Be surprised by these lesser-known aspects of Madrid, the capital city of Spain, a wonderful destination offering stunning architecture, world-renowned museums, a rich history and vibrant nightlife.
1 Did you know Madrid is the highest capital city in Europe, sitting at an elevation of approximately 657 m (2155 feet) above sea level? It is only overtaken by Andorra La Vella(1022 m), the capital of the Principado de Andorra). It is followed by Bern, the capital city of Switzerland, located at 542 meters (1778 feet) above sea level and Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, positioned at approximately 520 meters (1706 feet).
2 According to the Guinness Book of Records, Madrid is home to the world’s oldest restaurant, Sobrino de Botín, which opened in 1725. The artist Francisco de Goya worked in Café Botín as a waiter while waiting to get accepted into the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. The restaurant is also mentioned in a novel by Ernest Hemingway and the book Fortunata y Jacinta, by the Spanish writer Benito Pérez Galdós
3 Another cool fact is that, despite being a bustling metropolis, Madrid has more trees than residents, making it one of Europe’s greenest cities. The abundance of green spaces, parks, and tree-lined boulevards provides a refreshing escape from the urban hustle.
4 The bear and the strawberry tree are the symbols of Marid. They first appeared in the city's coat of arms in the 13th century. In the olden times, bears were common in the area until they disappeared due to hunting. The strawberry tree, on the other hand, is a common tree in the region. You can find the famous statue of this symbol next to the Puerta del Sol.
5 The city boasts one of the world's largest metro systems. It was officially opened on October 17th, 1919 by King Alfonso XIII. The underground network spans 295 km and includes 302 stations as of 2024, making it the largest in Spain and the third largest in Europe, behind only Moscow and London.
6 The Puerta del Sol square is the precise centre of Spain. It is the location of Kilómetro Cero, which marks the starting point of all the radial Spanish roads. The Kilómetro Cero in Puerta del Sol is signed, making it a popular spot for tourists to take photos before leaving the city.
7 Madrid boasts the largest royal palace in Western Europe, doubling the size of Buckingham Palace. It spans 135,000 square meters, comprises 3,418 rooms, and served as the royal residence from Carlos III to Alfonso XIII.
8 Madrid's Gran Via Street has earned the nickname "Spanish Broadway" due to its abundance of theatres. At any given time, there are typically 11 shows running, including popular productions such as "The Book of Mormon", "Pretty Woman", "Aladdin", and "Berlin Berlin". Madrid is currently ranked as the third European city and fourth in the world in the musical theatre industry.
9 Madrid is the sunniest capital city in Europe, with 250 days on average a year. Its closest competitors are Lisbon and Athens.
10 Madrid is the only place in the world to have a statue dedicated to the Devil. Located in the Parque del Retiro, the Monument to the Fallen Angel was inaugurated in 1885. Also, this statue is positioned precisely at 666m above sea level.
