Madrid - anyone been?

[monkeybarry]

Im going for three days 20-22 April

Has anyone got anything/where they suggest going?

Flight is at 9.50 on the Sunday so thinking may see if i can get a ticket for the A.Madrid game (4pm k/o)

Any good sights or restaurants suggestions? Generally travelling on a budget - but if somewhere is really nice i dont find the cost.

(Might have the chance for have dinner at the Bernabeu on the Fri too!!)

 

[RobOlly]

casa paco for fantastic steak... place is a bit run down but the food is amazing! locals place

 

[funster]

Fantastic city. Been about half a dozen times. Mostly work, but also for last year's game. Loads of great places to eat and drink. Ignore the really touristy stuff arond Plaza Mayor as far as food goes (although good to go look at). Head just down the road and the little alleyways behind Plaza Sol. Some lovely tapas bars around there. The smaller and less civilised they look, the better they tend to be in my experience! The best ones are little more than a hole in the wall with some plastic chairs outside (although there are some more salubrious surroundings too!).

 

[Notmegov]

Burgerking is not up-to uk standards, give it a miss.

 

[Danishfurniturelover]

I hated it and got on a train and went to lisbon instead, only spent a day there so maybe did not give it enough of a chance.

 

[Roy1983]

Went to a place called Aranjuez I think it's spelt not far from Madrid. Most boring place I've ever been to. Madrid town centre is very nice.

 

[parklane1]

If you are only going for three days you might not have a lot of time, but if you are up for a bit of culture and history hire a car and take a drive to Toledo. Used to be the capital of Spain and is built on a hill with great views of the surrounding country, its about 40 miles from Madrid.

 

[monkeybarry]

cool, cheers guts

must admit i never had a huge desire to go - but the Mrs is there for work, so for the cost of a flight and some spending money, seems rude not to

 

[funster]

cool, cheers guts

must admit i never had a huge desire to go - but the Mrs is there for work, so for the cost of a flight and some spending money, seems rude not to

I used to think the same thing mate. I was like - Madrid? Yeah, alright, if I want to go watch Real..... then I went, and just thought what a fantastic place. Love going back every time I get the chance. And funnily enough - I've even had the chance to watch Spurs play there! (Shame about the result, but hey ho!). Enjoy.

 

[monkeybarry]

I used to think the same thing mate. I was like - Madrid? Yeah, alright, if I want to go watch Real..... then I went, and just thought what a fantastic place. Love going back every time I get the chance. And funnily enough - I've even had the chance to watch Spurs play there! (Shame about the result, but hey ho!). Enjoy.

cool! i have heard that from a lot of people that once you go there its actually awesome

any suggestiosn for things to do, palces to go, places to eat etc etc let me know
just gonna have a relaxing weekend checking out the city and eating!!

oh finding a bar to watch el clasico - but maybe not wear my Barca brick!

 

[funster]

To be honest mate, I haven't done that much sightseeing in Madrid. Palacio Real, Plaza Mayor, the Bernebeau(!)..... and not a lot else. You tend not to get that much time to do stuff when you're there on business.

As for eating and drinking - well, like I said, avoid Plaza Mayor - way too touristy. Just wander ten minutes down the road to Puerta del Sol and the backstreets around there are pack jammed with restaurants and bars. Some better than others.

One restaurant that really sticks in my mind from a business trip - and I dunno where it is, so apologies! - was Blanca de Navarra. Really, really good, although as I didn't have to pay, I couldn't tell you whether it was any good value.

I personally find the best thing to do in Madrid is go sit in the sun, eat and drink steadily all day, move from one place to another, and just take it all in. Always works a treat for me!