It's an officially listed building that contains important works of art considered to be national treasures. It has impressive collections of sculpture and paintings as well as a Neogothic library, antique glassware and lamps produced by the royal supplier (La Fábrica de Vidrio de la Granja). It's now a popular venue for cultural events, social events and press conferences. Its facilities include a sauna, gym, swimming-pool, reading room, bars and two restaurants. The Casino is a private club dating from 1910 and public access is restricted to the restaurants only.

Built in 1856 in the same style as La Scala in Milan, this grand theater is dedicated to a particularly Spanish form of 17th-century light opera called zarzuela that includes spoken as well as sung parts. It's also used for performances of classical opera, dance, and concerts. At Christmas time the Spanish National Ballet Company presents their new work here to expectant audiences. The traditional semicircular seating area has three galleries with private boxes and holds up to 1259 spectators.

As headquarters of the National Drama Centre, this theater concentrates on promoting the work of young playwrights. The building itself is a fine example of early cast-iron architecture with a classical façade and a neomudéjar-style interior. It opened as a theater in 1885, equipped to hold 750 spectators. The great actress María Guerrero made her debut here, and later bought it. Since her death it has been in the hands of the state. You'll find it in the city center, close to both the Archaeology Museum and the Wax Museum.

Supported and promoted by Madrid's city hall, Teatro Circo is not your typical circus. This venue is a large cultural contributor to the city by providing concerts, theater, workshops, fashion shows and school activities, among many other events besides a circus. The exposition hall can seat up to 1856 people, and in the future, the endeavor to develop a documentation center and circus school is another service that this spectacular space hopes to offer.

Spain's most important bullfighting event of the season lasts for a month from mid-May onwards. It attracts all the star bullfighters and is so popular that you will be very lucky to get in. The ticket office (10a-6p) opens five days before the fights start and there are re-sale booths outside the ring that charge 20 percent extra. Most aficionados have to content themselves to watching the spectacle on TV. The world's most important bullring, Plaza de toros de las Ventas is the venue.