Essentials: Madrid

1) Oldie but goldie: According to the Guinness World Records, Madrid is home to the world’s oldest continuously operating restaurant. Since 1725, Sobrino de Botín has been a true institution in the city. Over the years, it has earned numerous awards for its traditional Madrid-style cuisine.

2) Madrilenian cats: The residents of Madrid who were born in the city are nicknamed "cats." How did this come about? In 1083, an extraordinarily athletic soldier scaled the imposing fortress wall of the Arab citadel of Mayrit (modern-day Madrid) with the agility of a cat. His troops followed, and they successfully captured the fortress.

3) A stellar record: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has named Madrid a "Tree City of the World" for the fifth time, thanks to its numerous trees and vast green spaces. Madrid is the only Spanish city to maintain this "Tree City" status for five consecutive years. The city council plans to plant an additional 500,000 trees.

4) Sporting royalty: Real Madrid Football Club was founded in 1902 and was originally called "Madrid Football Club." Due to its great successes both in Spain and internationally, 18 years later, King Alfonso XIII added "Real" (meaning "royal") to the club’s name, and the royal crown became part of its emblem.

5) Everlasting gratitude: The Egyptian Temple of Debod dates back to the 2nd century B.C. and was a gift from Egypt to Spain. In the 1960s, Egypt sought international help to save several historical monuments that were endangered by the construction of the Aswan Dam. Spain made generous contributions, and in gratitude, the Egyptian government gifted the Debod Temple. Today, it stands in the Cuartel de la Montaña Park, right next to Plaza de España.