European City Breaks

[MaineRoadBlue1963]

I lived there for a while. Depends on what you are looking for really. It pretty much has everything that you could want from a city. Nice parks, great art galleries, good shopping, lively bars, excellent restaurants etc as well as nice places to visit outside the city.

We will be trying to avoid the Red Dippers

 

[PragueBlue]

We will be trying to avoid the Red Dippers

Easier said than done I suspect.

Might be nice to take a trip outside the city to Segovia, El Escorial or Toledo. Might not be as many of them there.

 

[MaineRoadBlue1963]

Easier said than done I suspect.

Might be nice to take a trip outside the city to Segovia, El Escorial or Toledo. Might not be as many of them there.

We might visit Toledo

 

[JOGAMIGMOG]

Got ten days in Valencia coming up. The best city in Spain.

 

[MaineRoadBlue1963]

Loved this area

Whatever the time, Malasaña always seems to be lively. It may be the quiet place to start the night or the last stop for those who dance until dawn. In the heart of the city, just a short distance from the famous Gran Vía, all types of bars, pubs and discos open their doors to anyone who wants to have fun all night long.

Today, all kinds of people wander its streets. Thirty-something’s prevail with rock and Indie musical tastes, but there is no lack of entertainment for those looking for more electronic or pop sounds. There is a place for everything in Malasaña.

Malasaña has survived and evolved for decades in an unpredictable tug of war between legendary haunts and new designer halls. The indisputable classics include halls such as La Vía Láctea, El Penta or El TupperWare form a triangle that is already the heritage of Madrid’s popular culture. No less frequented are other halls, such as BarCo, Café La Palma, San Mateo Seis, Madklyn, El perro de la parte de atrás del cocheor the late night Wharf 73, the junior partner of the fast-paced Wurlitzer Ballroom and one of those places for people who don’t want to go home before 6am. If you are looking for something more eccentric, head for Coconut orEl Fabuloso.

Along with these emblematic establishments, other more recent halls with more sophisticated atmospheres, for example to the rhythm of the cocktail shaker, have been spreading around the neighbourhood for years. Santamaría, 1862 Dry Bar, Casa del Pez or Martínez Bar offer cocktails for those seeking something more relaxed and sophisticated.

Cornerstones of this neighbourhood are also its old and not so old cafes, a typical option to link the evening to the night. Café Manuela, with its board games, Café Ajenjo, one of the oldest in the area, or the Café de Ruiz, whose chocolate or carrot cakes are the best in Madrid are legendary. Along with these old and charming cafes, other ever more versatile establishments have opened or been revamped, where the night can begin with a leisurely coffee, tapa or long drink. Some typical options are the resuscitated Café Comercial, La Bicicleta, quintaessence of the hipster, or La Paca.

Thanks. Looks like a good place for a few beers

 

[peoffrey]

We always go away in September when it's the international break
Off to Valencia this time

Votes from me for Tallin. Bucharest and Dusseldorf

I was a bit disappointed with Düsseldorf. Found it too party. Crawling with British stags etc.

Berlin was a bit more relaxed.

 

[aka blue jambo]

I was a bit disappointed with Düsseldorf. Found it too party. Crawling with British stags etc.

Berlin was a bit more relaxed.

Easy to avoid though

 

[peoffrey]

The Alstadt seemed to be where all the bars were. It was Carnival too which didn’t help.

 

[kinkyblue]

Got ten days in Valencia coming up. The best city in Spain.

Off next week love it there

 

[peoffrey]

Prefer Malaga to Valencia. Seville was nice too. Never fancied Barcelona or Madrid.