Madrid

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For other places with the same name, see Madrid (disambiguation).

Madrid [1] is the capital city of Spain, and is located almost exactly in the geographical centre of the Iberian Peninsula. Madrid is the largest city in Spain and has a population (city) of 3.228 million (July 2005) and 5.843 million (metropolitan area). 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.

Contents 1 Understand 1.1 Location 1.2 Climate 1.3 Culture 1.4 Speak 2 Get in 2.1 By plane 2.2 By train 2.3 By bus 2.4 By car 3 Get around 3.1 Metro 3.2 Bus 3.3 Taxi 3.4 Car 3.5 Bicycle 4 See 4.1 The "Golden (art) Museum Triangle" 4.2 Major Museums 4.3 Other museums 5 Do 6 Learn 7 Work 8 Buy 9 Eat 9.1 Where and how to eat 9.2 What to Eat 9.3 Jamon and other Meat products 9.4 Seafood 9.5 List of Selected Restaurants 9.5.1 Sol and Opera 9.5.2 Gran Via and Plaza España 9.5.3 La Latina and Lavapiés 9.5.4 Chueca 9.5.5 Malasaña 9.5.6 Salamanca 10 Drink 10.1 Where to go for a night out 10.2 List of Selected Bars 11 Sleep 11.1 Budget 11.2 Mid-range 11.3 Splurge 12 Contact 13 Stay safe 14 Get out

[edit] Understand

[edit] Location

Madrid [2] is located in central Spain, and it is also the capital of the autonomous community of the same name (Comunidad de Madrid). It lies at an average 650m of altitude in the middle of the Spanish central Castillian plateau (Meseta central). Nearly all of the most famous tourist areas are located in the centre of Madrid: Puerta del Sol just in the middle, Plaza Mayor a bit to the south, Palacio Real to the west, and Plaza de Colón to the north-east. Some of those hot spots spread up past the Gran Via, which is one of the main streets in Madrid (the largest one being the Paseo de la Castellana).

[edit] Climate

The climate of Madrid is continental: mainly dry and quite extreme at times, with frequent rain in winter. Madrid sees perpetual sunshine and a characteristically hot temperature in the summer, but with a fairly cold temperature in the winter. Spring and Autumn are fairly temperate with most rainfall concentrated in these seasons, together with winter. Spring is definitely the best time to visit, especially the months of April and May. Rainfall occurs sporadically, and snowfall is not something that happens every year in the city, but there is abundant snowfall in the adjacent mountain ranges nearby.

[edit] Culture

The culture of Madrid was dominated by its religious and royal history. Enormous, monolithic cathedrals and churches are plentiful in Madrid, as well as medieval architecture, although nowadays Madrid is just as much a cosmopolitan city as Berlin or London.

The citizens of Madrid, who refer to themselves as Madrileños or the more traditional and currently seldom used term "gatos" (cats), live by a daily routine that is heavily influenced by the harsh climate. Due to the typically extreme midday heat, a "siesta" is observed during which some citizens take a break to cool off. 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 9 a.m. and 6-7 p.m. 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, like FNAC, will be open throughout the day.

Madrid possibly has the largest number of bars per capita of any European city and a very active nightlife; Madrileños are known to stay up until as late as 6-8 a.m. It is important to note that, due to this lifestyle, lodging located near the Gran Via may end up a nightmare for light sleepers.

Madrid has become very modernized as of late, with an elaborate transportation network comprised of buses and the 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, Latin Americans, other Europeans, Chinese, Indians, Filipinos and Pakistanis are prominent.

[edit] Speak

The majority of Madrid's residents do not speak very much English. Even employees at U.S. franchised businesses such as McDonald's 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.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

The nearest airport is Barajas International Airport, about 15-20 minutes from Madrid. It is connected to the city by the Metro line eight. Taxis from the airport to the city centre cost about €25. In February 2006, a huge new terminal building, designed by Britain's Richard Rogers and Spain´s Antonio Lamela, was inaugurated at Barajas. All One World alliance flights depart from the new Terminal 4 (T4) as well as the low cost carrier Vueling and other unaffiliated carriers. Work on the Metro connection between the airport (and the new T4 terminal) and the rest of the system has been finished. There is a supplement of 1€ on the regular metro ticket for the airport line. Bus services run from the remaining terminals to T4 and there are additional bus services running from the centre of Madrid (Plaza Colón and Avenida de América). It is also planned (according to www.elpais.es) that a commuter train line from Atocha and Chamartín will arrive to the airport by 2009. This is one of the best and cheapest working metros in Europe! Trains are usually regular and on time.

• Aena - Madrid Barajas airport authority.
• Madrid Guide Spain - English guide to the airport & getting to / from it.

[edit] By train

Not only is Madrid the capital of Spain, but it is also the hub of the country's rail network. Major routes include frequent trains to Barcelona on the east coast (5 hour journey), where it is possible to continue on to the French coast, and to Paris to the north with access to most of the rest of Europe.

Main connections between Madrid and other European cities include:

• Portugal, direct train from Madrid to Lisbon, but also a train from Irún to Lisbon via Madrid.
• France, direct train from Madrid to Paris, but also a train via Barcelona to the Parisian train station Paris Austerlitz. Also trains to Montpellier via Barcelona and Cartagena (Murcia).
• Switzerland, train to Zurich via Barcelona.
• Italy, train to Milan via Barcelona.

Spain's high-speed train (AVE - Alta Velocidad de España) makes the Madrid-Seville run in two and a half hours. The AVE line to Barcelona will probably become operational during 2007. It currently operates only between Madrid and Lerida via Zaragoza.

Northbound trains arrive and depart from Chamartín station, while trains to Barcelona, Valencia and southern Spain depart from Atocha railway station.

There is more information available at Spanish Railway System Renfe (+034 902-240-202).

[edit] By bus

Madrid has eight gigantic 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 Estacion Sur de Autobuses (Calle de Mendez Alvaro, Tel:+034 91-468-4200) which is connected to the rest of the city by Metro. Buses to and from Barcelona are based from the Avenida de America bus terminal (Ave. de America), also connected to the Metro.

[edit] By car

There are car rent facilities available on the airport, train stations and other main travel sites. Always be sure to have a street map handy!

[edit] Get around

[edit] Metro

Using the Metro de Madrid (Madrid's Subway/Underground) is efficient and usually easier than using the buses, especially if one is new to the city. Also, the underground tunnels of the Metro provide relief from the sun on particularly hot days. Single trip tickets with unlimited changes within Madrid city (zone A) cost €1,00. If you plan to make at least six metro trips, think about buying the Metrobús tickets which offer a better value of 10 rides for €6.40. You can buy these tickets at Metro stations, news-stands, and estancos (tobacconists'). They are valid not just on the Metro but also on EMT city buses (the red ones), including the night bus network (its buses are called Búhos - night owls). Stamping the ticket one time allows you to use the Metro network as long and far as you like - make sure you stay inside the Metro zone, once you leave it, you'll have to stamp your ticket again. When travelling by bus, the ticket needs to be stamped each time you enter a bus.

In addition to a bus pass, consider buying an Abono Turístico (tourist pass). This pass comes in five versions: lasting 1 (€3.50), 2 (€6.30), 3 (€8.40), 5 (€13.20), or 7 (€18.40) calendar days. They are valid from the date they are first used. The date of expiration will be printed on the back of the ticket.

On Friday and Saturday nights, a night bus service runs on the same routes as the Metro lines once these have closed for the evening. This service, inaugurated in 2006, is known as the 'BuhoMetro'.

[edit] Bus

EMT operates the city bus network. A single trip costs €1 (buy ticket on boarding), or buy a Metrobús ticket in advance (see "Metro" above) giving 10 rides for €6.15 and also valid on the Metro. There are special night buses (called Búho - "night owl"). All the Búhos start at Plaza de Cibeles, going to all directions from there. Since 2006 there are also night buses following all of the metro lines and stops, though sometimes they don't stop straight in the metro exits due to the narrow streets surrounding some of them.

Using the Madrid Tourist Bus to move around is not a good idea, as it has no air conditioning/heating, and the temperatures inside can get to over 50ºC.

[edit] Taxi

Taxis in Madrid are cheaper than in other European cities but much more expensive than travel by bus or the Metro.

They are widely available at all hours except Friday and Saturday night when they are difficult to catch due to diners and partiers fighting for them. Note that it can be next to impossible to get a taxi when it is raining. Unlike in other European cities, there are few taxi ranks; just stand by the side of a major road or bus stop, and wave your hand for a free taxi passing by. Free taxis are labeled libre in the windshield, and have 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). Ask for a receipt (in Spanish 'recibo') if you feel the charge is too high - the driver is obligated to give you one.

There are also special surcharges if you go to the airport, like a surcharge for the bags and for entering or leaving the airport. Ask for the written table of tariffs and charges (suplementos) (usually shown on small stickers on rear windows) before paying if you think it's too expensive. A normal ride to/from the airport is about €20.

[edit] Car

Transportation by private automobile in Madrid can be very difficult. 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 three o'clock in the morning (then again, three in the morning is early to some Madrileños). 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. Looking for a place to park your car 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, he will usually just be popping in to a shop, and it will make you feel better.

On the other hand, travel by car can be advantageous; going home by car on weekends is, of course depending where you live, usually faster than by public transport.

[edit] Bicycle

Riding a bicycle in Madrid is quite dangerous because there is no reserved section of the road for bikers, and drivers are not used to seeing bicycles in the city. This is due to Madrid not being a flat city so Madrileños do not see travel by bike as being practical. The Metro limits the times when a bicycle can be carried on it. However, Madrid is not totally ridden of bicyclists- Madrid bikers can often be seen riding in El Retiro, Madrid's largest park besides "La Casa de Campo" which is bigger with 1800 Ha. Enjoy the nature or do some sport, but note that the parks are considered dangerous after the sun sets.

[edit] See

[edit] The "Golden (art) Museum Triangle"

• Museo del Prado, : (The nearest Metro stations are Atocha and Banco de España. Bus lines 9, 10, 14, 19, 27, 34, 37 and 45.), Website: http://museoprado.mcu.es/ihome.html. Closed on Mondays and some holidays. One of the finest art collections in the world, and the best collection of classical art in Madrid. It contains the famous Velazquez piece, ''Las Meninas'', as well as many of the Black Paintings of Goya. Includes many different Collections: the Spanish (El Greco, Velazquez, and Goya), the Flemish and Dutch paintings (Rubens, van Dyck, and Brueghel), Italian (Botticelli, Tintoretto Caravaggio, and Veronese), the German paintings (Albrecht Dürer, Lucas Cranach, and Baldung Grien). Tickets are about €6, with discounts for students, children, etc. Entry is free on Sundays

• Reina Sofía National Museum and Art Centre, : Santa Isabel 52, 28012 Madrid (near metro Atocha, and the Atocha train station), : (+34) 91 774 10 00, Website: http://www.museoreinasofia.es/portada/portada.php. Mo-Sa: 10.00 - 21.00, Su 10.00 - 14.30. Houses Madrid's best collection of modern art. It includes many of Pablo Picasso's most revered works including the renowned ''Guernica''. The Reina Sofía also houses masterpieces by Miró, Kandinsky, Dalí, Bacon, and more. €6, free at weekends

• Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum of Art, Website: http://www.museothyssen.org/thyssen_ing/home.html. Opens from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. The ticket office closes at 6:30 p.m. The Museum is closed all day on January 1, May 1 and December 25. Contains a large art collection including masterpieces by Monet, Goya, Degas, Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso, Mondrian, Bacon and Lichtenstein. Tickets are about €6

[edit] Major Museums

• National Archeology Museum, : C/ Serrano, 13 Metro: Serrano, : (+34)91 577 7912, Website: [[http://man.mcu.es]]. Tu-Sa: 09:30 - 20.00, Su and Holidays 09.30 - 15.00. Don't let the sound of it frighten you. This well layed out museum houses an incredible collection of archeological finds from across the penninsula. It leaves the visitor with a sense of the chronology of civilization in Spain (Iberian, Phonecian, Greek, Roman, Visagoth, Arab, and into the modern age). The famous Dama de Elche, an Iberian (preRoman) fertility goddess statue, is in this museum. There are also a few knick-nacks from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.

''Closed: Mondays; January 1 and 6; May 1 and 15; December 24, 25 and 31. (Holidays: April 5 and 6, May 2, August 15, October 12, November 1 and 9, December 6 and 8.)''

• '''San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Art''': Metro: Sevilla or Banco de España Highly impressive art collection with paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints. Several Goya masterpieces.

===Places of Interest===

• <see name="Palacio Real" address="(The nearest Metro station is ''Opera'')" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.patrimonionacional.es/">The Palacio Real (Royal Palace) is a enormous palace, with scorching plains of concrete around it and the '''Real Armorial''' (Royal Armoury), a two-story collection of medieval weapons and armour. In spite of its name, it is not the residence of the current royal family. The Royal Palace, in the Calle de Bailén, is considered to be one of the most emblematic and beautiful buildings in Madrid, not only for its location but also for its architecture and the artistic treasures to be found in its rooms. The façades of the palace measure 130 metres long and 33 metres high with 870 windows and 240 balconies opening on to the facades and courtyard. It has a surface area of 100,000 square metres with 44 stairways and more than 30 principal rooms. Also located within the palace is the Pharmacia, which contains hundreds of bottles of early medicines and a reconstructed laboratory.

• '''Plaza Mayor'''(Metro:Sol or Opera) - a burray of people and restaurants enjoying the surrounding buildings.

• '''Puerta del Sol'''- (Metro: Sol) another plaza near Plaza Mayor. The Tío Pepe sign is a famous fixture of this plaza. There is also a famous statue of a Bear climbing the madroño, which is the symbol of Madrid. Also in Sol, just in front of the Capital building of the community of Madrid, is Kilometer Zero, a plaque showing the point where the measuring of national highways begins. Both the bear statue, and Km. Zero are common meeting spots for friends.

• <see name="Atocha RENFE" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""> (Metro: Atocha RENFE) A large train station across the street from the Reina Sofia Museum of Art. The interesting thing about it is the palm garden inside the old building, complete with a pond full of small turtles. It's free, and very much worth visiting. About €3; Free entry Saturday afternoons (after 14:30) and Sundays.

• El Retiro (Metro: Retiro or Atocha)is considered to be the "Central 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.

• Catedral de la Almudena. This massive cathedral can be found facing the Palacio Real. Finished in the end of 20th century, it is where the Princes of Asturias Felipe and Letizia were married in 2004.

• Gran Vía. (Metro:Gran Via, Callao, Plaza de España, Banco de España), Literally, "Broadway", Gran Via is one of the busiest avenues in Madrid, what you could call the main street of Madrid, and the location of the cinema district. The Gran Via is very similar to Times Square in New York City. "From the Habsburgs to Manhattan in 2 minutes". Gran Via has a constant buzz of traffic and life. 3-4am early morning traffic jams are not unusual.

• Plaza de Cibeles (metro: Banco de España) houses one of Madrid's emblems, the fountain of Cibeles, and one of the world's most beautiful post offices, Palacio de las Telecomunicaciones.

• Plaza de España (Metro: Plaza de España) has a sculpture of Cervantes and his famous Don Quixote and Sancho Panza characters.

• The Debod Temple:(Metro: Plaza de España) An Egyptian temple, located in one of Madrid´s most beautiful parks. Near Royal Palace and Plaza de España, it was a present given 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.

• La Casa de Campo (Metro: Lago, Casa de Campo, Batan) is the park at the rear of the Palace (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] Other museums

• The Museum of the City: with five floors it tells the city's history, since it was founded by the Arabs. There are models of some urban areas.
• 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.

• Real Madrid Museum: Located in the famous stadium, Santiago Bernabeu, it showcases all the trophies of the considered most successful football club in the world. - Real Madrid.

[edit] Do

• Enjoy the famous nightlife of Madrid.

• Go to a Bullfight at Las Ventas Bullring, the most important one in Spain. Unless you find this spectacle distasteful, this is a must if you visit Madrid during the bullfighting season. Tickets may nevertheless be expensive and hard to get for the more important corridas.

• Watch some soccer Three teams from Madrid play in La Liga (Spain's premier division): Atletico de Madrid (at Vicente Calderón stadium) and Real Madrid [3] (at Santiago Bernabeu stadium) and Getafe club de futbol (coliseum alfonso perez) see Getafe.

• Check out some Flamenco Visit the Corral de la Moreria [4], one of the most famous flamenco tablaos in the world. It´s 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.

• Stroll on El Retiro (Madrid's biggest park near the Prado Museum and by Puerta Alcalá Monument), Madrid of the Hagsburgs (center of Madrid, where you can go out for tapas) and Paseo del Prado (a pedestrian walkway full of fountains and trees near the famous museum).

• Check out the sport - In basketball, there are also two major teams, Estudiantes and Real Madrid. Another important event held in October is Madrid Tennis Masters series, where the best ATP tennis players participate. More info about Madrid TMS: [5]

• Concerts

• Have your portrait drawn in the Plaza Mayor. Generally very good quality and the prices are very reasonable.

• Cinemas offering international o.s.t. movies can be found in the inner city, consult the daily press for what they show at the moment.

• La Transhumancia. A yearly festival (of sorts), in which the centre of Madrid is traffic free and instead the streets are filled with shepherds exercising their ancient right to drive sheep and livestock through the city.

[edit] Learn

• AudioTurismo.com has published Auto-Guided Routes in MP3 covering Medieval and Austrias historic periods (in Spanish)
• Lingua offers various Spanish courses in Madrid. They are located in the very centre of Madrid.

[edit] Work

The office working day starts between 0800 & 0900 and officially finishes around 1800. However it is normal for companies to demand more of their employees and as such most people take a long lunch (1 or 2 hours) and work until 2000 in the evening. Shops and stores follow a different routine with most small shops shutting during the middle of the day (1400-1800) before opening until 2100 in the evening. Bars and restaurants open until 0200 so the city really is 24hrs depending on the business area.

Working in Madrid is subject to the same restrictions and permissions as working in Spain. The salaries are higher than most other cities with the possible exception of Barcelona. Although this doesn´t stop Madrid being the most expensive city to live in in Spain.

[edit] Buy

• Sol-Salamanca districts: The most convenient area for tourists is around Calle de Preciados, between Sol and Gran Vía, home to the El Corte Inglés department store, high-street names like Zara, Gran Vía 32, H&M, Sephora, Pimkie... The smartest shopping district is Salamanca northeast of the centre, around Calle Serrano. Top designer names like Chanel, Versace, Hermès, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani, Dolce e Gabbana and Hugo Boss, including the fluid fabrics and elegant cuts of Spanish designer Adolfo Domínguez, are located on Calle Ortega y Gasset. Head for Calle Serrano for Purificación García, Roberto Verino, Ermenegildo Zegna, Loewe, Carolina Herrera, Manolo Blanik, Cartier, and Yves Saint Laurent. Prada is on Goya strret, and on Jorge Juan st we can find more luxury shops.
• El Rastro: Madrid's largest flea market, only open on Sunday mornings, featuring rows upon rows of private vendors selling a variety of homemade goods, and a wealth 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. The closest Metro station is La Latina.
• Cuesta de Moyano: A quaint outdoor book market, near Museo del Prado.
• Chueca and Fuencarral street area: This part of the city used to be an abandoned and marginal area. But lately 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 cafés and shops, a good example is the Market of Fuencarral (Mercado de Fuencarral, in Spanish) a novel shopping centre concept. Apart from the purely commercial, this area proposes a wide range of gastronomy and party clubs by night in the weekends.

• Fuencarral Market (Mercado de Fuencarral): The market is 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 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 centre’s café, and also exhibitions in the art gallery and cinema projections and theatre pieces in the old cinema room. The Cinema and activities are open until midnight. It is located in the Fuencarral street, number 45, between Tribunal and Gran Via. Its 3 floors crowded of modern shops are aimed specially for young people.

• El Corte Inglés It's a "Harrod's Like" store, multiple buildings, several floors, you can find anything in a wide range and stocks. It sells almost everything, from gastronomy to pneumatics. Several locations in Madrid.

And there is a great number of H&M, Zara, Mango, Blanco stores all over Madrid, with high fashion clothes and accessories at a low price.

[edit] Eat

[edit] Where and how to eat

Madrid, as is the case for any European Capìtal of similar size, has a wide variety of restaurants serving both Spanish and practically all types of international cuisine. Both quality and prices vary tremendously, particularly since Madrid has become a majour focus for international tourism. Over the past years, central Madrid, particularly the area around Plaza Santa Ana and the Plaza Mayor has become a major tourist trap where prices have sky rocketed and quality has generally dropped over the past two decades. Plaza Mayor and the surrounding streets are particularly notorious for high prices and low quality. If you want to spend a sunny afternoon in Mayor don't purchase any foods there, just drinks, and usually just beer since mixed drinks are watered down or cheaply made.

A much better option is the La Latina neighborhood just south of Plaza Mayor, especially along the Cava Baja street. You might also try the area around the Alonso Martinez metro stop, there are a number of tasty, reasonably priced restaurants in both of these neighborhoods. One can also eat well and relatively inexpensively at a number of Madrid's local bars, especially in the city center. At bars one generally orders various sized plates, a "ración" meaning a full dish, a "media ración" a half dish or a smaller version which would be a "tapa" or a "pinxto".

[edit] What to Eat

Madrid is located in the central region of Spain known as Castille, which has a particular culinary tradition within Spain, largely meat based. Within this region, Madrid has a number of typical dishes, some of the most well known are the following:

• Callos a la Madrileña: A hot pot of spicy beef tripe similar to those found in Turkey and the Balkans.
• Cocido Madrileño: 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 seperately.
• Oreja de Cerdo: Pigs Ear, fried in Garlic. This popular dish is widely eaten throughout central Spain.
• Sopa de Ajo: The 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.

These dishes are generally rather heavy particularly if visiting during the hot summer months. Some foreign visitors may also find Madrid's oily and strongly garlic flavoured local dishes difficult to stomach.

Spanish dished popular throughout the country are also widely served in Madrid, examples of which are the following.

• Tortilla de Patata: Also known as Spanish omelette. Although it is not a spectacular invention, it is perhaps the most emblematic dish in Spain.
• Bocadillo de Calamares: Fried battered calamari served in a ciabatta sandwich with lemon juice.
• Patatas Bravas: Fried potatoes which have been previously boiled, served with a spicy sauce.
• Sepia con alioli: Fried cuttlefish with garlic mayonaise. Very popular among tourists.
• Paella Valenciana: World renown rice-dish from Eastern Spain.
• Gazpacho Andaluz: Cold soup from Southern Spain. Is also widely served in Madrid, although it is generally no where near as good as in Andalusia.
• Empanadas Gallegas: Meat or Tuna pies are also very popular in Madrid. Originally from region of Galicia.
• Revuelto de ajetes con setas. Scrambled eggs with fresh garlic sprouts and wild mushrooms. Also commonly contains shrimps.
• Setas al ajillo/Gambas al ajillo: Shrimps or wild mushrooms fried in garlic.
• Boquerones en vinagre: Anchovies marinated in vinegar with garlic and parsley.
• Ensaladilla Rusa (Russian Salad): This dish of Russian origin, widely consumed in parts of Eastern Europe and the Middle East, is strangely enough, extremely popular in Spain. You will be hard pressed to find a bar in Spain which does not serve it.

[edit] Jamon and other Meat products

Visiting Madrid or Spain generally without trying Iberico ham would be considered a crime by most Spaniards. Spaniards treat their ham very seriously and types and qualities of ham vary in a similar way to wine. Quality ham is generally expensive but has little to do with cheaper versions. To non-conaisseurs, glossiness and the presence of white lines of fat crisscrossing a slice of ham is generally a good indicator of its quality.

Other pork products such as chorizo or morcilla (Black pudding generally made with rice or onion) are also very appreciated.

Meat is of generally a very high quality in Spain and particularly in Madrid. Ordering beef steaks is highly recommended, since most comes from free range cows from the mountains north of the city. Pork cuts which are also highly coveted are those known as "Presa Iberica" and "Secreto Iberico", an absolute must if found in the menu of any restaurant.

[edit] Seafood

It is ironic that Madrid, located right in the center of Spain is known in the country as the "Best port in Spain" having higher quality seafood than most coastal regions. This can be explained by Spaniard's obsession with seafood and the historical need to supply the capital's wealthy with a constant stream of fresh produce. Most One will be hard pressed to find better quality seafood in any city in Europe than in Madrid. 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.

Quality seafood in Spain comes from Spain's northwestern region of Galicia. So restaurants with the words "Gallego" (Galician) will generally specialize in seafood. If you are feeling adventurous you might try the Galician regional specialty "Pulpo a la Gallega," which is boiled octopus served with paprika, rock salt and olive oil. Another adventurous option is "Sepia" which is cuttlefish, a relative of squid, or the various forms of "Calamares" (squid) that you can find in most seafood restaurants. If that isn't your style you can always order "Gambas Ajillo" (garlic shrimp), "Pescado Frito" (fried fish), "Buñuelos de Bacalao" (breaded and deep fried cod) or the ever-present paella dishes. A side note about paella in Madrid - many of the restaurants and cervezarias in the Sol and Plaza Mayor area have "generic" poster boards on the sidewalks outside with pictures advertising various paella dishes (you will recognize them when you see them). These paellas are usually not the best quality to be found and should generally be avoided. If you are looking for good, authentic Spanish paella it is usually better to find a more expensive, "sit-down" type of restaurant that offers a variety of paella dishes and try your first paella dish there. It's not a complete guarantee that the paella will be good but the odds are that it will be better than what you find in some of these "pre-packaged" paellas that many of the smaller restaurants sell.

[edit] List of Selected Restaurants

[edit] Sol and Opera

[edit] Gran Via and Plaza España

[edit] La Latina and Lavapiés

[edit] Chueca

[edit] Malasaña

[edit] Salamanca

• Estay - Calle de Hermosilla 46, +34 91 5780470, metro Velázquez, 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.
• La Trainera - Calle de Lagasca 60, +34 91 5768035, metro Velázquez or Serrano, usually closed in August. 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 robadallo (turbot).

[edit] Drink

On weekends, the time to go out for a drink (Spaniards call it copas) starts at about 12-1 a.m., which is somewhat later than elsewhere in Europe. Before that, people usually have some tapas (raciones, algo para picar), have "real" dinner in a restaurant, stay at home, or go to cultural events. Some pubs and clubs close in the morning. It is not unusual to have breakfast (chocolate con churros), thick, melted chocolate with sweet fritters before going home.

[edit] Where to go for a night out

The law bans drinking in the streets (although in some areas it is still a common practice) and the minimal age to drink is 18, so if you're under this age, you may not be allowed to go into some pubs.

• Plaza de Santa Ana, Huertas - The most common place for tourists to go out, it has a lot of Irish pubs, and many other interesting bars, but some of the locales here serve alcohol of questionable quality.
• La Latina - In the old section, many small bars and pubs, a generally older crowd (late 20s, 30s). Contains the area of Plaza Mayor and Cava Baja. Avoid places in the Plaza Mayor. Multiple bars serving fantastic tapas in the Cava Baja and Cuchilleros.
• Tribunal - Plenty of bars related to Madrid´s famous "movida", the plaza 2 de Mayo is in this area, you´ll find a higher concentration of bars playing rock, punk, etc in this area.
• Chueca, The gay neighborhood; and, by far, the most cosmopolitan place in town. Has become quite chic and expensive.
• Alonso Martínez - Many pubs and later on small discos. Until about 3 am, a very young crowd, and if you´re around here before midnight, and over the age of 20, prepare to feel positively old.
• Torre Europa - A very posh or "pijo" crowd, quite expensive and virtually uniform music, places, and people.
• Moncloa - Many cheap bars and discos as it is near the university although some of the places are best avoided.

[edit] List of Selected Bars

• Esquina de Eusebio, Calle de Caramuel, Metro Puerta de Angel. A nice bar to start with. Guests of all ages, mostly locals. People drink normally beer, wine, clara (beer and lemonade) or soft drinks, and eat canapés. You only pay for the drinks.

A GoogleMap of Spain that includes some popular bars, restaurants, and plazas in downtown Madrid can be found here

[edit] Sleep

[edit] Budget

The national youth hostel association can be found at www.reaj.com. Prices range from €7.80 to €16 per person and night, including breakfast.

• Cat's Hostel Calle Cañizares, 6 (28012), +34 91 3692807 (Fax: +34 91 4299479 e-mail: info@catshostel.com) [6], . Cat's Hostel is 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 public. Prices under 20 euro.

• Los Amigos Backpackers Hostel [7], - With beds available for less than 20 euros a night, and a very central location, Los Amigos is an excellent place for those on a budget. 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 is friendly.

[edit] Mid-range

• Hostal Brisas [8], - Calle Cruz, 8 1º Metro station Sol, +34 91 5314403. All rooms are ensuite, TV, central heating, air conditioning. Located in Cruz street, in the heart of historic Madrid, 1 minute walking from the famous Puerta del Sol. Surrounded by 3 subway stations: Sol, Sevilla, and Anton Martin. Singles 40€, doubles 55€.

• Hostal Villagarcía, - Calle Fuencarral 10 3º Metro station Gran Via, +34 91 5220585 (fax +34 91 5315621, email hostal -at- villa-garcia.com) [9]. This hostal is so centrally located that most famous monuments and museums can be visited by walking (such as Prado Museum, Thyssen museum, Sol, Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real). Inside the room you can find: bathroom, TV, air conditioning, central heating, laundry and baggage storage facilities. Rooms with kitchen, washing machine and fridge are also available. Free Internet wireless access in the rooms. €30-€65 (single - room for four).

• Abba Atocha Hotel, - Pº Santa María de la Cabeza, 73 Madrid, 28045. [10]. Ideally located in the centre of Madrid, close to the historical and artistic heart of the city (El Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen Bornemisza Museums), and the Atocha railway station (where all Spanish railway connections and high-speed trains can be found).

• Hostal Plaza d'Ort, Plaza del Angel 13, +34 91 4299041.[11] 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€.

• Hotel Liabeny, Calle Salud 3, +34 91 531 90 00. [12] Nice hotel located between Plaza de Callao and Puerta del Sol.

[edit] Splurge

• Hotel De Las Letras, - Gran via, 11 Madrid, 28013, +34 91 5237980.[13]or[14]. Lovely hotel in central location. 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. Restaurant.

• Meninas Hotel , - Campomanes, 7 - 28013 - Madrid. Toll Free +1 866 376 7831 [15]. Hotel Meninas is an exquisite historic building of the XIX century in the historic centre of Madrid, right by the Opera,and 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.

• Quo Puerta del Sol, - Calle de Sevilla, 4, 28014, Madrid. Toll Free +1 866 376 7831 [16]. The turn-of-the-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 Spain’s 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. In fact, The Quo Puerta del Sol Madrid's traditional and classical appearance conceals the very latest technological advances, Hi-Tech, Hi-Touch.

• Adler Hotel , - Campomanes, 7 - 28013 - Adler Hotel - Calle Velazquez 33, Goya 31 - 28001 Madrid. Toll Free +1 866 376 7831 [17]. The Adler Hotel is housed in a completely refurbished building equipped with the most modern facilities, but whose nineteenth-century charm and secluded atmosphere have been carefully maintained, 45 deluxe rooms and suites of this boutique hotel await you to make your stay with us unforgettable. In this privileged setting, you will be a stone´s throw from the Golden Triangle of Art (The Prado Museum, The Reina Sofía Centre and The Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection).

• Quo Godoy Hotel , - Avda. Quitapesares, nº 35, 28670, Villaviciosa de Odón. Toll Free +1 866 376 7831 [18]. The hotel is a brand new property, 4 star, with an avant-garde design. The hotel features 99 guest-rooms fully equipped, included 2 disabled rooms, 18 duplex rooms and 1 junior suite. Adjacent to the hotel we have our Convention Center, directly connected to the hotel that can hold a variety of events from 10 to 800 people. Our QUO HEALTH & BEAUTY - SPA CENTER has been carefully designed for your relax and fitness. Offering in-door heated swimming pool, aquatic treatments and fitness area. OTHER SERVICES: Restaurant, Room Service, Parking, Business Center, High Speed Internet Access, Summer Terrace, TV Lounge and Daily Press.

• Hotel Villa Magna, a Park Hyatt, : Paseo de La Castellana, 22 (central Madrid), : +34 91 587 1234, : villamagna@hyattintl.com, Website: http://villamagna.park.hyatt.com. 5 star hotel on one of Madrid's most exclusive streets. 151 rooms and suites. The hotel is surrounded by landscaped gardens.

[edit] Contact

Due to the proliferation of Wi-Fi routers distributed by the DSL providers, Madrid has a considerable number of unsecured hotspots in the more trendier neighbourhoods, such as Chueca. When using a laptop in an outdoor location always be aware of your surroundings and the location of your belongings.

Cheap mobile phones (less than 50 euro) with some pre-paid minutes are sold at FNAC (plaza Callao) and can be purchased without any formalities. Recharging is then done by buying scratch cards from the small stores "Frutos Secos" -- recharging via the internet or via an ATM does not work with foreign credit cards.

[edit] Stay safe

Like most capital cities, Madrid has pickpocket crime, mind your bag in the underground and in the main streets. Busy tourist areas are prime targets, but pubs and clubs are not uncommon hives. However, don't worry, the city is equiped with cameras and there is always a lot of people in the streets, even at night time, so you can walk across the city without fear.

[edit] Get out

Madrid is both a city and a region in Spain and as such has a number of sights within easy reach. Popular destinations include:

• Aranjuez - Home to royal residences, botanical gardens & summer retreats
• Chinchon - Typical Spanish town which retains its character from the 1700´s
• El Escorial - A mountainous retreat home to Spain's largest monastery
• Segovia - Medieval city home to the Spanish Mint (It doesn't belong to Madrid region, but it's quite close and worth the visit).
• Toledo - Medieval walled city previously home to the kings of Spain (it's neigther Madrid, but very close too, as Segovia, plenty of art architecture, really worthy).
• Valle de los Caidos - Valley of the fallen, the world's largest free standing christian cross commemorating those who fell in the civil war and home to Franco´s tomb.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!

WikiPedia:Madrid

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