Madrid

R

rowhite

Registered User
Messages
37
Going to Madrid for a weekend in July. Any suggestions /ideas on things to see and avoid, decent bars and restaurants would be much appreciated.
 
The Prado and Thyssen museums are a must.
The area around Plaza Santa Ana ( just off the Gran Via ) is a great place for bars and restaurants , the Cerveceria Alemana is a great tapas bar , frequented by Hemingway back in the day- to the right of the Theatre as you're facing it.
Real Madrid have a great museum and the stadium is served by it's own metro station.
The Retiro park is also worth a visit.
Beware of the Gran Via late at night , never noticed a real problem until my last visit in February when gangs of prostitutes/pickpockets roamed seemingly at will.
 
Was there in October definitely take the open top bus tour great way to see the the city,yes and be careful around Gran via area at night .good experience but exercise caution.
 
If you get tired of the fine art (and Madrid is a great place for fine art) you might enjoy the Royal Palace. Or you can visit a genuine Egyptian temple (Templo de Debod).

Herself and I had a really nice meal in a restaurant named Ginger on Plaza del Angel, just beside Plaza de Santa Ana. €52, including a glass each of the house wine. We limited ourselves to a glass each because we had just come from a very nice wine bar a couple of doors away: Espana Cani. Even if you decide not to visit Ginger, I suggest you have a glass or two of wine there.
 
I would recommend to go in August, for the simple fact that you would get to experience all the "Verbenas" (La virgen de la Paloma, San Lorenzo and San Cayetano; it's some kind of very old festivals, with concerts in the streets, people dressed with the madrilian costumes...). In mid-June you have the Verbena de San Antonio.

As for tapas, I would recommend to go to the street called Callejón del Gato, near the Puerta del Sol, and have some "Patatas bravas". Very near you have a pub called "La fontana de Oro" in C/ Victoria, that is where the writers and intellectuals used to gather to discuss political matters back in the late 1800s. It's a bit expensive, but it's very nice.

Oh, and also in the Plaza de Santa Ana you have a hawaian bar called Mauna Loa, with budgies flying freely around, and fantastic coctails.
Again, it's a bit expensive, but it's worth the visit, plus they give you lotts of tapas, so you end up dining with those hehehe

Any questions, just send me a private message, I'm from Madrid myself :p
 
Don't try to fill up every minute of the weekend. Relaxation is part of the pleasure, so just sitting in a plaza with a slow drink watching life around you may be better remembered than sights you "had" to see.
 
Yes, it's very hot in August... at 3pm on the street... That's siesta time, anyway, specially if you're on holidays and want to go out at night.

Then, in the evening and night the temperature is much nicer.

You have also to consider that in August the city is not crowded at all, there are no long lines to enter the museums or queues for the nicer restaurants, and as I said, there are lots of activities and festivals.

Plus there's AC everywhere, and almost frozen beer "cañas" don't taste any better than during those very warm days :)
 
A website called "Tripadvisor" is very useful for the sort of info that you need.
 
If you are not a fan of classic art (El Prado) and prefer modern art, you will enjoy works from Dali, Miró and Picasso at the Museo Reina Sofía (no entry fee to pay on Sundays). And there is also the Caixa Forum in Madrid ([broken link removed]) with temporary exhibitions, also for free. Have a nice stay!
 
You can get a good value ticket that covers all three art galleries :- The Prado, the Reina Sofia & the Thyssen.
They would give you a nice cultural afternoon away from the heat if you go in August and they're all within walking distance of one another.
 
One afternoon for all three? We gave them a half day each and felt we were only skimming the surface.
 
My time in Madrid was limited and there were specific paintings I wanted to see so I was selective in my viewing.
You could spend a whole day in each & still not see everything !
The royal palace is wonderful too. Almost equal to Versailles. I like to get a taste of everything and like another reply said it's important to take some time to relax too.
Plaza Major in the evening with the classical guitar buskers is a lovely place to relax.
 
I am going to Madrid in August yes I heard its hot staying in the Hotel Regina was recommended and suppose to be in the center of town

Not into Museums galleries etc so looking for something different and also places to eat and drink. Was going to go to the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu but Real wont be playing...

Any suggestions?
 
IrishGunner said:
I am going to Madrid in August yes I heard its hot staying in the Hotel Regina was recommended and suppose to be in the center of town

Not into Museums galleries etc so looking for something different and also places to eat and drink. Was going to go to the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu but Real wont be playing...

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
I would still go to the Bernabeu - great museum !
The Plaza Santa Ana is a must for bars/restaurants
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top