So in continuing on from my previous post 'Its Time for Me to Change the Record: Part 1- Planning My Time in PARIS', I have spent some time over the past few days (in amoungst watchng catch up videos of the London Olympics via the Foxtel ipad app) researching another European city I am getting eagerly excited to explore...Madrid.
With 17 days left till I depart and my mind already in the sky, here is a snapshot of my plans for Madrid!
Visit the Sunday El Rastro Flee Market
Metro: Puerto de Toledo (Green Line, L5) or
Tirso de Molina (Light Blue Line, L1) plus about five minutes walk.
Opening Hours: 9:00am - 3:00pm Sundays and Holidays
This famous Sunday morning flea market, located next to La Latina, one of the oldest quarters of Madrid, has everything from clothes, bags and other paraphernalia, to the funny stalls dedicated to just one single thing: there is one, for example, that sells nothing but various shapes and sizes of elastic bands!
One specific side street is dedicated to pets, with real pet shops on either side of the road, and a few people outside selling their own puppies out of cardboard boxes and sports bags. The main street, c/ Ribera de Curtidores, is the place to head to if you’d like to see antique shops in Madrid, most of which open every day of the week.
There are two extra reasons for visiting the Rastro on a Sunday morning: the first is the live music, from the organ grinder playing Chotis, a popular music and dance from Madrid, to a complete Jazz band if you’re lucky.
The second reason is food: finish your Rastro visit with either the traditional bocadillo de calamares, a battered squid baguette sold in one of the many bars lining the main Rastro strip, or head towards the atmospheric heart of La Latina for lunch in one of the many tapas bars around Plaza de la Cebada and Cava Baja.
TIPS: Be careful with your wallet, camera and other possessions, as this is a favourite spot for pickpockets.
Enjoy free tapas and cheap beer or Sangria at El Tigre
With 17 days left till I depart and my mind already in the sky, here is a snapshot of my plans for Madrid!
Visit the Sunday El Rastro Flee Market
Metro: Puerto de Toledo (Green Line, L5) or
Tirso de Molina (Light Blue Line, L1) plus about five minutes walk.
Opening Hours: 9:00am - 3:00pm Sundays and Holidays
This famous Sunday morning flea market, located next to La Latina, one of the oldest quarters of Madrid, has everything from clothes, bags and other paraphernalia, to the funny stalls dedicated to just one single thing: there is one, for example, that sells nothing but various shapes and sizes of elastic bands!
One specific side street is dedicated to pets, with real pet shops on either side of the road, and a few people outside selling their own puppies out of cardboard boxes and sports bags. The main street, c/ Ribera de Curtidores, is the place to head to if you’d like to see antique shops in Madrid, most of which open every day of the week.
There are two extra reasons for visiting the Rastro on a Sunday morning: the first is the live music, from the organ grinder playing Chotis, a popular music and dance from Madrid, to a complete Jazz band if you’re lucky.
The second reason is food: finish your Rastro visit with either the traditional bocadillo de calamares, a battered squid baguette sold in one of the many bars lining the main Rastro strip, or head towards the atmospheric heart of La Latina for lunch in one of the many tapas bars around Plaza de la Cebada and Cava Baja.
TIPS: Be careful with your wallet, camera and other possessions, as this is a favourite spot for pickpockets.
Enjoy free tapas and cheap beer or Sangria at El Tigre
Address: Calle de las Infantas (no. 30) in Chueca (parallel to Gran Via).
Metro: Gran Via or Chueca
Opening hours: Daily from 2.30pm-2.30am
El Tigre is a bar in the center of Madrid, just off Gran Vía (perfect considering I'm staying on the Gran Via), and in the über-trendy and gay barrio, Chueca. But this bar is neither trendy nor gay. It’s always bustling — and with good reason. With a 1.50 euro caña (small beer) you get a plate full of whatever’s on the grill and more: patatas bravas, croquetas, jamón, egg, fried peppers, cheese. The guys behind the bar yell orders constantly, while pouring beers, and move as if bar tending were a choreographed art. You have to fight your way to the bar and perch your plate wherever you can, but a tasty and filling meal for under 5 euros (that’s three cañas) and great ambiente are worth it.
Enjoy some drinks (either alcoholic or not) at Nuevo Café Barbieri
Address : Calle del Ave María 45
Metro: Take No. 3- Lavapiés
Opening Hours: Daily from 3pm till late
A 1901 café with mirrored walls, impossibly high ceilings, and red velvet; which focuses on drinks: from teas and chocolates to cocktails and beers. Evenings there’s live music in a back room. A must for a chilled atmosphere and delicious concoctions!
Take a ride on the Teleferico de Madrid Cable Car
Address: Paseo del Pintor Rosales
Metro: Argüelles
Open Apr-Sept noon-8.30pm Mon-Fri; noon-9pm Sat, Sun. Oct-Mar noon-7pm Mon-Fri; noon-7.30pm Sat, Sun.
Tickets (return) €4.20; €3.30 concessions. Free under-3s.
If heights don't make you dizzy (or not hung over from too much Sangria) take a ride on the Teleferico cable cars that offer fantastic views of the city.
From a height of 40 metres you get to see the Parque del Oeste, the Manzanares River, the Palacio Royal and more during the 15 minute trip. For more info check out http://www.teleferico.com
Bar, cafe or restaurant hop around a Madrid Plazas
Metro: Gran Via or Chueca
Opening hours: Daily from 2.30pm-2.30am
El Tigre is a bar in the center of Madrid, just off Gran Vía (perfect considering I'm staying on the Gran Via), and in the über-trendy and gay barrio, Chueca. But this bar is neither trendy nor gay. It’s always bustling — and with good reason. With a 1.50 euro caña (small beer) you get a plate full of whatever’s on the grill and more: patatas bravas, croquetas, jamón, egg, fried peppers, cheese. The guys behind the bar yell orders constantly, while pouring beers, and move as if bar tending were a choreographed art. You have to fight your way to the bar and perch your plate wherever you can, but a tasty and filling meal for under 5 euros (that’s three cañas) and great ambiente are worth it.
Enjoy some drinks (either alcoholic or not) at Nuevo Café Barbieri
Address : Calle del Ave María 45
Metro: Take No. 3- Lavapiés
Opening Hours: Daily from 3pm till late
A 1901 café with mirrored walls, impossibly high ceilings, and red velvet; which focuses on drinks: from teas and chocolates to cocktails and beers. Evenings there’s live music in a back room. A must for a chilled atmosphere and delicious concoctions!
Take a ride on the Teleferico de Madrid Cable Car
Address: Paseo del Pintor Rosales
Metro: Argüelles
Open Apr-Sept noon-8.30pm Mon-Fri; noon-9pm Sat, Sun. Oct-Mar noon-7pm Mon-Fri; noon-7.30pm Sat, Sun.
Tickets (return) €4.20; €3.30 concessions. Free under-3s.
If heights don't make you dizzy (or not hung over from too much Sangria) take a ride on the Teleferico cable cars that offer fantastic views of the city.
From a height of 40 metres you get to see the Parque del Oeste, the Manzanares River, the Palacio Royal and more during the 15 minute trip. For more info check out http://www.teleferico.com
Bar, cafe or restaurant hop around a Madrid Plazas
It is recommended that at least once whilst in Madrid that you attempt to try every bar around the Plaza Santa Ana or Plaza del Dos de Mayo. Lively and popular spots for both young and old. The squares are lined with trendy cafes and restaurants (that set out tables when the weather's nice) and has a children's playground and exercise equipment for senior citizens. People often gather with their friends on the stone benches surrounding the statues and the brick arch (the former entrance to the Monteleón barracks) dominating the square. A perfect place to (again) enjoy some delicious sangria and food and soak in a Madrid day.
Ok, ok so simply writing this blog has got me into a little bit of a panic, a lot of the places I'm told "I must go too" involve eating or drinking, which for a girl who has worked damn hard of recent to lose some weight and get a healthier body, this has me worried. I guess it's all in moderation.
If I am able to get an added work out in at the hotel, I may even allow myself to enjoy one of Madrid's legendary 'churro' which is a donut like strip that should be dunked in gloopy hot chocolate the famous San Gines churreria or enjoy a fun introduction to Madrid’s food at El Mercado de San Miguel. The glass and metal building contains dozens of kiosks showcasing a wide variety of Spanish cuisine.
As a lover of art and historical culture I must not forget a visit to the Art Galleries and Museums.
I'm not sure if I will get around ALL of the 'Golden Triangle' of galleries, but I would at least like to check out the Reina Sofia Museum.
Address: Santa Isabel, 52
Metro: Atocha (Light Blue Line, L1)
Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 - 21:00. Sunday 10:00 - 14:30. Closed Tuesday.
Entry fee: €6.00.
Free for the general public: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 19:00 - 21:00, Saturdays: 14:30 - 21:00, Sundays: 10:00 - 14:30 and on 18 April, 18 May, 12 October and 06 December
The Reina Sofia art museum makes up part of Madrid's 'Golden Triangle' of famous museums. It houses an extremely important collection of 20th and 21st century art. Picasso's famous Guernica is well worth a look, as are the works of Miró and Dalí. For further information check out http://www.museoreinasofia.es
Ok, ok so simply writing this blog has got me into a little bit of a panic, a lot of the places I'm told "I must go too" involve eating or drinking, which for a girl who has worked damn hard of recent to lose some weight and get a healthier body, this has me worried. I guess it's all in moderation.
If I am able to get an added work out in at the hotel, I may even allow myself to enjoy one of Madrid's legendary 'churro' which is a donut like strip that should be dunked in gloopy hot chocolate the famous San Gines churreria or enjoy a fun introduction to Madrid’s food at El Mercado de San Miguel. The glass and metal building contains dozens of kiosks showcasing a wide variety of Spanish cuisine.
As a lover of art and historical culture I must not forget a visit to the Art Galleries and Museums.
I'm not sure if I will get around ALL of the 'Golden Triangle' of galleries, but I would at least like to check out the Reina Sofia Museum.
Address: Santa Isabel, 52
Metro: Atocha (Light Blue Line, L1)
Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 - 21:00. Sunday 10:00 - 14:30. Closed Tuesday.
Entry fee: €6.00.
Free for the general public: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 19:00 - 21:00, Saturdays: 14:30 - 21:00, Sundays: 10:00 - 14:30 and on 18 April, 18 May, 12 October and 06 December
The Reina Sofia art museum makes up part of Madrid's 'Golden Triangle' of famous museums. It houses an extremely important collection of 20th and 21st century art. Picasso's famous Guernica is well worth a look, as are the works of Miró and Dalí. For further information check out http://www.museoreinasofia.es
