[SpainFilter] three days in madrid
June 2, 2011 3:10 AM Subscribe
I seek your Madrid-based suggestions!
I'm a late 20's female headed to Madrid for three days next week. I was planning on visiting a friend, but she's been unexpectedly called out of town, and now I don't know what I'm going to do in the Spanish capital. I'm definitely going to visit the Reina Sofia and the Prado, as well as a swimming pool (if I recall, Spain in June is hot), but are there any other must-do sites for a non-Spanish-speaking single female travelling alone? I've already got a hostel booked in the museum-ish area, so accommodation won't be a problem. Many thanks, mefites!
I'm a late 20's female headed to Madrid for three days next week. I was planning on visiting a friend, but she's been unexpectedly called out of town, and now I don't know what I'm going to do in the Spanish capital. I'm definitely going to visit the Reina Sofia and the Prado, as well as a swimming pool (if I recall, Spain in June is hot), but are there any other must-do sites for a non-Spanish-speaking single female travelling alone? I've already got a hostel booked in the museum-ish area, so accommodation won't be a problem. Many thanks, mefites!
We just got back from Madrid two days ago! Here were my impressions:
-The Thyssen-Bornemisza is definitely the most impressive of the Big Three art museums. If you want to see big names and famous paintings, go there.
-The Royal Palace and the Cathedral next door were worth going to. You can easily spend the better part of a day there, and the top of the Cathedral has some great views of the area.
-Go eat. The food is amazing and wine is cheap. Eat a lot.
-The Retiro park is huge, but is swamped with people, especially by the little lake. If you want quiet for an afternoon, there's a park by the top of the Teleferica that's much less crowded and has a pretty neat rose garden.
Downtown is pretty touristy, but I didn't actually find all that many people who could/would speak English. I don't speak a word of Spanish, but got along fine generally by pointing. There are still (or were as of two or three days ago) protesters camped out in the Plaza del Sol, so it's a madhouse down there. However, the protesters are generally pretty considerate and they're keeping the plaza clean and lanes free for foot traffic.
We were pretty concerned about pickpockets but didn't have any problems. Just pay attention to your surroundings and keep your stuff in your front pockets.
posted by backseatpilot at 3:42 AM on June 2, 2011
-The Thyssen-Bornemisza is definitely the most impressive of the Big Three art museums. If you want to see big names and famous paintings, go there.
-The Royal Palace and the Cathedral next door were worth going to. You can easily spend the better part of a day there, and the top of the Cathedral has some great views of the area.
-Go eat. The food is amazing and wine is cheap. Eat a lot.
-The Retiro park is huge, but is swamped with people, especially by the little lake. If you want quiet for an afternoon, there's a park by the top of the Teleferica that's much less crowded and has a pretty neat rose garden.
Downtown is pretty touristy, but I didn't actually find all that many people who could/would speak English. I don't speak a word of Spanish, but got along fine generally by pointing. There are still (or were as of two or three days ago) protesters camped out in the Plaza del Sol, so it's a madhouse down there. However, the protesters are generally pretty considerate and they're keeping the plaza clean and lanes free for foot traffic.
We were pretty concerned about pickpockets but didn't have any problems. Just pay attention to your surroundings and keep your stuff in your front pockets.
posted by backseatpilot at 3:42 AM on June 2, 2011
Take a day trip. There are lots of great day trips around Madrid. An hour on the train in the morning, then an hour back in the late afternoon.
I highly recommend a day trip to Toledo. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Avila and El Escorial are two other good day trips.
posted by Flood at 4:56 AM on June 2, 2011
I highly recommend a day trip to Toledo. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Avila and El Escorial are two other good day trips.
posted by Flood at 4:56 AM on June 2, 2011
The Juan March Foundation is often overlooked and is a good place to see modern art. The Academy of Bellas Artes also has great exhibtions and an amazing art nouveau cafe to hang out in. There is also the Museo Sorolla and the Caixa Forum which is an amazing modern building with several galleries with good exhibitions.
The Book Fair and PhotoEspana are both going on next week.
posted by JJ86 at 7:44 AM on June 2, 2011
The Book Fair and PhotoEspana are both going on next week.
posted by JJ86 at 7:44 AM on June 2, 2011
I stopped in Malasaña when I went at the end of last year and just loved the nightlife, if that's your kind of thing. Place was pretty deserted during the day but come 11 pm/midnight it was jumping
posted by fatfrank at 7:54 AM on June 2, 2011
posted by fatfrank at 7:54 AM on June 2, 2011
You already have the prado and the reina sofia covered - thyssen is really good too. There are free days - websites should have these listed.
Note about the museums - they are HUGE. so if you don't want to get lost, make a plan to see what you are interested in and leave - or you could easily spend more than a day in each.
Toledo is a very scenic town, arguably the best cathedral anywhere in spain and its an easy day trip (multiple renfe trains everyday, shortish bus ride from the station - very walkable once in the tourist area).
Madrid has some amazing tapas - in narrow streets by puerta del sol and plaza mayor - fun to get lost there for a few hours. So eat a lot. And drink more.
I was surprised how much I like Madrid - plenty to do for three days. Have Fun !
posted by cusecase at 10:34 AM on June 2, 2011
Note about the museums - they are HUGE. so if you don't want to get lost, make a plan to see what you are interested in and leave - or you could easily spend more than a day in each.
Toledo is a very scenic town, arguably the best cathedral anywhere in spain and its an easy day trip (multiple renfe trains everyday, shortish bus ride from the station - very walkable once in the tourist area).
Madrid has some amazing tapas - in narrow streets by puerta del sol and plaza mayor - fun to get lost there for a few hours. So eat a lot. And drink more.
I was surprised how much I like Madrid - plenty to do for three days. Have Fun !
posted by cusecase at 10:34 AM on June 2, 2011
Ditto the Thyssen-Bornemisza, El Escorial, Toledo.
posted by cool breeze at 3:15 PM on June 2, 2011
posted by cool breeze at 3:15 PM on June 2, 2011
Since others have covered art musuems, let me suggest some other things.
If you are in Madrid on a Sunday, visit the big flea market - El Rastro, which takes over a whole neighborhood. Hint: Start at the top and go downhill towards Ronda de Toledo. At the bottom of Puerto de Toledo is a bar/restaurant called Salsaría where you can order a big wooden platter of fries (or chicken or other things) that comes with lots of different sauces to taste. The sauces are arranged from mild to spicy. Also up from Ronda de Toledo is a bar that has great fat sandwiches. It's on the left as you go uphill.
In Plaza España there is a stamp and coin market on Sundays, which is worth browsing if you are in the area.
There have been protests going on in Puerta del Sol, so check out the status of that area before getting off the subway (Metro) there.
For browsing, the bookstore FNAC is near Puerto del Sol and has 4 floors of books and magazines and records. English-language books are on the top floor.
VIPS is a chain of 7-11 type stores, which have surprisingly good restaurants in them. They also have remaindered books in English, sometimes for good prices. They are fun to poke around in.
If you like damascene, it's cheaper to buy it at the dep't store El Corte Inglés than in Toledo, where it is made.
I also like eating at Casa Mingo, which is on Paseo de Florida. It's a bar/restaurant that has a limited by excellent menu: roasted chicken, green salads, their own brand of cider (hard cider) and the almond dessert tarta de Santiago.
There are some interesting booths/shops at the train station Principe Pio. I bought some great beads at a booth tere.
Tapas to try: tortilla españa, patatas bravas, grilled mushrooms, olives.
Souvenirs to buy: Talavera pottery (at El Rastro) - street numbers are nice to bring home, fans (not the paper garish ones, but the nicely painted wood ones). Then learn how to snap them open and closed. Damascene (as mentioned above), playing cards (the suits are depicted differently) also are small, not too expensive and different.
Personally I don't think 3 days is enough time to see Madrid, but if you do want a day trip, besides Toledo (highly recommended), El Escorial (great palace to visit, especially the library), but I like Aranjuez, which has a palace plus is known for its great strawberries. There's also a nice (small, but nice) barge museum that's is worth a visit. Aranjuez is clos to Madrid.
Attempting to speak even a bit of Spanish goes a long way in Spain. You can speak in the infinitive form and be understood. For example, Yo buscar food (I look for food) will be understood even if it is not conjugated properly. Yo buscar servicio (I look for restrooms), etc.
Wear a purse that crosses over your body diagonally and be self-aware to avoid pickpockets. If you do go to an especially touristy place, don't look like a tourist (no short-shorts, huge running shoes, short sleeves are better than no sleeves, etc.)
The subway in Madrid is very easy to use. The end destinations tell you which way the train is heading and a guidebook will tell you which Metro stop to take.
Serrano is another street with some interesting shops.
Have fun!
posted by daneflute at 6:00 PM on June 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
If you are in Madrid on a Sunday, visit the big flea market - El Rastro, which takes over a whole neighborhood. Hint: Start at the top and go downhill towards Ronda de Toledo. At the bottom of Puerto de Toledo is a bar/restaurant called Salsaría where you can order a big wooden platter of fries (or chicken or other things) that comes with lots of different sauces to taste. The sauces are arranged from mild to spicy. Also up from Ronda de Toledo is a bar that has great fat sandwiches. It's on the left as you go uphill.
In Plaza España there is a stamp and coin market on Sundays, which is worth browsing if you are in the area.
There have been protests going on in Puerta del Sol, so check out the status of that area before getting off the subway (Metro) there.
For browsing, the bookstore FNAC is near Puerto del Sol and has 4 floors of books and magazines and records. English-language books are on the top floor.
VIPS is a chain of 7-11 type stores, which have surprisingly good restaurants in them. They also have remaindered books in English, sometimes for good prices. They are fun to poke around in.
If you like damascene, it's cheaper to buy it at the dep't store El Corte Inglés than in Toledo, where it is made.
I also like eating at Casa Mingo, which is on Paseo de Florida. It's a bar/restaurant that has a limited by excellent menu: roasted chicken, green salads, their own brand of cider (hard cider) and the almond dessert tarta de Santiago.
There are some interesting booths/shops at the train station Principe Pio. I bought some great beads at a booth tere.
Tapas to try: tortilla españa, patatas bravas, grilled mushrooms, olives.
Souvenirs to buy: Talavera pottery (at El Rastro) - street numbers are nice to bring home, fans (not the paper garish ones, but the nicely painted wood ones). Then learn how to snap them open and closed. Damascene (as mentioned above), playing cards (the suits are depicted differently) also are small, not too expensive and different.
Personally I don't think 3 days is enough time to see Madrid, but if you do want a day trip, besides Toledo (highly recommended), El Escorial (great palace to visit, especially the library), but I like Aranjuez, which has a palace plus is known for its great strawberries. There's also a nice (small, but nice) barge museum that's is worth a visit. Aranjuez is clos to Madrid.
Attempting to speak even a bit of Spanish goes a long way in Spain. You can speak in the infinitive form and be understood. For example, Yo buscar food (I look for food) will be understood even if it is not conjugated properly. Yo buscar servicio (I look for restrooms), etc.
Wear a purse that crosses over your body diagonally and be self-aware to avoid pickpockets. If you do go to an especially touristy place, don't look like a tourist (no short-shorts, huge running shoes, short sleeves are better than no sleeves, etc.)
The subway in Madrid is very easy to use. The end destinations tell you which way the train is heading and a guidebook will tell you which Metro stop to take.
Serrano is another street with some interesting shops.
Have fun!
posted by daneflute at 6:00 PM on June 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
After the Prado, stroll across to the beautiful-and-not-too-big Royal Botanical Gardens right next door. It's lush and quiet and perfect for resting (without boring) your over-stimulated eyes -- and for soaking up the Madrid summer while well-shaded.
posted by taramosalata at 5:29 PM on June 3, 2011
posted by taramosalata at 5:29 PM on June 3, 2011
Response by poster: Many thanks to all for your helpful answers!
posted by monkeymonkey at 8:43 AM on June 5, 2011
posted by monkeymonkey at 8:43 AM on June 5, 2011
Response by poster: update for anyone who finds this in the future: in addition to the above recommendations, the Naval Museum is also pretty fantastic, and it's only 3euros suggested donation for entry. It's near the Prado and filled with 12-foot-long model boats, guns, and mastheads shaped like bishops. Just make sure that you have government-issued photo ID with you to get in.
posted by monkeymonkey at 7:15 AM on June 15, 2011
posted by monkeymonkey at 7:15 AM on June 15, 2011
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Definitely eat at 100 montaditos in calle montera...always good for getting to know other international people. Also, el tigre.
If you walk around the area around huertas, there are a lot of bars and people offering you free shots. Just drink your shot and go to the next bar. Youll find many like-minded people.
posted by freddymetz at 3:23 AM on June 2, 2011