36 Interesting Facts About Madrid, Spain (100% true)
The Spanish capital is a sunny and pleasant city of more than 3 million people. Located in the middle of the Iberian Peninsula, Madrid is the economic and geographical center of the country. All four corners of Spain are in fact reachable in less than 7 hours by car from Madrid!
But did you know that Madrid is the sunniest city in all Europe? Or that Madrid is home to the world’s oldest restaurant?
Discover more thanks to these 36 interesting facts about Madrid, Spain!
Facts on Madrid to Learn All About It
Ready to learn all about Madrid?
Facts are one of the best ways to learn more about something, and I personally love to read them! I’ve put together for you some facts on Madrid Spain; I’ve split them into 5 categories:
- The best Madrid facts
- Madrid fun facts
- Facts about the Royal Palace of Madrid
- Madrid facts for kids
- General facts of Madrid
Let’s dive in straight away with our first category!
The Best Madrid Facts
Let’s do this methodically. First of all, there are general facts about the city of Madrid, which you perhaps never heard of:
1. Madrid was built around the year 860 A.C.
The area we now know as Madrid was scarcely inhabited since the stone age.
Then, in the late 9th century, Muhammad I, ruler of the Arabic reign of Córdoba, built a small castle in the region. Because it was so well located, on an amazing hill, near a river, and with a perfect surveillance view over the area, it rapidly grew to later become Madrid.
Temple of Debod in Madrid
2. The name “Madrid” could be more than 2,200 years old
Madrid was described as “Magerit” or “Mayrit”, which means “place of abundant water”, in Arabic records.
However, the exact origin of the name remains a debate between linguists, as it could also have Roman roots. There was indeed a settlement named “Matrice” right next to the Manzanares River, over 2,200 years ago.
3. Madrid was not the capital of Spain before the 16th century
Before King Felipe II from the royal house of Austria, there was no clear decision as to where the monarchy should settle.
During the 16th century, he decided Madrid should be the capital and the seat of the monarchy, because of its ideal location and, according to some historians, his wife’s influence.
4. Madrid is the sunniest city in Europe
If you thought beaches were the best place to sunbathe, you were wrong!
The Spanish capital barely sees any cloud, as it has an average sunshine rate of between 250 and 300 days per year. If you are lacking sunlight, Madrid is an ideal destination for you, but do not forget your sunscreen.
El Retiro Park in Madrid
5. Madrid is the second largest city in the European Union since Brexit happened
Before Brexit, London was by far the biggest city in the European Union (1 572 km² / 607 sq mi), with around 9 million inhabitants.
Now, Berlin is the biggest one (891.8 km² / 344 sq mi), and Madrid comes in second (604.3 km² / 233.2 sq mi), but has a staggering population of 6.6 million inhabitants.
6. Madrid lies higher than you think
This is quite unusual for such a large city, but Madrid actually lies at 667 meters (0.4 miles)!
Because of this, the air is dry and fresh, and the climate is defined by mountainous winds. Autumn days are clear and charming, summer days are blazing, and sunny and winter days are easily very cold.
7. Madrid is a state on top of being a city
Even though Madrid is one of the best-known cities in the world, it is actually also a state.
You might not know that, but there are 17 autonomous communities in Spain, known as federal states. Madrid is one of them, just like Catalonia, Andalusia, Aragon, and the Balearic Islands for instance.
8. Madrid is ideal for students
There are tons of students in Madrid, and for good reasons: it is one of the best spots in Europe for university education.
Many of its business schools and universities are reputed to be some of the most prestigious ones in the world. Some of them are University Charles III, IE Business School, and the University of Alcala, founded in 1409!
9. Madrid used to be a European Capital of Culture
European Capitals of Culture are designated every year by the European Union. Their purpose is to organize a lot of cultural events and improve the city’s overall visibility.
In 1992, Madrid became the European Capital of Culture for the year. You might be surprised with how much culture is important and spread in Madrid, with tons of museums and other philosophical book clubs.
10. Real Madrid FC is… in Madrid
Even without being a football fan, who hasn’t ever heard of Real Madrid FC? The world-class club is obviously located in Madrid and was founded back in 1928. Since then, it has become one of the best teams in the world, rivals FC Barcelona.
Do not forget that there are also two other clubs though: Atlético de Madrid and Getafe.
11. There is an annual Pride Festival in Madrid
Chueca is the famous gay district of Madrid, which is an extremely LGBT-friendly city by the way. Every year, it is covered in flags and sees tons of lively activities and people.
Madrid Pride happens yearly to celebrate the LGBT pride of all, as even foreigners join the Madrileños during this joyful festival.
12. Madrid used to be ruled by a dictatorship
You must already have heard of the tragic dictatorship that took place in Spain from 1936 to 1975, led by Francisco Franco. He was the leader of the rebel military during the Civil War and came into power then.
Until his death in 1975, he ruled Spain from Madrid, where he lived.
13. Madrid is one of the best cities for museum enthusiasts
There are tons of museums in Madrid. Art, history, anthropology, and science museums can all be visited.
However, the most famous ones are known worldwide: Paseo del Prado, the Museo Reina Sofía, and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. Together, they make the “Golden Triangle” of museums and regroup some of the most prestigious art pieces in the world.
14. The initial development of Madrid was made by the Moors
During the Middle Ages, the Muslims or Moors fought intensely throughout the whole country of Spain. Not only did they take over Madrid through the 11th century, but they also made it a civilized city like it never was before.
They had a huge impact on the region as a whole, but perhaps their most important feat of strength was to add a complex irrigation system. Later on, this helped the agricultural industry to thrive.
15. Madrid is a popular destination for numerous reasons
6 million tourists visit Madrid every year, and that trend is only going upwards.
You can easily understand why. Students, museum fanatics, and soccer fans all love the city for reasons I have already listed. However, there are also lots of tourists that love the city because of its famous food, tapas, as well as bullfighting, an ancient and traditional event in the region.
16. There is a very fancy neighborhood in Madrid, called “The Golden Mile of Shopping”
Queen Isabella II (1830-1904) had a neighborhood that was exclusively made for the elite.
Today, you can find restaurants, shops, and museums in Salamanca. It is renowned for luxury and for the numerous fancy stores like Louis Vuitton and Versace. It is one of Madrileños’ favorite districts, and is often named “The Golden Mile of Shopping”.
17. Madrid is among the 4 richest cities in Europe
Spain is not the best economy in Europe, but it is still ranked 6h with a GDP of 1,420,000 million dollars in 2020.
However, its capital is doing very well. Madrid has an estimated GDP of 240 billion dollars, making it one of the 4 richest cities in Europe.
18. Multiple celebrities were born in Madrid
Adding a list of famous celebrities born in Madrid is yet another reason to be amazed by this city.
Among them, the Spanish capital has seen Penelope Cruz and Enrique Iglesias grow up. Others were not born there but decided to move later on, like Cristiano Ronaldo.
And that’s it for the general facts about Madrid in Spain.
Those were informative and educational, but let’s dive into the fun facts about Madrid!
Madrid Fun Facts
While the city is extremely developed culturally and has amazing features like mild weather, there are still some atypical facts that I wanted to tell you about in this second category:
19. The oldest restaurant in the world is situated in Madrid
That’s right, Sobrino de Botín was founded in 1725, can you believe that?!
There is a fire oven in the restaurant, and it is said that it has never stopped since the first day it was opened. All of the food is delicious, but they are very well known for their cochinillo asado, which is roasted pig.
20. The only monument to the devil you can see is in Madrid
You will love renting a boat, walking around, or simply sunbathing in the Buen Retiro Park, in Madrid.
However, the most interesting thing to see is definitely the only monument to the devil in the world! There is a fountain dedicated to the Fallen Angel, Lucifer. Its statue was originally in Prado but the director decided they should move it so everyone could admire it.
21. The Cibeles Fountain is designed to flood the gold reserves in case of emergency
The Cibeles Fountain is located in the center of the Plaza de Cibeles, between the Bank of Spain, the Palacio de Buenavista, the Palace of Linares, and the Cybele Palace.
You have probably seen Netflix’s hit “Casa de Papel”. Well, what they told you is actually true: if there is an emergency in the Bank of Spain’s gold reserves, the fountain will flood it, and was specifically designed to do so!
Also, it is the traditional spot for Real Madrid FC victory celebrations.
22. Real Madrid FC was declared the world’s most successful football club of the 20th Century
This will probably be a surprise to no one, but Real Madrid FC was declared FIFA Club of the Century on December 11th, 2000.
And the vote was not even close, with Manchester United and Bayern Munich behind them at 9% each: Real Madrid picked up more than 42% of the votes.
23. There is a Spanish equivalent to Disney World, Warner Brothers Movie World, next to Madrid
If you love theme parks, you will love Madrid even more.
Worldwide famous Disney World has its equivalent in the South of the Spanish capital, Warner Brothers Movie World. There, visitors can have fun with their idols, like Batman or Tom & Jerry.
24. Siestas are sacred in Madrid
You probably know that in a lot of Southern Europe’s cities, the afternoon is very hot, and many people take a nap at that time.
Well, in Madrid, this was taken to a whole new level. Most stores are closed from 2 to 5 PM, even the post office. Be careful, during summer, the nap time even increases!
See, I told you that Madrid had some surprises for you!
So those were the fun facts. You’ll find below some Royal Palace of Madrid facts. The palace is so beautiful that I could not leave it out:
Facts about the Royal Palace of Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish King, and one of the most famous landmarks in Madrid. It is stunning and has some amazing rooms inside.
Let’s dive into some more details:
25. The Spanish King does not actually live in the Royal Palace of Madrid
Actually, only the official and ceremonial protocols are happening there. The king and his family chose to live in the outskirts of Madrid, in a way more modest place: the Palacio de la Zarzuela.
If you want to visit the Royal Palace, it is open to the public as a giant museum of the whole country and its history.
26. The Royal Palace of Madrid was built in the 18th century
The Alcázar fortress was an old Moorish castle. As I have already explained, they have greatly influenced the region, and sometimes even decided the location of fantastic monuments, just like the Royal Palace.
By order of Philip V, the Royal Palace of Madrid was built during the 18th century on the site of the Alcázar fortress.
27. The Royal Palace is huge
If you need some data to see what I am talking about, there are 44 staircases, 240 balconies, 870 windows, and 3,418 rooms.
It has 135,000 m² (1,450,000 square feet) of floor space, making it the biggest royal palace in Europe (by floor area).
28. The Throne Room is the most beautiful place in the Royal Palace
Not only is the Throne Room simply splendid, but it is also the largest room in the building.
On top of that, it was beautifully painted by Tiepolo and has remarkable mirrors and furnishing. What’s most mind-boggling about this room is that it has been preserved intact since King Charles III’s reign… which ended in 1788!
29. The Royal Armory is considered one of the best in the world
The Royal Armory regroups complete pieces dating as early as the 13th century. Another comparable armory is the Imperial Armory of Vienna, and Spain was closely related to Austria through the influence of the Habsburgs.
The most prestigious piece of this collection is definitely Emperor Charles V full armory, which he used during the Battle of Mühlberg in 1547.
30. The Royal Palace gardens are called “Campo del Moro” (“The Moor’s Field”)
The Moors tried to reconquer Spain in 1109, but failed.
During this operation, it is said that their leader, Ali ben Yusuf, camped in what are now the Palace gardens, giving them their unique name.
Museums are for sure amazing places to visit in Madrid, especially with how many legendary pieces of art they display. However, the Royal Palace is also a great tour!
Then, the next category consists of 6 kid-friendly fun facts Madrid has to offer.
Madrid Facts for Kids
Everything in this list is for sure suited for everyone, including kids, but here is a more specific part dedicated to youngsters:
31. It is very easy to find good churros in Madrid, at any time of the day
It is very common in Madrid to enjoy a late-night churros snack. Those elongated and sugary donuts will please everyone, big and small.
Some people also eat it for breakfast, and it is very easy to find churros any time of the day, really.
32. Madrid is the start of all Spanish roads
A small plaque in the middle of a square shows 6 branches, like rays of sunshine, in Madrid.
It is actually Puerta del Sol, and it is the exact point where all 6 major roads in Spain start, Kilometer 0.
33. Madrid holds an annual Flamenco Festival
Suma Flamenca is a yearly important Flamenco Festival happening in Madrid. It was created in 2005 and features dancers, musicians, and singers. It spreads through the city after starting in Teatros del Canal.
You can find the event all around the city, in different places, in June.
34. People from Madrid are often called “Gatos”, which means cats
“Gatos” could have originated from the sacred siestas that Madrileños are famous for. Spanish people are very nocturnal in general, and Madrid is no exception.
However, the historical origin of this name is actually a story about a soldier climbing out the outer walls of the city so easily that he was referred to as a cat.
35. You should be careful of the weather if you go to Madrid
Grab your hat, your sunscreen … or your coat.
Depending on when you go to Madrid, you will have to be careful about the weather. Summers are extremely hot and sunny, and winters can be very, very cold.
36. “Guernica”, Pablo Picasso’s masterpiece, can be seen in Madrid
You have probably heard of Guernica, Pablo Picasso’s piece of art, in your history class. It depicts in a very unique way the bombing of the city of Guernica by the German Nazis in 1937, in order to support Franco.
If you want to admire one of the most famous paintings in the world, head to the Queen Sofia museum, which was actually built to be a good place to put this precise painting.
So here you go, those were my Madrid facts for kids!
Here is some more general information about the Spanish capital:
General Facts of Madrid
You’ll find below a few general facts of Madrid Spain, to learn more about this city:
- Name: Madrid
- Province: Madrid
- Region: Madrid (state)
- Land area: 604.31 km2 / 233.33 sq mi
- Population: 3.22 million
- Name of inhabitants: Madrilenian/Madrilene
- Website: Madrid
Madrid Flag
More Facts!
Did you like these Madrid interesting facts?
If yes, then you should check my other Spain facts posts.
Here’s the main guide of the best Spain facts 👉 All the Facts about Spain
Check out these facts by city/region:
- Facts about Barcelona
- Facts about Catalonia
- Facts about Bilbao
- Facts about Malaga
- Facts about Seville
- Facts about Granada
- Facts about Valencia
- Facts about Castilla la Mancha
Or these Spain facts by topic:
- Facts about Christmas in Spain
- Facts about la Semana Santa in Spain
- Facts about religion in Spain
- Facts about schools in Spain
- Facts about Spanish food
- Facts about the Spanish language
- Facts about bullfighting in Spain
- Facts about sports in Spain
- Facts about music in Spain
Or click here to see ALL the facts up on the blog! Spoiler alert: there’s A LOT of them.
The Full List of 36 Madrid Facts
- 1. Madrid was built around the year 860 A.C.
- The name “Madrid” could be more than 2,200 years old
- Madrid was not the capital of Spain before the 16th century
- Madrid is the sunniest city in Europe
- Madrid is the second largest city in the European Union since Brexit happened
- Madrid lies higher than you think
- Madrid is a state on top of being a city
- Madrid is ideal for students
- Madrid used to be a European Capital of Culture
- Real Madrid FC is… in Madrid
- There is an annual Pride Festival in Madrid
- Madrid used to be ruled by a dictatorship
- Madrid is one of the best cities for museum enthusiasts
- The initial development of Madrid was made by the Moors
- Madrid is a popular destination for numerous reasons
- There is a very fancy neighborhood in Madrid, called “The Golden Mile of Shopping”
- Madrid is among the 4 richest cities in Europe
- Multiple celebrities were born in Madrid
- The oldest restaurant in the world is situated in Madrid
- The only monument to the devil you can see is in Madrid
- The Cibeles Fountain is designed to flood the gold reserves in case of emergency
- Real Madrid FC was declared the world’s most successful football club of the 20th Century
- There is a Spanish equivalent to Disney World, Warner Brothers Movie World, next to Madrid
- Siestas are sacred in Madrid
- The Spanish King does not actually live in the Royal Palace of Madrid
- The Royal Palace of Madrid was built in the 18th century
- The Royal Palace is huge
- The Throne Room is the most beautiful place in the Royal Palace
- The Royal Armory is considered one of the best in the world
- The Royal Palace gardens are called “Campo del Moro” (“The Moor’s Field”)
- It is very easy to find good churros in Madrid, at any time of the day
- Madrid is the start of all Spanish roads
- Madrid holds an annual Flamenco Festival
- People from Madrid are often called “Gatos”, which means cats
- You should be careful of the weather if you go to Madrid
- “Guernica”, Pablo Picasso’s masterpiece, can be seen in Madrid
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