What you need to know before you go

    At first glance, Madrid may strike you as a refined, traditional city, with grand boulevards, opulent landmarks like the Royal Palace, and prestigious cultural institutions like the Prado Museum, home to priceless masterpieces by the likes of Rembrandt and Titian. But scratch between this elegant exterior and you'll discover an exuberant modern metropolis that really knows how to party.

    The dining scene runs the gamut from friendly hole-in-the-wall tapas joints to exclusive Michelin-starred restaurants, while Madrid's nightlife is thrillingly hedonistic, with more raucous bars, chic cocktail lounges and pulsing dance clubs than you could ever hope to explore.

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