Retiro in the Fall and other Madrid, Spain Things to Do Tips

I am lucky enough to live about 150 meters from one of the entrances to Retiro. So whenever I get a chance I go there to run, walk, read or to hang out with friends. For you runners, my estimation is that its just under 5km/3mi all the way around staying on the path just inside the outer fence.
My favorite parts to relax are just south of the Palacio de Cristal (Glass Palace) (see foto). And to get there from my house I have to walk through the rose garden which in May is wonderful. The crystal palace serves as an art gallery most of the year to art that is usually bizarre but sometimes quite interesting. There is another building close by that also houses art expositions.
Of course the Monument to Alfonso 14th next to the lake/pond is always a cool place to people watch and listen to people playing african drums. And if its a cool day its the warmest there as the sun warms the stones. If its a hot day, rent a row boat on the pond in front and splash your friends!
Another curiousity that draws many visitors is the statue of the Fallen Angel, It is the only public statue in the world depicting Lucifer.
On weekends when the weather is nice (most of the time it is) along the pond you can find storytellers, puppets, Mickey Mouse, massage artists, tarot card readers, people selling jewelry, ice cream and many families out for a Sunday stroll.
On the other hand, use caution. Don't go alone after dark. There are some shady people that hang out in the park. Some selling drugs. If someone you dont know trys to get your attention by saying "psst" or to say hi, they are wondering if you would like to buy some. Just say "No, tio."

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Directions: The green part on your map, central Madrid.

A must see in Madrid is the The Royal Palace. It is usually open every day of the week except for the occasional official function. Although the King and Queen don't live here, whenever foreign diplomats are in town they usually have lunch or dinner at the palace. These things aren't announced in advance so if you get to the palace and its closed, that's probably the reason. I teach English there twice a week and it happens every so often that tourists hoping to visit were turned down because the Palace was closed for the afternoon. But to compensate they are open every day of the week when there arent official visits.

The Palace was constructed in the theme of Versailles after the old one burnt down in 1734. Don't miss the Royal Pharmacy and the Armour Room, which is across the courtyard from the actual palace. There are many beautifully decorated rooms to visit which contain many important pieces of furniture, paintings and tapestries. You will have to come to llearn more!!

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Phone: 91 454 88 00
Address: C/ Bailen near Plaza del Oriente
Directions: From the Opera metro stop, go past the Opera building to the other side and you will be in Pl. del Oriente facing a huge grey building on the other side. Thats the Palace. Visitor entrance is on the left side facing the Almudena Cathedral.
Website: www.patrimonionacional.es

Besides all the famous muesums and "places" to visit a must see for Spain is having tapas, little plates of spanish goodies. In Madrid there are MANY places to go to get some of the typical things. Even in the center.
But what to order??
Some typical things in Madrid include:
Tortilla espanola - Spanish potato omlette
Patatas Bravas - Potatoes with a spicy paprika sauce
Pulpo - Octupus, usually with potatoes
Calamares - Fried calamare
Championes or Setas al ajillo - Garlicky mushrooms
Gambas - Shrimp
Pescado Adobado - Battered Fish
Chorizo frito - Fried spicy sausage
Pimientos rellenos - Stuffed Peppers
Callos - Tripe (very typical Madrid dish but not too popular with tourists...)

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Address: Everywhere

When in Madrid you can't avoid sometime going through the plaza called Puerta del Sol. And rightly so, its the center of the historic district and the center of spain for that matter. You can find the 0 Kilometer mark where all the roads in spain are measured from.
Also, a helpful hint for finding an address in Madrid. No matter where the street is in the main part of the city, the street numbers begin at the end that is closest to Sol.

Sol is the typical place where we meet our friends before going out to the many restaurants and tapas bars in the area. The two places to meet are either at the 0Km mark and under the clock, or by the statue of the bear, another symbol of Madrid. That makes them interesting places to people watch as well. So take a few minutes to look to look around!

There are lots of shops to do shopping at too, especially Calle Preciados which is a walking street that goes towards Callao.

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Address: The "center" of Madrid

Every Sunday morning is the time for the famous flea market of Madrid. Great for people watching and finding a good deal (or not) Mostly they sell clothes, bags, jewelry, arts and crafts, belts, cds, home decorations, plants, but there are also sections that sell paintings, pet accesories, hardware, and at the bottom near Puerta de Toledo lots of old stuff. At Tirso de molina is where you find all your Che T-Shirts, revolutionary, anarchist and communist materials, if you were looking for that....
If you dont like crowds go early (around 10) but if you were out late the night before, do like everyone else and show up around 12 or 1. It closes around 2.30/3.
AND WATCH YOUR PURSE/WALLET! This is THE place to get robbed with so many people around to distract you.

Then after the Rastro head over to La Latina for a lunch of tapas.

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Address: Plaza del Cascorro and below
Directions: Metro Tirso de Molina or La Latina. Easily walkable from Sol area too. Start on Plaza del Cascorro and head downhill. You could do the other direction and then not have to come back up but that takes too much planning..

One of the "gates" of the city on what was the old road to the town of Alcala. Its in Pl. De la Independencia and at one of the entrances to Parque del buen Retiro.
This priveleged view is at a friends apartment on the top floor of the building in the same plaza. Beautiful view!

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Address: Pl. Independencia
Directions: On Calle Alcala, you can see it from Pl. Cibeles. Central Madrid.

Most people who travel on trains, or rent cars here in Madrid will at some point go through Atocha Staion. Regional trains such as the AVE, commuter trains (Cercanias) and Metro (Subway) trains all go through here. The old part of the station, near the AVE departure tracks has been converted into a nice tropical indoor garden which can be relaxing for the frazzled traveleer. There are birds and turtles and people asking you for money. There is also a restaurant at the other end which is fine if you are travelling but dont go to the station just to eat there.

Outside the station next to the Repsol Gas station currently under construction is a monument to remember the victims of the bombings on March 11,2004. It is set to be finished by the two year anniversary March 2006. One of the 4 trains that were bombed that day was at Atocha Cercania section (Commuter trains) and another of the 4 was approaching but was about 500 meters south of the station. and there is also a computer memorial inside the station, near the Cercania trains where you can read peoples to their friends and loved ones.

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Address: Atocha Station
Directions: Metro: Atocha Renfe.

The Plaza Mayor is one of the greatest Plazas in Spain (Salamanca's is also revered) It was inagurated in 1620. It has a beautiful fresco on the facade of the building known as the Casa de la Panaderia, which now houses a branch of the Madrid tourist office. In the center is a beautiful horse and rider statue of Felipe III. During sunset, look up at the sky from the Plaza Mayor and you can see what Alejandro Dumas called The most beautiful and best painted vaulted ceiling. "La boveda mas bella y mejor pintada."
In nice weather sit at one of the outdoor cafes and enjoy some tapas and a drink as you people watch. Food here is a bit pricy for what you get but its also not a bad deal for the location.

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Address: Main square of Madrid
Directions: Metro Sol & Opera

This plaza is a beautiful crescent shaped park lined with trees, statues of the former kings of Spain and it is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the view of the Palace.

The plaza was created by Jose I Bonaparte (Napoleons brother) to seperate the royal family, who were living in the Palace, from the comon folk.

The statue at the center of the plaza represents Felipe IV and none other than Galileo Galilei was involved to balance the statue correctly (the horse is reared up on its back legs).

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Address: Between Royal Palace and Opera House
Directions: From Metro Opera walk along either side of the Opera building and you are in the Plaza.

Since the Prado and the Thyssen are closed you may wonder what is open on Monday's for Muesum hopping.
So here you go...

Reina Sofia Museum (which is closed on Tuesdays)
Palacio Real (Open every day except if there is an official reception)

Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando (beautiful building and changing exibits)
C/ Alcala 13 (Metro Sol and Sevilla)

Museo Lazaro Galdiano C/ Serrano, 122 (Metro Ruben Dario) www.fig.es

Real Fabrica de Tapices (Royal tapestry factory) C/ Fuenterrabia 2 (Metro Menendez Pelayo)
www.realfabricadetapices.com

Visit the City Hall (Ayuntamiento) Plaza de la Villa, 5

Enjoy "Lunes" en Madrid!

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