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Madrid
- Thread starter Richard
- Start date
scowy68
Well-Known Member
Richard said:Off there in a couple of weeks.
Anyone any advice on places to go etc - Bernabeau is of course a given.
Brother was there a couple of years back,I'm going to his tonight,so i'll ask him for you.
ali benarbia's studs
Well-Known Member
turkish baths in city centre, plenty of parks, museums and oooh the nightlife! ;)
meeesh
Well-Known Member
Went with the Mrs mate last March for my birthday,the weekend we lost at Chelsea,watched it in a pub,the locals thought I was a fucking nutter,screaming at screen
But anyway back to Madrid
Get on the metro system for any mooching about,you cant go wrong,as long as you have a little map,which are free from everywhere,as you say the Bernabeau is a must,again on the metro to the ground,walk up the steps and bang its there,great tour/ground
Didnt bother with any museums or out as its not our cup of tea,but there are loads,went to the palace,and had a few hours in that area,loads of mime artists etc which was fun
Beware as in most cities however for pickpockets/beggars,I was sat outside this cafe just having a smoke and a drink,when this **** came upto me,senor senor,he soon got told to fuck off,mithering bastard,but in all honesty I have never seen as many beggars on the streets anywhere,and I mean everywhere
Plenty places to eat as you would expect,Gran Via,Sol,Opera main places to get off metro in centre we found
But anyway back to Madrid
Get on the metro system for any mooching about,you cant go wrong,as long as you have a little map,which are free from everywhere,as you say the Bernabeau is a must,again on the metro to the ground,walk up the steps and bang its there,great tour/ground
Didnt bother with any museums or out as its not our cup of tea,but there are loads,went to the palace,and had a few hours in that area,loads of mime artists etc which was fun
Beware as in most cities however for pickpockets/beggars,I was sat outside this cafe just having a smoke and a drink,when this **** came upto me,senor senor,he soon got told to fuck off,mithering bastard,but in all honesty I have never seen as many beggars on the streets anywhere,and I mean everywhere
Plenty places to eat as you would expect,Gran Via,Sol,Opera main places to get off metro in centre we found
The Pink Panther
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- 16,214
Take an umbrella and some warm clothes, it'll either be pissing it down or freezing cold this time of year.
There 's a beautiful medieval square where all the tourists go to sit down have a beer and tapas. Avoid this place as it costs a fucking fortune
Ten years ago, four halves of beer and a plate of stale bread and hard cheese was £50
There 's a beautiful medieval square where all the tourists go to sit down have a beer and tapas. Avoid this place as it costs a fucking fortune
Ten years ago, four halves of beer and a plate of stale bread and hard cheese was £50
staffs_blue
Well-Known Member
meeesh said:Beware as in most cities however for pickpockets/beggars,I was sat outside this cafe just having a smoke and a drink,when this **** came upto me,senor senor,he soon got told to fuck off,mithering bastard,but in all honesty I have never seen as many beggars on the streets anywhere,and I mean everywhere
Havana was the worst I have ever seen.You feel sorry for them at first but after 20 minutes it really fucks you off.They beg for random things aswell like shampoo and lipstick.A copper/security guard was even asking us for money so she could get a drink!
meeesh
Well-Known Member
staffs_blue said:meeesh said:Beware as in most cities however for pickpockets/beggars,I was sat outside this cafe just having a smoke and a drink,when this **** came upto me,senor senor,he soon got told to fuck off,mithering bastard,but in all honesty I have never seen as many beggars on the streets anywhere,and I mean everywhere
Havana was the worst I have ever seen.You feel sorry for them at first but after 20 minutes it really fucks you off.They beg for random things aswell like shampoo and lipstick.A copper/security guard was even asking us for money so she could get a drink!
Never been there mate...but did you sort em out with some lipstick then ? :)
staffs_blue
Well-Known Member
meeesh said:staffs_blue said:meeesh said:Beware as in most cities however for pickpockets/beggars,I was sat outside this cafe just having a smoke and a drink,when this **** came upto me,senor senor,he soon got told to fuck off,mithering bastard,but in all honesty I have never seen as many beggars on the streets anywhere,and I mean everywhere
Havana was the worst I have ever seen.You feel sorry for them at first but after 20 minutes it really fucks you off.They beg for random things aswell like shampoo and lipstick.A copper/security guard was even asking us for money so she could get a drink!
Never been there mate...but did you sort em out with some lipstick then ? :)
It was a weekday and i only wear it at weekends so I had none on me unfortunately....... ;o)
Innsbruckblue
Well-Known Member
I lived in Madrid a few years ago, so things might have changed.
The Bernabeu is good to visit, especially the museum, but if you want atmosphere at the game, forget it. Get yourself down to Rayo Vallecano in the Vallecas area. Top atmosphere! You could also try Atletico for a good experience.
As someone said, don't go for a drink in Plaza Mayor, as it'll cost you a fortune. Good for photos though!
If you're looking for bars or places to eat, stay off the main streets and find a bar that's got used napkins on the floor. These are the ones the locals drink and eat in, and the more napkins on the floor, the busier and better they are (and cheaper!).
The Metro system is great, but you miss out on seeing a lot of the city, so walking is your best bet if you want to do the tourist thingy.
I can't help you with late night bars and that, as most of the ones I frequented have shut down (visited a couple of years ago), but remember that Mahou is the best beer, and on your way home after drinking, pop into a cafe and order a Chocolate con Churros. The best hot chocolate in the world!
There's loads to see and do, depending on what you're into, but you probably won't manage everything anyway.
Just make sure you enjoy the place. It's a wonderful city.
The Bernabeu is good to visit, especially the museum, but if you want atmosphere at the game, forget it. Get yourself down to Rayo Vallecano in the Vallecas area. Top atmosphere! You could also try Atletico for a good experience.
As someone said, don't go for a drink in Plaza Mayor, as it'll cost you a fortune. Good for photos though!
If you're looking for bars or places to eat, stay off the main streets and find a bar that's got used napkins on the floor. These are the ones the locals drink and eat in, and the more napkins on the floor, the busier and better they are (and cheaper!).
The Metro system is great, but you miss out on seeing a lot of the city, so walking is your best bet if you want to do the tourist thingy.
I can't help you with late night bars and that, as most of the ones I frequented have shut down (visited a couple of years ago), but remember that Mahou is the best beer, and on your way home after drinking, pop into a cafe and order a Chocolate con Churros. The best hot chocolate in the world!
There's loads to see and do, depending on what you're into, but you probably won't manage everything anyway.
Just make sure you enjoy the place. It's a wonderful city.
Cellarite
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It'd be rude not to visit Vicente Calderon.
Gelsons Dad
Well-Known Member
PRADO! One of the best museums in the world!
softlad
Well-Known Member
Just booked up here with 4 of my mates for first weekend in October, hoping we can catch at least one game at a mix of Atleti / Real or Rayo Vallecano.
Has anyone had experience of getting tickets, is it easy and cheap?
Also, what areas are good for drinking and food?
Has anyone had experience of getting tickets, is it easy and cheap?
Also, what areas are good for drinking and food?
Prestwich_Blue
Well-Known Member
It's not London or Paris but it's nice. The Prado & Thyssen museums are a must and they're right by each other and right by the Parque del Retiro, which is lovely. The Changing of the Guard at the Royal Palace is good and the Horseguards are even more spectacular than ours.
The Egyptian temple of Debod is up on a hill not far from the palace and worth a visit just for the view. I didnt get there but the Casa de Campo is a huge park with a zoo and I think there's a cable car there from near the Egyptian temple (but I'm not sure about that).
Otherwise just wander around and stop where you fancy for a beer, coffee and some tapas. There are some mouthwatering food shops, particularly the meat ones.
The Egyptian temple of Debod is up on a hill not far from the palace and worth a visit just for the view. I didnt get there but the Casa de Campo is a huge park with a zoo and I think there's a cable car there from near the Egyptian temple (but I'm not sure about that).
Otherwise just wander around and stop where you fancy for a beer, coffee and some tapas. There are some mouthwatering food shops, particularly the meat ones.
kas_tippler
Well-Known Member
St Peters, Colosseum, Circus Maximus do I need to carry on?!
1961_vintage
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Gelsons Dad said:PRADO! One of the best museums in the world!
Have to agree - some spectacular works on display including Velázquez, Goya etc.
cptaidan88
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softlad said:Just booked up here with 4 of my mates for first weekend in October, hoping we can catch at least one game at a mix of Atleti / Real or Rayo Vallecano.
Has anyone had experience of getting tickets, is it easy and cheap?
Also, what areas are good for drinking and food?
I went a few weeks ago on the way to Barcelona and I got to both Getafe and Atletico. I think you can buy tickets for all teams online but if you prefer you can just buy hem at the ground - they rarely sell out. As long as the games aren't against Real or Barca, the cheapest tickets at either of those were €30. Not sure how much Rayo tickets cost, but that was the one I wish I had gone to - I went to Burnley instead (that was a mistake!). The Atletico game was against Leverkusen and it went to penalties. To be honest its easily the loudest ground I've ever been to, and I got the impression it wasnt just because it was a tight game - everyone in the ground knew all the songs and sang them passionately.
Other than football, I think I missed the bull fighting season by one week. Not sure if its on in October but you could do that.
In terms of food, I had decent tapas at various places, but I had the best steak ever in a bar just off Puerta del Sol. It was huge and cooked perfectly. I think its called Le Maria Parilla. Due to the proximity of Sol, it was a bit steep price wise but I thought it justified the cost. I cant remember the name of the big market but the tapas there was excellent.
It was St Paddys day while we were there and we found an Irish bar near Alonso Martinez metro station (where our hotel was) doing Guinness for €2.50 (Fosters same price) which was the cheapest I found - it was a bit quiet though. The bar near Getafe's ground served Mahou in these weird glasses which had ice around them. It meant your beer was really cold but it would slush a little, and as it melted there was a lake on the table by the time you finished.
gordondaviesmoustache
Well-Known Member
Overrated imo.
softlad
Well-Known Member
cptaidan88 said:softlad said:Just booked up here with 4 of my mates for first weekend in October, hoping we can catch at least one game at a mix of Atleti / Real or Rayo Vallecano.
Has anyone had experience of getting tickets, is it easy and cheap?
Also, what areas are good for drinking and food?
I went a few weeks ago on the way to Barcelona and I got to both Getafe and Atletico. I think you can buy tickets for all teams online but if you prefer you can just buy hem at the ground - they rarely sell out. As long as the games aren't against Real or Barca, the cheapest tickets at either of those were €30. Not sure how much Rayo tickets cost, but that was the one I wish I had gone to - I went to Burnley instead (that was a mistake!). The Atletico game was against Leverkusen and it went to penalties. To be honest its easily the loudest ground I've ever been to, and I got the impression it wasnt just because it was a tight game - everyone in the ground knew all the songs and sang them passionately.
Other than football, I think I missed the bull fighting season by one week. Not sure if its on in October but you could do that.
In terms of food, I had decent tapas at various places, but I had the best steak ever in a bar just off Puerta del Sol. It was huge and cooked perfectly. I think its called Le Maria Parilla. Due to the proximity of Sol, it was a bit steep price wise but I thought it justified the cost. I cant remember the name of the big market but the tapas there was excellent.
It was St Paddys day while we were there and we found an Irish bar near Alonso Martinez metro station (where our hotel was) doing Guinness for €2.50 (Fosters same price) which was the cheapest I found - it was a bit quiet though. The bar near Getafe's ground served Mahou in these weird glasses which had ice around them. It meant your beer was really cold but it would slush a little, and as it melted there was a lake on the table by the time you finished.
Cheers mate, really handy! Will pass the ideas on. I'm hoping we can get to Rayo and Atleti, not all that fussed about the bernabeu, although we'll probably do the tour.
softlad
Well-Known Member
Just a bump here. We've got tickets for Atleti / Real at the Calderon. Just happened that game fell on the weekend we pre-booked!
If anyone has any other tips to see or do, lets have it!
If anyone has any other tips to see or do, lets have it!
Get to the Reina Sofia art gallery and see Picasso's Guernica, it takes your breath away. There's also some amazing works by Dali in there.
If you get the weather though it's a great city to just walk around and take in.
If you get the weather though it's a great city to just walk around and take in.