Madrid sightseeing suggestions

Biggest suggestion: Bring a guidebook with you. “Let’s Go Spain & Portugal” is a good resource for budget travelers. Also, the local "Guia de Ocio" can be purchased for one Euro from a Madrid newsstand/kiosk. It'll give you the latest on theatre, dance, music, etc. Pick one up! It'll be the best Euro you'll spend.

Wear money, credit card, ATM card under your clothes at all times. Seriously. Pick pocketers are fierce. Don't let them ruin your trip.

Walk, walk and walk. (Make sure you have comfortable shoes.) Free city maps are available in most hotels. You’ll stumble upon something fabulous wherever you go. Each neighborhood has its own distinct flavor. The metro, however, is easy to navigate. Cheap/fast transportation.

Grocery stores: Champion and %Dia are the least expensive. El Corte Ingles has a high-end grocery available. Explore one! Alimentaciones (like a food convenience store) are abundant.

Chocolateria San Gines: Even if you’re not big on chocolate, don’t miss this place. Chocolate (rich, thick, pudding-like) drink with churros are to die for. It’s located on the Pasadizo de San Gines, near La Plaza Mayor. Buy a couple of boxes of the chocolate to take home with you.

Coffee: Skip Starbucks. You can have that here. Enjoy Spain’s magnificent coffee. Café con leche (coffee with milk) is my favorite. Add sugar, if you’d like.

Museo de Jamon: Walk inside to get the full effect. Their picnic para llevar (picnic to go) is very reasonable. Sandwich, piece of fruit, drink. Buy a picnic, sit down, eat, watch the world go by.

Rastro (Flea Market): Sunday morning. Keep an eye on your purse/wallet. Worth visiting, though. Remember, think small! (Small souvenirs to bring home.) Airline weight limit!! (You’ll be charged for the extra weight, and it’s not cheap.)

Flamenco: The Ballet Flamenco de Madrid is stunning. Do NOT miss them! Discount shows available. Also, Casa Patas was good, but a tad pricey for what you get. Better to explore impromptu flamenco gatherings at local tabernas, I think. Be prepared to stay up late!

Museo del Prado: Really. It’s one of the top museums, some argue the top museum, in the world. Take advantage of seeing it more than once. Don’t miss “The Garden of Earthly Delights” by Bosch and Velazquez's stunning work.

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia: Sort of like NYC’s Museum of Modern Art. Fabulous. Tops MOMA with Picasso’s Guernica, which depicts the Basque town that was bombed during the Spanish Civil War. Also boasts work of Texan Donald Judd.

Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza: Hosts a wide range of art, but the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist era is my favorite. A former Miss Spain married an Austrian industrialist and convinced him to donate his vast collection to Madrid. Lucky for Madrid!

Museo Sorolla: Sort of like the McNay Museum of Art in San Antonio. Sorolla was an impressionist artist who didn’t receive the acclaim his French contemporaries did. Shame, because his work (and his home) is beautiful.

Templo de Debod: Built in the second century before Christ in Egypt. Moved to Madrid before the Aswan Dam flooded the region. Outdoor setting. Nicer than NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Arts’ temple, I think. Free!

Museo de America: Beautifully renovated museum that tells the story of Spain’s legacy. Near the Faro de Moncloa (observation tower) that offers a great view of the entire city.

Segovia daytrip: Takes an hour and a half to get there by bus. Roman aqueduct alone is worth the trip. Beautiful castle (Alcazar), too. Walt Disney supposedly based Sleeping Beauty’s on this one.

Toledo daytrip: Takes an hour and a half to get there by bus. Home of El Greco. Gorgeous Cathedral built between 1226 and 1498. Swords for the “Lord of the Rings” films made here.