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About Madrid
About Madrid
Attractions in Madrid
Mad Hostel
From the same people who brought you the outstanding Cat's Hostel, Mad Hostel is not far behind in quality and atmosphere. Like its sister hostel, this place is ranged around an enchanting courtyard and filled with a buzzing vibe.
From the same people who brought you the outstanding Cat's Hostel, Mad Hostel is not far behind in quality and atmosphere. Like its sister hostel, this place is ranged around an enchanting courtyard and filled with a buzzing vibe.
Oficina de Turismo
Hotel Puerta America
Hotel Puerta America is the most exciting thing to happen in Madrid's accommodation scene in decades. When the owners of the hotel looked at their location - halfway between the city and the airport in an area of apartments - they knew they had to do something special. So they did something beyond most people's wildest imaginations.
Hotel Puerta America is the most exciting thing to happen in Madrid's accommodation scene in decades. When the owners of the hotel looked at their location - halfway between the city and the airport in an area of apartments - they knew they had to do something special. So they did something beyond most people's wildest imaginations.
Iñaki Sampedro
Hand-painted handbags from one of Spain's most innovative designers and other accessories to die for are on show here at this small gallery-like space. The colourful display of one-off items atop varnished iron ladders and wooden shelves and boxes are all for sale.
Hand-painted handbags from one of Spain's most innovative designers and other accessories to die for are on show here at this small gallery-like space. The colourful display of one-off items atop varnished iron ladders and wooden shelves and boxes are all for sale.
Corral de la Morería
For a top-quality Flamenco performance that doesn't take itself too seriously, head to the Corral, one of the better meal-and-show places in Madrid. The stage area has a rustic feel, and tables are pushed up close to the small stage.
For a top-quality Flamenco performance that doesn't take itself too seriously, head to the Corral, one of the better meal-and-show places in Madrid. The stage area has a rustic feel, and tables are pushed up close to the small stage.
Cerería Ortega
You probably wouldn't give this place a second look from the outside, but it's a wonderful family-run business where the Ortegas have been making old-fashioned wax candles since 1893. The dimly lit little shop smells of warm wax, and you can see the artisan candlemakers hard at work.
You probably wouldn't give this place a second look from the outside, but it's a wonderful family-run business where the Ortegas have been making old-fashioned wax candles since 1893. The dimly lit little shop smells of warm wax, and you can see the artisan candlemakers hard at work.
Cámara Oficial de Comercio e Industria de Madrid
Westin Palace
An old Madrid classic, this former palace of the Duque de Lerma opened as a hotel in 1911, and was Spain's second luxury hotel. Ever since, it has looked out across Plaza de Neptuno at its rival, the Ritz, like a lover unjustly scorned. Its name may not have the world-famous cachet of the Ritz, but it's not called the Palace for nothing.
An old Madrid classic, this former palace of the Duque de Lerma opened as a hotel in 1911, and was Spain's second luxury hotel. Ever since, it has looked out across Plaza de Neptuno at its rival, the Ritz, like a lover unjustly scorned. Its name may not have the world-famous cachet of the Ritz, but it's not called the Palace for nothing.
Ekseption
Spain's most exclusive boutique has all the big names that 'fashionistas' love: Marni, Prada, Chloe, Dries Van Noten, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Dolce E Gabbana. You enter via a sleek Zen-style pebbled walkway and you depart with a serious case of fashionitis and your credit card in a sling - but looking fabulous, naturally.
Spain's most exclusive boutique has all the big names that 'fashionistas' love: Marni, Prada, Chloe, Dries Van Noten, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Dolce E Gabbana. You enter via a sleek Zen-style pebbled walkway and you depart with a serious case of fashionitis and your credit card in a sling - but looking fabulous, naturally.
Hotel El Prado
This hotel offers style and service beyond its modest three-star category. Adding to the charm is the wine theme running throughout: rooms are decorated with an attractive grape motif and each room is named for a Spanish wine region.
This hotel offers style and service beyond its modest three-star category. Adding to the charm is the wine theme running throughout: rooms are decorated with an attractive grape motif and each room is named for a Spanish wine region.
Clamores
Clamores is a classic jazz cafe that mixes pop, Brazilian and flamenco; the fusion sounds here always make for an interesting night and the lively crowd of locals only adds to the energy. The stained walls and yellowed photographs hanging on them show just how long this place has been putting on shows.
Clamores is a classic jazz cafe that mixes pop, Brazilian and flamenco; the fusion sounds here always make for an interesting night and the lively crowd of locals only adds to the energy. The stained walls and yellowed photographs hanging on them show just how long this place has been putting on shows.
Antigua Casa Ángel Sierra
Famous for its boquerones (anchovies) and empanadas (savoury pies), this historic old taberna is the antithesis of modern Chueca chic - it has hardly changed since it opened in 1917 and thankfully that includes the wonderful facade. Fronting onto the Plaza de Chueca, it can get pretty lively in the evening.
Famous for its boquerones (anchovies) and empanadas (savoury pies), this historic old taberna is the antithesis of modern Chueca chic - it has hardly changed since it opened in 1917 and thankfully that includes the wonderful facade. Fronting onto the Plaza de Chueca, it can get pretty lively in the evening.
The Palace
Sleep like a king in one of Madrid's old classics, this hotel with elegant suites was the former palace of the Duque de Lerma. The magnificent building which is highlighted by an enormous stained glass dome, has long been considered a centre of Spanish society.
Sleep like a king in one of Madrid's old classics, this hotel with elegant suites was the former palace of the Duque de Lerma. The magnificent building which is highlighted by an enormous stained glass dome, has long been considered a centre of Spanish society.
Bangkok Café
Great Thai food, reasonable prices (the menú del día goes for ), good service and a subtly stylish dining area make for a terrific meal in the heart of town. If you're lucky, you'll get one of the tables overlooking the busy street life of Calle de Arenal. Unusually for Madrid, it's a nonsmoking restaurant.
Great Thai food, reasonable prices (the menú del día goes for ), good service and a subtly stylish dining area make for a terrific meal in the heart of town. If you're lucky, you'll get one of the tables overlooking the busy street life of Calle de Arenal. Unusually for Madrid, it's a nonsmoking restaurant.
Hostal Macarena
Set on one of the old cobblestone streets that runs past the Plaza Mayor, this charming hostal (cheap hotel) is one of the best in the barrio, ideal for those looking for a central location and the character of Old Madrid.
Set on one of the old cobblestone streets that runs past the Plaza Mayor, this charming hostal (cheap hotel) is one of the best in the barrio, ideal for those looking for a central location and the character of Old Madrid.
Augustin
With the patina of time glossed over it, bullfighting loses its visceral qualities and becomes merely charming. Augustin is a tiny shop that sells antique trajes de luce (bullfighter suits), bullfighting posters, gloriously colourful capes and shawls, and quaint postcards. It's handy to the Rastro markets and noticeably more peaceful.
With the patina of time glossed over it, bullfighting loses its visceral qualities and becomes merely charming. Augustin is a tiny shop that sells antique trajes de luce (bullfighter suits), bullfighting posters, gloriously colourful capes and shawls, and quaint postcards. It's handy to the Rastro markets and noticeably more peaceful.
Café la Palma
It's amazing how much variety Café la Palma has packed into its labyrinth of rooms. Live shows featuring hot local bands are held at the back, while DJs mix up the front. Some rooms have a cafe style, while others look like an Arab tearoom - complete with pillows on the floor. Every night is different.
It's amazing how much variety Café la Palma has packed into its labyrinth of rooms. Live shows featuring hot local bands are held at the back, while DJs mix up the front. Some rooms have a cafe style, while others look like an Arab tearoom - complete with pillows on the floor. Every night is different.
Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Almudena
Paris has Notre Dame and Rome has St Peter's Basilica. Nearly every European city has its signature cathedral, a stand-out monument to a glorious Christian past. Not Madrid. The Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Almudena, does little to make up for the lack of the old-world gravitas that so distinguishes the world's great cathedrals.
Paris has Notre Dame and Rome has St Peter's Basilica. Nearly every European city has its signature cathedral, a stand-out monument to a glorious Christian past. Not Madrid. The Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Almudena, does little to make up for the lack of the old-world gravitas that so distinguishes the world's great cathedrals.
BBiGG
Any day of the week you can walk into this modern cybercentre and check email or play games. It also offers fax, phonecards and coffee.
Any day of the week you can walk into this modern cybercentre and check email or play games. It also offers fax, phonecards and coffee.
Karacol Sports
Karacol Sports rents out road bikes and mountain bikes (with excursions outside Madrid in mind) for per day. There's a refundable deposit of and you also need to leave an original document (passport, driving licence or the like).
Karacol Sports rents out road bikes and mountain bikes (with excursions outside Madrid in mind) for per day. There's a refundable deposit of and you also need to leave an original document (passport, driving licence or the like).
Casa Mingo
Casa Mingo likes to keep things simple: chicken and cider, the Asturian way. It's a cheery, cheap and chipper place to enjoy a hearty lunch with a bit of history thrown in, as this place has been cidering up beside Madrileños since 1888.
Casa Mingo likes to keep things simple: chicken and cider, the Asturian way. It's a cheery, cheap and chipper place to enjoy a hearty lunch with a bit of history thrown in, as this place has been cidering up beside Madrileños since 1888.
ONCE
ONCE is the Spanish association for the blind. You may be able to get a hold of a Madrid guide in Braille, although it is not published every year.
ONCE is the Spanish association for the blind. You may be able to get a hold of a Madrid guide in Braille, although it is not published every year.
Hotel Urban
The towering glass edifice of Hotel Urban is the epitome of art-inspired, super-stylish designer chic. Opened in late 2004, it's a wonderful antidote to the more classic charm of Madrid's five-star hotels of longer standing. The rooftop swimming pool is one of Madrid's best and the gorgeous terrace has terrific views.
The towering glass edifice of Hotel Urban is the epitome of art-inspired, super-stylish designer chic. Opened in late 2004, it's a wonderful antidote to the more classic charm of Madrid's five-star hotels of longer standing. The rooftop swimming pool is one of Madrid's best and the gorgeous terrace has terrific views.
Agatha Ruiz de la Prada
This boutique has to be seen to be believed with pinks, yellows and oranges everywhere you turn. It's fun and exuberant, but it's not just for kids. It also has serious and highly original fashion; Agatha Ruiz de la Prada is one of the enduring icons of Madrid's 1980s outpouring of creativity known as la movida Madrileña (The Madrid Movement).
This boutique has to be seen to be believed with pinks, yellows and oranges everywhere you turn. It's fun and exuberant, but it's not just for kids. It also has serious and highly original fashion; Agatha Ruiz de la Prada is one of the enduring icons of Madrid's 1980s outpouring of creativity known as la movida Madrileña (The Madrid Movement).
Bar Ventorrillo
Probably the best-located terraza (tables set up on the footpath or square) in Madrid is this bar near the Jardines de las Vistillas. It's a wonderful spot to relax and drink in the views of the Sierra de Guadarrama, especially at sunset. Order a cerveza and settle in for some lively people watching.
Probably the best-located terraza (tables set up on the footpath or square) in Madrid is this bar near the Jardines de las Vistillas. It's a wonderful spot to relax and drink in the views of the Sierra de Guadarrama, especially at sunset. Order a cerveza and settle in for some lively people watching.
Fun & Basics
For a small but stylish selection of (mostly leather) handbags and other accessories, try Fun & Basics; it's frequented by Madrileñas who know quality when they see it. Despite the shop's name, it's fairly pricey but style is the key concept here.
For a small but stylish selection of (mostly leather) handbags and other accessories, try Fun & Basics; it's frequented by Madrileñas who know quality when they see it. Despite the shop's name, it's fairly pricey but style is the key concept here.
Almonte
If flamenco has captured your soul, but you want to do more than just watch, head to Almonte where the whitewashed façade tells you that this is all about Andalucía, the home of flamenco. The young and the beautiful who come here have sevillanas in their soul and in their feet, so head downstairs to see the best dancing and dance if you dare.
If flamenco has captured your soul, but you want to do more than just watch, head to Almonte where the whitewashed façade tells you that this is all about Andalucía, the home of flamenco. The young and the beautiful who come here have sevillanas in their soul and in their feet, so head downstairs to see the best dancing and dance if you dare.
Police
It cannot be stressed enough that newcomers to Madrid must be on their guard. Petty theft is a problem in the city centre, on some public transport and around most main sights. A little prevention is better than a lot of cure - see Safety. Tourists who want to report thefts need to go to the national police. A handy central police station where they may have an officer who at least speaks English is located in the Huertas area.
It cannot be stressed enough that newcomers to Madrid must be on their guard. Petty theft is a problem in the city centre, on some public transport and around most main sights. A little prevention is better than a lot of cure - see Safety. Tourists who want to report thefts need to go to the national police. A handy central police station where they may have an officer who at least speaks English is located in the Huertas area.
Centro Comercial de la Puerta de Toledo
Crêperie Ma Bretagne
What a wonderful little place this is - dark, candlelit and all about delicious crepes. After eating these exquisite delights (a meal in themselves) from the rustic wooden tables, there are more crepes, this time sweet, for dessert. You'll never want to see a crepe again after eating here, but over-indulgence in such a cosy atmosphere is a great way to go.
What a wonderful little place this is - dark, candlelit and all about delicious crepes. After eating these exquisite delights (a meal in themselves) from the rustic wooden tables, there are more crepes, this time sweet, for dessert. You'll never want to see a crepe again after eating here, but over-indulgence in such a cosy atmosphere is a great way to go.
Chamartín station tourist office
Plaza de España
It's hard to know what to make of this curiously unprepossessing square. The 1953 Edificio de España (Spain Building) on the east side clearly sprang from the totalitarian recesses of Franco's imagination. Taking centre stage in the square is a statute of the writer Cervantes - complete with his immortal characters Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
It's hard to know what to make of this curiously unprepossessing square. The 1953 Edificio de España (Spain Building) on the east side clearly sprang from the totalitarian recesses of Franco's imagination. Taking centre stage in the square is a statute of the writer Cervantes - complete with his immortal characters Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
Ángel Schlesser
Offering some of the latest catwalk fashions with subtler colours than most, Ángel Schlesser's range of casual and formal wear is geared towards stylish urban women. Schlesser also has a popular, self-titled fragrance range to go with the look.
Offering some of the latest catwalk fashions with subtler colours than most, Ángel Schlesser's range of casual and formal wear is geared towards stylish urban women. Schlesser also has a popular, self-titled fragrance range to go with the look.
Hostal Asunción
Hostal Asunción offers the tried-and-tested backpacker deal - simple, well-maintained rooms in a good location for an excellent price. Unusually for this price range, rooms are carpeted - not to everyone's taste but great in winter - and come with ample hanging space.
Hostal Asunción offers the tried-and-tested backpacker deal - simple, well-maintained rooms in a good location for an excellent price. Unusually for this price range, rooms are carpeted - not to everyone's taste but great in winter - and come with ample hanging space.
Café Comercial
This glorious old Madrid cafe proudly fights a rearguard action against progress with heavy leather seats, abundant marble and old-style waiters. As close as Madrid came to the intellectual cafes of Paris' Left Bank, the cafes of the Glorieta de Bilbao, were in the 1950s and 1960s, a centre of coffee-house intellectualism.
This glorious old Madrid cafe proudly fights a rearguard action against progress with heavy leather seats, abundant marble and old-style waiters. As close as Madrid came to the intellectual cafes of Paris' Left Bank, the cafes of the Glorieta de Bilbao, were in the 1950s and 1960s, a centre of coffee-house intellectualism.
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