Madrid

d-arke

Hello.

So I've just booked flights to Madrid in February for myself and girlfriend.

I was thinking about renting an apartment somewhere central for the weekend but don't know where the best place in Madrid to stay would be. Anyone recommend anywhere or have any good links they can provide?

Also, what's peoples thought's on where's the best places to visit, we'll be there from Thurs morning to Sun evening.

Thanks in advance.

P. Breathnach

We stayed in Principe Apartments. Good location, good price, nice big one-room apartment. I can't find their website right now, but google on "principe apartments madrid" and you will get lots of reviews and booking engines featuring them.

Chances are that you will experience some cold weather. I hope you like fine arts, because Madrid has some of the best collections in the world.

Zatman

Madrid is a wonderful cultured place. If its a nice day go to Retiro which is beautiful. The Prado musuem is also impressive and if your a football fan you have to go to the Bernabeu.
You would be better off getting a hotel room instead of an apartment.

d-arke

To be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of fine arts. I'm more into the architecture and general history of a city while trying to take in some of the culture.

Very tempted by the Bernabeu as I went to the Nou Camp at the start of the summer.

Anyone recommend what area's of the city is best to stay in, i.e. where's the most convienent for getting around.

Dodge

A place called Placa Sol is the centre of madrid (and Spain - apparently all distances from/to Madrid are measured to there) and anything around there is central. I stayed in the Hotel Catalunya on C/ Atocha (Atocha is a huge train station). Its very close to main shopping streets and within walking distance of places like the Palace etc.

I did the Bernabeau tour. Not like the excellent Nou Camp tour as it doesn't have a museum of anywhere near the same scale. Decent enough though if you're into football and architecture. You can't do a tour of the Vincente Calderon stadium but if there's a game on I recommend getting tickets.

BTW overall I wasn't too impressed with Madrid. Felt kind of dirty to me. I'd echo the above poster on Retiro park though. Excellent way to spend a Sunday moring

P. Breathnach

d-arke wrote: »

To be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of fine arts. I'm more into the architecture and general history of a city while trying to take in some of the culture.

Anyone recommend what area's of the city is best to stay in, i.e. where's the most convienent for getting around.

Dodge is right about the centre, except that I think it is called Puerta del Sol. The place I suggested, on Calle Principe, is very close to it. I'm not sure that Calle Atocha is the best bet: I hear that there is a high level of street crime around there, particularly in the area nearest the railway station. [Atocha station was destroyed in the Madrid bombings, and the reconstruction is very impressive; it's more like a palm house than a railway station.]

You might enjoy the royal palace -- architecture and history together. If you want to pretend that you are in Egypt, seek out the Debod Temple, a genuine Egyptian temple planted on a hill near the centre of Madrid. I liked the Retiro, as well.

Madrid can be bloody cold in February. Bring the woolies.

Dodge

Puerta del Sol is correct. I stayed one street from there on c/ Atocha (not really near the tran station - its a very long street)