hey guys!
i did it. my ticket is bought and there's no looking back now. i'm headed to madrid for the 1st time and will be there end of january through mid-feb, around two weeks... any suggestions on what to do, where to go? i'm actually more interested in the real madrid as opposed to the tourist sights of madrid..any ideas how to know the real madrid and spain?

What do you want to see, here?

Andres

hi andres,

i'm interested in the history of madrid,
the foods, the people, maybe seeing a
few castles, cathedrals, anything which
is considered history. maybe the foods
of madrid and/or spain. and of course,
the nightlife...

too many things!! choose only two, please!!!

Andres

PS: El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta.

sorry, i'm just a little excited since it's my first time ever going to spain...i'm interested in the culture and the history of madrid..
in my mind, i want to venture out and do everything, but i'm more than certain time will limit me to only a few things...anyway, i might freeze while i'm up there...heeehehehe...

Andres makes a good point - do some reading - the search function will prove invaluable - select a few areas of the most interest - then concentrate on seeing those things. Madrid is full of things do to - you could walk, non-stop, for the few days you will be there and still see only a small bit of the city and what it has to offer.

Easy starting point - art or clubs ... then go from there.

If you select a couple of areas of primary interest you'll find far more knowledgable responses from us

Viuda de Vacas (restaurant)
Cava Alta, st
It has two floors
Super atmospheric

Teatriz (Restaurant and two bars)
I dont remember exactly where it is but you will find it on the net. Dont have dinner there, probably too expensive, just go for a beer. DONT HAVE IT IN THE OUTSIDE BAR GO ALL THE WAY TO WHERE THE RESTAURANT AND THEIR SECOND BAR IS. DONT FORGET TO PAY A VISIT TO THEIR SUBREAL BATHROOMS.

Andres
Anddres

if you get a chance you might want to stop by retiro park on a sunday evening...lots of music and a very good time

So much to do and see and so little time.

I would recommend something like one of the guided walks. There is a poster here who does something like this, haven't been on one myself but have read good reports.

How about a bit of lunch there is a very nice Catalan restaurant on San Augustin can't remember the name but the map is below

http://callejero.lanetro.com/apps/lanetro/mapas/mapas.asp?id_via=2207&pais_geoc=ESPA%D1A&nombredevia=Calle+de+Lope+de+Vega&numerovia=33&nombre_fichero=ta1esp-madrd-madrid&lite_prov incia_geoc=Madrid&lite_municipio_geoc=Madrid&distancia=

They are very friendly, Englsh speaking (to a certain extent) and it is close to the Prado.

After lunch visit the Prado followed by a relaxing walk through the Botanical gardens next door.

You should get beck to your hotel at about 7ish, get your head down for an hour before heading out to enjoy Madrid nightlife. Do the tapas hopping thing, great fun and you get to try a wde variety of food. Finish the night in Bar Cuba on san Ignacio de Loyola near Plaza de España - The best mojitos in town, believe me I've tried a few.

http://callejero.lanetro.com/apps/lanetro/mapas/mapas.asp?id_via=1290&pais_geoc=ESPA%D1A&nombredevia=Plaza+de+España&numerovia=1&nombre_fichero=ta1esp-madrd-madrid&lite_provincia_g eoc=Madrid&lite_municipio_geoc=Madrid

Hi!

The catalan restaurant The Keeper is talking about is Can Punyetes (www.canpunyetes.com), you can do that, but....after all , you'll be in Madrid! so, you shoudn't miss having at least one good cocido (it's not called cocido madrileño for nothing ), so, here's a selection....I made this list last year so the prices might not be 100% accurate, unfortunately, but you can always check out the respective webpages:
¡Y qué aproveche!

Malacatín
Ruda, 5
91.365.52.41
Metro: La Latina
Aprox. price €15
www.malacatin.com

Taberna La Daniela
General Pardiñas, 21
91.575.23.29
Goya y Príncipe de Vergara
Aprox. price €20
www.todoesp.es/cocido-daniela

La Bola
Bola, 5
91.547.69.30
Ópera y Santo Domingo
Aprox. price €25
www.labola.es

Casa Carola
Calle Padilla, 54 , local dcho.
91.401.94.08
Diego de León y Lista
Aprox. price €20
www.casacarola.com

Taberna de Buenaventura
Hermosilla, 69
91.575.83.65
Goya y Velázquez
Aprox. price €15-25

Don Cocido
Padilla, 54
91.309.21.47
Lista y Diego de León
Aprox. price €10-20