I went to Madrid last week and I really enjoyed it. Sol is the place to be, where all the shops (of which there are many), bars and clubs are. A knowledge of the Spanish language is incredibly helpful as very little English is spoken there. However, i found the locals generally friendly. I would really recommend the Reina Sofia (6 floors of amazing modern art), and Pradoart gallery. Other places of interest are: Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza(quite small), Coleccion Permanente del Instituto de Credito Ofifial (contemporary Spanish sculpture and Picassos), Museo de Americs, Museo de Arte Contemporaneo. The Plaza Mayor is a lovely little square to relax in, where there is a statue of King Phillipe the Third, painted buildings and street artists. There were lots of fantastic statues, decorative dooways and ornate seats. The city has many fountains. I found it fascinating how there would be a classical statue and a McDonalds juxtapositioned on the same street. There was some building work going on and some places are dusty. I found one building that was covered in plastic birds, i think it was something to do with Hitchcock's film "The Birds". I would advise you to be incredibly careful with your money and valuables there (ie always wear a belt wallet) though as I have read pickpockets are all over the place in Madrid. However, I encountered no problems of that sort, personally. I would recommend the Irish pubs there. There are many bars and clubs such as Kapital which has strobe lighting, go-go dancers and cold smoke which wooshes out onto the dancefloor. This club has expensive drinks though so i would advise going to a bar beforehand. The posh, Palacio Gaviria disco club is worth a visit i think, simply because it was so surreal seeing disco lights and loud Europop pumping through Baroque salons and a ballroom. The Cornucopia restaurante on Flora street is excellent. Everyone eats about 9pm and the legal drinking age is 16. If you do go to Madrid i would advise a daytrip to a more historical city such as Toledo which has a castle. I hope this review has been helpful. It is purely my opinion.
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I love Madrid!!! It's my all time favourite city :) I've never been pickpocketed either but you never know... I would love to move there! Good review, pepis xxx
flipflopgirl 18.02.2004 22:15
Sounds lovely, I've never been myself :) isobel xx
jillmurphy 18.02.2004 21:34
Oh, it really is a lovely city with a great street life. I'd live there if my husband would go!
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Feb 18th, 2004
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