Madrid
Nov. 16 - 18, 2012 (3D2N): The perfect combination of food & culture! This was our first stop before we visited Barcelona and Paris. We also witnessed two demonstrations in Madrid - which was expected given we were visiting one of the GIIPS.
*Highly Recommended
Day 1
Arrives at Madrid from NYC
Take metro to Hotel Regina
Tapas @ Casa Labra*: (get the fried cod - bacalao)
Tapas @ Venta el Buscon*
Coffee break @ Plaza de Espana
Templo de Debod (free; view right around sunset)
Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida (Panteón de Goya; free till 8pm)
Dinner @ La Fragua de Vulcano (Tapas y vino)
Day 2
Paseo del Prado (online for free admission windows)
Prado National Museum (Buy ticket ahead online)
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza (Buy ticket ahead online)
Lunch @ Estado Puro*
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia (check online for free admission windows)
Parque de El Retiro (enter from south side of the park)
Dinner#1 @ Le Tigre* (tapas y bier) & Dinner#2 @ Casa Labra
Flamenco @ Casa Patas (€34pp)
Day 3
Hapsburg Madrid walking tour:
Follow Frommers Day 3 walking tour:
Rastro (flea market #2)
Austrian District (San Nicolas de las Servitas/Plaza de la Cebada/Plaza de la Paja)
Tapas near La Latina @ Toma Jamon*
La Corrala (#8): During the 19th century, many of Madrid's working-class population lived in tenements like these.
Plaza Lavapiés (#3)
Relax @ Plaza de Santa Ana (good for day or night)
Coffee/pastry @ Uvepan*
Walk around Serrano (shopping district): Department store + Zara
Dinner @ La Soberbia*
Check out Museo del Jamon
Other points of interest & food
Plaza de Toros las Ventas (bullfight arena – guided tauro tour)
Círculo de Bellas Artes: This Art Deco gem has exhibitions in various salons as well as an adjoining excellent value cinema and an iconic ground floor cafe. You can also pop up to the top floor and look at the library, even if you're not a member
Dine @ El Club Allard
Dine @ Sobrino de Botin (oldest restaurant in the world by Guinness World, Hemingway visited)
Tips
Buy 10 packs Metro pass + Airport supplement
Be careful of the pickpocketers, my iphone was stolen during this trip :(
