The autonomous community of Madrid is one of the smallest regions in Spain. Its center is the capital of the country and it is surrounded by smaller but very attractive towns, including the famous San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The most important national museums are concentrated here, including the famous Prado with a great collection of European art works. The monumental buildings of the city come primarily from the 17th-19th centuries, and its symbol is the Royal Palace, Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor. Madrid is also a huge number of restaurants, cafes and bars, which are open until the morning.
The most important tourist town in the Madrid area is San Lorenzo de El Escorail, where there is a baroque monastery-royal palace with the graves of the Bourbons. The entire building complex is inscribed on the UNESCO list.
On the Heritage List are also monuments of Alcala de Henares, a university city in the suburbs of Madrid. In addition to the university and the interesting Old Town, you can also visit the Cervantes family home converted into a museum.
Other interesting places are Aranjuez with the summer residence of the Spanish monarchs and Valle de los Caídos, Valley of the Fallen, where there is a powerful cemetery for the victims of the Spanish Civil War.
