Things to do

in MADRID

Visiting a city as big as Madrid and managing to

see and do all it has to offer is no easy task. From

sprawling museums to traditional restaurants and bars,

every corner you turn uncovers a spot that draws in

tourists and locals alike. To make the choices a bit

easier and to make sure you experience as much as you

can, we've picked some essential things to do when

you're in Madrid. If you can't fit them all in, don't worry,

you can always come back.

Dining intro:

Spanish food and the Mediterranean diet are not only

healthy but truly tasty and enjoyable as well! Here we
recommend some excellent restaurants and cool places.
Spanish food should always be accompanied by good
Spanish wine, and our Wine Tasting Events and Wine
Tours will help you appreciate the best Rioja, Ribera del
Duero and more.

Shopping intro:

Like any modern metropolis, Madrid has several

shopping centres or malls to choose from, dotted about
the city. But Madrid is also a historical city, and small
family-run shops selling traditional goods are still to be
seen. Whatever you wish to buy, Madrid has everything
under the sun!

Sightseeing intro:

Madrid is the perfect base for your daytrips to outlying

towns and villages. Avila, Toledo, Segovia, El Escorial
and the nearby Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caidos)
are all interesting places to visit, with timeless historic
town centres, excellent museums and ancient
monuments.

SHOPPING

1. El Rastro
 On Sunday morning, Calle de Ribera de Curtidores is closed
to traffic and jammed with outdoor booths selling everything under
the sunthis is its weekly transformation into El Rastro flea market.
Crowds get so thick that it takes a while just to advance a few feet
amid the hawkers and gawkers. The flea market sprawls into most of
the surrounding streets, with certain areas specializing in particular
products. The Rastro has everything from antique furniture to exotic
parrots, pirated CDs of flamenco music, and key chains emblazoned
with symbols of the CNT, Spain's old anarchist trade union. The
market shuts down shortly after 2 pm, in time for a street party to
start in the area known as La Latina, centered on the bar El Viajero in
Plaza Humilladero. Off the Ribera are two galeras, courtyards with
higher-quality, higher-price antiques shops. All the shops (except for
the street vendors) are open during the week.

Address: C. de Ribera de Curtidores, Barrio de las Letras, Madrid

Hours: Sun. 9 am3 pm

2. Chueca District
The Chueca quarter is the epicenter of gay Madrid and a
symbol of modernity, avant-garde and open-minded
tolerance. Its streets are a great place for anyone looking
for fun, fashion and lots of atmosphere. In recent years
this area has become an outstanding illustration of the
freedom and openness of Madrid society and is home to
numerous venues which are popular with the LGBT
community, alternative fashion centers and a host of
opportunities for fun, in an anything-goes atmosphere.
This is a neighborhood where you can enjoy fashion in all
kinds of different shops: everything from the most avant-
garde designs to top labels, including establishments
dedicated to practically all the urban tribes. These streets
are also ideal for strolling with friends by night, as there
are a large number of clubs where you can either enjoy a
quiet drink or dance until dawn. In addition you'll find
numerous gastronomic options with designer eateries and
traditional restaurants, and others serving international
cuisine. All of those in an atmosphere of tolerance and
diversity. Chueca is also the center of the Gay Pride
Festival which is held every year between June and July
and fills the streets with music, color, high spirits, as well
as the thousands of people who flock to the neighborhood
intent on having a good time.
 Location: Madrid

3. El Corte Ingles

El Corte Ingls Department Store is a Spanish institution that began

in Madrid. If you are looking for anything from make up to electrical
goods to a tin of beans they can all be found in El Corte Ingls.

The store's old school style may appeal to those looking for classic
Spanish charm, however, those in search of the shiny and new
stores should head to El Triangle, across from the Corte Ingls, or
the shops on Passeig de Grcia.

Prices of El Corte Ingls are not cheap, but there is no doubt that the
customer service provided is simply excellent. Being this the most
valued feature by customers along with the central situation of the
department stores and the wide variety of products and services
offered.
 In madrid there is a said, if you do not know where to find
something, just go to El Corte Ingls

79 Calle Raimundo Fernndez Villaverde

SIGHTSEEING

1. Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol is right in the heart of Madrid. Here you will find many
cafes, shops, buildings from the 19th century, and the bar is open
late into the night. This is Madrid's most famous and most central
square, located just a short walk from the Plaza Mayor. Originally it
was the site of one of the city's gates, which faced the east and was
adorned with an image of the sun, hence the square's name.
If you look to the "flat" south side of the semi circle you will see a
clock tower, part of a building known as the "Real Casa de Correos".
This was originally built in the 18th century as part of the Post
Office, and now functions as the headquarters of the President of
Madrid's Autonomous Community.
This is a vibrant part of the city - full of bars, restaurants and shops.
Leading off the Puerta del Sol are several streets, amongst which we
can name Arenal Street, Calle de Alcal, Calle Mayor, and Calle
Preciados, this last one a pedestrianised street on which large
department stores such as El Corte Ingls and FNAC are located,
together with international clothes shops such as Zara, H & M,
Bershka and many more.

Many old and historic shops selling traditional goods may be found
close to this historic square.

Smaller boutique type shops for shoes, clothes and other accessories
can be found on the nearby Calle del Arenal, Calle Carretas and
other surrounding streets.

Address

Street Plaza de la Puerta del Sol

2. Palacio Real

Palacio Real is the official residence of the Spanish royal family. It

was in the past the residence of the Spanish monarchs but
nowadays, although is the official residence, the kings use it no more
and it has turned into an interesting tourist place, where sometimes
take place State events and international and diplomacy meetings.
This is a place of many outstanding art exhibitions. Architectures
ranging from medieval to modern, with neo-classical, gothic and
baroque style here. The palace is open to the public, except when
used for formal occasions.

Address: Bailn Street, Madrid

3. Prado museum

Prado museum in the Banco de Espana is one of the most famous

museums in the world for storing items that are very valuable from
the 12th century until the 19th century. Many art lovers spend all
day here. The Prado Museum is Madrid's top cultural sight, and one
of the world's greatest art galleries. Located in the eponymous
street, El Paseo del Prado, its dazzling display of works by the great
European masters such as Velzquez, Goya, Raphael, Rubens, and
Bosch, is housed in an 18th-century Neo-Classical building that
opened as a museum in 1819.

Edificio Villanueva, Paseo del Prado., Madrid

4. Retiro Park

This park was originally a palace garden. The tourists usually visit this
place to get away from the noise of the busy city. In the garden
there is a lake and fountains that add to its charm. Take a stroll
through the green foliage can make your mind calm.
It's known as the "lungs of Madrid," and few cities can boast such a
large park in such a central location. There's a large boating lake and
the park has three art galleries. On weekends and holidays, it fills
with madrileos (citizens of Madrid) and performers of all sorts,
including mime artists and jugglers, painters, singers, puppet
masters and fortune-tellers. It was built as a royal park in the 17th
Century, and until 1868 it was the exclusive reserve of the
aristocracy.

Plaza de la Independencia, 7, 28001 Madrid, Spain

5 Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor, 28012 Madrid, Spain

This rectangular square is located in the center of Habsburg
neighborhood. This opened space was thought as a social and civic
area for the people from Madrid and its construction was ordered to
Juan Gmez de Mora, the Mayor Master of Madrid, by King Felipe II.
The square was finished in 1617 and from this year its been
reformed several times due to different fires. The Plaza Mayor
housed, centuries ago, all kinds of markets, bullfighting, popular
spectacles and autos de fe (public penance of heretics by the
Inquisition in medieval Spain). Nowadays it is one of the most
sightseeing places in Madrid. Here comes everyday madrileos and
visitors to enjoy the terraces that are located under the arcades or in
the square. You can buy also antique stamps or old coins in the
numismatic and philately shops that are around the square.

DINING

1. Botn

Restaurant Information

Botin is a traditional restaurant offering

Mediterranean cuisine.
 The average price of a main course dish at the Botin
restaurant is 18 euros. The average price of a 3-
course meal at the Botin restaurant is 40 euros.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, this is the oldest

restaurant in the world, dating from 1725.

Today, the restaurant is decidedly a tourist spot, since it appears in

so many guides. Don't let that put you off, though, because
Spaniards still go here to sample the excellent food, specialties being
cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig) and cordero asado (roast lamb).
The restaurant in housed in a XVI century building in the old part of
Madrid and really is a must when visiting Spain's capital.

It consists of four floors of tiled, wood-beamed dining rooms, with

caste-iron ovens several centuries old. As you eat, you may find
yourself serenaded by the ocassional "tuna", a musical group
formed by students and playing traditional songs in traditional dress,
complete with knickerbockers.

Calle Cuchilleros, 17
Madrid

2. Flamenco Restaurant El Corral de la Morera

The Corral de la Morera was inaugurated on 25th May 1957, making
it the oldest flamenco show restaurant in Madrid. Its owner, Manuel
del Rey, wanted to offer the best for his customers from the very
beginning, hiring the best chefs and the most distinguished artists,
such as Blanca del Rey, Antonio Gades, Lucero Tena, Pastora
Imperio, Mario Maya or "el Gito". In all aspects, the restaurant
strives to offer an exquisite service to the customer, and this is what
makes El Corral de la Morera one of the best "tablao flamenco"
restaurants in Spain.

The restaurant is located in a privileged spot in the heart of Madrid,

in the old part of the city, next to the Royal Palace. The air-
conditioned premises are prepared to seat 150 people. Furniture
and lamps from the XVIII and XIX centuries give the restaurant a real
Castilian style setting, transporting clients to a true "tablao" of the
time. The restaurant opens from 7pm (19h00)

Calle Moreria, 17. 28005 Madrid

3. Caf de Chinitas

Cafe de Chinitas is a flamenco restaurant offering Mediterranean

cuisine.

The average price of a 3-course meal at the Cafe de Chinitas

restaurant is 65 euros.
El Cafe de Chinitas is in the grounds of an 18th century mansion
house and is one of the most famous tablaos (flamenco restaurants)
in the world.

Located right in the heart of Madrid just a short distance from the
Senate and the lively Gran Via, Caf de Chinitas mixes international
cuisine with wonderful flamenco.
Torija 7
28013 Madrid