rest for a while in RETIRO
by Malecka
... well, when reaching Puerta de Alcala you simply have to spend the next few hours in Parque del Retiro. Lovely park! … take the Paseo de la Argentina which takes you to a nice garden and also a place where you can see the Real Academia de la Lengua! Beautiful sight!
Local Church
by scottishvisitor
The Church is the worship place of the Nuns from the Convento de la Descalzas. It was constructed in the 16th. century. The Nuns are from the Franciscan Order. I loved the brick detail of this church so different to the surrounding buildings in the commercial part of Madrid.
Would you like to eat some "Madroños"?
by ozalp
Yeah, I mentioned about my "lack of height" before. I am too short to take the pictures of this little colorful fruits between the leaves. But I have pictured and tasted them in my home city. So I can easily recommend them. But I am not sure picking up fruits at the streets is permitted or not.
Madroño is a wild fruit and has a strange taste. It is juicy, sweet (not too sweet!) and soft. We call it "kocayemis".
Madrid's "Fifth Avenue"
by Jefie about Calle de Serrano
Calle de Serrano runs through the very posh Salamanca area. It is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in all of Madrid, and it most likely is where your country's embassy is located. The most popular activity in the area is high-end shopping, and you'll find all the big names on Calle de Serrano and its side streets: Prada, Gucci, Dior, Cartier & Co. are all there, along with the very popular Spanish store Zara. Looks like Madrid knows how to live up to its title as one of the world's fashion capitals! I don't know much about fashion but I'm guessing you'll find designer bags, shoes, etc. As much as you can possibly want to spend!
1920's Cafe
by Lorro about Cafe Manuela
For night and day, Cafe Manuela is a wonderful bar to have a specialty coffee or coctail. The decoration still transports you to a the 1920s. Its the perfect place to philosophise with your friends. It is in the neighborhood of Malasana near Plaza Dos de Mayo. My favorite time to go is a Saturday or Sunday lazy afternoon but its also popular at night too. There is a big selection of board games too. (they even have Trivial Pursuit in English.) I think they do poetry readings and the like on some weeknights.