go to Royal Palace (Palacio...
by myrk
go to Royal Palace (Palacio Real) and Plaza de Oriente, where is a statue of Philip IV (which was designed by Velazquez), visit 3 museums: Museo del Prado (with paintings of Bosch, Goya, El Greco, Diego Velazquez, Tiziano and Rembrandt's 'Artemis'), Museo de Thyssen-Bornemisha (where are works of Caravaggio, Canaletto, Carpaccio, Renoir, Vincent van Gogh, Miro, Picasso, Liechtenstein) and Centro de Arte Reina Sofia (where are paintings of Miro, Salvador Dali and Picasso's 'Guernicca').
After all day (or few days!:)) in museums it's good to rest a bit in Parque del Retiro. If you want to buy some presents for your friends or family (or just for yourself:), lots of shops are situated in Gran Via Street. The biggest department store in Madrid is El Corte Ingles (between Gran Via and Puerta del Sol).
If u are tired of shopping, go to a bar and eat spanish food - e.g. Paella or Tortilla de patatas or if you aren't so hungry take a sandwich with special spanish ham (bocadillo con jamon serrano). When you will be bored of MAdrid (but I know you won't!:-)) you can go to Toledo - it's a very beautiful city with gorgeus defensive walls and 'Alcazar'(Moorish palace, stronghold) in the center.
(picture: Toldeo)
going out (3): where the party is
by ger4444
This is a tip on the area’s where Madrid nightlife excels. My favourite nightlife area is La Latina. It’s where you go southwest of the Plaza Mayor, turn to the right down the street. You find the most tradinional restaurants and tapa’s bars here. At the steps you come across Botin, the oldest restaurant in the world. At calle Segovia, you can cross over to Cava Baja, this is the main centre of La Latin’s nightlife. Its full of great tapa’s bars such as Casa Lucas, La Chata and El Tempranillo. If you are tired of eating tapa’s then its time to head for the area which is called Huertas. Here nearby the Plaza Santa Ana is a great place to sit in an outdoor terrace and have a cana (a small sized beer). From La Latina you find the area by walking back to sol and continue the Carrera de San Jeronimo, then turn to the right. The street of Huertas is full of bars. Last stop for the night is definitely Chueca. Its originally a gay place but its now also fashionable amongs heteros. Here you find the trendy dancings and clubs of Madrid. The area is centred around the Metro stop Chuecca, north of gran via.
Before Embarking On Your Once-In-A-Lifetime Trip
by Krystynn
Madrid in Autumm can be hot especially in the afternoons. Their nights are breezy & cool. No need to wear jackets when you're out walking the streets at night.
People are pretty well-dressed here i.e. in a smart-casual kind of way. After all, some of the HOTTEST and HIP clothes these days are designed by the multi-talented Spanish designers from the design house of MNG Mango and Zara.
The following is a rough guide on what I'd pack along with me for an Autumn vacation to Madrid:
(1) 1 pair of jeans (in black or denim blue).
(2) 1 short skirt OR skorts
(3) 1 pair of shorts/ bermudas.
(4) 2 summer dresses.
(5) 3 or 4 cotton t-shirts/ tank tops
(6) 1 pair of sandals
(7) 1 pair of evening shoes
(8) 1 little black dress (which can double up for day and evening events). After all, the party animals who patronize 'JOY' - Madrid's #1 night haunt - DO dress-to-kill. So, knock 'em dead (the guys, I mean) with your amazing dress sense! :-)
(9) 2 nightgowns/ pyjamas.
(10) 1 bathing suit. DON'T forget to transfer your precious Clarifying toners and astringent, foaming cleanser, Advanced Night Repair/ Vibrant night creams et al into small plastic containers - to save luggage space. You are looking at a technophile, baby!
Yes, I've gone digital and high-tech. These days, I never leave home (read: Singapore) without my Canon digital camera (as slim as a credit card)... and my Nokia mobile phone (with a spy camera and video cam attached). Actually, you DON'T NEED to pack too many clothings because dresses/ clothes are pretty INEXPENSIVE here in Spain.
Go to Spain with a half-filled luggage and you WON'T be disappointed. If you choose to go in October, better still. It's SALE time...
Aranjuez a beautiful palace...
by Linky_Pinky
Aranjuez a beautiful palace and gardens full of fountains and statues. This place seems to have it's own climate it was very warm here, if going in season do take the strawberry train an old steam train I believe, we went off season by bus and the palace was open. Lovely place.
La Latina
by Syster about Trendy areas
Lovely area to go of an evening, although certain spots are quite expensive for a drink. Nice, chilled atmosphere for sitting outside and watching the world go by and plenty of trendy looking wine bars/eateries to choose from.
And I'll have one of each!
Indoor tropical garden ATOCHA.
entrance of TEATRO ALBENIZ
Andén 0 (Madrid, España/Spain)
