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~

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.

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

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!