Madrid, Spain
 

Since I got in on the Air Europa|Travelocity deal, I'll be headed to Madrid this October. As I'm looking for things to do to fill my 5 days there I decided to be the one to start the thread that so many have been asking about over in the MR forum. So, I'd just like to start with the following link for general information about Madrid and hopefully we'll be able to add to this:

http://www.aboutmadrid.com/

Regards,

DJ.

There are several things you must do in Madrid, and most of them involve eating and drinking. But to do this, you must get your timing in sync with the other people there. If you go for dinner at 7pm and are in bed by midnight, you will miss everything. Unless you have chocolate con churros at 6am, you haven't had a night out in Madrid. And unless you have a proper siesta, you will collapse halfway through.

The museums there are grand, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza was my personal favourite. Well worth a visit.

But for me, the endless array of small bars, each with their speciality drink, different music, different tapas... That was the highlight. Don't be daunted by tapas (some are even scared of it). Dive right it.

www.madridman. is a helpful site too. I did some side trips out of Madrid to Segovia and Toledo and found the BB there very helpful. I think "the" Madrid Man also posts on FT once in a while.

One word of adivce. They take their siesta time very seriously. Plan on eating late at night. Plan on NO food being available between 4-7, unless you count McDonald's.
You do want to have at least one multi course, multi hour meal that ends after midnight.
Also, we did the double decker bus tour our first day to get a feel for the city. Was very helpful.
Drink lots of cheap, good read wine.

Speaking of Tapas. Are these free on the bars as long as you buy drinks? Explain the culture behind how this works. Is it like free food happy hours in the US?

No, you pay by the plate. It is fine if you want just one plate, or want to make a meal out of it - or sample something at one place, and have your next glass of vino at the next place, with more tapas. I was there for 4 nights last year, and really, not a bad meal, and many were just samplings of tapas at several places. (With 4 people, you get to try lots of stuff).

I really recommend a day in Toledo - just take the bus. (Comfortable, and much faster than the train, apparently).

I was highly impressed with Madrid.

Not in my experience. While that is true for some tapas (bigger / tastier ones), an awful lot of the local places give you a choice of small tapas with your wine - it might be something just like a plate of fresh olives in oil (which I always get), or a bit of cheese. In my experience, you pay for the fancier stuff that entails preparation. Like anything, it probably depends where you go.

Madrid nightlife gets started late and you generally don't see people out and about before 10pm.

peace,
~Ben~

Fear of tapas? Tapaphobia.
 

Am I the only person who goes places to do things other than drinking?

I'm not questioning you, but it just seems silly. Scared of tapas?

Jajajajajaja. All I can now think of is "El Temor de las Tapas ", a film by Almovodar.

>I'm looking for things to do to fill my 5 days there

I would definitely take a day trip to Segovia:

http://www.softdoc.es/madrid_guide/d...s/segovia.html

Cheers,
Geoff Glave
Vancouver, Canada

Indeed not - in fact, I don't even drink alcohol... But the food and nightlife in Madrid is definitely a major highlight of the city, it's often unlike anywhere else.

Scared of tapas may be an exaggeration - 'confused by' may be more appropriate. Being able to judge what to order, and how much, and how it fits into their day's eating. Although I've seen people very unhappy with dishes such as 'squid in ink'...

How many people here are actually going because of this deal?

I'll be there 9/28 - 10/4. I plan on staying cheap, eating cheap, and seeing and doing a lot. I've done a small bit of research and it looks like there are quite a few good hostels in and around Madrid. I'm young, so I'll probably do that. Plus, travelling alone, it's a good way to meet others to explore the area with.

A friend and I got in on the deal and will be there 09/28-10/05.

No idea what we're going to do once we get there yet.

9/14-9/27
 

with 12 days in spain, i am thinking MAD, BCN, and Sevilla.
Hope this is not too much.
Travel mate(s) would be cool! I am a 33YO easy going gay male from boston. Let me know if interested.

Regards,
Udaan

9/28-10/3
 

Five days in Spain, so we'll probably end up doing 3 days in Madrid, two days w/a rental car on sidetrips (Toledo, Segovia, etc). Can't wait - should be a blast!

Plane Trasfer
 

Is anyone familiar with the Logan Internantional? In order to make the International Flight, after I fly in, will I have to go back through screening after collecting my baggage. My flight leaves around 5:30 p.m. but the connecting flight into BOS doesn't arrive (if on time!?) unitl 3:45. The real question is should I fly in the night before or would this small window be a good bet?

Bump
 

Bump!!!

The Palace is a must see .....you're shown a lot and it's all magnificent. The Prado is an etraordinary museum not only for its collection but its presentation as well. Segovia is fabulous, charming and rather more large than I had thought.Takes a lot of time to see it all. You can return to Madrid by taking a road through the mountains and see some gorgeous country as well. Have only been to Spain once and would love to return.

Madrid is a great city. I lived there for the spring semester of college in 1993 and visited the last time in 2003. The people are so warm and helpful though Spaniards in my experience don't excel at giving directions.

I would never think of leaving Madrid without going to Mallorca, the upscale chain store with the best mini sandwiches you'll ever have. My favorite location is right near Retiro Park. It is also fun if you speak a little Spanish to hang out with the locals in a bar late at night. You can strike up a conversation with anyone and they will happily share a few stories with you. I would also recommend the art museums including the Reina Sofia which houses Picasso's "Guernica" and a few other gems. I also love going to the Plaza Mayor. It is touristy but beautiful though the Plaza Mayor in Salamanca is more charming. A bull fight is also an interesting experience. Some find it fascinating, some cruel but it is a part of their culture. The supermarket in the basement of the El Corte Ingles near Retiro Park is also fabulous. Can you tell I like food?

OK, let's everyone calm down and take a deep breath. Allow me to correct some misconceptions. Note that I'm not saying anyone is wrong, exactly, just that a day or two in a place doesn't necessarily give one an accurate picture of the comings, goings, and doings of things. My first couple of trip reports from Spain were, um, full of places where I sort of filled in the blanks.

That being said, here are a couple of suggestions:

1. Bars and restaurants don't close for siesta (with the exception of restaurants that would normally close between lunch and dinner); in fact, it's pretty much the only thing to do. When the shops and museums close, the nearest bar is a great option.

2. Some bars will give you something free with a drink; this is typical of Madrid and the south but not the case in the north of Spain. Not all will do it. If they give it to you without ordering it (and without asking what you want), it's free. If you have to order, you'll get a bill. But it isn't likely to be much.

3. I'm now working in Madrid every week so will post interesting places that I find to this thread.

4. There is plenty to do in the city but if you're here anyway, you may as well do some day trips. Those of you headed to Barcelona should (1) kick yourself that you'll be here too soon for BOO DOO TWO™ and (2) do a search for my username in the Western Europe forum for restaurant and general recommendations.

Ahh yes the glorious Madrid! I went there twice in 2003 in October + December. As for weather in October, it seemed quite mild about 50's from what I can remember. Remember to also feast on lunch, not dinner, as lunch is considered the 'main' meal of the day whereas dinner is here. If you can get tickets to a bull fight. It's a must see in Spain, really you can go without seeing one. I forget the main arena though, I think the subway stop started with a V though. The language is very easy to catch on to so don't worry about that. Its going to be a bit more expensive there as the Euro has gone up quite a bit in value! Don't rent a car, subway will get you everywhere and the airport. Well thats all I can pretty much say I don't remember going to many musuems while I was there. Just walk around you'll find plenty to do! Oh and by the way, try their hot chocolate, it's like pure melted chocolate in a cup!

I'd highly recommend the Hostal Persal. It's cheap, clean, and centrally located. The only downside is the diminutive size of the rooms and showers.

I stayed there in April and will be staying there again with my wife on our trip in October.

Is Mad, Seville, Granada, and BCN in 12 days
 

stretching it?

Dates are Sep 14-27

Probably not. You can get a good taste of Seville in a day or two, same with Granada (there's a reason they call it Gra-nada). A few days in MAD and a few in BCN and you're set. Flying is probably a better option internally than driving or training. It's 9 hours Seville-BCN by car, and 1.5 by plane. Check vueling.com and edreams.es for flight specials.

Alan, Can you please check your inbox
 

I sent you a PM

Is a day trip to Sitges good enuf
 

or should spend a night there. I will be there during the big BCN fiesta so wouldnt want to miss that.

Alan, can u throw some light?

Having a difficult time deciding what to do with my 5 days there. 9/29 to 10/3-though since one of those days is Monday, more like 4 days since much seems to be closed on Mon.

Thinking couple days in Madrid is a plenty. Unsure whether I'd rather see Sevilla,Toledo, or Granada as day trips

Just not sure what to do. Open to suggestions

Thanks

Take a look at a map. Toledo is your only day trip option from Madrid unless flying is an option.

2.5 hours from MAD to SEV via AVE train, seems day tripable to me.

I disagree; I did the following trips in 1 day from MAD when I spent a semester in Spain.

Segovia, Avila, Salamanca, El Escorial/Valle de los caillidos, and I think that I am forgetting one.

Newbie here, what is "bump"?

[QUOTE=udaan]I will be there during the big BCN fiesta so wouldnt want to miss that. QUOTE]


Oooo, what's the BCN fiesta?

In this case it's to bring a post back up to the top of the board. Most of the bumps you see mentioned on FT are when people want to get bumped off a flight and compensated.

One thing you must do in Madrid is go to the restaurant Botin. Roast suckling pig is their main event. This place is one of those restaurants that you will always remember
and will go back to every time you visit Madrid....

Straight to Toledo?
 

Upon arrival in MAD at 9.30am on9/23, I'd like to go directly to Toledo. Does anyone know the best/quickest way to do this?

Also, if you had to choose between one day in Segovia or one day in Toledo, which would you choose?

ok it's getting close to the time of my trip... 9/28-10/5... and i'm starting to get a little nervous since i haven't made any plans at all yet.

seems like everyone i've spoken with has Barcelona at the top of their list of places to get to... but I also really wanted to check out Alhambra in granada. I'm not sure that I'd be able to do both those places considering the distance, and the time involved... plus I really don't want to spend all my time traveling and not get to enjoy myself.

what do you guys think?

if i give up on barcelona... would it make sense to maybe rent a car and drive down to granada and then maybe also check out Malaga and seville and then head back to Madrid for a day or two before heading back home?

Other recommendations? Sounds like a few other will be on my flight from flyertalk... we should have a drink when we arrive (although i guess it will be a bit early in the morning. :)

Final question... on the way back, I'm assuming we'll actually go through customs in Newark not Boston... if that's the case, what's the chances I can just take my bags and stay in Newark. I've heard even if it it is possible there might be some negative consequences?

I've already bought my ticket from philly to boston, but i haven't bought a return yet and i need to make a decision pretty soon :)

If you don't have much time, Spain has a few high-speed trains. Perhaps take the 2.5 hour train to Seville. However I think you could be happy spending all your time in Madrid. I visit often for business (I'm typing this in Madrid right now) and I always look forward to it.

Also take jet lag into account. It may work to your advantage by sleeping during the late afternoon/early evening. That's why I'm up at 6:30am typing this now. ;)

Alanw is right on about some of the assumptions made. Madrid is a big city and has lots of different people living here. So you can eat at all hours of the day and the small bars are usually a treat. In fact I love to watch a football match in those small bars. Also I don't know any professional level worker who lives and works in this city that takes siestas during the business day. All my colleagues work the whole day through. If you want to participate in the business world, you can't sleep during the business day. The only difference I see from other Euro cities in this respect is that the business day doesn't start til 10 or sometimes 11 and lunch is mid-afternoon.

My advice is to stay away from the overly touristy areas such as Plaza Mayor. I prefer to wander a bit off the beaten path. However the museums are well worth the visit. Make sure you see the El Bosco (Heironymous Bosch) exhibit at the Prado.

Definitely Segovia. If you have a chance the suckling pig at the restaurant at the foot of the aqueduct is highly recommended. I can't think of the name, however, everyone knows where it is. Great evening ambiance as well.

In Madrid, to quickly get around take advantage of the Madrid Vision (red double decker) buses. Get a day pass and you can go all day hopping on and off. It was a time and money saver for us. Plus you get to see the areas you may want to have more time to visit after getting an overview.

I'm off in a little less than a week (9/28-10/4) and I've only started planning a bit in the last day. I'll be staying at a youth hostel to save $, and i'm still a "youth", so why not?

Anyone else get in on the Air Europa mistake fare that's going next week? I know there were a _lot_ of people that got the fare, but I haven't seen much posting about it. Impromptu DO? Meet for dinner/drinks?

I'm actually getting concerned that I'll run out of things to see in 5 days. Any suggestions beyond what Lonely Planet and Frommer's is telling me?

Mesón Cándido was the single worst meal we had in Spain this summer. Granted, we didn't eat the suckling pig, but we paid well over $60 for one gazpacho, two atún escabechado (cold pickled tuna -- DH had it as a first course and I had it as my main course), one roast something (veal?), which consisted of 2 thin slices of meat covered in gravy and a few (6-8) peas for garnish, one glass of wine, one bottle of mineral water. And nothing -- not even the bread :eek: -- was good. The gazpacho was acceptable. And we were almost as hungry after eating as before :rolleyes:

Just my opinion, YMMV of course! ;)