Madrid Spain Top things to do in Madrid and hotels in Madrid Spain
Madrid Spain Top things to do in Madrid and hotels in Madrid Spain
Madrid, Spain's central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry.
Madrid is located just northeast of the geographical center of the Iberian Peninsula, in the middle of the Spanish central Castillian plateau (Meseta central), at an average altitude of 650m. Nearly all of the most famous tourist areas are located in the center of the city including Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real, and Plaza de Colón. The major streets in Madrid include the Gran Via, Alcalá Street, and Paseo de la Castellana.
The culture of Madrid is largely influenced by its royal history, as the center of the Spanish Empire. The Royal Palace, big places and buildings used by the Spanish Monarchy, enormous 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, full of new architecture, lifestyle and culture.
As the Spanish Capital, Madrid has been emblematic of the different "establishments" for most Spaniards. During the 2nd Republic (1931-1936) it was a bustling city of new ideas. Being the capital of the Francoist dictatorship (1939-1975) made the city still seem to represent a conservative part of Spain to many Spaniards. However, the city was also the epicentre of the famous Movida, Spain's 80s movement that bred personalities such as the director Pedro Almodóvar. The heritage of this era is indeed still visible in the city centre, where a party can be found at all times and one of the most liberal and colourful environments of Spain can be seen. The city is also known for its great gay tolerance.
Madrid is administratively divided into 21 districts, which are further subdivided into 128 wards (barrios) :
- Centro: Palacio, Embajadores, Cortes, Justicia, Universidad, Sol.
- Arganzuela: Imperial, Acacias, La Chopera, Legazpi, Delicias, Palos de Moguer, Atocha.
- Retiro: Pacífico, Adelfas, Estrella, Ibiza, Jerónimos, Niño Jesús.
- Salamanca: Recoletos, Goya, Fuente del Berro, Guindalera, Lista, Castellana.
- Chamartín: El Viso, Prosperidad, Ciudad Jardín, Hispanoamérica, Nueva España, Castilla.
- Tetuán: Bellas Vistas, Cuatro Caminos, Castillejos, Almenara, Valdeacederas, Berruguete.
- Chamberí: Gaztambide, Arapiles, Trafalgar, Almagro, Vallehermoso, Ríos Rosas.
- Fuencarral-El Pardo: El Pardo, Fuentelarreina, Peñagrande, Barrio del Pilar, La Paz, Valverde, Mirasierra, El Goloso.
- Moncloa-Aravaca: Casa de Campo, Argüelles, Ciudad Universitaria, Valdezarza, Valdemarín, El Plantío, Aravaca.
- Latina: Los Cármenes, Puerta del Ángel, Lucero, Aluche, Las Águilas, Campamento, Cuatro Vientos.
- Carabanchel: Comillas, Opañel, San Isidro, Vista Alegre, Puerta Bonita, Buenavista, Abrantes.
- Usera: Orcasitas, Orcasur, San Fermín, Almendrales, Moscardó, Zofío, Pradolongo.
- Puente de Vallecas: Entrevías, San Diego, Palomeras Bajas, Palomeras Sureste, Portazgo, Numancia.
- Moratalaz: Pavones, Horcajo, Marroquina, Media Legua, Fontarrón, Vinateros.
- Ciudad Lineal: Ventas, Pueblo Nuevo, Quintana, La Concepción, San Pascual, San Juan Bautista, Colina, Atalaya, Costillares.
- Hortaleza: Palomas, Valdefuentes, Canillas, Pinar del Rey, Apóstol Santiago, Piovera.
- Villaverde: Villaverde Alto, San Cristóbal, Butarque, Los Rosales, Los Ángeles.
- Villa de Vallecas: Casco Histórico de Vallecas, Santa Eugenia.
- Vicálvaro: Casco Histórico de Vicálvaro, Ambroz.
- San Blas: Simancas, Hellín, Amposta, Arcos, Rosas, Rejas, Canillejas, Salvador.
- Barajas: Alameda de Osuna, Aeropuerto, Casco Histórico de Barajas, Timón, Corralejos.
Wandering Madrid popular neighborhoods :
- Alonso Martínez - Many pubs and small discos. Until about 3AM, a very young crowd, and if you′re around here before midnight, and over the age of 20, prepare to feel positively old. Most places close around 3AM, then people move to nearby areas to continue partying (clubs in Gran Vía or Tribunal).
- Barrio de las Letras / Huertas - Many of Spain's most famous writers lived there (Cervantes, Quevedo, etc.). It's inbetween Lavapiés, Puerta del Sol and Paseo del Prado. It is an area full of history and interesting buildings and is also well-known because of its concentration of bars, pubs, restaurants and hotels. Plaza de Santa Ana is a beautiful square. It can be considered "too touristic" for some local people.
- Chueca - Near Malasaña and Gran Vía, it is the gay district (although no one is ever excluded) with a very strong personality. New design, trendy shops, cool cafes. Pop and electronic music. By far, the most cosmopolitan place in town. Has become quite chic and expensive.
- Tribunal / Malasaña - Hip area. You can enjoy a café, a dinner, a book or just some drinks. Mainly rock and pop music clubs, some of them still open from "La movida madrileña" (a vibrant cultural period from the early 80's). Calle Manuela Malasaña is a great place to eat. So is Calle del Pez although it has mostly bars. Plaza Dos de Mayo is the heart of the district and a great place to have a drink in the open.
- Conde Duque - Like Malasaña, this district shares a similar audience. Calle Conde Duque is full of cafés and restaurant. Between the main squares in the district, Plaza de Guardias de Corps and Plaza de las Comendadoras, you will also find other options to have drinks, cafés or tapas. The Conde Duque Cultural Centre usually hosts shows, concerts and exhibitions.
- Gran Vía - The place that never sleeps. Major street that includes many popular nightclubs, usually open from 1AM to 6-7AM.
- La Latina - Near Lavapiés, it is the place to go for tapas and full of bohemian young people looking for stylish bars. In the old section, many small bars and pubs, a generally older crowd (late 20s, 30s - you know, "adults"). Contains La Cava Baja street. Avoid places in the Plaza Mayor but for sunbathing and beers. Multiple bars serving fantastic tapas in the Cava Baja and Cuchilleros. The area centered on Calle Calatrava (what the locals call 'Chuecatina') is has developed into a gay (but very hetero-friendly) zone. It's surprisingly very crowded on Sunday mornings, from 11AM to late in the afternoon due to its close location to the flea market El Rastro.
- Lavapiés - Multicultural quarter of the city, with more than 50% foreign residents, mostly from Africa, Asia and Latin America. An increasing amount of westerners are choosing Lavapies as their residence in Madrid, mainly because of the hip vibe it has attained in recent years. Plenty of world music bars and many alternative theaters and art galleries. Lavapiés is maybe the most cosmopolitan and hippy area at the same time in Madrid. Indian restaurants, alternative cafés, African music and South American shops. Several community gardens, food co-ops and eco shops are scattered around the district. Not a lot of tourists here since the quarter holds no monumental sights but has a rather a unique atmosphere. Walking around for a beer or a coffee is well worth it.
- Moncloa - Due to its proximity to the main University in Madrid (Universidad Complutense), Moncloa is associated with students and a student lifestyle, many cheap bars and discos as it is near the university, although some of the places are best avoided.
- Salamanca - Plenty of expensive boutiques, unique shops with impossible prices and department stores.
- Torre Europa. There used to be several posh pubs and clubs under the tower across from the stadium. There are 4 or 5 bars and discos in the avenida de Brazil area catering to a young and student crowd.
- Ciudad Universitaria. This area is where most of the students reside as there are several dorms in this area. There are many, many cheap bars with great nightlife starting from Thursdays.
A lot to see in Madrid Spain such as :
Royal Palace of Madrid
Museo Nacional del Prado
Plaza Mayor
El Retiro Park
Puerta del Sol
Gran Vía, Madrid
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
Temple of Debod
San Miguel Market
Catedral de la Almudena
Puerta de Alcalá
El Rastro
Palacio de Cristal
Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
Plaza de Cibeles
Plaza de España
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Barrio de La Latina
National Archaeological Museum
Cybele Palace
Universidad
Real Jardín Botánico
Calle de Alcalá
Plaza Mayor
Plaza de Santa Ana
Madrid Zoo Aquarium
Manzanares
Plaza de Colón
Casa de Campo
Plaza de España
Parque Warner Madrid
CaixaForum Madrid
Sorolla Museum
Sabatini Gardens
Lavapiés
Fountain of Neptune
Matadero Madrid
Teatro Real
Plaza de la Villa
Círculo de Bellas Artes
Palacio
Royal Palace of El Pardo
Parque de El Capricho
Basilica of San Francisco el Grande, Madrid
La Osa y el Madroño
Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales
Campo del Moro
Parque de Atracciones de Madrid
Museum Cerralbo
Museum Triangle is Madrid's museum district, named for the three major art museums clustered along Paseo del Prado east of the old city: the Museo del Prado, one of the finest art museums in the world, the Thyssen-Bornemisza, a baron's collection of classical art, and the Reina Sofia, Madrid's modern art museum. However, a couple of smaller museums also occupy the neighborhood which are well worth seeing as well. Its important to note that many of the museums offer free entry during certain times most days. It varies by museum and day, but to if you are looking to take advantage of these beautiful muesums with a lesser budget, it is still possible, if you’re willing to queue. For example, the Prado sometimes has queues of over 200 meters with several hundred people, yet one could stroll into the Thyssen on Monday at 1pm.
For football fanatics, a trip to the Santiago Bernabeu, the home of local club Real Madrid is not to be missed. Real Madrid is the most successful football club in Spain and Europe, having been crowned Spanish champions a record 32 times and European champions a record 13 times. Their biggest rivals by far are FC Barcelona, with which it contests matches known popularly as El Clásico at least twice a year. The rivalry between the two sides is by far the biggest in Spain and one of the most intense in the world, and stems from the longstanding traditional rivalry between the Spanish and Catalan speaking parts of Spain. As such, tickets for such matches often sell out very quickly. In case you arrive in Madrid on non-match periods, you can take a self-guided tour of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. It includes tours around the field, the dressing rooms, the Press Room and the Real Madrid Museum where the trophies and other memorabilia are kept. Without a loyalty card, the typical fees for adults is €16. However, a few days before a match, the chances are you will not be able to take the full tour, but only a part of it, with at least the Real Madrid Museum, at a reduced price.
Atlético de Madrid, plays games in the Wanda Metropolitano stadium. The club is one of the most successful in Spanish League history, having won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey on ten occasions, including a double in 1996. They also won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1962, were European Cup runners-up in 1974 and 2014, Intercontinental Cup winners in 1975 and more recently won the UEFA Europa League in 2010 and 2012 and the European SuperCup in 2010 and 2012.
Best restaurants in Madrid
Madrid has a number of "typical" dishes:
- Gallinejas and Entresijos - Portions from different parts of lamb fried in its fat. Very traditional and typical from Madrid city.
- 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 vegetables. The particularity of this stew is the way it is served. The soup, chickpeas and meat are served and eaten separately.
- Oreja de Cerdo - Pigs ears, fried in garlic. This popular dish is widely eaten throughout central Spain.
- Sopa de Ajo - 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.
Where to Eat in Madrid:
Many restaurants are available in Madrid, We will offer some of our Best choices for budget and elite restaurants
- Tasca La Farmacia
- Le Cabrera
- La Taberna de Los Huevos de Lucio
- L’Hardy
- Santceloni
- Kabuki
- Zalacain
- Diverxo
- La Terraza del Casino
- Ramón Freixa Madrid
- Freiduría de Gallinejas Embajadores
- Museo del Jamon
- Cervecería 100 Montaditos
- Home Burger
- Antigua Huevería
- Alhambra
- Bacchus
- Al-Jaima (Cocina del Desierto)
- Casa de Valencia
- Chocolatería San Ginés
- Cocina Mex-Mex
- D'fabula
- El Inti de Oro
- Estay
- La Bola
- Jaen 3
- La Mucca
- La Casa del Abuelo
- La Rollerie
- Malacatin
- La Barraca
- Botín
- Casa Lucio
- La Trainera
- Teatriz
- Manete
- Casa Nemesio
- Telegrafo
Madrid hotel booking :
Many Hotels and hosels avilabel in Madrid, we will offer some and you can always check them with many sites online and we recommend tripadvisor
- Petit Palace Lealtad Plaza
- Hotel NH Palacio de Tepa
- Quo Puerta del Sol
- Quo Godoy Hotel
- Osuna
- Mirasierra Suites Hotel & Spa
- Meninas Hotel
- Maria Elena Palace
- Hotel Villa Magna
- Hotel De Las Letras
- Hotel Atlantico Madrid
- Gran Melia Fenix
- Gran Hotel Velazquez
- Adler Hotel Madrid
- ME Madrid
- Pension Paquita
- Only You Hotel & Lounge
- Hotel Senator Gran Via Madrid
- Hotel San Antonio de la Florida
- Hotel Regina Madrid
- Hotel near Real Madrid FC
- Hotel NH Nacional
- Hotel Madrid Preciados
- Asturias
- Artistic Bed & Breakfast
- Generator Hostel
- Hostal San Martin
- Way Hostel Residence
- REAJ Youth Hostels
- Los Amigos Backpackers Hostel
- Hostal Visa
- Hostal Villagarcía
- Hostal Plaza d'Ort
- Equity Point Madrid aka Hostal Metropol
- Cat's Hostel
- Mad Hostel
- The Hat
- Sol Hostel
Shopping Districts:
- 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 center, 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 street, and on Jorge Juan St you can find even more luxury shops.
- Chueca and Fuencarral Street Area. This part of the city used to be an abandoned and marginal area. However recently, 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 center concept. Apart from the purely commercial, this area proposes a wide range of gastronomy and party clubs by night in the weekends.
- Calle Toledo, south of Plaza Mayor. A number of traditional shops selling Spanish rope soled shoes (espadrilles or alpargatas), jute products, and leather can be found here.
- El Rastro. (Metro: La Latina). only open on Sunday mornings. Madrid's largest flea market, featuring rows upon rows of private vendors selling a variety of homemade bads, and a plethora 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.
- Cuesta de Moyano, (near Museo del Prado). A quaint outdoor book market.
- El Mercado de San Miguel
Madrid is served by several roads and three modes of public surface transport, and two airports, one of them being almost two different airports. A great many important road, rail and air links converge on the capital, providing effective connections with other parts of the metropolitan region and with the rest of Spain and other parts of Europe.
( Madrid - Spain ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Madrid. Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Madrid - Spain
Join us for more :
No comments :
Post a Comment