To experience some city-life in Spain, relativly unspoiled from tourism, you don´t have many alternatives. Madrid gives you a taste of the real Spain free of all the tourist-ghettos. As Barcelona is the first choice of foreigners going on a city vacation to Spain, Madrid is the first choice of Spanish tourists. Beeing the capital, it contains a lot of important builidings, and walking around in the centre the most important sights will pop up within a relativly small radius. The historical centre is very limited, which is nice for new visitors which probably can cover the main attracions in a day or two.
I´ve been living in Madrid for the last year, and have been frequently visited from my friends and family in Norway. I usually show them the historical centre quite fast, and then either takes them outside the city to show them some more attractions or (if belonging to the young generation) take them out clubbing.
My favourite attracions in Madrid are The Royal Palace, The Gran Via street and the Retiro Park.
Outside the city, I can reccomend the beautiful and authentic towns of El Escorial, Segovia, Alcala and Toledo. Thy are all 1/2 - two hours away, and can be frequently reached by public transport - remember to check out when the last bus/train leaves for you to go back.
The atmosphere of Madrid can best be experienced during night, and here you have endless opportunities. From traditional irish bars, to flamenco clubs, Madrid gives you the full package. Different districts have different types of clubs: Chueca and Malsana are marked by gay-clubs, che-gueara, bohemian-style young trendy atmosphere. La Latina is a very trendy former working class area, turned expensive and with full of celebrities. Lavapies gives you a more authentic feeling, beeing in an area of lots of immigrants. Salamanca have the snobbish places where pople go expensive to see and be seen. The centre gives you everything, but look clubs in the above mentioned areas if you look for something un-touristic.
The best way to experience a city in my view, is to walk around and smell the atmosphere. You can do that safely in Madrid by daytime, just be sure to leave your valuables at the hotellroom.
My favourite Madrid-happening is the weekly "El Rastro" which is a flee market and have a really nice atmosphere. El Rastro is located ca. 20 min walk to the south of the centre, and here you get everything between heaven and earth. Here you will find ordinary spanish people looking for nice things to buy - mingle with them and see if you can find somehting for yourselves.
And: Try to learn some typical spanish words, that gives you more goodwill among the locals.
Enjoy your trip!
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Oct 13th, 2004
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