Weekend in Madrid, what to do/see?

[Ignis Fatuus]

All 3 galleries mentioned are excellent of their respective types and I wouldn't have missed any.

In Plaza Mayor, I liked the tapas and the dinners at Los Galayos (on one corner).

[norrahe]

Check out the royal palace, fantastic architecture and exhibits. It used to be free entry to EU passport holders.

[wurzel]

Parque del Retiro is a very pleasant place for a stroll. Don't know what it would be like at this time of year though.

Suckling pig (cochinillo asado) is a local speciality and this is the place to have it.

[MrMark]

If you have time, take a day trip to Toledo or Segovia on the new high-speed AVE. Both cities are well worth the journey.
In Madrid try and have your main meal at about 2pm. Often the first course will have some heavy options - prawns, paella, fabada (bean and sausage stew) or cocido (traditional Madrid stew) - but the second course, which is often steak, fish or chops etc often has few sides. In the evening try strolling from bar to bar, and outside of a tourist trap you'll generally be given free nibbles eg olives, ham canapes, cheese, bits of tortilla etc. There are loads of zones around Madrid for the tapas stroll, but as it's your first time I'll recommend these i ) around Metro Bilbao. A mix of tourist places and traditional spanish bars. There's a good Peruvian restaurant around here too, if you want a good evening experience. ii ) Around Plaza de Santa Ana - often called zona Huertas (or even guiri/foreigner zone) Loads of bars/restaurants here, but more expensive than other zones as it's influenced heavily by tourists. Lots more suggestions here:
FOOD & TAPAS | Map Magazine
There are some fantastic South American, especially Argentinian places to eat at night if you like steak. Spanish dishes you may wish to try include pulpo a la gallega (paprika octopus), prawns/gambas/langostinas, tortilla (great as a breakfast alternative with your coffee), salpicon (a mixed seafood salad) and jamon iberico (fine ham you should sample with wine). Steaks are done better by the Argentinians, but plenty of great Spanish wines to sample.
Also, as mentioned above, take basic precautions to avoid meeting the same fate as Harry Redknapp. As a tourist in tourist zones you will be a target, but simple measures can make it almost impossible for the distraction thieves to rob you. For example keep your notes in a shirt pocket that is inaccessible under a sweatshirt. Here's some more tips - it's for Barcelona but most of the same things apply
http://natashayoung.wordpress.com/20...-in-barcelona/

[Pickle2]

As mentioned elsewhere - WATCH you wallet. Especially on the metro. Dont leave it in your back pocket, whatever you do.

Be prepared for late nights. Dinner is from 10.00pm at the earliest. Earlier and places will be empty.

Friday night. Hit up call cava baja in la latina for a tapas crawl.

http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/s...ew-140625.html


Saturday daytime. As mentioned, the museums are world class. The gurnica is well worth a look. Followed it up with a stroll round the Retiro park and a row on the lake. Its teaming in late afternoon and there are place sto stop for a beer around the lake.

Sat night - If you want the fancy contractor dinner.
Restaurante Santceloni

Afterwords, instead of the stadium tour, go for drinks in the bar there that they have recently setup in the stands. It has a view over the whole pitch and is v. fancy. Quite an amazing scene.

esMADRID.com - Real Café Bernabéu

Sunday, the Rastro flea market is a good place to hang out before the flight home.

Oh - and watch your wallet.