Madrid is the capital of Spain and the largest city, with a population of more than 3 million inhabitants.  It is known for its exciting nightlife, many historic sites and monuments, and scores of world-acclaimed museums. Madrid is the highest capital of Europe, located on a central plateau (meseta) 2,120 feet above sea level. Because of this high altitude and central location, Madrid has warm, dry summers and cool winters. There are two things that you must see during your visit to Madrid: the Prado Museum and the Royal Palace.  But of course Madrid has much more to offer...

Day one

The Prado museum is located on Prado Avenue, which is a nice walk in and of itself.  The Prado Avenue will take you all through downtown Madrid, past statutes and fountains, all the way to the Hard Rock Cafe.  In the center is a pedestrian area and park, with a cafe that is famous for being a meeting place of Spanish authors and artists.  The Prado museum is one of the best art collections of the world, and certainly the best collection of Spanish painters. You can easily spend an entire morning in the museum, which has more than 100 rooms, where you will see numerous works by El Greco, Velazquez, and Goya.  The most famous paintings are Las Meninas by Velazquez, or "The Maids of Honor"- be sure to notice the portrayal of the artist in the background and The Executions of the 3rd of May, by Goya, which depicts the shooting of Spanish patriots in 1808 by the French.  You will often see artists painting replicas of the paintings in the museum.  The Prado is one of the best art museums in the world, though it is smaller than the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.  After the visit to the Prado,  follow Prado Avenue to Colon Square and have lunch there.  You will find numerous cafes and restaurants just by wandering the side streets from Colon.  Madrid's Hard Rock Cafe is on the corner with Paseo de la Castellana, just in case you want American food or don't want to try practicing your Spanish. From there you can take the metro and go to Retiro Park, which is a beautiful place to take a walk and relax. Be sure to walk along the Paseo de la Republica de Cuba- there are streets marked in the park- to see the Crystal Palace and the "Large Pond," which is more like a lake.  After the relaxation you can take the metro to Puerta del Sol and do some shopping. Madrid is a wonderful city for shopping.

Day two

Starting at Puerta del Sol you can take the Calle Mayor to get to Plaza Mayor, this is the main square in Madrid, built in the 17th century. You will notice the large statue of Felipe III, whom the Plaza was built for.  Often you will find artists and musicians entertaining tourists in the Plaza.  From there you can walk to the Royal Palace, continuing on Calle Mayor to Calle de Bailen, which is where the Palace is located. The Royal Palace is still used by the king of Spain, Juan Carlos I, as a reception palace for international events. You will notice that there are metal detectors at most palaces in Spain.  If you are lucky and there is a special exhibit, you can get into parts of the palace for free.  The Royal Palace was the usual residence for the Spanish monarchs from 1561 on.  The palace burned down in 1734 and was rebuilt under Philip V.  Spend some time at the park in front of the palace, with it maze of bushes.  On a sunny day, you can stop in front of the palace for an ice cream at Palazzio Ice Cream, which also has a store in Sol.  There is also Ben and Jerry's at Sol now, and Hagen Daz at the palace, but why not try something different?  I had the Chocolate Cognac ice cream, which was wonderful.  Once you have finished the visit to the palace you should continue down the Bailen street to the Plaza de Espana, a lovely area with a huge statue of Don Quijote and Sancho Panza.  From there you can walk back to the Plaza de Oriente, which has a statue of Felipe IV, and from there to the Plaza Isabel II to take the metro at Opera.  The area around Opera, especially Calle del Arenal, is also a nice area to walk around, with lots of shops and people.  Take the metro to Atocha square and visit the Reina Sofia Museum. Atocha is the main, historic train station of Madrid which in itself is worth a visit.  If you do a bit of exploring, you will find the part of the train station with an indoor plant sanctuary.  Cross the plaza to the Museum, which you will recognize by the large glass elevators on the outside of the building.  The Reina Sofia Museum is a contemporary museum with permanent exhibits of Picasso, Dali, Miro and other international painters, as well as some bizarre modern art. It is worth visiting the museum just to see Picasso's world famous painting Guernica.  At one point, the painting spent 44 years in New York before being returned to Spain.  After that if you want to see another art museum you can visit the museum Thyssen-Bornemisza ( www.museothysen.org) which is on the Paseo del Prado, not very far from Reina Sofia.  This art museum also houses works by a number of important international artists, including Roy Lichtenstein and Georgia O'Keefe.

What else is left

On Sunday morning you can find great bargains at El Rastro, one of the largest flea markets in the world. Las Ventas is the most famous bull fighting ring in the world, so if you are interested in seeing a bullfight this is the place to go. For those who like soccer, there are games of Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernadeu stadium and Atletico de Madrid at the Vicente Calderon stadium most Saturdays or Sundays. The epicenter of Madrid's nightlife is Plaza del Dos de Mayo, in the area known as Malasaña, but you can find bars and discotheques all over the place in downtown Madrid. The Botanical Garden in the Paseo del Prado is unique in Europe for its large variety of plant species. The Almudana Cathedral is another place you shouldn't miss.   If you are traveling with children, you should go to the Casa de Campo, a huge park which occupies two metro stops: Casa de Campo at one end and Lago at the other end, where there is a lake with cafes.  In the park there is a zoo, which costs around 10 euros to get in, and there is an amusement park.  On the weekends there are large groups of South Americans playing soccer in the park near the lake.  You can also take a cable car ride in Casa de Campo, from the Parque de la Montana.  (Cable car web site: www.teleferico.com 4.10 Euros for a round trip for adults)  For another great view of Madrid, go to the Mirador del Faro, at Metro stop Arguelles.  Ask the guard to point out the view of the president's house.  After seeing the view, stop by the Museum of the Americas, a relatively new museum with an enormous collection, including indigenous people from Canada.  Interesting parts of the museum are the native housing displays, statistical information on different races in South and Central America, and a large collection of historical maps of the time of exploration; also look for the old pictures which have names for different combinations of races at the time of the conquest- i.e. white plus indigenous is mestizo.

Shopping

Shopping in Madrid is really fun.  Since Spain is one of the cheapest countries in the E.U., Madrid is the capital to shop in. The Sol district is where you will find the best shopping and people-watching.  There is El Corte Ingles department stores where you can find anything you want or need, from a house to a tennis racket. Their clothing section is famous, but not especially cheap. The Zara stores, which you can find on Preciados street, are cheap and have stylish clothing. For music, videos, books and electronics, Fnac, also located on Preciados street, is the store to go to. For just music, Madrid Rock on Gravia Avenue is a store where you can find a wide variety of music for the best prices.

Museums

MUSEO DEL PRADO:
Paseo del Prado.
Metro: Banco de España & Atocha.
Open: 9 AM to 7 PM; Sunday 9 AM to 2 PM. Closed: Monday.
Telephone: 91 3302800                                                                 Website: http://museoprado.mcu.es/index.html  Available in English; includes special exhibits and activities at the museum.


MUSEO THYSSEN-BORNEMISZA:
Villahermosa Palace, Paseo del Prado, 8.
Metro: Banco de España.
Open: 10 AM to 7 PM. Closed: Monday.
Telephone: 91 4203944 & 91 3690151                                              Website:  www.museothysen.org


MUSEO NACIONAL CENTRO DE ARTE REINA SOFIA:
Calle Santa Isabel, 52.
Metro: Atocha.
Open: 10 AM to 9 PM; Sunday 10 AM to 2:30PM; Closed: Tuesday.
Telephone: 91 4675062 & 91 4674761                                                Website:  http://museoreinasofia.mcu.es/


PALACIO REAL:
Calle Bailén.
Metro: Opera.
Open: October to March 9 AM to 5 PM;
Sundays and Holidays 9 AM to 2 PM;
April to September 9 AM to 6 PM;
Sundays and Holidays 9 AM to 3 PM.
Closed when official acts are held.  Free Wedensdays.
Telephone: 91 542 00 59


MUSEO DE AMERICA:
Avenida Reyes Catolicos, 6.
Metro: Moncloa                                                                        Admission: 3.01 euros, since it is the exact amount of  500 pesetas.  Free Sundays.                                                                                        Open: Tuesday-Saturday 9:30AM-3PM; Sundays and Public Holidays 10AM-3PM; Closed Mondays.
Telephone: 91 549 26 41
e-mail - mamerica@mail.ddnet.es                                             Website:  www.mcu.es/nmuseos/america  In Spanish only.                                                                                                More about the Americas Museum

NATIONAL ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM:
Houses temporary and permanent exhibits, a library, national archives, and cultural and educational programs.  The museum was established in 1895.  In the garden there is a replica of the paintings from Altamira cave in Cantabria.  There are prehistoric exhibits, and a Visigoth gold crown that was excavated from Toledo.                                                                Calle Serrano.
Metro: Serrano
Open: Tuesday-Saturday 9:30AM-8:30PM, Sunday 9:30AM-2:30PM; Free Saturday from 2:30PM and all day Sunday.                                           Website:  http://www.man.es/index.html

MIRADOR DEL FARO DE MADRID:
Avenida Arco de la Victoria
Metro: Arguelles.
Open: 10 AM to 2 PM and 5-7 PM Tuesday to Friday; Closed Mondays.  Saturday and Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM.
Prices: 1 euro adults, .50 euro children.

WARNER BROTHERS PARK MADRID:
N-IV Caretera de Andalusia, Exit Kilometer 22
-Access by train from Atocha
Open: 10 AM to midnight in July and August and the first week of September; in June open 10 AM to 8 PM and closed Monday, Tuesday; closed December, January, and February.
Prices: 32 euros adults, 24 euros children; two day pass 48 euros adults, 36 euros children.                                                                                  Telephone:  91 821 12 34  www.warnerbrospark.com 

FAUNIA PARK MADRID:
Avenida de las Comunidades 28
-Access by train from Atocha, or Metro Valdebernardo                             A large park divided by ecosytems, including animals and plants and atmospheres of each ecosystem.  Includes the jungle, a polar ecosystem, and a subterranean ecosystem.
Open: Year round, limited hours in winter and fall; closed Monday and Tuesday in October, November, December, January, February.
Prices: 17.50 euros adults, 12 euros children; free for children under three.  Telephone:  91 301 62 10  www.faunia.es  In Spanish only.

VALWO NATURE PARK, outskirts of MADRID:
CTRA. MOJADOS A MATAPOZUELOS
s/n. MATAPOZUELOS (VALLADOLID)
Tel: 983 83 27 59  Email: valwo@grpr.com                                          An animal park that occupies 50 hectacres with over 500 animals from all 5 continents.  Also offers camping in the summer.
Open: Year round, limited hours in winter and fall; open every day from April to September.
Prices: 13 euros adults, 9.80 euros children; free for children under four.    www.valwo.com  In Spanish or English.

Websites about Madrid

www.aboutmadrid.com  Information about Madrid and surrounding areas.

www.gomadrid.com  Also information about Madrid and surrounding areas, excursions.

www.munimadrid.es  The official website of the government of Madrid.  Available in English or Spanish.  Includes good tourist information.

www.madridcard.com  Site with information to buy a tourist card for Madrid, that includes museums, public transportation, and tourist buses.  In English, French, German and Italian.
 

PARKS AND ZOOS:  Check out www.parquesreunidos.com  for a special annual pass that will let you into the zoo and aquarium, the amusement park, Aquapolis water parks (www.aquapolis.es ) and the cable car as well as other parks throughout Spain for 60 Euros a year.  For more information check out the website, call 902-345 003 or email parquesreunidos_club@grpr.com

Hostels

OPERA- A great location, right near a metro stop and Sol shopping area.  You can walk everywhere from here.

Hostal Portugal- Calle Flora 4, Bajo; Metro Opera, Tel: 91 559 40 14.  REVIEW: This place is cheap, but for a reason.  38 euros for a double.  It is a good location, but the rooms do not seem clean, and there are holes in the walls.  The place seems very old, and not well kept.  Should be a last resort.

Hostal- Residencia Paz- *- Calle Flora 4, 1^st Floor, Metro Opera, Tel: 91 547 30 47.  REVIEW:  This hostel is much cleaner and nicer than Hostel Portugal, in the same building, but you either get a tiny shower in the room with no bathroom or you have to use a communal bathroom.  This hostel is also cheap, so make reservations early or call for last minute cancellations.

Hostal Residencia Rober- **- Arenal 26, 5^th Floor, Metro Opera, Tel: 915 41 91 75.  REVIEW:  This is the nicest hostel in the Opera area by far.  The rooms are spotlessly clean and there is a lot of light.  Doubles have a lovely view of Arenal street.  Large rooms and good bathrooms.  It is popular, so you have to leave a deposit or credit card number for a reservation, since the rooms are rented otherwise.  Owners speak French.  43 euros for a double, 60 for a triple.

Hostal Alicante- **- Arenal 16, 2^nd floor, Metro Opera, Tel: 91 531 51 78.  REVIEW:  This hostel is decent.  Not nearly as nice as Rober but it at least seems clean and rooms are a decent size, though quite old, including old looking bed covers.  Bathroom seems clean, and is decent size.  41 Euros for a double.  There is another hostel on the same floor that is about the same as this hostel.

Night Life

Joy Eslava- Metro Sol or Opera.  Arenal 11.  Open every day. You can get a 20% discount coupon right in front of the club from people handing them out.  Cover charge 15 euros, includes one drink.  REVIEW:  This is a great club that does not have many tourists.  Once I went and there happened to be a transvestite fashion show, with a great mix of people, and after the club was cleared out for dancing.  Check it out at www.joy-eslava.com.

Palacio Gaviria Disco- Metro Sol or Opera.  Arenal 9, Tel: 91 526 60 69.  Open every night.  In the VIP Latino room, there are dance lessons on Wednesdays.  REVIEW:  This is a great disco.  Some tourists go there, but there are plenty of locals too, and a few older people.  There is one room with Latin dance music, and two rooms with discoteca dance music, pop music.  The rooms are lovely, with paintings and chandeleirs like you would expect in a palace.  Check out the pretty bathrooms.  Website is www.palaciogaviria.com.  Cover with 20% discount coupon is 12 euros, includes one drink.