What are you most favorite things about Madrid?

I have a project and would really love to get MMers feedback here - I'm compiling a list of the absolute best things to do, see, experience, buy, etc. in our favorite city and figured you might all chime in. I know each of you love Madrid as much as I do - so share that love! On the board or if your shy - a personal message works. Thanks all! Puna

For example, go to the carnival today
http://www.elpais.com/fotogaleria/Todo/invierno/esperando/Carnaval/elpgal/20110304elpepunac_1/Zes/6

Well, as a native, I would have to say that going to the Retiro Park is one of the best things to do. Specially in Spring or summer, and when the Book Fair is taking place (first weeks of june). Awesome!

Thanks GogonaMedussa and Jazz - Board Members, keep the comments coming please. I really appreicate your feedback here!
Pun a

After going up to the rooftop of El Circulo de Bellas Artes I'd have to vote for that. And at 2 Euros and the views they offer, I'd say it's a must-do.

I also like to recommend the Teleférico between Argüelles/Parque del Oeste and the Casa de Campo, crossing over the Río Manzanares for some nice views.

Along the same lines, when it finally re-opens in September after years of renovations, going up to the observation deck of El Faro de Moncloa will offer good views too.

As for things to buy, well, even when I came to Madrid as a visitor I never bought anything to take back. I guess a Spanish fan (one of the good, Spanish-made ones, not the ones from China) would be a good gift, though.

Saludos, MadridMan

Thanks MM - that is truly an insider's view! You're a true native after 5+ years

I love going to cafes and drinking Spanish wine. I have met some interesting people there. I love walking through the old town and seeing the deep history. I love being able to wander the streets at any hour of the day or night and feel safe. After my last visit, I enjoyed the soccer games and tours of the stadium. I am also a fan of bullfighting, so that is one of the Spanish experiences. I can't wait to return.

Has anyone visited the Jardín Botánico? It's right beside El Prado, but it's like one of the forgotten places to visit. I would suggest going there in late Spring as it's all in bloom and walking around is so pretty and charming.
Of course, a very romantic place too.

I cant add a single thing that has not been mentioned already, they are all excellent. I cant emphasize the simple strolling around the El Centro and getting into churches and historical bldgs as they come up.

the parque retiro is s must.

The Jardines de Sabatini at sunset!

Natasha you came up with a spot I've never been - will absolutely have to go the Jardines de Sabatini at sunset.

MMers - keep the ideas and feedback coming I think we'll all come up with new places to go when next in Madrid.

Tapas crawl down Cava Baja! Evening strolls with family down a paseo verde. Taking my daughter to the packed playground at 9pm on a summer night. Terrazas in the summer. Jamon iberico just about anywhere. Taking an air conditioned bus to just about anywhere directly. El Corte Ingles. Standing at any bar drinking a cafe cortado. Botin.

Madrid has so many, many already mentionned here like the Jardines de Sabatini and Campo del Moro. Teleferico is wonderful, so is the Debod temple.However, having and done all that, for me now is just to walk walk and walk all those quaint streets of Madrid and savored its wonderful tapas, mahou cinco estrellas, and wines from Valdepeñas ::)
Take a walking itinerary and mark your stops along the way, just wonderful.

i agree with pedmar. After many years of seeing the "sights", I just pick a barrio and walk and walk and get "lost".

Puna, have you considered suggestions about Madrid surrounding areas?? It seems the city center has been fully discovered here but if someone comes to Madrid for more than 5-6 days, I would also suggest little excursions to some towns around where you can go by train (cercanías) and will take you 30-45 mins. Pretty cool to visit and find cultural wonders, i.e., Alcalá de Henares, Aranjuez, etc. Or maybe this could be opened as a new topic!

Absolutely! Toss up any and all suggestions

Ladague - I love both Cava Baja and Cava Alta. Like you and Pedmar, I just tend to wander the streets. You just made me homesick!!!!!

I'm reactivating this link and asking for your favorite cafes, tapa bars and restaurants so keep the feedback coming, por favor.

Thanks everyone - project is about half done and and I can't begin to say thank you enough for your feedback! Personal preferences are always the best recommendations!

well heck throw one at you, see the Elipa, the baseball park still there at end of O'Donnell ,the US Torrejon air base had a team there and we played with the Real Madrid baseball team, yes that is old I know oh well ::)
you can go to Docamar at calle alcala front of 331 a leyend in its own right with nostalgia of Madrid in photos, the link
http://www.docamar.com/
go on the bottom left and see old photos of Ciudad Lineal my old neighborhood of Quintana is there too ! cheers

Another vote for Cava Baja and all the little bars/rests along there.

I also enjoy early mornings in Madrid, walking from Plaza Isabel II to Plaza Mayor and beyond. The city is quiet then and has a different feel to it.

Bon dia from Aruba.
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One unusual view is near the Puente de Segovia .. the beautiful church : Basílica de San Francisco el Grande . A plaque on the outside wall still refers to General Franco ( these are gradually being removed in Madrid ) . To the left hand side of the church are gardens that are a bit shabby but have great views towards the Sierra Guadarrama , especially beautiful when the snow is still on the mountain tops . The Catholic church had planned on building an administrative centre that would have blocked the view . Friends of mine marched in Madrid against the plans for El Vaticano 2 . The view was admired by many artists and I believe it was a favourite view of Goya´s .
MM , you'll have to help me out with the name of the restaurant nearby where a group of us had a memorable meal . The restaurant was packed and there were about 8-10 of us and we were lucky to get a table . We ordered , amongst other things , La Matanza de Cerdo .. very traditional ... you need a very good appetite for this hearty and delicious dish .

This was finally voted down. No Mini-Vaticano in Madrid, it seems.
I'll never forget that Matanza de Cerdo you ordered, Steve. Wow. MY cholesterol shot up just looking at it!! But it did look delicious! The name of the bar/restaurant was Restaurante Bar Los Ángeles (they have a website!! - but with very little info or pictures) on the Calle del Ángel, 8. This is totally a "local" bar/restaurant - no tourists found here in this part of Madrid just above the San Francisco El Grande Church.

Saludos, MadridMan

Here's another suggestion for central Madrid Bars. Can't get any more central than this one. It's called the Bar La Ideal just off the southeast corner of the Plaza Mayor. It's a tiny place and fills up fast at lunchtime. They specialize on cheap-and-good Bocadillos de Calamares as well as their Patatas Bravas. Yums. This too is a place where, surprisingly enough for its location, you find very few tourists inside - maybe because its long, narrow, and usually crowded. Wait staff is all Spanish and the few small tables line right right side of the aisle.

Yeah, that's me in the red shirt sitting on the left in the right-side photo - eating my DELICIOUS fried squid sandwich. Yum!!! It's good Steve took this picture when he did as no 15 minutes later the place was full.

Saludos, MadridMan

Excellent! I really appreciate everyone's feedback - and keep the special places coming!!!!!!

Thanks everyone!

I like the Dali´s room in Museo Reina Sofia ;Museo Sorolla at Calle General Martinez Campos and Plaza de Puerta de Moros .

What I love about Madrid is the diversity of the city’s architecture. It is old. It is modern. It is art deco and so on making it fun to photograph for me. But it's not only the building themselves are interesting to photograph but the building exteriors too, with small fine details on them that most people miss as they walk by. I remember afternoon in Madrid spending time looking and photographing roof tops. Some of the building had interesting chimneys and some are capped statues. I really do not why someone why put a status so way high because people walking on the streets could not see the details in the status.

Then there are the streets, the way they flow too. Not like straight grid where blocks are rectangles which is boring. Some street I walked flow like a stream or river, flowing to the left or right with little balls on both side lining the route. At the end this street I would be greeted with an interesting statue to photograph. Many times walking along the streets of Madrid was rewarded with a tapas bars with their rich decoration to photograph or photographing a local interacting with their lovely city.

I can say there is beautiful artwork in the Prado Museum. I can also say there is beautiful artwork in the streets of Madrid too. It just a different type of art I am see!

Bill, you just vocalized my version of the real beauty of Madrid!

I agree, Puna. Bill, you are so right!