Suggestions for Madrid?

[gei]

Going to Madrid for the weekend (Friday - Sunday)... I realize it's short, but any suggestions for things that MUST be done?

What is the nightlife like, and where are the best places to party at night?

Also, I'm trying to priceline a hotel (using name my own price), but I'm not sure which area to pick. We're looking to be close to the nightlife and major tourist attractions. Here are the 4 choices:

- East
- Old Madrid
- Around La Castellana
- Barajas Airport

Which one should I pick? I'm guessing not around the airport...

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Talamasca]

I'd be interested in this too as I'm going to Madrid this fall. From what I've read so far, the area around Sol is the central area with lots of hotels, restaurants, and nightlife. It seems like a fairly compact city though so walking distances in the city centre don't seem too bad no matter where you stay.

[gei]

Yeah after reading a bit online... we ended up at the Tryp Atocha... I believe its about a 5 minute walk from the sol.. so should be good.

Any other things I should know?

[asdfvcx]

Well first of all, picket pockets are quite active around Sol. Of course I'm just a touch bitter, because it's the one time I've been hit, even if they didn't get much since I was wearing a money belt.

Besides that, I'm not sure there is any must sees. It's a great city, but I can't think of any one thing your going to feel you missed out on, if you don't do it. Personally, I enjoyed just wandering around the city.

The museums are also quite good, if that's your thing. I preferred Reina Sofia, over the Prado. But I find modern art interesting, even if I don't understand it most of the time.

And the Spaniards do like their nightlife, but it doesn't get started to quite late, and I'm not sure how you'll be handling the jetlag.

Sorry, I can't remember any place or neighbourhood to suggest, but ask around or take a look at an online guide to get a couple of suggestions as to where to go. (Time Out is usually reasonably up to date for Europe: http://www.timeout.com/travel/madrid/nightlife.html )

[NorthYorker]

Besides that, I'm not sure there is any must sees. It's a great city, but I can't think of any one thing your going to feel you missed out on, if you don't do it

Prado (esp. El Greco and Goya collections) and (to lesser extent) Royal Palace.

And the Spaniards do like their nightlife, but it doesn't get started to quite late, and I'm not sure how you'll be handling the jetlag.

It's actually easier with jetlag. Their "past 1:30 am" (it's whennightlife starts) is 7:30 pm EST.

[heymikey]

I stayed in the area in between Puerto Del Sol and Gran Via. One thing I like about it is that it is within walking distance to the Prado, Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, and less than 5 minutes walk to the Gran Via Metro station. From Madrid, you can take day trips to small towns like Toledo, Segovia, and Avila if you're interested.

[porkchopbread]

no offense, but unless you really like art, i dont think the prado is worth the time. you have to line up to get inside and then pay (can't remember how many euros) to see a bunch of pictures which i honestly couldn't tell you the difference from one to another. i think the royal palace and the church right next to it are pretty good to check out. and then the plaza mayor is a nice place for a cup of coffee afterwards...

i stayed near the gran via, can't remember the exact area, but it was a block away from from this restaurant with a big guitar in neon lights on the front (hard rock?). that was really convenient

[Talamasca]

no offense, but unless you really like art, i dont think the prado is worth the time. you have to line up to get inside and then pay (can't remember how many euros) to see a bunch of pictures which i honestly couldn't tell you the difference from one to another.

Well, if you don't like art, I don't think there's any traditional museum/gallery in the world that would be interesting to you.

Lucky for me, I love art. And the Prado has some of the most famous paintings in the world. Every art history student has studied or is at least familiar with "Las Meninas" by Velazquez. I can't wait to see it in person. Not to mention the many other great works of art in that museum. The Prado, along with the Louvre, Uffizi, Vatican Museums, Hermitage, and National Gallery of London are the finest art galleries in Europe. After this year, I'll only have the Hermitage left on my "to do" list.

[CoolEddie]

You can go see a bull fight.

[Eyeman]

Going to Madrid for the weekend (Friday - Sunday)... I realize it's short, but any suggestions for things that MUST be done?

What is the nightlife like, and where are the best places to party at night?

Also, I'm trying to priceline a hotel (using name my own price), but I'm not sure which area to pick. We're looking to be close to the nightlife and major tourist attractions. Here are the 4 choices:

- East
- Old Madrid
- Around La Castellana
- Barajas Airport

Which one should I pick? I'm guessing not around the airport...

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Madrid is the most boring capital city in Europe. No that is really a great place to visit. I'd go somewhere else instead. Spain has lots of far better places, Seville, Barcelona, etc.

If you must go, you want to stay near Puerta del Sol. Avoid the area around the Prado and the train station. Even the local store owners there advised me to be careful of picketpockets and thieves.

I agree with the guy who said to skip the Prado. I have some minor interest in art, but it was really dull. Also everything is in Spanish and they make no concessions to explain anything in English. Outside of the Royal palace there isn't. Take 1 hour trip to Toledo. It's really an amazing place. Unlike Madrid, there is real history and the cathedral is astonishing. The only other fun thing in Madrid is the paseo. Everone is out at 1:00 AM. I don't mean part-goers, I mean every one, including families with their kids.