"Madrid, the last stop Boo hoo hoo" Madrid by unaS

Madrid Travel Guide: 5,306 reviews and 10,727 photos

I will return!

One of the highlights of my visit to Spain was the evening spent in the company of some great VT friends: urzu, redang, nuritza and her Italian friend Daniella. We went first to El Viajero for drinks and then to Viva La Vida for something to eat. A very pleasant evening of food, drink and chatter. El Viajero means, appropriately enough, The Traveller. There is a lovely upstairs outdoor balcony that Santi (redang) knew about. A well kept secret that we all enjoyed very much.

Had a small problem my first couple of days in Madrid. I had become accustomed to the prices in other cities in Spain and suddenly everything was more expensive. The first coffee shop I stopped in took Euro 2.50 for a cup of coffee and I was scandalized. I had been paying Euro 1.80 - Euro 2.00 for the last 3 weeks. Ah well, that is the way it is in the big cities. Soon discovered that there were some nice inexpensive places for breakfast coffee and croissant right near the hostal anyway.

Took a nice day trip to Toledo. That was great! After checking it out carefully I discovered that although more expensive, the train from Madrid is much more convenient than the bus from the Plaza Sol area where my hostal was located. The bus leaves from the new Eliptica station, a long trip from Sol.

The HOHO bus in Madrid is a good deal. Gets you to a lot of places and you can switch back and forth between the red and blue lines as much as you want with out paying extra.

Budget travellers take note: Madrid can be very expensive. Many places charge Euro 5 - 6 for tapas. Everywhere else I visited in Spain tapas are Euro 2 - 2.50.

Eat your main meal in the middle of the day - at night everything is "a la carte" during the afternoon there is Menu del dia - usually 3 courses. I never managed to finish them all.

Just off the Plaza Sol is an "All U Can Eat" place for Euro 9.90. Follow the horses tail up one street and turn right. You'll see it right there on the corner.

Lots of mini-markets to around to buy sandwich makings and picnic. Lots of nice parks to eat your picnic. Buy water too in the mini-markets. Much cheaper.

Free entry to museums

Prado Museum

Prado: 6 - 8 pm Tuesday - Saturday, and 5 - 8 on Sunday. (Closed on Monday)

Reina-Sofia: 7 - 9 pm every day except Tuesday (Closed on Tuesday)

Archeology Museum - 10am - 2.30 pm Sunday, afternoon beginning 2.30 pm on Saturday (Currently free entry at all times due to renovations and limited exhibits.)

Biblioteque Nacional with good exhibits many times. Free entry always.

Templo De Blod: Free at all times and then a lovely long walk along C/Ferraz to Plaza de Espana. You can walk in the park for most of the distance - a pleasant tree shaded stroll all the way.

Madrid, the last stop Boo hoo hoo - Madrid

One of the nicer aspects of Madrid is that every places is posted as either "Smoking Permitted", "No Smoking" or "Smoking Permitted in designated areas only", so everyone is accommodated for. The signs are clear with good symbols - easy to find whichever you prefer.

Excellent interactive map:
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/spain/madrid-map

Pros and Cons

Pros:So much to see and do.
Cons:Nothing I can think of.
In a nutshell:Six days wasn't enough!

Last visit to Madrid: Oct 2009
Intro Updated Dec 15, 2010
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Reviews (14)

It speaks to you! Things to Do (6)

If for no other reason one must visit the Reina -Sofia Museum just to see the "Guernica". I am a history buff and of... more travel advice

A pleasant walk Things to Do (6)

From the Puerta del Sol to the Plaza de Los Cibeles there is a lovely stroll along the Calle de Alcala. A continuation... more travel advice

Statue of Alfonso El Sabio on the stairs. - Madrid

Changing Exhibits Things to Do (6)

The Biblioteca Nacional (National Library) has a nice collection of changing exhibits on the ground floor. During... more travel advice

Egypt in Madrid Things to Do (6)

The Temple de Debod was donated to Spain by Egypt in 1968, in appreciation of Spain's help in saving the Temple of Abu... more travel advice

Transportation (3)
See All Easy, clean and safe
Hotels (1)
Not bad at all.

Travelogues (1)

Written Feb 9, 2010

3 photos

Madrid Sidelights

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Comments (6)

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Nemorino Jan 1, 2011 at 2:36 AM

I see you have been adding some new tips and updates to your Madrid page. Good advice on the Prado and the library.
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Ineedtogo Dec 12, 2010 at 7:31 PM

I always wanted to go to Madrid! Maybe someday:)
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Redang Sep 14, 2010 at 10:40 AM

That's good; you can add, if you wish: Metro La Latina (line 5), but it's OK anyway
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mindcrime Nov 4, 2009 at 1:18 AM

I like these hostals in Madrid! I'll return later to read your other spanish pages too.
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SLLiew Nov 1, 2009 at 7:32 PM

Good to know where to get online.
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trvlrtom Oct 27, 2009 at 4:09 PM

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. I lived here for a year when I was much younger and loved it.