Madrid travel guide - Wikitravel
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MadridFrom WikitravelCentral Spain : Community of Madrid :
MadridContents
For other places with the same name, see Madrid
(disambiguation). Madrid [1] (http://www.esmadrid.com) is the
capital and largest city of Spain, as well as the capital of the
autonomous community of the same name (Comunidad de Madrid). The
population of the city is roughly 3.3 million with a metro area
population of almost 6.5 million. Madrid is best known for its
great cultural and artistic heritage, a good example of which is
the El Prado museum. Madrid also boasts some of the liveliest
nightlife in the world.
[+] Understand Location Climate Culture [+] Get in By plane By
train By bus By car [+] Get around [+] By public transit Metro Bus
Train By taxi By car By bicycle Talk [+] See Landmarks and
architecture Museum Triangle Other museums Parks [+] Do Flamenco
Shows [+] Concert Venues Classical & opera [+] Sports Football
Bullfighting Basketball Tennis Movies and film Festivals [+] Learn
Language Schools [+] Buy Shopping Districts Markets Shopping
Outlets [+] Eat
UnderstandLocationMadrid is located just northeast of the
geographical center of the Iberian Peninsula, in the middle of the
Spanish central Castillian plateau (Meseta central), at an average
altitude of 650m. Nearly all of the most famous tourist areas are
located in the center of the city including Puerta del Sol, Plaza
Mayor, Palacio Real, and Plaza de Coln. The major streets in Madrid
include the Gran Via, Alcal Street, and Paseo de la Castellana.
ClimateThe climate of Madrid is continental; mainly dry and
quite extreme at times. Madrid sees perpetual sunshine and a
characteristically hot and dry summer, and a fairly cold winter
with frequent frosts during the night and the occasional snowfall.
Spring and autumn are mild with the most rainfall concentrated in
these seasons. Spring and autumn are definitely the best times to
visit, especially the months of April, May, June, September and
October. There is very little rainfall during summer and also less
rainfall during winter. During winter snow occurs sporadically,
however snowfall usually lasts only for a few days, but there is
abundant snowfall in the adjacent mountain ranges nearby.
CultureThe culture of Madrid was dominated by its Royal history,
centre of the Spanish Empire. The Royal Palace, big places and
buildings used by the Spanish Monarchy, enormous cathedrals and
churches are plentiful in Madrid, as well as medieval2012-03-15
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Cuisine Restaurants Budget Mid-range Splurge [+] Drink Tapas
Bars Cafes Bars Clubs [+] Sleep Budget Mid-range Splurge Apartments
Contact Cope Stay safe Get out "siesta" can be still observed
during which some citizens take a break to cool off, though
Madrileos can usually only afford this 'luxury' during holidays and
weekends. Most stores are open during all the day; just small
stores are often closed during this time. Workers and those more
afflicted by Western lifestyles choose not to observe this long
break and work traditional business hours, which are usually
between 9AM and 6-7PM. During summer many offices, however, will
have a summer schedule requiring workers to start at 8am and finish
at 3pm (most commonly without the standard 1-2 hour break for
lunch). Offices usually close during the weekend but businesses are
often open Saturday morning (downtown stays open until afternoon).
Most grocers are closed on Sundays, but some major chain and
department stores linked to "culture" (books, music, etc.) will be
open throughout the day and all of them on the first Sunday of the
month. Shops and department stores in Puerta del Sol area are open
every day.
architecture, although nowadays Madrid is just as much a
cosmopolitan city as Berlin or London, full of new architecture,
lifestyle and culture. As Spanish Capital, Madrid has meant the
different "establishment" for most Spaniards. During the 2nd
Republic (1931-1936) was a bustling city of new ideas. Being
capital of the Franquist dictatorship (1939-1975) made the city
still seemed to represent a conservative part of Spain to many
Spaniards. However, the city is also the epicentre of the famous
Movida, Spain's 80s movement that bred personalities such as the
director Pedro Almodvar. The heritage of this era is indeed still
visible in the city centre, where a party can be found at all times
and one of the most liberal and colourful environments of Spain can
be seen. The city is also known for its great gay tolerance. The
citizens of Madrid, who refer to themselves as Madrileos or the
more traditional and currently seldom used term "gatos" (cats),
live by a daily routine that is heavily influenced by the climate.
Due to the typically midday heat during summer, a
Palacio de Cibeles, Madrid's city hall, Cibeles Square
Madrid possibly has the largest number Plaza Mayor of bars per
capita of any European city and a very active nightlife; Madrileos
are known to stay up until as late as 5AM-7AM. It is quite common
to see a crowded Gran Va on weekend nights. It is important to note
that, due to this lifestyle, lodging located near the fun areas may
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nightmare for light sleepers if your window faces the street.
Madrid has a very modernized and elaborate transportation network
of buses and Metro. The city contrasts with some large European
cities in that it is extremely clean, and city employees in bright
yellow vests can almost always be seen cleaning the streets and
sidewalks. Like most large cities, however, there is a substantial
population of vagrants and beggars lining the streets. Madrid is
one of the biggest and most cosmopolitan cities in Europe.
Communities of West Africans, North Africans, other Europeans,
Chinese, Indians, Filipinos, Pakistanis and (especially) Latin
Americans are prominent. Some popular neighborhoods are: Alonso
Martnez - Many pubs and small discos. Until about 3AM, a very young
crowd, and if youre around here before midnight, and over the age
of 20, prepare to feel positively old. Most places close around
3AM, then people move to nearby areas to continue partying (clubs
in Gran Va or Tribunal). Barrio de las Letras / Huertas - Many of
Spain's most famous writers lived there (Cervantes, Quevedo, etc.).
It is among Lavapis, Puerta del Sol and Paseo del Prado. It is an
area full of history and interesting buildings and is also
well-known because of its concentration of bars, pubs, restaurants
and hotels. Plaza de Santa Ana is a beautiful square. It can be
considered "too touristic" for some local people. Chueca - Near
Malasaa and Gran Va, it is the gay district (although no one is
ever excluded) with a very strong personality. New design, trendy
shops, cool cafes. Pop and electronic music. By far, the most
cosmopolitan place in town. Has become quite chic and expensive.
Tribunal / Malasaa - Alternative area. You can enjoy a caf, a
dinner, a book or just some drink. Mainly rock and pop music clubs,
some of them still open from "La movida madrilea" (beginning of
80's). Calle Manuela Malasaa is a great place to eat, Calle del Pez
a great place to have some drinks and Plaza Dos de Mayo is the
heart of the district. Conde Duque - Like Malasaa, this district
shares a similar audience. Calle Conde Duque is full of cafs and
restaurant. Between the main squares in the district, Plaza de
Guardias de Corps and Plaza de las Comendadoras, you will also find
other options to have drinks, cafs or tapas. The Conde Duque
Cultural Centre usually hosts shows, concerts and exhibitions. Gran
Va - The place that never sleeps. Major street that includes many
popular nightclubs, usually open from 1AM to 6-7AM. La Latina -
Near Lavapis, it is the place to go for tapas and full of bohemian
young people looking for stylish bars. In the old section, many
small bars and pubs, a generally older crowd (late 20s, 30s you
know, "adults"). Contains La Cava Baja street. Avoid places in the
Plaza Mayor but for sunbathing and beers. Multiple bars serving
fantastic tapas in the Cava Baja and Cuchilleros. It's surprisingly
very crowded on Sunday mornings, from 11AM to late in the afternoon
due to its close location to the flea market El Rastro. Lavapis -
Multicultural quarter of the city, with more than 50% foreign
residents, mostly from Africa, Asia and Latin America. Plenty of
world music bars and many alternative theaters and art galleries.
Lavapis is maybe the most cosmopolitan and hippy area at the same
time in Madrid. Indian restaurants, alternative cafs, African music
and South American shops. Walking around for a coffee is well worth
it. Moncloa - Due to its proximity to the main University in Madrid
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Moncloa is associated with students and a student lifestyle,
many cheap bars and discos as it is near the university, although
some of the places are best avoided. Salamanca - Plenty of
expensive boutiques, unique shops with impossible prices and
department stores. Torre Europa. A very posh or "pijo" crowd, full
of pubs and clubs. Quite expensive and virtually uniform music,
places, and people. Ciudad Universitaria. This area is where most
of the students reside as there are several dorms in this area.
There are many, many cheap bars with great nightlife starting from
Thursdays.
Get inBy planeMadrid Barajas International Airport (IATA: MAD),
+34 902 404 704, [2] (http://www.aena.es
/csee/Satellite?pagename=subHome&Language=EN_GB&c=Page&SiteName=MAD&
cid=1049727006353) is located 13km from the city center. It is a
one of the largest airports in Europe and is serviced by many
airlines, as well as being the homebase for Iberia Airlines. The
airport has 4 terminals, including Terminal 4, a new low-cost
carrier terminal that has won architectural awards, and might be
worth the trip to have a look even if you are not flying. The
airport is connected to the city by Cercanias commuter train (line
C-1) and Metro (line 8 pink). From Terminal 4, the simplest option
to get to Puerta del Sol (the center of Madrid) is to take the
commuter train (look for Renfe Cercanias) to "Nuevos Ministerios"
and then transfer to line C-3 or C-4 southbound on platform 8; Sol
will be the first stop. Alternatively, you can also take the Metro
to Nuevos Ministerios from any terminal but it will probably take a
bit longer. Metro tickets to/from the airport cost 2.50, while
Cercanias tickets cost 2.15. An express bus service for 2 reaches
O'Donell, Cibeles and Atocha [3] (http://www.emtmadrid.es
/lineaAeropuerto/index.html) . Public buses 200 and 204 operate
between the airport and Plaza Coln and Avenida de Amrica in Madrid.
Public night bus N4 goes from Plaza Cibeles to Barajas district,
400m walk from the terminal through a passageway over the highway.
Night Shuttle [4] (http://www.madshuttle.com /night.html) operates
a night bus between the airport and city center for 9.90 per
person. Taxis from the airport to the city center cost ~32. Two
smaller airports, Torrejn and Cuatro Vientos, also serve the city,
however, there are no commercial flights coming in or out of these
two airports.
By trainRenfe, +34 902-240-202, [5]
(http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html) operates train
service to/from Madrid. Frequent trains operate between Madrid and
Barcelona (2h 40min), Seville (2h 20 min), Malaga (2h 30 min),
Zaragoza, Tarragona, Lerida, Huesca, Ciudad Real, Puertollano,
Lisbon, Milan, the French coast, Paris, with continuing journeys to
most of Europe. Madrid has two train stations: Chamartn and Atocha,
both of which have excellent Metro and Cercanias commuter train
connections. Most northbound and international trains arrive and
depart from Chamartn station, while trains to Barcelona, Valencia
and southern Spain depart from Atocha. If you need to get between
the two stations, Metro line 1 (1.50, 30-40 minutes) or Cercanias
lines C3 and C4 (1.35, 15 minutes) offer the most direct
connection.
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Chamartn station is on the north side of the city and is served
by the Metro stop of the same name on Metro lines 1 and 10. Atocha
is on the southern side of the city center and is divided into two
main sections, an area for Cercanias trains and one for
long-distance trains. The long-distance side is set inside the
towering old station, where you will find a tropical garden with a
pond full of small turtles as well as a number of shops. A memorial
to the victims of the terrorist attack of March 11, 2004 is in the
Cercanias portion of the station near the Metro stop.
By bus
Tropical garden in Atocha
Madrid has eight enormous international and intercity bus
stations. Information on where buses to a particular destination
depart from can be found at the Tourist Office. Many of the
international buses, and those headed south of Madrid, arrive at
and depart from Estacin Sur de Autobuses (Calle de Mndez lvaro,
Tel:+34 91-468-4200 [6] (http://www.estacionautobusesmadrid.com) )
which is accessible by metro. Buses to and from Barcelona and
Bilbao operate from the Avenida de Amrica bus terminal, also
accessible by Metro.
By carThere are car rental facilities available at the airport,
train stations, and other main travel sites. Always be sure to have
a street map handy! The roads within Madrid are difficult to
navigate as there are no places to stop and consult a map or check
your route. Also, if you are relying on GPS navigation, be aware
that there are several consecutive junctions underground near the
centre and your GPS may not get a signal underground. Plan your
turns before you enter the tunnels.
Get aroundBy public transitMadrid proudly sports one of the best
public transportation networks in the world and the second largest
metro network in Europe, second only to London's. Buses and subways
form an integrated network [7] (http://ctm-madrid.es/) and work
with the same tickets. A single ticket costs 1.50, a ten trip
ticket costs 9.30. Alternatively, you can buy unlimited travel
passes as follows: 1 day (6), 2 days (10), 3 days (13), 5 days
(19), or 7 days (25). Children under 11 receive a 50% discount.
Tickets can be purchased at Metro stations, news-stands, and
estancos (tobacconists'). Metro The Metro de Madrid [8]
(http://www.metromadrid.es/) (Madrid's Subway/Underground) is one
of the best and less expensive metros in Europe. In addition, the
underground tunnels of the Metro provide relief from the sun on hot
days. Ticket machines are bilingual with instructions in both
Spanish and English. Stamping the ticket one time allows you to use
the Metro network as long and far as you like - make sure you
stay
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inside the Metro zone, once you leave it, you'll have to stamp
your ticket again. When you travel to or from airport stations,
there is additional supplement of 1, which can be paid at the
entrance or exit. The Passes do not require this supplement-it is
included in the price. You can catch some trains as late as 2:00AM,
although the official close time for the metro system is at 1:30AM.
Nights before Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays have a night
bus (MetroBho) service on the same routes as the Metro lines, from
rougly 01:00AM to 05:30AM. Stops for these lines are sometimes not
in obvious places, especially in the pedestrian areas in the city
center. Announcements in the metro are made only in Spanish, though
signs are bilingual in Spanish and English. Bus Whatever the Metro
doesn't cover, the buses do. Night buses (Bhos, "night owls"), have
their main hub at Plaza de Cibeles [9] (http://www.ctm-madrid.es/)
, covering most of the city at roughly 20-minute intervals. Buses
are equipped with free wi-fi facility (EMTmadrid), easy to use with
any type of laptop or netbook. Train Madrid has a system of local
trains (Cercanas) that connect outlying suburbs and villages with
the city center. Although most useful for visiting historic or
outdoor destinations outside the city core, they are also useful
for quickly getting from the north end of the city (Chamartin and
Nuevos Ministros) to the south end of the city (Sol and Atocha)
and, as of Sept 2011, Barajas airport (terminal 4).
Tourist map of the Madrid Metro
By taxiTaxis can be hard to find during late hours on weekends,
especially if there is some rain. Unlike in other European cities,
there are few taxi stands; just stand by the side of a major road
or bus stop and wave your hand to signal an available taxi passing
by. Available taxis have a green libre sign in the windshield and a
green light on top. Official taxis are white, and have a red stripe
and the flag of Madrid on the front door. The tariff is displayed
on top of the car (a 1 during daytime, a 2 during the night, which
become 2 and 3 on holidays such as Christmas Eve). There are also
special surcharges for entering or leaving the airport/train
station. Ask for the written table of tariffs and charges
(suplementos) (shown on small stickers on rear windows, compulsory
by law) before paying if you think it's too expensive. Be aware
there are some taxi drivers that will do what is called 'la vuelta
al ruedo' which basically means they will drive you around or
through the crowded avenues to increase the fare. Most taxi drivers
do not speak English, so you should have the names and/or addresses
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written in Spanish to show your taxi driver. Likewise, get your
hotel's business card in case you get lost.
By carTransportation by private automobile in Madrid can be a
nightmare. The Spanish capital suffers from the typical problems of
most big cities; far too many cars and not enough space to
accommodate them. Sometimes there can even be traffic jams in the
Paseo de la Castellana at 3:00 AM (early to some Madrileos). The
problem is compounded by the narrow streets in the old town, where
a lorry delivering beer barrels to a local bar can cause a huge
tailback. Finding a parking space can be very time consuming, and
difficult if one is not skilled in the art of close proximity
parallel parking. Many Spaniards are also lacking in this art,
prompting them to simply park in the street, blocking other cars
in. If you find yourself blocked in by such a practice, honk your
horn until the driver returns. If you parallel park your car in
Madrid, be aware that most Madrileos park by sound alone. They will
feel no remorse for repeatedly hitting the car in front and behind
them while trying to get into or out of a tight spot. If you value
your car's paint job, or you have rented a car, it may be best to
park underground. Though this is no guarantee for nobody hitting
your car, the chances are somewhat diminished. In short, renting a
car is not only unnecessary, but not recommended for getting around
downtown Madrid, and a car is likely to be more of a liability than
an asset. Visitors should make use of Madrid's excellent public
transportation instead. Renting a car only makes sense if you are
planning to leave Madrid and drive to the nearby towns.
By bicycleAlthough Madrid does not appear as a bike-friendly
city at a first sight, things are changing slowly to make bike
experience more comfortable. Several streets in historical downtown
have been transformed into mixedtraffic spaces where pedestrians
and bikes have priority over cars. There are new easy-bike paths
all along the river and connecting important parks. It is also
possible to use a lot of narrow easy streets where traffic is slow
and calm to travel along the city without dependig on exclusive
bike paths. There are some official and unofficial publications
with these streets along the web.
El Retiro
To avoid some of Madrid inconveniencies, such as hot weather or
slopy streets it is also possible to get bikes on Metro and
Railways trains with some schedule restrictions, and on every
public transport without restrictions when using folding-bikes.
There is no public rent-a-bike service, but there are some rent
shops on historical center area.
TalkWhile knowledge of the English language is increasing
amongst the younger generations, the majority of Madrid's residents
know only a few words - even employees at American businesses such
as McDonald's or Burger King and employees at cash exchange centers
rarely speak much English. You can often find someone with a fair
grasp of English at larger hotels and tourism sites, but it would
nevertheless be helpful to know at least a few common Spanish words
and phrases.
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Puerta del Sol, (Metro: Sol (lines 1, 2 and 3)). This plaza is
the heart of Madrid and one of the busiest places in the city - a
hub for the local transit system, a favorite meeting spot for
locals, a visible area for festivals or political demonstrations,
and a opportune location for tour guides, street performers,
pickpockets and anyone else looking to take advantage of all the
tourists on hand. In the center of the plaza sits the Statue of
King Charles III on horseback, facing the Royal Post Office (Real
Casa de Correos), the red-and-white building adorned with a clock
tower Puerta del Sol on the plaza's south side. Originally the
building served as Madrid's first post office, then the police
headquarters under Franco before being transformed into it's
current use as the office of the President of Madrid, the head of
the regional government. The clock tower is noteworthy for being
the center focus of New Year's celebrations every year, which are
broadcast across Spain and mark the traditional eating of the
Twelve Grapes (one for each ring of the bell) and the beginning of
a new year. In front of the building is Kilometer Zero (Kilmetro
Cero), a plaque showing the point where the measuring of national
highway system begins. On the east side of the plaza is the famous
Bear and the Madroo Tree Statue, a bear climbing a madroo tree,
which is the symbol of Madrid. Nearby the giant neon To Pepe sign
sits above the plaza and is a famous fixture of this area. edit
Plaza Mayor, (Metro: Sol (lines 1, 2 and 3) or Opera (lines 2, 5
and R)). Perhaps the best known plaza in Madrid, this impressive
square is now one of the main stops on any tourist visit.
Originally built outside the city walls, this enclosed square has
played host to bullfights, markets, symphonies, tournaments and
executions. Today it is ringed with tourist shops, cafes and
restaurants. The statue of Philip III sits in the middle across
from the Casa de la Panadera, a beautifully painted building with
two towers on the north side of the square (not to be confused with
the other building with two towers on the opposite side) which once
served as the headquarters of the bakers' guild and now houses a
tourist information office. Access to the square is via one of the
many arcades which connect to the surrounding pedestrian streets.
edit Mercado de San Miguel, (Metro: Opera (lines 2, 5 and R)). Near
Plaza Mayor is this indoor market, identifiable by its ornate iron
posts. Built in 1913, it's full of a wide range of high quality
food. Even if you're not buying anything, it's worth entering for
the sights and smells of dried ham, fine wine, freshly baked goods
and other treats from the vendors inside. edit Plaza de la Villa,
(Metro: Opera (lines 2, 5 and R)). The main square during Middle
Age, as Calle Mayor (High Street) was the main street as well. It
houses the former City Hall, the former Academy of Fine Arts and
the Archbishopric. edit Palacio Real, Calle Bailen (Metro: Opera
(lines 2, 5 and R)), +34 91 4548800, [10]
(http://www.patrimonionacional.es/) . M-Sa 9:00-17:00, Su and
holidays 9:00-15:00, closed occasionally for official ceremonies.
The Palacio Real (Royal Palace) is an enormous palace, one of the
biggest in Europe, with scorching plains of concrete around it.
Though it is the official residence of the King of Spain, the royal
family does not actually reside here and it is generally used only
for state ceremonies. The Royal Palace is considered to be one of
the most emblematic and beautiful buildings in Madrid, not only for
its location on a bluff overlooking the river valley but also for
its architecture and the artistic treasures to be found in its
rooms. A simple one-way tour of the palace (both self-guided and
guided are available) takes you up the grand stairway and through
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decorated state rooms with their elegant tapestries, frescoes,
porcelain, carvings and added decor like china, silverware, medals,
etc. From the courtyard you can access the Farmacia (Pharmacy),
which contains hundreds of bottles of early medicines and a
reconstructed laboratory, and the Real Armorial (Royal Armory), a
two-story collection of medieval weapons and armor. Explanations in
the armory are in Spanish only, so do not expect to Royal Palace
understand much unless your know the Spanish names for all that
medieval weaponry. The lines to get in are very long, especially on
Wednesday when the place is free - try to go early. Photography
inside the palace is not allowed. Entry 10; Guided tour 11;
Students and children 5; free W for EU citizens. edit Catedral de
la Almudena, (Metro: Opera (lines 2, 5 and R)). This massive
cathedral faces the Palacio Real. Finished near the end of 20th
century, it is where the Princes of Asturias Felipe and Letizia
were married in 2004. edit Plaza de Espaa, (Metro: Plaza de Espaa
(lines 3 and 10) or Noviciado (line 2)). A prominent square on the
northwest side of central district, adjacent to two of the tallest
buildings in Madrid: the Torre de Madrid (the taller, white one)
and the Edificio Espaa (the red and white one). The square contains
a large fountain and a sculpture of Cervantes and his famous Don
Quixote and Sancho Panza characters. edit Gran Va, (Metro: Banco de
Espaa (line 2), Gran Via (lines 1 and 5), Callao (lines 3 and 5),
Santo Domingo (line 2), or Plaza de Espaa (lines 3 and 10)).
Literally "Great Way" (better translated as "Broadway"), Gran Va is
one of the busiest avenues in Madrid. Running from Plaza de Espaa
to Plaza de Cibeles, it is the location of the cinema district and
a number of shopping malls and is lined with large billboards and
lights. There's a constant buzz of traffic and life - 3-4am early
morning traffic jams are not unusual. edit Plaza de Cibeles,
(Metro: Banco de Espaa (line 2)). A massive roundabout at the
intersection of Calle de Alcala and Paseo del Prado, this plaza
houses one of Madrid's emblems, the Fountain of Cibeles, which
portrays the Roman goddess of fertility sitting upon a chariot
pulled by two lions. On the southeast corner dominating the Plaza
is one of the world's most beautiful city halls, the Palacio de
Cibeles (formerly the Palacio de las Comunicaciones), an impressive
structure with a jaw-droppingly spectacular facade. Inside, the
building holds a cultural center with changing art exhibits and
info on Madrid, and you can climb to the upper floors for some
excellent views out the window. On the southwest corner of the
square sits the imposing Bank of Spain (Banco de Espaa) building,
while the northeast corner is home to the Palacio de Linares, which
holds the Casa de Amrica [11] (http://www.casamerica.es/) , a
cultural center with an art gallery of Latin American works. edit
Plaza de Castilla, (Metro: Plaza de Castilla (lines 1, 9 and 10);
Bus line 27). On the north side of the city and bisected by Paseo
de la Castellana, this plaza is in the center of Madrid's
skyscraper district. A tall obelisk sits in the center of the plaza
while the Gate of Europe (Puerta de Europa) towers, two slanted
towers which frame the boulevard, are situated on the north side of
the plaza. Taking the #27 bus, which runs along Paseo del Prado and
Paseo de la Castellana and ends at Plaza de Castilla, will take you
pass several Madrid highrises. North of the Plaza is the Four
Towers (Cuatro Torres), four
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sleek new skyscrapers which are the tallest in Spain.
edit
Museum TriangleThis is Madrid's museum district, named for the
three major art museums clustered along Paseo del Prado east of the
old city: the Museo del Prado, one of the finest art museums in the
world, the Thyssen-Bornemisza, a baron's collection of classical
art, and the Reina Sofia, Madrid's modern art museum. However, a
couple of smaller museums also occupy the neighborhood which are
well worth seeing as well. Museo del Prado, Paseo de Prado (Metro:
Atocha (line 1) or Banco The northern entrance to Prado de Espaa
(line 2); Bus lines 9, 10, 14, 19, 27, 34, 37 and 45), +34 90
2107077, [12] (http://www.museodelprado.es/) . Tu-Su: 9AM-8PM,
Closed M and some holidays. One of the finest art collections in
the world and the best collection of classical art in Madrid. It
includes many different collections: the Spanish (El Greco,
Velzquez, and Goya), the Flemish and Dutch (Rubens, van Dyck, and
Brueghel), Italian (Botticelli, Tintoretto, Titian, Caravaggio, and
Veronese) and German (Albrecht Drer, Lucas Cranach, and Baldung
Grien). Some highlights not to miss at the Prado: The Bosch
masterpiece The Garden of Earthly Delights, The famous Velzquez
piece Las Meninas, The Black Paintings and The Third of May 1808 by
Goya, Adoration of the Shepards by El Greco, and David with the
Head of Goliath by Caravaggio. Be sure to walk along Paseo del
Prado, a pedestrian walkway full of fountains and trees near the
museum. Nice affordable restaurant on the main floor. Adults: 12;
Students free with ISIC etc & children: 4; Free: Tu-Sa 6PM-8PM
and every Su 5PM-8PM. edit Reina Sofa National Museum and Art
Center, Santa Isabel 52 (Metro: Atocha (line 1)), +34 91 7741000
(fax: +34 91 7741056), [13] (http://www.museoreinasofia.es/) . M,
W-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 10AM-2:30PM. Houses Madrid's best collection of
modern art. It includes many of Pablo Picasso's most revered works
including the renowned Guernica. The Reina Sofa also houses
masterpieces by Mir, Kandinsky, Dal, Bacon, and more. 6, students
with ISIC etc free, free Saturday from 2:30PM till 9PM, Sunday from
10AM till 2:30PM, and Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from
7PM-close. edit Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum of Art, Paseo de Prado, 8
(Metro: Banco de Espaa (line 2)), +34 913 69 01 51 , [14]
(http://www.museothyssen.org/) . Tu-Su 10AM-7PM. The ticket office
closes at 6:30PM. The Museum is closed all day on 1 Jan, 1 May, and
25 Dec. Contains a large art collection including masterpieces by
Monet, Goya, Degas, Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso, Mondrian, Bacon and
Lichtenstein. Adults: 8; Students: 8; Children under 12: Free. edit
Caixa Forum, Paseo de Prado, 36 (Metro: Atocha (line 1)), [15]
(http://obrasocial.lacaixa.es
/nuestroscentros/caixaforummadrid/caixaforummadrid_es.html) . A
private museum of contemporary art and culture that is particularly
well-known for the "vertical garden" by Patrick Blanc installed on
a wall in front of the museum, as well as the quite special
architecture of the building itself. The vertical garden can be
seen from the street outside, just a block south of the
Thyssen-Bornemisza and across from the Prado. Inside the museum has
free exhibitions and functions. edit Naval Museum, Paseo del Prado
5. (Metro: Banco de Espaa (line 2)). Beautiful museum with vast
interesting collections about Spanish sailing. Free on Saturdays
and Sundays.. edit
Other museums
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Museo de Amrica, Avenida Reyes Catlicos 6 (Metro: Moncloa (lines
3 and 6)), +34 91 5492641 and 91 5439437, [16]
(http://museodeamerica.mcu.es/) . Tu-Sa: 9:30AM-3PM, Su
10:00AM-3PM, Closed Mondays, Jan 1, May 1, Dec 24, 25, 31. An
excellent museum that many tourists miss. Houses thousands of
artifacts from the Americas. The exhibit displays objects from many
native cultures from before European conquest to colonial times and
beyond. Don't miss the Tesoro (Treasure) de los Qumbayas, a
collection of gold objects that was given as a gift by the
Colombian government. Also of interest is the Tudela Codex, an
Aztec law book from the 1500's. Beware: most explanations to the
objects on display are in Spanish only. Adults: 3, students 1.50,
free Su, free for seniors and children. edit
Vertical garden, CaixaForum
Museo de la Ciudad (Museum of the City), Calle Prncipe de
Vergara 140 (Metro: Cruz del Rayo (line 9)), +34 91 5886599, [17]
(http://www.spain.info/TourSpain/Arte+y+Cultura/Museos/N/MH/0
/Museo+de+la+Ciudad?Language=en) . Mo: Closed Tu-Fr: 10am-2pm and
4-7pm Sa&Su: 10am-2pm.. With five floors, it tells the city's
history, since it was founded by the Arabs. There are models of
some urban areas. Entry is free. edit Museo de Lazaro Galdiano,
Calle Serrano 122 (Metro: Gregorio Marion (lines 7 and 10)), +34 91
5616084, [18] (http://www.flg.es/) . W-M: 10AM-4:30PM. Closed: Tu;
Jan 1; Easter Thursday and Friday; May 2 and 3; Nov 1; Dec 6 and
25.. This museum houses the stunning collection of Spanish
entrepreneur Jos Lzaro Galdiano (1862-1947) and is considered to be
one of the best private collections in Spain. Not only will you
find works by Goya, Velzquez, El Greco and others, the museum is
also filled with jewelry, furniture, sculpture and ceramics. This
is an excellent museum that is usually not crowded and well worth
the price of admission. 4, free on Sundays.. edit Museo Sorolla,
General Martnez Campos, 37 (Metro: Iglesia (line 1) or Rubn Daro
(line 5); Bus lines 5, 7, 14, 16, 27, 40, 45, 61, 147 and 150), +34
91 3101584, [19] (http://museosorolla.mcu.es/) . Tu - Sat: 0930 to
2000 - Sun 1000-1500. This museum is in what was the impressionist
painter's house and features fine furniture and porcelain as well
as his paintings. 3. edit Museo del Traje (The Costume Museum),
Avenida de Juan de Herrera 2 (Metro: Moncloa (lines 3 and 6) or
Ciudad Universitaria (line 6)), +34 91 5504700, [20]
(http://museodeltraje.mcu.es/) . Tu-Sa 9:30AM-7PM, Su 10:00AM-3PM.
Closed 1, 6 Jan, 1, 15 May, 24, 25, 31 Dec. Offers a wide selection
of historical and more temporary costumes (from the early 1200s to
now) which shows the aspects of different cultures and Spain. The
museum also organizes many activities and events. edit National
Archeology Museum, Calle Serrano 13 (Metro: Serrano (line 4)), +34
91 5777912, [21] (http://man.mcu.es/) . Tu-Sa: 9:30AM-5PM, Sun and
Holidays 9:30AM-3PM. Closed: M; Jan 1 and 6; May 1 and 15; Dec 24,
25, and 31. (Holidays: Apr 5 and 6, May 2, Aug 15, Oct 12, Nov 1
and 9, Dec 6 and 8.. Don't let the sound of it frighten you. This
well designed museum houses an incredible collection of
archaeological finds from across the peninsula. It leaves the
visitor with a sense of the chronology of civilization in Spain
(Iberian, Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Visagoth, Arab, and into the
modern age). The famous Dama de Elche, an Iberian (pre-Roman)
fertility goddess statue, is
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in this museum. There are also a few pieces from ancient Egypt
and Mesopotamia. It is currently undergoing renovations and is open
with limited exhibits. 3, Free entry Saturday after 2:30PM and
Sundays. edit
Dama de Elche: Iberian (pre-Roman) fertility goddess statue
Real Academia de Bella Artes de San Fernando, Calle Alcal 13
(Metro: Sevilla or Banco de Espaa (line 2)), +34 91 5240864, [22]
(http://rabasf.insde.es/) . Tu-Fr: 9:30AM-7PM, Sa-M: 9:30-4:30PM..
Highly impressive art collection with paintings, sculptures,
drawings and prints. Several Goya masterpieces. Adults: 3, students
1.50, free W, free for children and seniors.. edit San Antonio de
La Florida Hermitage. This small church is famous for its murals,
painted by Goya. It's also the mausoleum of the painter. edit
ParksEl Retiro Park, (Metro: Retiro (line 2), Ibiza (line 9) or
Atocha (line 1)). The main park of Madrid, the perfect place to
take a rest during a sunny day, or take part in the drum circles
around the statue of Alphonso XII on summer evenings. There is a
large boating lake where one can hire a rowing boat great fun for
the children! There is a monument to the victims of the Madrid 3/11
terrorist bombings, the Forest of the Absent, and the Crystal
Palace, a large structure entirely made of glass. Sunday afternoons
in summer are a treat in the park, where young hippies play bongos
and dance. edit Royal Botanical Garden (Real Jardin Botanico),
(Metro: Atocha (line 1)).edit
Parque del Capricho, (Metro: El Capricho (line 5)). One of the
most beautiful parks in Madrid. Built in 1797-1839, it has a strong
Romanticism influence. Declared as an Historic Garden, its lakes
with swans and ducks, labyrinths, palaces, squares and fountains
makes this a lovely place. edit Templo de Debod, Paseo del Pintor
Rosales 2 (Metro: Plaza de Espaa (lines 3 and 10)), +34 91 765108,
[23] (http://www.munimadrid.es/templodebod/) . Tue-Fri: 10AM - 2PM
and 6PM - 8PM, Sat-Sun: 10AM- 2PM, closed Mondays and holidays. An
Egyptian temple, located in one of Madrids most beautiful parks.
Near the Royal Palace and Plaza de Espaa, it was a present given by
Egypt to Spain for its role in saving the temple of Abu Simbel from
the floodwaters of Lake Nasser following the construction of the
Aswan Dam in southern Egypt. A great place to watch the sunset.
Free. edit La Casa de Campo, (Metro: Lago, Batan (line 10) or Casa
de Campo (lines 5 and 10)). The park at the rear of the Palacio
Real which used to belong to the Royal family. Much of the park has
been taken to smaller activity parks such as the Zoo but in general
it's peaceful. From Moncloa you can take a teleferico across into
the park. edit Zoo Aquarium Madrid, (Metro: Casa de Campo (lines 5
and 10); Bus line 33), [24] (http://www.zoomadrid.com/) . See the
Pandas. Pet the Lemurs. Watch the Dolphin show. Enjoy the Bird
show. Adults 18.65; Children: 15. edit
DoThere are a number of free, English language periodicals that
you will find in bars and restaurants that are a great source of
event information. PopGuide Madrid [25]
(http://www.popguidemadrid.com) is Madrid's premier English and
German lifestyle magazine and features the best Madrid has to offer
and the latest in film, fashion, music and art. The monthly
InMadrid newspaper [26] (http://www.in-madrid.com /default2.htm)
has a number of articles and information about events around town.
Aimed at the 20-35year-old crowd, European Vibe [27]
(http://www.europeanvibe.com/) has listings for concerts,
exhibitions, bars, restaurants, parties and other events happening
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Check the websites for current distribution points. Circulo de
Bellas Artes, Calle Marqus de Casa Riera 2 (Metro: Banco de Espaa),
+34 91 5225092, [28] (http://www.circulobellasartes.com) . A
non-profit cultural center located a short walk from Sol, the CBA
offers up a wide variety of events and shows including film, music,
art displays, dance, theater and more. See the website (in Spanish)
for a list of activities. edit
Flamenco ShowsCorral de la Moreria, [29]
(http://www.corraldelamoreria.com) . One of the most famous
flamenco tablaos in the world. Its right in the heart of the city,
and you can enjoy a full fledged Spanish meal while you watch
performances by renowned international flamenco music and dance
artists. edit Las Tablas, Plaza Espaa, 9 (Walk from Plaza Espaa
metro), +34 915 420 520 ([email protected]), [30]
(http://www.lastablasmadrid.com/ENTRADAINGLES.html) . A very
popular Tablao located near the Plaza Espaa metro station. The
package consisting of a Flamenco show (at 9 or 10 pm) with a
candle-lit dinner and a glass of Sangria wine is truly a treat.
edit Tablao Flamenco Cardamomo (Cardamomo Flamenco Show), Echegaray
15, [31] (http://www.cardamomo.es) . Authentic Flamenco show in the
center of Madrid, one of the gratest tablaos flamencos all over
Spain, typical spanish food during the performance. edit Cafe De
Chinitas, C/ Torija, 7-28013 (Walk from Santo Domingo metro), 91
559 51 35 ([email protected]), [32] (http://www.chinitas.com) .
A great show lasting about 90 minutes. Unbelivable amount of energy
and passion put in by the performers. There is an option to have
dinner as well but that is a seperate package and costs more. 25
Euros without dinner / drinks. edit
Concert VenuesSala Heineken, Princesa 1 (Metro: Plaza Espaa),
+34 91 5476680, [33] (http://www.salaheineken.com/) . National
touring acts for rock and pop music.
edit
La Riviera, Paseo Bajo de la Virgen (Metro: Puerta del Angel or
Principe Po), +34 91 3652415, [34] (http://www.salariviera.com/) .
Another large venue for touring rock and pop bands. edit Gruta 77,
Calle Cuclillo 6 (Metro: Oporto), +34 91 4712370, [35]
(http://www.gruta77.com/) . Concerts everyday; pop, rock, punk edit
Classical & opera Spanish National Orchestra. Performs every
Fri, Sat and Sun at the Auditorio Nacional on Calle Principe de
Vergara. The Auditorio Nacional is also the main concert venue for
the symphonic concerts of the Community of Madrid Orchestra and the
Madrid symphony Orchestra and the main venue for touring classical
artists and orchestras. edit Teatro Real (Royal Theatre), Plaza de
Oriente (Metro: Opera), [36] (http://www.madridtourist.info
/royal_theatre.html) . The main opera theatre in Madrid. edit
Teatro de la Zarzuela. The Spanish version of the Operetta
(Zarzuela) is performed here.edit
Orquesta de Radio Televisin Espaola. Performs every Thu and Fri
at the Teatro Monumental on Calle Atocha. edit
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Auditorio 400 of the Museo Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. The main
venue for contemporary music.edit
Cuartel del Condeduque.
edit
Foundation Joan March Auditorium.
edit
Banda Municipal de Madrid. Performs in El Retiro Park in the
summer.
edit
SportsFootball Four teams from Madrid play in La Liga (Spain's
premier division). The matches between Real Madrid and Atltico de
Madrid are known as "El Derbi Madrileo" (English: Madrid Derby).
Real Madrid, [37]
(http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/Home.htm) . For football
fanatics, a trip to the Santiago Bernabeu, the home of local club
Real Madrid is not to be missed. Real Madrid is the most successful
football club in Spain and Europe, having been crowned Spanish
champions a record 31 times and European champions a record 9
times. Their biggest rivals by far are FC Barcelona, with which it
contests matches known popularly as El Clsico at least twice a
year. The rivalry between the two sides is by far the biggest in
Spain and one of the most intense in the world, and stems from the
longstanding traditional rivalry between the Spanish and Catalan
speaking parts of Spain. However, tickets for such matches often
sell out very quickly. In case you arrive in Madrid on non-match
periods, you can take a self-guided tour of the Santiago Bernabeu
Stadium. It includes tours around the field, the dressing rooms,
the Press Room and the Real Madrid Museum where the trophies and
other memorabilia are kept. Without a loyalty card, the typical
fees for adults is 15. However, a few days before a match, the
chances are you will not be able to take the full tour, but only a
part of it, with at least the Real Madrid Museum, at a reduced
price. edit Atltico de Madrid, [38]
(http://www.clubatleticodemadrid.com/) . Plays games in the Vicente
Caldern stadium. The club is one of the most successful in Spanish
League history, having won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey on
nine occasions, including a double in 1996. They also won the
European Cup Winners Cup in 1962, were European Cup runners-up in
1974, Intercontinental Cup winners in 1975 and more recently won
the UEFA Europa League in 2010. edit Getafe Club de Ftbol, [39]
(http://www.getafecf.com/) . Plays games at Coliseum Alfonso Prez
in Getafe, one of the dormitory cities of Madrid. edit Rayo
Vallecano, plays games at Estadio Teresa Rivero. A popular team
from the Vallecas area in Madrid, known for its alternative culture
and left-wing ultras. Bullfighting Las Ventas Bullring, (Metro:
Ventas), [40] (http://www.las-ventas.com/) . The birth place of
bullfighting. Unless you find this spectacle distasteful, this is a
must see if you visit Madrid during the bullfighting season (May,
during San Isidro). Tickets may nevertheless be expensive and hard
to get for the more important corridas. Anyway, it usually is used
as a venue for shows and concerts. edit Basketball There are two
major teams, Estudiantes and Real Madrid.
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Tennis Madrid Tennis Master 1000, Camino de Perales (Metro: San
Fermin - Orcasur; Bus numbers 23 78 - 123), [41]
(http://www.madrid-open.com/eng/index.htm) . Held in mid-May at La
Caja Mgica.edit
Movies and filmThere are a number of cinemas offering American
and British films in English (along with films in other languages).
These original films are denoted in the listings by a designation
of "V.O." which stands for versin original. Cinemas in Madrid will
sometimes have das del espectador (viewer days) with cheaper ticket
prices, usually on Mondays or Wednesdays. Some of the V.O. theaters
to check out are: Yelmo Cineplex Ideal, Doctor Cortezo 6 (metro:
Sol), +34 91 3692518, [42] (http://www.yelmocineplex.es/) .
Probably the best known V.O. theater in Madrid, it offers the
largest selection of movies and is only a short walk from Sol. edit
Cine Dor, la Filmoteca Espaola, Calle Santa Isabel 3 (metro: Anton
Martn), +34 91 3691125, [43]
(http://www.mcu.es/cine/MC/FE/CineDore/Programacion.html) . This is
a wonderful, old Spanish theater dating from the 1920's. It has
three screens and shows mainly "art-house" and critically acclaimed
films in V.O. In the summertime, they screen movies on the roof.
From 2.50. edit Princesa, Calle Princesa 3 (metro: Plaza de Espaa),
+34 91 5414100, [44] (http://www.sensacine.com/cines/cine-E0364/) .
edit Renoir, Calle Martn de los Heroes 12 (Metro: Plaza de Espaa),
+34 91 5414100.edit
Cines Golem Alphaville, Calle Martin de los Heros 14 (metro:
Plaza de Espaa), +34 91 5593836, [45]
(http://www.sensacine.com/cines/cine-E0347/) . edit Renoir Cuatro
Caminos, Calle Raimundo Fernndez Villaverde 10 (metro: Cuatro
Caminos), +34 91 5414100, [46]
(http://www.sensacine.com/cines/cine-E0575/) . edit Renoir Retiro,
Calle Narvaez 42 (metro: Ibiza), +34 91 5414100, [47]
(http://www.sensacine.com /cines/cine-E0578/) . edit Cinesa
Proyecciones 3D, Calle Fuencarral 136 (metro: Quevedo), +34 902 33
32 31, [48] (http://www.cinesa.es/cines/cines2.aspx?id=331) . This
is a great movie theather showing all of the latest movies. It has
both 3D movies and normal movies. There is also a shop in the movie
theather where they sell all kinds of candy, drinks, and popcorn.
Great for children!> 7.60(on working days),7.60 (on weekends and
festives), 6.00 (reduced priced). Note: an additional 2.50 will be
charged for 3D movies. edit Cinesa Dreams Palacio de Hielo, C/
Silvano, 77 (metro: Canillas), +34 902 88 82 00, [49]
(http://www.ecartelera.com/cines/1,0,1.html) . This cinema is
located in a shopping mall know for its ice-skating ring. It is a
great place where teenagers can hang out since the mall also has
restaurants, bars, and shops. 7.50. edit There are also a few movie
theathers in Madrid where they show the orignial version of the
movies subtitled in their original language. The list is provided
below. Alphaville, Calle Martin de los Herros 14 (metro: Plaza de
Espana), +34 91 559 3836, [50]
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(http://www.ecartelera.com/cines/4,0,1.html) . 6.50 (on working
days), 7,50 (on festives, evenings, and weekends). edit California,
Calle Andrs Mellado 53 (metro: Moncloa), +34 91 5440058, [51]
(http://www.madaboutmadrid.com/guide/2003/10/cinemas_showing.html)
. edit
FestivalsLa Transhumancia. Annual event during which the center
of Madrid is free of cars and is instead filled with shepherds
exercising their ancient right to drive sheep and livestock through
the city. edit Madrid Gay Pride. Annual event held between the last
week of June and the first of July, with more than 1.5million
people in the street from all across the world. It began as a
weekend party, but lately turned into a full week extravaganza.
edit
LearnLanguage SchoolsAcademia Eureka, Calle del Arenal, 26 - 3
D, 28013 Madrid, +34 915 488 640 ([email protected], fax: +34
915 482 580), [52] (http://www.eurekamadrid.com/) . Academia Eureka
is a Spanish language school located in the heart of Madrid near
Puerta Madrid Gay Pride 2011 del Sol. The school's sole objective
is teaching Spanish as a foreign language. Academia Eureka is
accredited by the Instituto Cervantes and has been offering Spanish
classes since 1988. The school offers optional housing : on-site or
with a Spanish family and provides after-school activities and
excursions. Classes start on Monday and all 6 levels (A1, A2, B1,
B2, C1 and C2) are offered. Class sizes are small with a maximum of
8 students per class. edit Inhispania, [53]
(http://www.inhispania.com) . Inhispania is specialized in teaching
Spanish language and culture. It is an Accredited School by the
Instituto Cervantes with an excellent location near Puerta del Sol
offering intensive and regular programs, in smalls groups, for all
levels and during the whole year. The school also organizes
after-school actitivies and offers an optional accommodation
service. edit Don Quijote, [54]
(http://www.donquijote.org/english/madrid.asp) . great school where
you can take 4-6 hours of courses a day. All courses including
beginner courses are taught entirely in Spanish. edit Babylon
Idiomas, Plaza Santa Ana 1, 28012 Madrid, +34 91 532 4480, [55]
(http://www.babylonidiomas.com/en/learn-spanish-madrid.htm) . They
offer a wide range of different Spanish courses with qualified and
experienced native teachers. The school is accredited by Instituto
Cervantes and is located in the very heart of the city. New courses
start every Monday. edit Linguaschools Madrid, [56]
(http://www.linguamadrid.com) . Offers Spanish courses for
foreigners all year round. Students with previous knowledge can
start any Monday. For absolute beginners there are fixed start
dates. edit PopEnglish, [57] (http://www.popenglishmadrid.com/) .
Offers English, German, Italian, French, Swedish and Spanish
courses for individuals and companies in Madrid. edit
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Spanish Abroad, (Near Puerta del Sol), [58]
(http://www.spanishabroad.com/madrid.htm) . Spanish school. edit
Cambio Idiomas, (Calle Orense, 20 (Nuevos Ministerios)), +34
915567804, [59] (http://www.cambioidiomas.es) . Cambio Idiomas is a
greatly well communicated language academy in the business center
of Madrid, specialized in Spanish courses for expats. We offer a
number of courses in different languages, levels and with different
objectives. edit
BuyMajor credit cards and foreign bank cards are accepted in
most stores, but be aware that it is common practice to be asked
for photo-ID ("D.N.I."). If asked for your DNI present your
passport, residency permit or foreign ID card. Basically anything
with your photo and name on it will be accepted by most
shopkeepers. The signatures on credit cards are usually not
checked.
Shopping DistrictsIn addition to the shopping areas below, there
are also a great number of H&M, Zara, Mango, and Blanco stores
all over Madrid, with high fashion clothes and accessories at a low
price. Sol-Salamanca districts. The most convenient area for
tourists is around Calle de Preciados, between Sol and Gran Va,
home to the El Corte Ingls department store, high-street names like
Zara, Gran Va 32, H&M, Sephora, Pimkie. The smartest shopping
district is Salamanca northeast of the center, around Calle
Serrano. Top designer names like Chanel, Versace, Herms, Hugo Boss,
Louis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani, Dolce e Gabbana and Hugo Boss,
including the fluid fabrics and elegant cuts of Spanish designer
Adolfo Domnguez, are located on Calle Ortega y Gasset. Head for
Calle Serrano for Purificacin Garca, Roberto Verino, Ermenegildo
Zegna, Loewe, Carolina Herrera, Manolo Blanik, Cartier, and Yves
Saint Laurent. Prada is on Goya street, and on Jorge Juan St you
can find even more luxury shops. Chueca and Fuencarral Street Area
This part of the city used to be an abandoned and marginal area.
However recently, it has quickly turned into the most avant-garde
and modern part of Madrid. Thanks to the gay community, old shops
were taken over and turned into the coolest places of Madrid. Today
it is an example of modernity, a paradise for entertainment where
everything is possible. The streets are filled with restaurants,
alternative cafs and shops, a good example is the Market of
Fuencarral (Mercado de Fuencarral, in Spanish) a novel shopping
center concept. Apart from the purely commercial, this area
proposes a wide range of gastronomy and party clubs by night in the
weekends.
MarketsEl Rastro, (Metro: La Latina). only open on Sunday
mornings. Madrid's largest flea market, featuring rows upon rows of
private vendors selling a variety of homemade bads, and a plethora
of live entertainment. It is very important to note that the Rastro
is notorious for having an abundance of pickpockets, so watch your
handbag closely and do not bring along valuables. edit Cuesta de
Moyano, (near Museo del Prado). A quaint outdoor book
marketedit
Fuencarral Market (Mercado de Fuencarral), Fuencarral street 45,
between Tribunal and Gran Via (Metro: Gran Via), [60]
(http://www.mdf.es/) . One of the most daring and dynamic spaces in
the city. Besides shops selling clothes, shoes, accessories and
decorative items, that will delight the most
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daring and fashion conscious shoppers, this modern market also
offers avant-garde cultural activities on a continuous basis.
Frequent disc jockey sessions are put on in the centers caf, and
also exhibitions in the art gallery and cinema projections and
theater pieces in the old cinema room. The Cinema and activities
are open until midnight. Its 3 floors crowded of modern shops are
aimed specially for young people. edit El Corte Ingls, Several
locations, [61] (http://www.elcorteingles.es) . Spain's largest
department store, with multiple buildings and several floors. You
can find anything in a wide range and stocks. It has almost
everything, from fine dining to pneumatics. edit El Mercado de San
Miguel, San Miguel Plaza (Close to the west corner of Plaza Mayor),
[62] (http://www.mercadodesanmiguel.es/) . Sets the ambience of a
traditional market, with the advantages of the new times. It has an
Iron and Glass Structure from the 20th Century. edit
Shopping OutletsLas Rozas Village Chic Outlet Shopping, Calle
Juan Ramn Jimenez 3, Las Rozas, (+34) 916 404 900, [63]
(http://www.lasrozasvillage.com/) . M-F 11AM-9PM, Sa 11AM-10PM, Su
11AM-9PM. Fantastic outlet in the suburbs of Madrid with villa-like
shops. It is part of the Chic Outlet Shopping Villages in Europe
which has other villa-like outlets in Paris, Barcelona, Dublin,
London, Milan, Brussels, Frankfurt, and Munich. [64]
(http://www.chicoutletshopping.com/) It offers up to 60% off in
over 100 luxury brands such as Bally, Burberry, Hugo Boss Man and
Woman, Pepe Jeans, Loewe, Desigual, Camper, Tommy Hilfiger and
Versace. In Las Rozas Village you can also find some coffee places
like Starbucks and a few bars. It takes around 40 minutes to get
there by car from the center of Madrid. A fantastic experience for
a warm Sunday afternoon. edit
EatCuisineDishes popular throughout Spain are also widely served
in Madrid. In addition, Madrid has a number of "typical" dishes:
Gallinejas and Entresijos - Portions from different parts of lamb
fried in its fat. Very traditional and typical from Madrid city.
Callos a la Madrilea - A hot pot of spicy beef tripe similar to
those found in Turkey and the Balkans. Cocido Madrileo - Chickpea
stew with meat and vegetable products. The particularity of this
stew is the way it is served. The soup, chickpeas and meats are
served and eaten separately. Oreja de Cerdo - Pigs ear, fried in
garlic. This popular dish is widely eaten throughout central Spain.
Sopa de Ajo - Garlic soup is a rich and oily soup which generally
includes paprika, grated Spanish ham, fried bread and a poached
egg. A variation of this soup is known as Sopa Castellana. It is
ironic that Madrid, located right in the center of Spain has higher
quality seafood than most coastal regions. This quality comes at a
price, and most Spaniards will rarely embark on the luxury of a
mariscada (Spanish for "seafood fest"). Experiencing Madrid's
seafood may be, for the visitor, an experience which will be worth
the cost.
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Meat and meat products (Jamon Iberico, morcilla, chorizo etc)
are of generally a very high quality in Spain and particularly in
Madrid.
RestaurantsMany of the restaurants and cerveceras in the Sol and
Plaza Mayor area have "generic" poster board advertisements on the
sidewalks with pictures advertising various paella dishes. These
paellas are usually of bad quality and should be avoided. If you
are looking for good, authentic Spanish paella, it is usually best
to find a more expensive, "sit-down" type of restaurant that offers
a variety of paella dishes. A much better option is the La Latina
neighborhood just south of Plaza Mayor, especially along the Cava
Baja street. To enjoy a gastronomic tour of this area you can join
the Old Madrid Tapas & Wine Tour [65]
(http://www.walksofspain.com/) . There are also a number of
deli-like shops along Calle Arenal that offer food para llevar (for
take away). At bars, one generally orders various sized plates, a
racin meaning a full dish, a media racin a half dish or a smaller
version which would be a tapa, a pinxto or a pincho. The Spaniards
don't eat lunch until 2 or 3 pm, and dinner doesn't start until 9
or 10 pm. As a rule of thumb, restaurants serve lunch from 1PM
(earlier in touristic zones) until 3:30PM, then close and re-open
for dinner at 8:00PM, serving until 11:00PM. This schedule is
usually for restaurants since bars and "mesones" are usually opened
all day long offering a wide variety of "tapas" and
"bocadillos"(rolls) for a cheap price. If you're really desperate,
the standard bunch of fast food chains do stay open throughout the
day.
BudgetFreidura de Gallinejas Embajadores, Calle de Embajadores
84 (near Glorieta Embajadores, Metro lines L3 and L5), 915175933,
[66] (http:\\www.gallinejasembajadores.com) . 11:00-23:00. Another
classic tapas bar in Madrid. Not for conservatives stomachs. Their
most requested tapas are two of the most typical and traditional
dishes in Madrid since more than 70 years ago: Gallinejas and
Entresijos. A treat for adventurous palates and lamb lovers. edit
Museo del Jamon, Several locations. Offers deli take out service as
well as tapas and racines at fairly reasonable prices. They have 1
euro ham sandwiches and the "picnic" lunch of a ham sandwich, a
fruit and a drink for 2 euros. edit Cervecera 100 Montaditos,
Several locations. Home to the famous 100 montaditos or small
sandwiches, you'll find a few of these eateries dotted around the
city. Great place to go for a cheap drink with a bite to eat.
CURRENT OFFER: Buy a montadito (1-2 euro) and a pint of beer is
just 1 euro! edit Home Burger, 2 locations: Malasaa District and
Plaza de la Luna(Gran Via). The place for serious hamburgers.
Americans will feel at home! edit
Mid-rangeAlhambra, Calle de Victoria 9 (Metro: Sevilla), +34 91
5210708. This is a good place to stop in on a hot afternoon for a
cold beer and some Andalusian tapas. Try some of their sausages and
cheeses. editMuseo del Jamon
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Al-Jaima (Cocina del Desierto), Calle Barbieri 1 (Metro:
Chueca), +34 91 523 1142. This dark, cave-like Moroccan restaurant
has some of the best North African food in the city. The seating is
at low Moroccan-style tables and the calm, mellow atmosphere makes
you feel like you're far from the bustling center of Chueca. edit
Bacchus, Avenida Moratalaz 141 (Metro: Vinateros or Artilleros),
+34 913280468, [67] (http://www.bacchvstapasyvinos.com) . Right in
the middle of Lonja, an area with plenty of places to eat and pubs.
It is still close enough from city centre but offers a more relaxed
surrounding, making it one specially indicated for families,
although there is an ample age range of customers. Bacchus offers a
mixture of innovative and old style tapas. Very good and expensive
wine list. It can get very busy on weekends. Nice outside sitting
area but inside is very small and dirty. edit Casa de Valencia,
Paseo Pintor Rosales 58.edit
Chocolatera San Gins, Calle de Pasadizo De San Gins 5 (metro:
Sol), +34 91 3656546. Specializing in chocolate con churros, this
Madrid fixture is open 24 hours a day, and is the perfect place to
top off a night on the town. Also offers the usual assortment of
coffees and teas. edit Cocina Mex-Mex, Calle Libertad 33 (metro:
Chueca), +34 91 521 7640. This is a small, usually crowded,
friendly Mexican restaurant with good food and drinks at reasonable
prices. Sample some of their tacos and super cheesy chilaquiles.
edit D'fabula, Plaza Conde de Barajas 3 (Metro: Opera), [68]
(http://www.d-fabula.es/) .edit
El Inti de Oro, Calle de Ventura de la Vega 12 (metro: Sevilla),
+34 91 4296703. For something different, try this great Peruvian
restaurant a short walk from Sol. Be sure to order some of their
ceviche and try the Pisco Sour cocktail. edit Estay, Calle de
Hermosilla 46 (metro: Velzquez), +34 91 5780470. closed on Sundays.
A great place for tapas, they offer a large menu, reasonable prices
and excellent quality food. The Solomillo al Foie is excellent and
the deserts are recommended as well. Very crowded on Friday and
Saturday nights. edit Jaen 3, Calle Poitiers 3 (metro: Coslada
Estadio Olimpico), +34 63 0036987. An excellent bar de tapas and
restaurant. A nice place to enjoy good Spanish food and original
lifestyle without having to spend too much. The place is just
outside central Madrid and so it's not influenced by classic
tourist traps and you can enjoy some good food and true raciones
and the good old Spanish bar life. The owners are pretty nice
people and you might find yourself chatting with them about Madrid
and Spain. In summer time it has a superb teraza that is pretty
close to the Olympic Stadium. edit La Bola, Calle de la Bola 5
(Metro: Opera), [69] (http://www.labola.es/) .edit
La Casa del Abuelo, Calle de Victoria 12 (metro: Sevilla), +34
91 5212319. A Madrid landmark in operation for over 100 years, this
place attracts a standing room only crowd on the weekends. They
mainly serve shrimp based tapas dishes so if you're not into
shellfish steer clear. Order a plate of their garlic shrimp along
with some of the house wine. edit La Mucca, Calle Del Pez (Metro:
Noviciado). Nice designer restaurant popular within the 20's-30's
crowd. Good music, cool people, better food and cocktails and Free
wifi. Kitchen open at afternoon.edit
La Zapateria Tapas Bar, Calle de Victoria 8 (Metro: Sevilla),
+34 91 5210708, [70]
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(http://www.madrid-tapas-parade.com) . Great potato dishes here
that you can get mixed with chorizo or other items. Also try the
pincho moruno (pork skewers) or any of the other items you see
displayed on ice in the front window. The Ribeiro on tap (sparkling
white wine from Galicia) is not to be missed. edit Malacatin, Calle
Ruda 5, [71] (http://www.malacatin.com/) . Serves all the typical
Madrid cuisine.edit
Midnight Rose, Plaza de Santa Ana, 14, [72]
(http://www.memadrid.com/MidnightRose.html) . Daily 1:30pm-4:30pm,
8:30pm-12am. Restaurant of the ME Madrid Hotel. Mediterranean
cuisine with Asian, American and Italian influences, with emphasis
on seasonal Produce. Dining for private parties as well. edit Samm,
Calle de Carlos Caamao 3 (Metro: Pio XII). Best paella in Madrid,
but only if you bring more than two people! The restaurant owner
will only make a paella for more than two people, so bring a group.
Also it is really a "locals only" spot and you will get stared at
by the wait staff if you are a foreigner. edit Siam, Calle San
Bernardino 6 (Metro: Plaza Espaa or San Bernardino), +34 91 559
8315. Beautifully decorated with a tranquil atmosphere, the food is
quite reasonable and offers a nice departure from Spanish fare.
Most mains between 8 and 12.. edit The Penthouse, Plaza de Santa
Ana 14, +34 91 7016000, [73] (http://www.memadrid.com
/ThePenthouse.html) . Located on the roof of the ME Madrid hotel,
terrace-style restaurant serving tapas and traditional cuisine. At
night they serve great mojitos in a young, club-like atmosphere.
edit La Barraca, C/. Reina , 29 ; 28004 Madrid, 91 532 71 54.
Recommended for Paellas if you want a better and authentic
experience than the tourisy cafes all over the city (not that they
are bad or anything). Meal for 2 with a drink would be approx 50
Euros. 40 Euros +. edit
SplurgeBotn, Calle Cuchilleros 17 (Metro: La Latina), +34
913664217, [74] (http://www.botin.es/) . Opened in 1725, Botn is
listed in the Guiness Book of Records as the oldest operating
restaurant in the world. Once a favourite of Ernest Hemingway, the
menu still delights with specialities including roast suckling pig
(cochinillo) and roast lamb (cordero). Insidersmadrid.com offers a
tour of this institution. edit Casa Lucio, Calle de Cava Baja 35
(Metro: La Latina), +34 91 3653253, [75] (http://www.casalucio.es/)
. Pricey but worth it, the Spanish Royal family sometimes entertain
guests here and you may run into a few sports figures and movie
stars. You should definitely book ahead on the weekends, and
reservations are recommended even for the weekdays. Known for their
cocido, their roasts and their huevos rotos. edit La Trainera,
Calle de Lagasca 60 (metro: Velzquez or Serrano), +34 91 5768035,
[76] (http://www.latrainera.es/) . A Madrid institution for
decades, Trainera is an excellent but somewhat pricey restaurant
serving strictly seafood dishes. They have a great wine selection
and the waiters can recommend different vintages that will
complement the food. Try the carabineros (giant scarlet shrimp) or
the rodaballo (turbot). Usually closed in August. edit Teatriz,
Calle Hermosilla 15 (metro: Serrano or Colon), +34 91 5775379, [77]
(http://www.teatriz.com/) . Built inside a former theatre, the
restaurant counts with 4 spaces
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(restaurant, tapas, sushi bar, cocktail bar). Unique decoration
and a wide range of dishes. Desserts are specially recommended.
edit Manete, Calle Doctor Castelo 2. From 30.edit
Casa Nemesio, Paseo de la Castellana 260. Seafood.
edit
Telegrafo, Calle Padre Damian (500m from Bernabeu Stadium).
Arguably, the best seafood in Madrid. edit
DrinkTapas BarsIn the tapas bars, you should get free food with
your drinks. El Tigre, calle de los Infantas 30 (Metro: Gran Va /
Chueca). probably the most well-known tapas bar in Madrid, a must
do. Don't get frightened by how crowded the bar is and go in
anyway. This is one of the most lively places in the city! Get
beers, big glasses of wine or "un mini de mojito" and get free big
plates of tapas every time you order. edit El Boar de Leon, Calle
de la Cruz Verde 16 (Metro: Noviciado / Santo Domingo). You win a
trip to the canary islands if you are able to finish their "Cocido
Madrileo". Seriously. edit La Esquina de Eusebio, Calle Caramuel 16
(Metro: Puerta del Angel). Trays of tapas are passed from one
person to another in this typical bar of Madrid, absolutely not
turisty but really worth it! And it's not so far from the center.
edit
CafesCaf Central, Plaza del Angel 10 (Metro: Sol), [78]
(http:/www.cafecentralmadrid.com/) . Caf by day, live jazz music at
night. edit Cafe Circulo de Bellas Artes, Calle Alcala 42 (Metro:
Banco de Espana), [79] (http://www.teatrobellasartes.es/) . A
soaring hall on the ground floor of Madrids art center combines
atmosphere, excellent food and good coffee at reasonable prices. A
wonderful place for lunch not far from Madrids shopping or museums.
edit Cafe Commercial, Cafe Commercial (Metro: Bilbao). opened in
the 1880s, this is the oldest cafe in Madrid. Has been run by the
same family since the early 1900's. Theres a modern internet cafe
upstairs, but the downstairs remains traditional. edit Caf Gijn,
Paseo Recoletos 21 (Metro: Banco de Espaa or Colon), [80]
(http://www.cafegijon.com/) . A historic literary cafe. The outdoor
terraza is nice in the summer.
edit
Caf de Oriente, Plaza Oriente 2 (Metro: Opera), [81]
(http://www.grupolezama.es/) . Overlooks the Plaza Oriente and
faces Palacio Real. Outdoor tables in summer, cozy indoor rooms in
the cold months. Basement banquet room with a glass floor over
ancient remains. Excellent food. edit Caf Pabellon del Espejo,
Paseo de Recoletos 31 (Metro: Colon). Opened in 1978, but looks
much older. Good food and very crowded during lunchtime. edit La
Mallorquina, Puerta del Sol 8, Mayor, 2 (Metro: Sol). Famous for
its pastries. Peaceful upstairs room where you can linger
undisturbed over your caf con leche and napolitana de chocolate
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(chocolate croissant).
edit
La Tabacalera, Plaza de Embajadores (Metro: Embajadores (L3)).
until 11PM. An abandoned tobacco factory turned into a huge
Berlin-like alternative art space driven by the diverse locals of
Lavapies district. Also Tens of free workshops daily. Nice big
cheap outdoors terrace. Free. edit Nuevo Caf Barbieri, Calle Ave
Maria 45 (Metro: Lavapies). Slightly scruffy cafe draws an avante
garde crowd at night. edit
BarsNightlife starts later in Madrid, with most people heading
to the bars at 10-11PM. El Rincn de Fogg. Calle Juan de Urbieta 12.
(Metro Pacfico). www.elrincondefogg.com Open daily from 07:00 to
22:00 and Friday and Saturday till 00:00. You can have 2 litres of
sangra in a self service dispenser from just 14, or 13 for 2 litres
of beer, and you get a free plate of patatas bravas. They also have
a delicious selection of bocatas from 2,45. Big TV to watch the
football matches while enjoying eating and drinking. If you say
you've read this, they'll invite you to a glass of rosado wine.
Areia, Calle Horteleza 96 (Metro: Chueca), [82]
(htp://www.areiachillout.com/) . Very cool chill out bar decorated
with deep colours in a Moroccan style. Dark and inviting. The
seating includes cushions on the floor, traditional tables and
chairs, or if youre lucky, grab the four poster bed at the back.
Drinks: 7 before 22:00 and 8 after 22:00. edit La Corolla, Visitag
Manzana 10 (Metro: La Latina). Specializes in delicious tostas
(small pieces of toast with different toppings) and avocado
(aguacate), along with caas (small beers). Tostas + 2 caas: 10.
edit La Via Lactea, Calle de Velarde 18, Malasaa (Metro: Tribunal),
+34 91 446 75 81, [83] (http://www.lavialactea.net/) . A swingin'
bar where you can twist the night away with local hipsters.edit
Miali, Plaza Santa Ana (Metro: Sol). Nice terrace outside,great
for people-watching. The interior is tastefully decorated. edit
Museo Chicote, Gran Via (Metro: Gran Via), [84]
(http://www.museo-chicote.com/) . Daily: 17:00 to 02:00. Voted the
Best European Bar 2004 by MTV-Campari. Extensive cocktail list.
Claims to have served drinks to many famous celebrities, including,
Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra, Lana Turner, Gary Cooper, Orson Wells,
Yul Brynner and Ernest Hemingway, Catherine Zeta Jones, Hugh Grant
and Tim Robbins. They only serve drinks. edit Redbar, Joaqun Mara
Lpez 28 (Metro: Islas Filipinas), [85] (http://www.redbar.es/) .
Daily: 17:00 to 02:00. Small, cozy cocktail bar with great music
and a very nice and original decoration. Extensive cocktail list.
edit Dubliners, Espoz y Mina, 7 (Metro: Sol), An Irish bar in the
centre of Madrid near Puerta del Sol. The bar has televisions and
is one of the places where sport can be seen. Stork Bar (Stork Bar
Madrid), Mancebos 2, La Latina (Metro: Latina), +34913656357
([email protected]), [86] (http://www.storkbar.com/) . Cocktail
Lounge & World food in the heart of La Latina. Great summer
terrace and surprising basement brick cave with live music and
karaoke. edit
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ClubsClubs generally open at about midnight. If you go in any
earlier you may find it quite empty. Many clubs don't close until
6AM, and even then everyone is still full of life. Demode, Calle
Ballesta (At the back of Gran Via, closest metro may be
Tribunal/Gran Via). From 00:00 to 04:00AM. Cool electronic sounds
for 20's-30's Free. edit El Sol, Calle Jardines, 3 (Metro: Gran
Via), [87] (http://www.elsolmad.com/) . Tuesday - Saturday:
24:00-05:30. Popular with the 20-30 age group. Plays a mix of 70s,
funk, and bossanova sounds. No dress code, but people do tend to
look cool. Entry including 1 drink: EUR 9. edit Joy, Calle Arenal
11 (Metro: Sol). Well known across Europe. Attracts at
multi-national crowd. Popular with tourists as well as locals. It
plays a mix of popular dance music. Every Thursday there is a
Students Party. edit Kapital, Atocha, 125 (Metro: Atocha). Enormous
club with 7 floors. However, despite it's popularity this club is
usually not worth visiting. The owner has a policy to try and limit
the number of foreigners in the club so if you are from anywhere
except Spain, you will likely get bad treatment. 10-20. edit Ohm,
Plaza de Callao, 1 (in Gran Via street) (Metro: Callao (L3)). From
00:00 to 07:00AM. Popular Commercial House club with a mixed young
straight/gay crowd. 10-20 with mixed drink. edit Pacha, Calle
Barcelo, 11 (Metro: Tribunal or Alonso Martinez), [88]
(http://www.pacha-madrid.com/) . Thursday, Friday and Saturday:
from 23:30 to 06:00. Different dance music styles from night to
night. Glitz and glamour. Strict doormen. Expect to be charged
according to the glamour of the event you're attending. edit
Palacio Gaviria, Calle Arenal 9 (Metro: Sol), [89]
(http://www.palaciogaviria.com/) . Stunning club, decorated as a
lavish 16th century palace, complete with sweeping marble
staircase. Several rooms, including two dance floors with different
music. Spanish pop, dance, R&B and other commercial sounds.
edit The Sherry Corner, Pza. de San MIguel. Mercado de San Miguel
(Metro: Sol), [90] (http://www.www-sherrycorner.com/) .
Sherry-tasting available in 8 languages. Commentary by
knowledgeable oenologists explaining the details of the history,
elaboration methods and tasting notes for each of the wines, while
inviting guests to combine them with tapas served at different
market stalls. Not a club, it's a bar in the market. edit Stardust,
Princesa 1 (Metro: Plaza Espaa). From 00:00 to 07:00AM. Powerful
Techno/House club popular within the younger crowd. 10-20 with
mixed drink. edit
SleepHotels Near Real Madrid FC, Caballero Errante, Pinos Alta,
14, Madrid, 28029, [91]
(http://www.matchhotels.com/hotel/Caballero-Errante-35963.html) . A
reasonably-priced 3 star hotel with modern features, clean rooms
and helpful staff. Just over 1.5km walk from the Bernabeu Stadium.
edit
BudgetHotels near Barajas, Tach Hotel, Timon 35, Madrid, 28000
[92] (http://www.subwayhotels.com/Madrid
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/Tach-Hotel-4705.html) . A nice, quiet area with free transfer
to and from the airport. Sol Hostel, Calle Bernardino Obregon 25,
+34 91 4686876 ([email protected]), [93]
(http://www.solhostel.com) . Rooms from 4 to 14 people, plus
breakfast and internet (WIFI). Dorm bed: 12-17, breakfast included.
edit Mad Hostel, C/De la Cabeza, 24, 28012 Madrid, Spain (Anton
Martin Metro), +34 915 06 48 40, [94]
(http://www.madhostel.com/Hostel/Home.aspx) . checkin: any;
checkout: any. Nice, clean, quiet weekend hostel. 5 minutes from
metro, tapas & services. 10 minute walk to Puerto del Sol,
museums & Gran Via. Close to southern "ethnic" areas = good
food. Big common room with 4 computer stations, unreliable WIFI
& good free breakfast. Secure locker with every bed. 16 Euro +.
edit Cat's Hostel, Calle Caizares 6, +34 91 3692807
([email protected]), [95] (http://www.catshostel.com) . Located
in a 17th century palace, but has a modern interior and is clean
and secure. Breakfast and internet is included in the price and
there is also a bar. It attracts a young backpackers clientele.
Shared dormitories for 4 to 14 people. Dorm bed: 13-20, breakfast
included.edit
Equity Point Madrid aka Hostal Metropol, Calle Montera 47 (two
steps from Puerta del Sol, 30 seconds walk from Gran Via metro
station), +34 91 5212935, [96] (http://www.equity-point.com
/hostels-madrid/metropolhostel/general-information_en.html) .
Features all-ensuite rooms (singles, doubles, 4-6 bed dorms). Free
internet access, lively bar and restaurant. Dorm bed: 16-21;
Double: 50-70; Triple: 63-75, breakfast included. edit Hostal
Brisas, Calle Cruz 8 1 (Metro: Sol, Sevilla, or Anton Martin), +34
91 5314403, [97] (http://www.hostalbrisas.com) . All rooms have
ensuite, TV, central heating, air conditioning. Singles: 40;
Doubles: 55. edit Hostal Plaza d'Ort, Plaza del Angel 13, +34 91
4299041, [98] (http://plazadort.com/) . Cheap hotel with a good
location near Plaza de Santa Ana. All rooms feature bathrooms, TV
and air conditioning. Singles: 30-38; Doubles: 48-58. edit Hostal
Villagarca, Calle Fuencarral 10 3 (Metro: Gran Via), +34 91
5220585, [99] (http://www.villa-garcia.com) . Centrally located,
all rooms include bathroom, TV, free wi-fi, air conditioning,
central heating, laundry and baggage storage facilities. Rooms with
kitchen, washing machine and fridge are also available. Single:
From 30. edit Hostal Visa, Calle Prez Galds 7, +34 91 5310987,
[100] (http://www.hostalvisamadrid.com/) . Simple, clean and
secure. Central location close to Gran Via. Friendly staff. Singles
from 30. edit Los Amigos Backpackers Hostel, Calle Arenal 26 Piso
4, +34 91 559 2472 ([email protected]), [101]
(http://www.losamigoshostel.com/) . Very central location.
Breakfast is offered. There is a lounge area, a kitchen in which
you are able to cook your own food, and a bar. The beds are clean,
comfortable, and the staff are friendly. Dorm bed: 17-19; Double:
45-50. edit REAJ Youth Hostels, [102] (http://www.reaj.com/) .
Operates 8 youth hostels in Madrid. Dorm bed: 7.80 to 16, including
breakfast. edit Way Hostel Residence, Calle Relatores 17,
+34-914-200-583, [103] (http://www.wayhostel.com) . Small hostel,
nice ambiance and is catered to young traveleres. Nice kitchen,
friendly staff, and free internet. Dorm bed: 18-19. edit
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Hostal San Martin, Calle Concepcin Arenal 4 (Metro: Callao), +34
915 319176, [104] (http://www.hostal-sanmartin.com) . Small, clean
guest-house on the 4th floor. Ideally located just meters from Gran
Via, with great staff and free wi-fi. All rooms have sink &
shower, but most share bathrooms. Singles: 30-36; Doubles: 42-48.
edit
Mid-rangeAbba Atocha Hotel, Santa Mara de la Cabeza 73, [105]
(http://www.abba-atochahotel.com /i-index.htm) . Great location.
edit Apartments Gran Via, Mesonero Romanos, 15, +34 679616855
([email protected]), [106]
(http://www.apartamentosgranvia.com/index_ing.html) . Offers two
apartments on the Gran Via street in Madrid. One has one bedroom,
the other has two bedrooms. 100, 120/night + 40/visit cleaning fee.
edit Artistic Bed & Breakfast, Calle Lope de Vega, 11, +34
654368611 ([email protected]), [107]
(http://www.artisticbandb.com) . Conveniently located in the center
of Madrid, a quiet bed and breakfast with a unique style and
decoration. 60/night. edit Hotel Liabeny, Calle Salud 3, +34 91 531
90 00, [108] (http://www.hotelliabeny.com) . Great location. edit
Hotel Madrid Preciados, C/Preciados n37, +34 91 454 44 01, [109]
(http://www.preciadoshotel.com/index.html) . 4-star hotel in
excellent location. 96-150/night.
edit
Hotel ME Madrid, Plaza de Santa Ana 14, +34 91 7016000, [110]
(http://www.memadrid.com/) . Great location. edit Hotel NH
Nacional, (Opposite Atocha station, in the heart of the Art
Triangle, 1 minute from the new exhibition centre Caixa Forum and
the botanical gardens.), [111] (http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en
/hotels/spain/madrid/nh-nacional.html) . edit Hotel San Antonio de
la Florida, Paseo de la Florida 13 (Metro: Principe Pio), [112]
(http://www.hotelsanantoniodelaflorida.com) . All rooms have
Internet access, Air conditioning, Multi-line phone, Wake-up calls,
Housekeeping (daily), Complimentary toiletries, Hair dryer,
Television, Iron/ironing board (on request). From 53. edit Hotel
Senator Gran Via Madrid, Gran Via 52 (a few minutes from Puerta del
sol), 902 052 394, [113]
(http://www.hotelsenatorgranvia.com/index.html) . 4-star hotel.
Restaurant, bar, and meeting space. edit Pension Paquita, Calle
Lacoma 5, +34 91 739 3831, [114] (http://www.pensionpaquita.com) .
Family-run. edit Hotel Centro, Calle gran va 50 (close to Gran va),
+34 911 871 665.edit
Plaza Mayor Apartments, Plaza Mayor 30 Madrid, +34 695 097 612,
[115] (http://www.madridac.com Luxury Apartments in Madrid) .
checkin: 12.00; checkout: 23.00. Luxury short-term apartment rental
in Madrid at affordable rates. 120-180/night apartments for up to 5
people. edit StopInRoom Apartments, Nuez de Arce, 4, +34 695 452
899 ([email protected]), [116] (http://www.stopinroom.com) .
Offers 26 apartments in various parts of the city. For extra fees
can
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offer ground transport, catering, language tutoring, and tour
guiding also. Administrative phone +91 522 85 95. 75-150/night.
edit
SplurgeAdler Hotel Madrid (Adler Hotel Madrid), Calle Velazquez
33, Goya 31 (Metro: Velzquez), +34 914 263220, [117]
(http://www.adlerhotelmadrid.com/) . 5-star hotel housed in a
completely refurbished building equipped with the modern facilities
but whose 19th-century charm and secluded atmosphere have been
carefully maintained. 45 deluxe rooms and suites. edit Asturias, C/
Sevilla 2, 28014 Madrid, Spain, (+34) 914 296 676
([email protected]), [118] (http://www.chh.es/asturias/) . A 2 star
Hotel. The Asturias is only 200 meters from the central Puerta del
Sol. edit Gran Hotel Velazquez, C/ Velzquez 62, 28001 Madrid,
Spain, [119] (http://www.chh.es/velazquez/) . The Gran Hotel
Velzquez is a 4 star hotel in Madrid located in the refined
Salamanca district. This hotel has been providing stylish
accommodation for over 50 years. edit Gran Melia Fenix, Hermosilla
2, 902 14 44 40, [120] (http://www.gran-melia-fenix.com/en/) .
Distinguished by a grand and glowing white exterior; bathed in
neo-classical design; an illustrious interior of flowing banisters,
bold colors, and noble dcor. edit Hotel De Las Letras, Gran via 11,
+34 917 610 906, [121] (http://www.hoteldelasletras.com/) . Old
building with tasteful modern interior. Well sound-proofed against
the busy Gran Via outside. Very comfortable beds. Rooms with TV,
hi-fi, mini bar, bath/shower. Optional breakfast buffet with wide
choice of good quality food and drinks. Pleasant, comfortable bar.
edit Hotel Villa Magna, Paseo de la Castellana 22, +34 91 5871234,
[122] (http://www.hotelvillamagna.com/) . A 5-star hotel on one of
Madrid's most exclusive streets. 151 rooms and suites. The hotel is
surrounded by landscaped gardens. edit Maria Elena Palace, C/
Aduana 19, 28013 Madrid, Spain, [123]
(http://www.chh.es/mariaelena/) . The Hotel Mara Elena Palace is
located just 200 metres away from the Puerta del Sol. Renowned for
its magnificent glass dome in the lobby. edit Meninas Hotel, Calle
Campomanes 7, +34 91 541 28 05 ([email protected]), [124]
(http://www.hotelmeninas.com/) . 4-star hotel in an exquisite
historic building of the XIX century in the historic center of
Madrid that has been transformed into a state-of-the-art boutique
hotel. A classic atmosphere blended with modern decorative touches
- a balance of unpretentious formality and well tempered
cordiality. edit Mirasierra Suites Hotel & Spa, Calle de
Alfredo Marquerie 43, 28034 Madrid, Spain, (+34) 91 727 79 00,
[125] (http://www.jubanhoteles.com/) . Mirasierra Suites Hotel
& Spa is a modern luxury hotel located in Madrids prestigious
residential district Mirasierra, overlooking the Sierra de
Guadarama. The hotel is also home to the Verdil Restaurant [126]
(http://www.jubanhoteles.com /verdil-en.html) . edit Osuna, C/ Luis
De La Mata 18, 28042 Madrid, Spain, [127]
(http://www.chh.es/osuna/) . Set in the middle of the main business
districts of Madrid. edit Quo Godoy Hotel, Avenida Quitapesares 35,
[128] (http://godoy.hotelesquo.com/) . 4 star-hotel with an
avant-garde design. The hotel features 99 guest-rooms fully
equipped, including 2 disabled rooms,
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18 duplex rooms and 1 junior suite. Adjacent to the hotel is a
convention center that is directly connected and can hold a variety
of events from 10 to 800 people. Offering an in-door heated
swimming pool, health and beauty spa center, aquatic treatments and
fitness area. edit Quo Puerta del Sol, Sevilla 4, +34 91 532 90 49
([email protected]), [129]
(http://www.hotelesquo.com/castellano/1_nuestroshoteles_1_puertadelsol_1_home.htm)
. The turn-ofthe-century grandeur with modern conveniences and
amenities, together with a perfect location in the historical,
cultural and commercial heart of Madrid, make of The Quo Puerta del
Sol hotel a new place to discover in Spains capital. Madrid 's
Hotel Quo Puerta del Sol is housed in a emblematic building from
the beginning of the 20th century with unique views of the city. It
has been totally restored in 2003, designed and equipped to offer
you a perfect stay. edit
ApartmentsCentral Suite Apartments (Madrid aparthotel), Apodaca,
5 (Madrid), +34 695097612 ([email protected], fax: +34 91 7912
677), [130] (http://madrid-ac.com/madrid-centralsuites) . checkin:
11.00; checkout: 12.00. Beautiful apartments with roo