Metro: Sol

    The largest plaza in Madrid, Plaza Mayor displays a vast square of Spanish architecture, ancient cobblestone and one entire building surrounding the square.  In the center of the plaza sits a statue of Phillip III, who completed its construction in 1619.  While the plaza is a tourist trap, filled with expensive outdoor cafes and shops, it is still must-see, especially at night. Wander through the corner alleyways to find hidden taverns and flamenco dancing, and observe the street performers on the surrounding streets (but don’t take a photo unless you plan to pay for it).  Sometimes in the summer you can catch a free concert or performance.

Metro: Atocha

Address:Calle Ruiz de Alarcón 23

Tickets:  €6 general admission, €3 with a student ID, but it’s FREE from 6pm until 8pm Tuesday to Saturday, and 5pm until 8pm on Sundays.

Hours: Tues- Sun: 9am- 7pm, Mondays: closed

    The Prado Museum has the largest collection of art in Madrid, not to mention a breathtaking exterior. It’s filled with the work of classic Spanish painters like Goya and Velazquez, as well as art from around the world.  Be sure to set aside at least two hours to roam through the spacious rooms.  It may be worth it to rent an audio guide in English, which is only a few Euros but provides interesting descriptions and histories of a number of works.

Metro: La Latina

    Every Sunday morning, hundreds of Spanish vendors set up shop in the streets, selling imported goods as well as home made crafts and used items.  El Rastro is the perfect place to purchase souvenirs, especially the classic “toro” t-shirt, featuring the Spanish bull. Arrive around 9 a.m. to avoid the late morning crowds, but the shops will begin shutting down around 2 p.m.  And remember, if there is anywhere in Madrid where pickpockets thrive, it’s El Rastro-- be sure to keep purses zipped and held tight, wallets in the front pocket, and avoid wearing a backpack if possible.

Metro: Sol

    The Puerta Del Sol (“Gate of the Sun”) is at the center and the heart of Madrid.  Kilometer Zero is literally a stone in the ground, right by the House of the Post Office, indicating the center of the city from where the major roads begin.  Also, be sure to take a picture with the "oso y el madroño" statue (the bear and the berry tree) from Madrid's coat of arms.  During the day, there are countless stores to shop for the latest trends, as well as traditional Spanish clothing, like flowing flamenco dresses.  At night, Puerta Del Sol comes alive with lights and a myriad of madrileños (young Spanish night-goers) flooding the streets.  Any one of the winding streets stemming from Sol hold numerous bars and restaurants.

Metro: Ópera

Tickets: €10 general admission, €3,50 with student ID

Hours:  Summer (April to Sept) Mon-Sat: 9am to 6pm; Sun and holidays: 9am to 3pm

Winter (October- March) Mon- Sat: 9:30am to 5pm; Sun and holidays: 9am to 2pm

    The Royal Palace is the official residence of the King of Spain, Juan Carlos; although he and his family do not live there, they use it for official ceremonies.  It dates back to the 9^th century, where The Islamic Kingdom of Toledo (another city in Spain) built a fortress, and where a castile was built in the 16^th century.  That castile was destroyed in a fire on Christmas Eve of 1734, and the present day palace was built between 1738 and 1755. Visitors can tour a number of ornate rooms, furniture and tapestry, as well as an old pharmacy with obsolete medical tools, and an armor room with ancient battle armor and weapons.

Metro: Atocha

Tickets: €6, €3 with a student ID,  FREE on Saturdays after 2:30pm and Sundays

Hours: Mon- Sat: 10am to 9pm; Sun: 10am to 2:30pm

    For those with a taste for more contemporary art, Reina Sofía will not disappoint.  It contains the works of Salvador Dalí, José Guerrero, and Pablo Picasso, specifically his famous painting, Guernica, depicting the Nazi bombing of Guernica, Spain.  The four floors of paintings, sculptures and other forms of art are easily accessible by the two large, glass elevators on the exterior of the building.

Metro: Retiro

    Buen retiro literally means "good retreat."  It is a gorgeous, expansive park in the middle of the city. The park used to be a retreat for Spanish royal families in the 16^th and 17^th centuries, and now it is host to dozens of vendors, street performers, artists, musicians, and soccer players.  Grab a sandwich (bocadillo) from one of the many small cafes (for about €5) and head over to the rectangular lake and watch the row boats float by.  Boats can be rented for €3, and there is no time limit. Next to the lake is a semi-circle of massive pillars that surround a monument to King Alfonso XII.  On the weekends, the park will resonate with the sound of drummers, who sit around the pillars and play for hours.  If the lake, boats, and drums become tiresome, head towards the Palacio de Cristal to view some local artwork, or cross over to the other side of the lake and have your palm read.  Just make sure to head out before dusk, because it is not as safe at night.

Metro: Las Ventas

    A trip to Madrid cannot be complete without a bullfight.  Las Ventas, built in 1929, is considered the most important bullring in Spain, and the hardest as well.  During May and June, San Isidro, the famous bullfighting festival, takes place.  Normally, bullfights are on Sundays and start at 5 p.m.  You can buy tickets the day of the event, and the price varies depending on whether the seat is in the sun (Sol) or the shade (Sombra) and whether the seat is down by the ring or up high.  The range is between €3 and over €100, although even the highest seats still provide a good view of the action.  Bullfights normally last around two to three hours, but could go longer with particularly feisty bulls.

Hours: 1 to 4pm, 8:30 to 11:45pm

Metro: Sevilla

Address: C/ Arlabán 4

    For the backpacker on a budget who wants a taste of fine dining, this culinary school restaurant serves an elegant, multi-course Mediterranean cuisine, accompanied by Spanish wine, for under €40.  The stylish décor and excellent service suggest an extravagant bill at the end, but because the food is prepared by students, the prices are drastically lower.  La Finca De Susana is a wonderful place for a few friends to enjoy good conversation, but they do not accept large groups.

Metro: Sol

Address: C/ Cuchilleros 8, right down the street from Plaza Mayor

    This Turkish dish consists of rotisserie lamb, beef, pork, or chicken on a soft pita with lettuce, onion, tomato, and a tangy cucumber sauce, much like a Greek gyro.  These little restaurants are everywhere, especially in Sol, and they provide a wonderful meal for less than €5.  Many will even throw in French fries and a soda with the price. 

Flights: Aeropuerto Internacional de Barajas (MAD) handles all of Madrid’s air traffic, and is accessible via the Barajas metro line. 

Trains:  Madrid has two trains stations that will help get backpackers to their next destination.  Estación de Atocha only deals with domestic trains, and departures head to Malaga (4.5hr), Sevilla (2.5hr), and Barcelona (5hr).  Estatción Chamartín will get backpackers to other European countries with connections to Barcelona (9hr), Lisbon (9hr), Paris (13.5hr), and Bilbao (6.5hr). 

Public Transportation: Madrid’s public transportation consists of an efficient metro and bus network.  The metro runs from 6am-2am and the buses operate 24 hours with night buses taking over from 11pm-6am.  Single tickets cost €1, and a metrobus (booklet of 10 tickets) is €7.40.

Metro: Anton Martin

Address: C/ Huertas 22

    Located on the famous Huertas street, filled with eclectic bars and shops, Café Jazz Populart offers an array of jazz, Latin and fusion talent from across the world.  The first set is at 11pm, and the second at 12:30am.  Get there early if you want a seat, otherwise a crowd of people will stand in the back and at the bar. 

Metro: Atocha

Address: Atocha 125

Cover: €12- 15, includes one drink.

Hours: Thurs- Sun: 11:30pm- 5:30am

    With seven floors of vastly different music, Kapital is a hot spot for club-goers of any age and persuasion.  While clubs offer an opportunity for dancing and meeting new and interesting people, they are expensive, so expect to pay at least €10 for each drink.

Metro: Arguëlles

Location: Fernando El Católico and Hilarion Eslava

    This bar, known to many visitors as The Cave Bar, is decorated entirely with stalagmites, stalactites, and rocks.  If you order their house drink, milk pours from the ceiling into a glass, of which they have various sizes, including a fish bowl.  While the bar plays pop music videos on T.V.s, Spaniards and travelers alike mingle and enjoy the unique atmosphere.

Metro: Opera

Address: Calle Moreria, 17

Price: €34- €99, depending on which option and dinner you choose

This flamenco show is one of the most popular in Madrid, featuring some of the best dancers in the world.  Decorated in 18^th and 19^th century design, the venue gives customers a taste of classic Spanish culture.  

Metro: Sol

Address: C/ Cuchilleros, 7, right off Plaza Mayor

Price: under €20

    This flamenco bar offers authentic shows without the price of El Corral de la Morería.  The venue is much smaller, but cozy and intimate, and the price comes with a drink.  Show are at 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.

Metro: Chueca

Address: Calle Libertad, 16

    This tapas restaurant was started in 1840, and it offers an excellent selection of tapas. The Chueca area hosts a number of gay-oriented businesses, and it’s a great place to roam around during the day and early evening before heading out to a restaurant or flamenco performance.