Madrid Local Custom Tips by SirRichard Top 5 Page for this destination

"Doña Manolita" for Xmas Lottery

Xmas Lottery is a tradition in all Spain, but in Madrid the real tradition is to buy the lottery in some specific shops, as this old "Doña Manolita" in Gran Via. There are some huge queues on the street when Xmas come.

Bullfightings Entertainement Review

This is something every tourist who comes to Madrid wants to see once!! I am not very fond of it, but will try to give you an idea of what is it all about...

Where to see it?
Madrid arena called "Las Ventas" (http://www.las-ventas.com/). This web is interesting, but is in spanish. To get there, take the Metro, line 2 (red) till the end, stop "Ventas"

When to see it?
The corridas take place every sunday (from march to october) and in certain festivities. There are special corridas in San Isidro festivities, in may, with shows every day of the week.

Prices
The prices go from 2 euros (at the very top under the sun) to 100 (first row on the shade). Why different prices for sun and shade? Because all the corridas start at 5pm, and the sun is high normally at that time...

Where to buy the tickets? The best way is in the Plaza, the fridays (10-2, 5-8) or in certain "agencies" (Victoria street, near Sol), but there is more expensive (20% more).
There is a website too, for tickets all over Spain:
http://www.ticketstoros.com/ingles/teyci.html

How does it go?
There are normally 6 bulls, played by 6 different toreros (though some may play several, depends). Each bull has to be "played" and then killed with a sword and the corrida ends when the 6 bulls are killed.

It might be a disgusting show for some animal lovers and sensible souls, but beside the bull itself, there are many colourful and ethnically interesting aspects that make a bullfight an interesting experience while in Madrid...

Other Contact: http://www.ticketstoros.com/ingl

Website: http://www.las-ventas.com

Chestnuts in autumn Gastronomy Review

In autumn you will find many baked chestnuts street stalls in Madrid. Most of them sell only chestnuts by dozens, but some also provide corn and "batatas" (a kind of sweet potatoes).

Lazy mornings at the Retiro Park Entertainement Review

Whenever I have the chance I like to buy the sunday press and sit under the sun in the Retiro Park. It is like an oasis of calm in busy Madrid. I like to separate the different sections in the newspaper, and start reading each one till the very last page. That's my idea of a lazy sunday morning.

For the colour supplement I go to the nearest terrace and order a cold beer and some olives :-))))))))

Local dressing Local Festivities Review

At the pic you can see the traditional dress of Madrid. They are mainly wear in the local festivities of San Isidro (15th May). At this pic you can see my younger daughter Celia wearing it at a school show :-))

Some Useful Links...

Many kinds of maps (streets, transport...):<BR>
<a href=http://www.softguides.com/madrid_guide/maps/maps.html target=_blank>http://www.softguides.com/madrid_guide/maps/maps.html</a><BR>
&bGeneral info:
<a href=http://www.softguides.com/madrid_guide/info/info.html target=_blank>http://www.softguides.com/madrid_guide/info/info.html</a><BR>
Another one:<BR> <a href=http://www.aboutmadrid.com/ target=_blank> http://www.aboutmadrid.com/</a><BR>
<a href=http://spainforvisitors.com/archive/blfiles/bl_madridaccommodation_onestar_ .htm>www.spainforvisitors.com</a>
Useful info:
www.madridman.com

San Isidro Festivities Local Festivities Review

On the 15th May is the local Festivity of San Isidro. There are many celebrations around, specially on that day.
But on all that week and the previous, you will find many many concerts, exhibitions and so.
More info at www.munimadrid.com
BTW, if you come in that week, reserve in advance, just in case...

www.MultiMadrid.com

Lots of info about Madrid, webcams, desktop images, message board, practical info... A wonderful page on Madrid by Jeremy Reines (Plazacam)

Website: http://www.multimadrid.com

Guia del Ocio Entertainement Review

If U R looking for a complete guide on "what-to-do" in madrid, this is the one.
Pros: Everything U need to know about Madrid.
Contras: It's in spanish.
Price: 0,99 euros
In the web page (also in spanish) you can select guides of other spanish cities too.

Website: http://www.guiadelocio.com

Souvenirs Souvenirs Review

Besides the typical Bullfighting Posters with your name on it, there are lots of nice souvenirs in Madrid for you to take home...
Many shops at Puerta del Sol, Gran Via...