Visiting Madrid for Business in a couple of weeks.
I arrive on a Sunday....then then leave the following Saturday to meet a friend in Monte Carlo.
I am staying at the Marriott-AC Hotel Aitana.
I am on business so typical day will probably be like 8:30-4:30ish work wise.
I have looked around the web, etc and am really clueless of what to see, what I CAN see in the evening, etc etc.
Any advice?
Redhead
May 29, 12, 11:02 pm
Madrid is a great city in the evening and nights. Dinner is usually around 10. I would actually expect your work day to be a bit longer since you will likely have 60-90 min break for lunch.
The museums should have some later hours. The Prado is a true treasure.
Go tapa crawling on C/ Cava Baja behind Plaza del Sol. (Do not eat in Sol, crappy over priced tourist food).
I don't know what their hours are anymore but you can visit the Convento de Los Descalzos. The tours are in Spanish only.
I also love sitting out with a glass of wine and some tapas inPlaza Santa Ana.
sparkchaser
May 30, 12, 12:15 am
My advice:
1. Watch out for gypsies.
2. If you dine outside, be sure that you have control over your property at all times.
3. If you a solo male and are anywhere near Calle de la Montera, do not make eye contact with any lone female as the prostitutes are surprisingly aggressive (either that or I am irresistible to Spanish women which is a possibility).
4. Do not order paella at any restaurant that has signs out front with pictures of paella.
aster
May 30, 12, 12:56 am
My advice:
1. Watch out for gypsies.
2. If you dine outside, be sure that you have control over your property at all times.
3. If you a solo male and are anywhere near Calle de la Montera, do not make eye contact with any lone female as the prostitutes are surprisingly aggressive (either that or I am irresistible to Spanish women which is a possibility).
4. Do not order paella at any restaurant that has signs out front with pictures of paella.
Is crime that much of a problem in Madrid?
JohnnyColombia
May 30, 12, 1:17 am
Is crime that much of a problem in Madrid?
In my opinion no, #2 is valid, beware of apparently friendly couples, one distracting you whilst the other robs you. #1 I have never had issues with gypsies, #3 I didn't find the hookers aggressive, they are just there but don't hassle you. #4 is excellent advice
JohnnyColombia
May 30, 12, 1:26 am
Duplicate
choijw
May 30, 12, 2:02 am
The museums should have some later hours. The Prado is a true treasure.
Also, Prado and Reina Sofia (Picasso's Guernica) has free entrance for the something like the last 2 hours of the day. There is a line though, depending on weekday or weekend. Check the links http://www.museodelprado.es/en/visit-the-museum/ticket-sales and http://www.museoreinasofia.es/visita/tarifas_en.html
If you like seafood, I really enjoyed Marisqueria Ribeira do Mino on my last visit about a month ago (31eur for a plate for two with crab, shrimp, etc). Checkout tripadvisor for more reviews (it may not be for everyone).
sparkchaser
May 30, 12, 2:15 am
Is crime that much of a problem in Madrid?
I felt safer there than in many U.S. cities but an unaware person and his belongings may soon be parted.
Christopher
May 30, 12, 2:25 am
The art galleries are a must, particularly the Prado but also the Queen Sofia (Reina Sofia).
The day-to-day timings of life in Madrid will come as a shock if you're not used to it. After breakfast, the working day seems to get off to a start at a "normal" sort of time, but there is often a big wind-down at lunch-time, even if not any more the full-blown siesta of yesteryear in most modern offices.
The evenings are very long and very late. You'll have trouble dining much before 9.00pm (except in the most touristy restaurants, which are not recommended), and if you do dine at 9.00 it will seem like the nursery hour (like dining at 6.00 in, say, London would do).
Concerts start late – the great Spanish–Catalan soprano Victoria de los Angeles used to be regarded as somewhat eccentric for starting her song recitals in Spain at 8.00 or 8.30pm (more like a matinée!); I remember going to a flamenco "evening" (not aimed at tourists) that got merrily under way at 12.45 am and was still going at 3.00 am – and it was billed as an "evening performance".
You've just got to get used to all of this; don't go to bed at 10.00pm though, because the evening is yet young at that time and you'll miss all the fun. Just watching the Madrileños and Madrileñas promenading in the late evenings is worthwhile.
The advice about watching your possessions is probably a good one, especially in these straightened times. But the people of Madrid will treat you well – they have a great sense of of their own dignity (no bad thing), so don't expect the overwhelming and "in-your-face" joie de vivre that is sometimes on display in Mediterranean countries: the Spanish way is much more subtle than that.
M60_to_LGA
May 30, 12, 7:29 am
Is crime that much of a problem in Madrid?
Violent crime, not so much. Snatch-and-grab, yes. Especially if you look like a tourist. Pickpocketing is a particular problem.
There are some aggressive thieves in Madrid - I've had guys come up to me on a busy street and grab my arm, trying obviously to wrestle their way into my pockets. I've discovered that when I start screaming at them loudly in Spanish, that's pretty much the end of it. There's also the old trick of a gypsy woman coming up to you, flinging a baby at you (!) so you try to catch it, and then the other kids hanging around swarm you and try to steal your money. I actually saw this happen to an old Spanish guy on the street near/on Gran Vía, but he grabbed the woman, and a whole sh*tshow ensued until the cops came.
I also saw someone at Chamartín station try to lift a suitcase from a tourist on an escalator. I don't really know what he was thinking, but that plan didn't go well. It's sort of hard to make off surreptitiously with a suitcase that someone's holding onto...
Madrid isn't a particularly dangerous city, so don't stress yourself out too much. But it's probably a good idea not to carry unnecessary amounts of cash with you, and to make sure you have copies/#s of your passport, credit cards etc back at the hotel.
Christopher
May 30, 12, 8:08 am
There's also the old trick of a gypsy woman coming up to you, flinging a baby at you (!) so you try to catch it, and then the other kids hanging around swarm you and try to steal your money. I actually saw this happen to an old Spanish guy on the street near/on Gran Vía, but he grabbed the woman, and a whole sh*tshow ensued until the cops came.
Can I ask, what happened to the baby? Did the baby fall to the ground? This is something that I've often wondered when one reads of these scenarios (I've never seen it happen). Obviously, the strength of the scam (if "scam" is the right word) lies in the fact that it is a natural human instinct not to allow the baby to fall...
morphius909
May 30, 12, 8:20 am
Awesome advice!!!
I was in Argentina twice in the past two years so late dinners is not new to me...and long drawn out lunches...but nothing as bad as you guys state...I'll just have to bring snacks!
And I had to look up Paella! Looks good!
Err so why do I NOT visit if the pic of Paella is on the restauarant? Tourist trap?
I might have more questions...please bear with me! :)
choijw
May 30, 12, 8:22 am
Err so why do I NOT visit if the pic of Paella is on the restauarant? Tourist trap?
Yes tourist trap with microwaved individual slice of paella (that one could get at the supermarket).
morphius909
May 30, 12, 8:31 am
Yes tourist trap with microwaved individual slice of paella (that one could get at the supermarket).
Oh god. Okay !
M60_to_LGA
May 30, 12, 9:00 am
Can I ask, what happened to the baby? Did the baby fall to the ground? This is something that I've often wondered when one reads of these scenarios (I've never seen it happen). Obviously, the strength of the scam (if "scam" is the right word) lies in the fact that it is a natural human instinct not to allow the baby to fall...
The baby was fine. Perhaps "thrown" is a strong word - it's not like they launch the baby at you like a baseball - but more like drop it in your general direction. At any rate, I've never heard of a baby going splat on the sidewalk from this scam. The takeaway I think is just to be aware of what's going on if you see a gypsy woman and a whole bunch of kids suddenly surround you.
This type of scenario is usually accompanied by a lot of shrieking and wailing on the part of the woman and the kids, the better to distract/confuse their victims.
M60_to_LGA
May 30, 12, 9:01 am
Yes tourist trap with microwaved individual slice of paella (that one could get at the supermarket).
I'd actually steer clear of the paella in Madrid altogether. The city's nowhere near the water, and paella isn't really a regional strong suit. Paella in Valencia or Barcelona - totally. In Madrid, I'd stick to other things.
Of course, if you're really set on paella, you can get a good recommendation from a local or from a guidebook.
aster
May 30, 12, 9:07 am
4. Do not order paella at any restaurant that has signs out front with pictures of paella.
I would think that not ordering anything from such a place would be an even better solution.
As for crime, I was in Barcelona last year and never had any problems, nor did I notice anything bad going on. Are we talking about Madrid being similar to Barcelona or is crime there much higher?
M60_to_LGA
May 30, 12, 9:28 am
I would think that not ordering anything from such a place would be an even better solution.
As for crime, I was in Barcelona last year and never had any problems, nor did I notice anything bad going on. Are we talking about Madrid being similar to Barcelona or is crime there much higher?
I think the two cities are probably similar. I've only been to Barcelona as a tourist, and I've never had any problems. I lived in Madrid for a year, though, and had a couple of minor incidents (attempted theft) myself and knew of others who had experienced similar problems, or worse (muggings, mostly.)
I would just say not to stress too much, take basic big-city precautions, and try not to look too much like a tourist.
morphius909
May 30, 12, 10:02 am
I think the two cities are probably similar. I've only been to Barcelona as a tourist, and I've never had any problems. I lived in Madrid for a year, though, and had a couple of minor incidents (attempted theft) myself and knew of others who had experienced similar problems, or worse (muggings, mostly.)
I would just say not to stress too much, take basic big-city precautions, and try not to look too much like a tourist.
Okay so wearing a T-shirt that says "CANADA" is definitely out!
HAHA
choijw
May 30, 12, 10:20 am
I'd actually steer clear of the paella in Madrid altogether. The city's nowhere near the water, and paella isn't really a regional strong suit. Paella in Valencia or Barcelona - totally. In Madrid, I'd stick to other things.
IMO, seafood is very fresh in Madrid even if it is in the middle of a desert. I mentioned a seafood restaurant in my first post and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
A common misconception is that paella must contain seafood (paella de marisco or paella mixta). Valencian paella contains rabbit, chicken and beans. But since paella did come from Valencia, it's probably better to go to Catalan speaking regions for the authentic experience.
JohnnyColombia
May 30, 12, 10:34 am
IMO, seafood is very fresh in Madrid even if it is in the middle of a desert. I mentioned a seafood restaurant in my first post and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
A common misconception is that paella must contain seafood (paella de marisco or paella mixta). Valencian paella contains rabbit, chicken and beans.
Agreed. Unless I am mistaken, Madrid is Europe's only capital city that is not a major sea port at sea level. Despite that the seafood is amazing, Madrileños don't take any nonsense when it comes to top drawer food.
As a solo traveller you can of course just belly up to a bar in Madrid, have yourself a beer and eat as you drink. I don't like dining alone in restaurants but don't mind at all sitting at a bar, having a beer, chatting with the locals and either eating the tapas that comes with the beer or ordering myself a little "ración" of something
A cheeky little empanada gallega bought with a beer
As a matter of pedantry, though, Vienna, Budapest, Warsaw, Prague ... come readily to mind as European capitals that are not major sea ports. :p
morphius909
May 30, 12, 12:33 pm
Agreed. Unless I am mistaken, Madrid is Europe's only capital city that is not a major sea port at sea level. Despite that the seafood is amazing, Madrileños don't take any nonsense when it comes to top drawer food.
As a solo traveller you can of course just belly up to a bar in Madrid, have yourself a beer and eat as you drink. I don't like dining alone in restaurants but don't mind at all sitting at a bar, having a beer, chatting with the locals and either eating the tapas that comes with the beer or ordering myself a little "ración" of something
A cheeky little empanada gallega bought with a beer
As a matter of pedantry, though, Vienna, Budapest, Warsaw, Prague ... come readily to mind as European capitals that are not major sea ports. :p
There you go. I was mistaken! :p
What am I misremembering? All of the above are still ports right? That eventually get to the sea somehow?
JohnnyColombia
May 30, 12, 12:52 pm
That's my plan...!
I spent a week in Madrid last year after missing a connection, I have been to Madrid scores of times though and always try to time connections to give me a couple of hours in the city for lunch.
I'd like to give you some pointers but google maps is rubbish for Madrid so it is real difficult to work out where I was.
I spent most of my time either behind Plaza del Sol in the roads behind the road side (didn't explain that too well did I?) Around about Calle de Espoz y Mina.
Also Chueca has great places for a beer and some tapas and that's where I aim for when I am getting some lunch. That empanada gallega is just the other side of gran via, probably the first junction down Calle de Hortaleza.
I took a photo of the menu just in case you wanted to choose before you arrive :cool:
Of course, follow your nose, you cannot go far wrong.
OskiBear
May 30, 12, 1:54 pm
A few years ago, I did a tapas tour. We met up and wandered around, stopping in various places for tapas and drinks. It was a fantastic evening and I learned about some tapas that I wouldn't have otherwise tried on my own.
I found the tour on TripAdvisor
morphius909
May 30, 12, 2:01 pm
I spent a week in Madrid last year after missing a connection, I have been to Madrid scores of times though and always try to time connections to give me a couple of hours in the city for lunch.
I'd like to give you some pointers but google maps is rubbish for Madrid so it is real difficult to work out where I was.
I spent most of my time either behind Plaza del Sol in the roads behind the road side (didn't explain that too well did I?) Around about Calle de Espoz y Mina.
Also Chueca has great places for a beer and some tapas and that's where I aim for when I am getting some lunch. That empanada gallega is just the other side of gran via, probably the first junction down Calle de Hortaleza.
I took a photo of the menu just in case you wanted to choose before you arrive :cool:
One thing is accurate, I can confirm that it is indeed very cheeky.
Making a pie with store bought puff pastry (hojaldre) and calling it 'empanada gallega' is just as bad as taking a portion of rice from the freezer, warming it in the microwave and calling it 'paella'.
At least you can still be blown away one day when you finally get to taste a real one, lucky you!
Anyway, here's where you can find a decent empanada gallega:
Museo del Pan Gallego (which is a bakery, not a museum)
http://www.loscincomejores.com/tiendas/museo-del-pan-gallego/
And I just found out about this place which is quite new but ticks all my boxes
http://elrincondelaempanadagallega.com/es/productos/view/category/virtuemart_category_id/7
morphius909
Jun 7, 12, 9:37 am
Back with more questions, more about general travel stuff:
-I land in Barcelona, then catch a Iberia flight to Madrid.
Is this going to be a gong show? Have 1 checked luggage (Uggg hate having checked luggage, but length of trip necessitates it)
-Cash or Credit in Spain? Is exchange easy? Should I do it at the Madrid airport or Barcelona? I'll need something before i leave the airport, the rest i| can get in Madrid city I presume (ATM?)
Its two days prior to my departure and I just got back from the US and have hardly prepped hate last minute running around!!
sparkchaser
Jun 8, 12, 12:57 am
Cash in Spain.
susiesan
Jun 24, 12, 3:06 pm
DH and I will be in Madrid for 3 nights precruise in late October. Neither one of us can get to sleep if we were to eat dinner at 10:00. I was planning on making dinner of tapas. Do tapas restaurants start serving at 6:00-7:00 pm?
We are staying at Hostal Acapulco, off Gran Via near the Gran Via metro stop.
Will tapas restaurants in that area open early in the evening?
imm2b
Jun 27, 12, 5:11 pm
A great place for Tapas is El Tigre del Norte on Calle de Hortaleza, not too far from Gran Via subway station, 5-10 mins walk? I'm unsure of their hours. This place is always packed with lots of young people.
morphius909
Jul 1, 12, 10:55 pm
DH and I will be in Madrid for 3 nights precruise in late October. Neither one of us can get to sleep if we were to eat dinner at 10:00. I was planning on making dinner of tapas. Do tapas restaurants start serving at 6:00-7:00 pm?
We are staying at Hostal Acapulco, off Gran Via near the Gran Via metro stop.
Will tapas restaurants in that area open early in the evening?
I lived on tapas my entire 6 days there. And Beer :)
You'll have a great time! If you wanted to go to an actual "restaurant" you'd have issues finding an open one that early, but tapa bars should be A-Okay.
ITRADE
Jul 19, 12, 7:08 pm
The Mrs. and I are considering Spain for our next mid-winter get away. Would be a week.
What effects to travelers see by the enormous unemployment rate? I see its close to 25% country-wide right now.
imm2b
Jul 19, 12, 9:57 pm
The Mrs. and I are considering Spain for our next mid-winter get away. Would be a week.
What effects to travelers see by the enormous unemployment rate? I see its close to 25% country-wide right now.
I saw no ill effect during my trip in June. Of course, as tourists, we were probably insulated. However, even in non-tourist areas, people seem to be happy and enjoying life as normal. Restaurants and bars were packed every night.
sparkchaser
Jul 20, 12, 12:14 am
The Mrs. and I are considering Spain for our next mid-winter get away. Would be a week.
What effects to travelers see by the enormous unemployment rate? I see its close to 25% country-wide right now.
We spent close to three weeks on the Costa del Sol in Dec/Jan and saw nothing that hinted at such a high unemployment rate.
jg3
Jul 21, 12, 9:33 pm
I saw no ill effect during my trip in June. Of course, as tourists, we were probably insulated. However, even in non-tourist areas, people seem to be happy and enjoying life as normal. Restaurants and bars were packed every night.
agreed. We spent 5 days there just recently, not in the city center and everything was packed. Bars, restaurants, everything was busy. Now, there were more people just "hanging around" than the last time I was in Madrid, but over all not a big effect.
ESpen36
Jul 23, 12, 8:01 pm
I spent 9 days throughout Spain in June, and then another half week in Costa del Sol just this past week, and saw no major impact of the unemployment rate. People seemed to be out enjoying life as usual.
The advice about not attempting to eat dinner before 10pm is accurate. It's sort of like Chile/Argentina where nobody would consider eating dinner before 9pm, and even 10pm is considered early. I've never been in Spain during the winter months, when days are shorter, but during the summer, the sun doesn't set until 9:30pm, and it is still light out at 10:15pm. Most people (myself included) do not like to eat dinner while it is light outside....just seems ridiculously early.
george 3
Jul 27, 12, 7:17 am
DH and I will be in Madrid for 3 nights precruise in late October. Neither one of us can get to sleep if we were to eat dinner at 10:00. I was planning on making dinner of tapas. Do tapas restaurants start serving at 6:00-7:00 pm?
We are staying at Hostal Acapulco, off Gran Via near the Gran Via metro stop.
Will tapas restaurants in that area open early in the evening?
My wife and I had tapas for dinner at Va De Baco near the Westin and Congress of Deputies (perhaps four blocks from Westin entrance). We ate at around 9pm and drank until 1am.
YOu will find very very few restaurants open at that hour, and those that are open more touristy.
george 3
Jul 27, 12, 7:19 am
I spent 9 days throughout Spain in June, and then another half week in Costa del Sol just this past week, and saw no major impact of the unemployment rate. People seemed to be out enjoying life as usual.
The advice about not attempting to eat dinner before 10pm is accurate. It's sort of like Chile/Argentina where nobody would consider eating dinner before 9pm, and even 10pm is considered early. I've never been in Spain during the winter months, when days are shorter, but during the summer, the sun doesn't set until 9:30pm, and it is still light out at 10:15pm. Most people (myself included) do not like to eat dinner while it is light outside....just seems ridiculously early.
I saw plenty of economic impact of the downturn driving through the cities (Barcelona, Madrid, Cordoba, Malaga, Marbella, Granada) - lots of signs 'Se Vende' and 'Se Alquitar' on boarded up buildings, and lots of half finished condos and houses on Costa del Sol.
george 3
Jul 27, 12, 7:20 am
I'd actually steer clear of the paella in Madrid altogether. The city's nowhere near the water, and paella isn't really a regional strong suit. Paella in Valencia or Barcelona - totally. In Madrid, I'd stick to other things.
Of course, if you're really set on paella, you can get a good recommendation from a local or from a guidebook.
El Caldero in Madrid had great Paella, and you can modify what goes into it.