Madrid People & Culture

Go to Madrid if you love art. El museo Reina Sofia is NOTHING compared to Le Louvre in Paris. The ancient buildings are quite a sight to see and the night life rocks. The Retiro Park is the place to find artsy, open-minded, life-loving people: they sing, they dance, they do whatever and they don't quite leave you the option to stay out of it by quietly sitting on a bench. At the end of the day, dispite the cosmo flair, Madrid still has the southern mentality. If you like that mixture, go for it! :-)

Socially, the Spanish are some of the most gregarious people in the world and they are always very hospitable. They are friendly, helpful people, with no real class divisions and usually enjoy speaking to travellers.

Madrid is known, among other things, for its nightlife, that usually doesn't end before 8am... Try Pacha o La Nueva Fontana, great clubs, with very good music, and good looking people. It can get a bit crowded though, try to enjoy the most of it!

Madrid is real Spain. Bullfights, Museo de Jamon with some excellent ham, an incredibly rhythmic nightlife and an excessive heat in summer, when the city is virtually empty. Prices are good, people are friendly, my friends were lucky to build their career from there for a few years (and of course to invite me there:)).

Madrid is a little off the beaten track for most tourists in Spain. But it is a totally lovely city. If one of the people in your traveling group can speak Spanish I recomend traveling without a map or a plan and then wondering around asking people where places are. The people here will chat with you for ages. We were even walked sevral plces. I don't speak Spanish so my sister had to keep telling me how funny the people are. I still enjoyed watching their hospitality. The biggest thing I can recomend is going to a REal Madrid Game. http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/Home
The atomosphere is unlike anything I ahd ever experienced. The fans cheered their team on even when they messed up. They were supportive the whole way through. One thing I have to warn you of it is very male dominated crowd you will feel weird if it is just two woman. However, chat it up with the locals if you speak spanish(like my sister) or if you are obsessed with football(Sorry I'm forgetting my American roots... Soccer) just yell at the players(like me). At half time everyone pulls out a sandwich wrapped in tinfoil and discusses the first half of the game. Bring your own food to this stadium. 

I didn't care much for Madrid. The men seemed to undress you with thier stares. Different culture Lol. There was plenty of great shopping and the metro was very good. the Platha mayor is a place to see and be seen. the cafes have great spaghetti and sangria. all in all a nice place but not my favorite.

If you've never been, Madrid is great fun any time of year, therefore if you're watching your money a great time to go is in Winter. The level of commerce winds down for the Christmas season, and is replaced by the celebration of the birth of Jesus, Spain as it used to be before bullfighting became synonymous with culture. Restaurants and tapas bars still have plenty of Jambon and Pata Negra to chase after. The only thing you need to watch out for is the cold; it gets freezing in January and the Madrileños  have a habit of going easy on the radiators. A good rule is to dress at least as warmly as you would at home, even if you live in Stockholm.

This is the right place for cultural trips and museums (Toledo, Avila, Salamanca, Chinchón, Avila can be visited from Madrid). Nice place for shopping (try Calle Fuencarral). Nice place for nightlife and restaurants (try Chueca, the Gay quarter). Beware of pick pockets, specially in Sol area and the metro.

Wat i should say... my town, the "fiesta town", should be visited for party and culture

Madrid is a beautiful city full of culture and life. One of the nest things to go to the Museo Nacional del Prado and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. They are two very interesting museums and have some very interesting pieces. The Prado is one of the greatest art museums in the world. One of the top five to visit. I recommend it for seeing the works of Velazquez, El Greco and Goya. Reina Sophia has one of Picasso's most famous painting Guernica. Also for those who are looking for Americana in Spain, can find a Starbucks near the Prado. Also go to the Royal Palace of Madrid. It's a fantastic piece of architecture and definitely one of the top sites to see. It is one of the largest cities in Spain. It is a lot hotter than the costal regions, due to the fact that the city is in the middle of the country. Make sure you have your camera because you won't want to miss out on the fantastic surroundings, especially the architecture.

Madrid is known, among other things, for its nightlife, that usually doesn't end before 8am... Try Pacha o La Nueva Fontana, great clubs, with very good music, and good looking people. It can get a bit crowded though, try to enjoy the most of it!

bars TO GO AT NIGHT rock iN MALASAÑA: La Via Lactea, Tupper wear, Little angie chamartìn: el moe, el capitàn. 69 pètalos music from la movida madrileña: el cuento electronic and dance music: pachà, el nasty, low, sala sol,

Joy is the best place to hangout, nice music. Food is amazing for those who love to eat

chueca is the right area for music and drinks

Madrid is great, especially Retiro, Plaza Mayor, the Reina Sophia museum with the lovely Miros, Picassos and - of course - Dalis. The Prado was alright, but I suppose I expected too much. The nicest things to do are to stroll through the streets with your sweetheart and absorb the Spanish vibes. Go for a hot chocolate at the chocolateria, or some fish at Principe Pio. The Palace is also stunning, especially the gardens. I stayed out at Vallecas once; a bit of a trip with the metro, but definitely worth it. You get a fully equiped appartment with WiFi and kitchenette for about €75 per night - double room nota bene. I will never forget Madrid....

You should try to rent a Bike in Madrid - The Best way to discover the city enjoying the sun and the great atmosphere of the streets

Retiro Parc is a very quite place where you can do some sport activities.

It is necessary to somewhat comprehend Spanish to get around this country (obviously). Also, very smart and convenient to take the metro or train versus driving all over the country. Went to Plaza de Toros as a part of my lit. class to see a bull fight, however, i do not recommend going if you have a weak stomach or sensitive (like myself) to that type of "sport". If you love muesums, art, history, parks, you will really enjoy this place, not to mention they have good food. they are really big on tapas restaurants and paella...yum yum!

Go to Palacio Real and for excellent pastries La Mallorquina at Puerta del Sol.

I stayed with locals who took us to amazing restaurants that were so cheap! Try the Arroz Negro (paella with squid ink - surprisingly yummy). I loved the city - there was so much to see and it was so clean!

Don't expect the streets to go where you think they will.  You can't just head in the general direction you want to go and expect to get there in a straight shot.  This is an old old city, and the streets meander and wander.  I know from experience this can lead to sore feet, thirstiness, and a slight annoyance at your older brother for trusting his sense of direction!

Tapas are amazing if you have them with a drink, beer or wine. Here are some of the best places:
El Boca?to: c/ Libertad, 6. Ph 915 23 12 19. Tapas in the cool Chueca neighborhood.
Taberna Bilbao: c/ Costanilla de San Andr?s, 8.
La Taberna de los cien vinos. c/Nuncio, 17. Ph 913 65 47 Juana la Loca. Plaza Puerta de Moros, 4. Ph 913 64 02 25.
Casa Lucas. c/Cava Baja, 30. Ph 913 65 08 04.
El Bonanno. Plaza del Humilladero, 4. Ph 913 66 68 86.
Delic. c/Costanilla de San Andr?s, 14. Ph 913 64 54 50.

be extreeeeemly careful on the metro.. they are a thiefs paradise.. keep your bags close and be weary with your pockets!!!