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Madrid, Spain
Photo: Tomás Fano, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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This plaza is the heart of Madrid and one of the busiest places in the city - a hub for the local transit system, a favorite meeting spot for locals, a visible area for festivals or political demonstrations, and an opportune location for tour guides, street performers, pickpockets and anyone else looking to take advantage of all the tourists on-hand. In the center of the plaza sits the Statue of King Charles III on horseback, facing the Royal Post Office (Real Casa de Correos), the red-and-white building adorned with a clock tower on the plaza's south side. The building served as Madrid's first post office, then the police headquarters under Franco before being transformed into its current use as the office of the President of Madrid, the head of the regional government. The clock tower is noteworthy for being the center focus of New Year's celebrations every year, which are broadcast across Spain and mark the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes (one for each ring of the bell) and the beginning of a new year. In front of the building is Kilometer Zero (Kilómetro Cero), a plaque showing the point where the measuring of national highway system begins. On the east side of the plaza is the famous Bear and the Madroño Tree Statue, a bear climbing a madroño tree, which is the symbol of Madrid, and on the west side of the plaza is the Mariblanca statue, a white marble goddess of at least the 17th century. Nearby the giant neon Tío Pepe sign sits above the plaza and is a famous fixture of this area.
Literally 'Great Way' (better translated as 'Broadway'), Gran Vía is one of the busiest avenues in Madrid. Running from Plaza de España to Plaza de Cibeles, it is the location of the cinema district and a number of shopping malls and is lined with large billboards and lights. There's a constant buzz of traffic and life – 03:00-04:00 early morning traffic jams are not unusual.
RABASF / Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando
Highly impressive art collection with paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints. Several Goya masterpieces.
An abandoned tobacco factory turned into a huge Berlin-like alternative art space driven by the diverse locals of Lavapies district. Also free workshops daily. Nice big cheap outdoors terrace.
It is hoped that the closure is temporary and that it will return in a reduced form after works, check website for current situation.
The main venue for contemporary music, dance, and theatre performance.
A non-profit cultural center located a short walk from Sol, the CBA offers up a wide variety of events and shows including film, music, art displays, dance, theater and more. See the website (in Spanish) for a list of activities. Great panoramic views of the city can be had from the Azotea, located at the top of the building.
Cardamomo Flamenco Show
Authentic Flamenco show in the center of Madrid, one of the greatest tablaos flamencos all over Spain, typical Spanish food during the performance.
The Spanish version of the operetta (zarzuela) is performed here. This is also the main concert venue for the Community of Madrid Orchestra.
Community of Madrid Orchestra
Monumental Cinema
RTVE Symphony Orchestra
Performs every Th and F at the Teatro Monumental on Calle Atocha.
Cine Ideal
Probably the best known V.O. (versión original, or original language) theatre in Madrid, it offers the largest selection of movies and is a short walk from Sol.
This is a wonderful old Spanish theatre dating from the 1920s. It has three screens and shows mainly art-house and critically acclaimed films in the original language. In the summertime, they screen movies on the roof.
Teatro Tablao Flamenco Torero
An authentic flamenco show in the heart of Madrid, set in a traditional exposed brick cave of the XIX century. Daily shows at 18:00, 19:30 and 21:00. Free drink included.
Branch of the popular nationwide chain that offers 100 different montaditos (small sandwiches). Great place to go for a cheap drink and bite to eat. Further branches are at Calle de la Montera, 34 (near metro Gran Vía) and Plaza de las Cortes, 3.
One of several branches of this chain. Offers deli takeout service as well as tapas and raciónes at reasonable prices. They offer €1 ham sandwiches and a 'picnic' lunch consisting of a said ham sandwich, fresh fruit and a drink for €2 (Feb 2017). Another branch is at Calle de Atocha, 54 (metro Antón Martín).
Very solid local option for small dishes/tapas. Recommended are chorizo, pig ears, tortilla with chorizo (omelette with chorizo), morcilla, sepia a la plancha. Casual non pretentious place.
Fantastic little stop for tapas. A very cozy place with good tapas and they always treat you very well. With a funny decoration.
Good taqueria. The tacos are amazing. The quesadillas and tortas are also worth it. The queue seems super long, but it moves fast.
Small little cantine with excellent and satisfying authentic Spanish food. You have to queue, but it's quite fluid and it's worth it.
Lively market that has not been completely swamped by tourism. Wide range of food & drink available. (including Vegan)
This is a good place to drop by on a hot afternoon to enjoy a cold beer and some Andalusian tapas. Sample the sausages and cheeses.
A Madrid landmark in operation for over 100 years, this bar attracts a standing room only crowd on the weekends. They mainly serve shrimp-based tapas dishes so if you're not into shellfish it may be advisable to steer clear. Order a plate of their garlic shrimp and accompany with their house wine.
For something different, try this great Peruvian restaurant a short walk from Sol. Be sure to order some of their ceviche and try the Pisco Sour cocktail.
All-vegan restaurant that doesn't compromise on flavor, a good place to try vegan versions of Spanish tortilla and croquetas.
Café by day, live jazz music at night.
Famous for its pastries. Peaceful upstairs room where you can linger undisturbed over your café con leche and napolitana de chocolate (chocolate croissant).
Slightly scruffy cafe draws an avante garde crowd at night.
Café del Círculo de Bellas Artes
A soaring hall on the ground floor of Madrid's art center combines atmosphere, excellent food and good coffee at reasonable prices. A wonderful place for lunch not far from Madrid's shopping or museums.
Voted the Best European Bar 2004 by MTV-Campari. Extensive cocktail list. Claims to have served drinks to many famous celebrities, including, Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra, Lana Turner, Gary Cooper, Orson Wells, Yul Brynner and Ernest Hemingway, Catherine Zeta Jones, Hugh Grant and Tim Robbins. They only serve drinks.
An Irish bar in the centre of Madrid near Puerta del Sol. The bar has televisions and is one of the places where sport can be seen.
Discopub in the core of Barrio de las Letras. Great place with excellent prices but a good quality. The bar includes nice music, a DJ, and a moderately large dance floor.
Opened in 1856, this Madrid institution is known for its old-world charm and its creative takes on tapas and cocktails. José Rizal, the Philippines' national hero, was a regular patron, with a plaque hanging above the door in his honor.
Interesting mixture of unusual local and foreign beers.
Popular with the 20-30 age group. Plays a mix of 70s, funk, and bossanova sounds. No dress code, but people do tend to look cool.
Popular Commercial House club with a mixed young straight/gay crowd.
Powerful Techno/House club popular within the younger crowd.
Nice, clean, quiet weekend hostel. 5 minutes from metro, tapas and services. 10-minute walk to Puerto del Sol, museums and Gran Via. Close to southern 'ethnic' areas = good food. Big common room with 4 computer stations, unreliable Wi-Fi and good free breakfast. Secure locker with every bed.
Located in a 17th-century palace, but has a modern interior and is clean and secure. Breakfast and internet is included in the price and there is also a bar. It attracts a young backpackers clientele, but the crowd here is such that you're more likely to find partiers than hitchhikers. Shared dormitories for 4 to 14 people.
Small hostel, nice ambiance and is catered to young travelers. Nice kitchen, friendly staff, and free internet.
Small, clean guest-house on the 4th floor. Ideally located just meters from Gran Via, with great staff and free WI-fi. All rooms have sink & shower, but most share bathrooms.
The small and inconspicuous ibis Styles gets great reviews thanks to a combination of nice rooms, good staff and ideal location, all that at a reasonable price including breakfast.
Cheap hotel with a good location near Plaza de Santa Ana. All rooms feature bathrooms, TV and air conditioning.
Budget hotel convenient for metro station. Some single rooms.
In the center of Madrid, a quiet bed and breakfast with a unique style and decoration.
A 2-star hotel. The Asturias is 200 meters from the central Puerta del Sol.
4-star hotel in excellent location.
4-star hotel. Restaurant, bar, and meeting space.
Located in Plaza de Santa Ana.
Old building with tasteful modern interior. Well sound-proofed against the busy Gran Via outside. Very comfortable beds. Rooms with TV, hi-fi, mini bar, bath/shower. Optional breakfast buffet with wide choice of good quality food and drinks. Pleasant, comfortable bar.
The Hotel María Elena Palace is located just 200 metres away from the Puerta del Sol. Renowned for its magnificent glass dome in the lobby.
The turn-of-the-century grandeur with modern conveniences and amenities. Hotel Quo Puerta del Sol is housed in an emblematic building from the beginning of the 20th century with unique views of the city. It was totally restored in 2003.
Occupying the full first few blocks of the pedestrian boulevard Calle Preciados, El Corte Inglés serves as a gateway to the shopping paradise from Puerta de Sol.
A much smaller store is to be found at the other end of Calle Preciados. Not quite a looker from the outside, it holds a top-floor restaurant with brilliant views over the Gran Vía.
Madrid's main station, Estación de Atocha, is near the southeastern corner of Lavapiés.
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