greatest place to lay out in the sun for a good tan.
• This Spanish city rarely witnesses any clouds in the sky. It has an average sunshine rate of 250 days per year.
• Madrid is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations. Madrid attracts students from all around the world. One may argue that this is due to the popularity of Spanish as a second language, but there's more to it than that.
• The city boasts of some of the most prestigious and popular educational institutions. Apart from the lovely weather and pastel-colored architecture, students flock to Madrid for its universities. The economic Master's program at the University of Charles III, for example, is ranked in the 'global top-50', while the Universidad Complutense was founded in 1293.
• Madrid is the home to the Real Madrid football team and people love to play football in Madrid. One of the world’s biggest football teams, Real Madrid is the home team of Madrid, Spain.
• Real Madrid is the world’s most successful football club. Real Madrid is represented by extremely talented and famous players. The living legend and one of the greatest footballers of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo was a part of the Real Madrid football club for as long as ten years.
• The Spanish King does not live in Madrid's Royal Palace. Palacio Real is still the royal palace but the royal family has been residing and entertaining guests in the little Palace of Zarzuela in Madrid since 1962.
• All ceremonial events and official meetings with the present King, Felipe VI, have taken place in this rather modest royal house on the outskirts of the city.

Historical Facts About Madrid

This city in Europe has a vast history, so in this section, we reveal some fascinating facts about Madrid through the ages.

• Madrid became a town in the year 1202.
• Alfonso VI, a Christian king, seized Madrid in 1085 by taking the city's modest Arabic palace and castle.
• As a Crown possession, the city was integrated into the kingdom of Castile. The Christians who had now taken over Madrid had desecrated all Muslim symbols and captured the city center, displacing the Muslims.
• The city flourished, and it was given the name 'Villa', earning the right to be a city with representation in Castile's courts.
• In 1202, Alfonso VIII issued Madrid its first charter, which regulated the local council and officially recognized Madrid as a municipality.
• Madrid became the capital city of Spain in 1561.
• King Philip II moved the royal court to Madrid in 1561. Madrid was still a little town at the time, but it began to grow after the king arrived.
• The king's developments drew people and developers to the area, contributing to the city's rapid growth.
• The marriage of Queen Isabella of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon brought the Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon together to become modern-day Spain. Because of its central location, King Philip II abandoned Toledo, the old capital of Seville, and lived in Madrid.
• The Habsburgs played a major role in building Madrid.
• Many modern Madrid sites, such as Plaza Mayor, bear witness to the historical influence of the Habsburgs. This center is located in El Madrid de Los Austrias, Madrid's ancient neighborhood, which stretches between the metro stations Sol and Opera. However, the name isn't chosen at random. The Habsburgs were a royal dynasty that dominated the Holy Roman Empire, and the Spanish Empire was their friend.
• Another notable structure in the old town is the Palacio de Santa Cruz. Surprisingly, this lovely structure was once a prison where criminals were held until their execution at Plaza Mayor. Madrid's rich past is part of what makes it so unique.
• Madrid was once ruled by a dictatorship.
• Francisco Franco, a general and politician, controlled Spain as a dictator from 1936 to 1975.
• He rose to power as the most powerful rebel military leader during the civil war. Franco controlled Spain until 1975 when he died. Massive migration and development happened in the south of Madrid under his reign. Franco lived, fought, and died and with him ended the grim period of dictatorship in Spain.
• Tapas in Madrid is a must-try for the foodies among us. This cuisine has a long and rich history, reaching back to the 13th century.
• After completing the long and often risky part of their journey, stagecoach drivers would stop at a tavern for a rest and a drink of wine. After a number of such stops, they would become so inebriated and a danger to other travelers that the government created a regulation requiring them to eat something in addition to their drink. A piece of bread and ham would normally be placed on top of their glass as a snack. Tapas (tops or lids) have evolved into a delectable culinary tradition that can still be enjoyed today.

Cultural Facts About Madrid

Spain is the home of art and artists. The city wins you over with its overwhelming number of museums. Prado, a museum of 12th-19th century European and Spanish art, and the Reina Sofía Museum of Modern Art are some of the many popular museums of the city. Let's take a look at some more facts that explore the culture of this beautiful city:

• The top three museums are often called the Golden Triangle of Museums. The Paseo del Prado, the Museo Reina Sofia, and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza comprise the Golden Triangle.
• Suma Flamenca has been an important festival since 2005, showcasing various dancers, singers, and guitarists. The festival takes place at Teatros del Canal and extends to other parts of the city.
• The festival, which takes place in June, is one of Spain's most prestigious flamenco festivals. The festival is unique in that it takes place in a variety of locations throughout the city giving an opportunity to many artists to showcase their talent.
• Madrid hosts an annual pride festival. When the world is ripe with debates of LGBTQ rights, Madrid is one of the very few cities which is largely known for being tolerant and considerate towards the community. In fact, Madrid hosts a pride festival annually for the LGBTQ community.
• The goal is to commemorate the LGBT pride of the people of Madrid, as well as visitors from other countries. Every year, Chueca, in Madrid, is festooned with flags and becomes bustling with activity.
• Chueca is one of Madrid's best neighborhoods, thanks to its various stores and restaurants, as well as the vibrant culture fostered by pride. Aside from these attractions, Chueca is simply a lovely area.
• In Madrid, a lone monument to the devil is on display. The lone statue dedicated to the fallen angel Lucifer may be found in Madrid's Retiro Park. The monument is located in the park's Fuente del Angel Caido and features gargoyles that spit water at the base.
• Sobrino de Botin is a traditional Spanish restaurant that first opened its doors in 1725. Even more astonishing is the fact that the fire oven hasn't been shut since the day they originally opened. That's the equivalent of 300 years of fire!
• Sobrino de Botin is famous for its Cochinillo Asado (roast suckling pig).

Geographical Facts About Madrid

Based in Europe, Madrid has many fascinating geographical facts that are worth exploring:

• Madrid is located at an elevation of 2,120 ft (646 m) above sea level on an undulating sand and clay plateau known as the Meseta (derived from the Spanish word mesa, meaning 'table'), making it one of Europe's highest capitals.
• Madrid is located in the center section of the Iberian Peninsula, on the Manzanares River which originates in the Sierra de Guadarrama, flows through Madrid, and empties into the Jarama river, which is a right-bank tributary of the Tagus.
• The hilly districts of Madrid have peaks that rise above 6,600 ft (2000 m) above sea level.
• Despite the city's population of around five million inhabitants, the Madrid community preserves a biological diversity of evergreen Holm Oak trees in the low-lying plains. With great road connections and all of the tourist board's amenities, it's an ideal spot for birdwatchers and tourists looking to explore some of the city's top parks.
• Summer in Madrid is hot, with temperatures reaching 86 F (30 C) in July and frequently exceeding 104 F (40 C).
• Madrid has milder nights in the summer compared to the blazing heat of the day due to its high altitude base.
• Although the amount of precipitation is low, precipitation can be seen throughout the year. The driest seasons are summer and winter. The autumn and spring seasons see the most rain.
• The best time to visit this city is in the spring from March to May or from September to November.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 161 Facts About Madrid, Spain That Will Make You Want To Pack Your Bags then why not take a look at Seville Spain facts, or Malaga Spain facts.