Madrid

Spain's capital and most populous city, Madrid is one of Europe's major cultural hubs. Home to world-class museums including El Prado and Reina Sofía, Madrid also has a dazzling array of concert venues and delicious, cheap dining options showcasing the best of Spanish and migrant cuisine. Nightlife heats up after midnight and clubs stay open until the early hours, so be prepared to check out some parties.

If you want to get out of the city, Madrid is only a short distance from Sierra de Guadarrama. The mountainous area is also a protected natural park that has plenty of hike travels and green scenery, only an hour's drive from Madrid. While tourists flock to Barcelona, Madrid is the understated cool capital of Spain—skip the packed beaches and inflated prices and check out the Madrileño life.