Madrid Travel

[Joep]

Hey everyone, I don't know if there already has been a thread like this, I only checked the first page.

I was in Madrid last week (as i've (not-so-very) subtly tried to suggest in many of my posts since I returned, and I was wondering if some of the people here have been their, which of course is quite probable considering your affinity with Real.

What did you do?

What did you like?

I loved the temperature and the friendly atmospheer in the evenings. Bars everywhere, little terraces out on the sidewalks and great food everywhere.

I was not blown away by both the Prado or the Reina Sofia, but then both collections aren't dominated by my favorite typ of art. Did see a wonderfull surrealist photo collection in the Sofia. Guernica was quite impressive and I loved the way how almost the entire exhibition room was filled with sketches of the early stages of the painting and later plays on it. The Prado is worth visiting solely for Goya's black paintings, but then, it is dirt cheap to visit either of these museums. All in all well worth 6 euro's :eek:

[macaluca]

My love of the city is more to do with the people and the atmosphere than anything else (well apart from the football obviously;) )
I think it's such a friendly city (tho maybe a few of our madrileno members are looking a bit surprised at that)...you can always find someone to talk to in a bar, cafe, shop or whatever, I feel totally safe taking my 11 year old around the city, even late at night.
I love the fact that I know my way around fairly well, have a few friends out there and so don't feel too touristy...though obviously I am.:o
I love the late night atmosphere, traffic jams at 1am, old ladies with shopping, gossiping in cafes late at night, old boys at the bar asking you about the game as they notice my son clad in full madridista regalia in the city centre after a match. Great food like you say, everywhere and more than enough shops to keep my other half happy.
I actually liked Reina Sofia...they had some...well I don't know what you would call it...televisual performance art??...the last time we went. One of the displays was two large screens at either end of a dark room, showing two performers singing a duet to each other....sounds crap how I describe it, I know, but it was really effective and quite hypnotic..
Two of the more off beat things I enjoy are the railway museum near Atocha (I'm a sucker for anything with an engine)...and Madrid Zoo ...(well I've got kids and I'm a sucker for anything that might possibly eat them).
I know every city has its downsides, its seedy areas and things you don't want to see, ...and Madrid is no exception...but on the whole it's a great city.

[Excape Goat]

I was not blown away by both the Prado or the Reina Sofia, but then both collections aren't dominated by my favorite typ of art. Did see a wonderfull surrealist photo collection in the Sofia. Guernica was quite impressive and I loved the way how almost the entire exhibition room was filled with sketches of the early stages of the painting and later plays on it. The Prado is worth visiting solely for Goya's black paintings, but then, it is dirt cheap to visit either of these museums. All in all well worth 6 euro's :eek:

I was the opposite. I did not expect much from Prado, but found myself falling in love with Goya after the visit.

[Joep]

Well...yes and no. There is a lot of Goya that really just doesn't appeal to me. It's the stuff you see everywhere, the sappy portraits of rich citizens etc etc. Yes those are really well done, but they're not interesting to me. The black paintings are.

[Madrid_1902]

The royal palace is also a very distinct attracction. Whilst it doesn't live up to Buckinghm Palace it's ornate interior design is defintley worth a look. As expected it's very touristy and that can be quite frustrating.

El Parque Del Retiro is a great place if you want to get a bit of piece and quite - something that is hard to come by in Madrid. It's a vast area which has many pleasant sights but the peace is the most welcoming part about it.

I've never been to the Zoo but Maca's comments coupled with Gordon Strachans (Madrid apparantly has the best zoo in Europe) I'll be paying a visit.

The first thing I did in Madrid was go to the Vicenete Calderon. My hotel was just outside Atocha and anyone who knows Madrid can testify that this is a lengthy walk. It's actually a very nice ground but when you compare it to the Bernabeu t's blown right out of the water. However, it's worth a visit just to see the Ferrari's that sit below. The last 2 times I've been there were Ferrari's although the first time I was there it was a Marcedes.

The general architecture of the city isn't anything special. My parents - both Real Madrid sympathizers - say that Barcelona's "wacky" architecture is much better than Madrid's. I have to say that not a lot of buildings caught my attention in Madrid but what I do love about the city is the fountains scattered throughout. It's probably a common trend in Spanish cities but it was something I appreciated dearly. It goes without saying that Cibeles fountain is itself a spectacle irrespective of our clubs links. Make sure you see it twice as I found it more beautiful in the evening.

The metro system is something I love but that comes fron living in a place where you have to catch buses. Perhaps the thing I love most is the vibrant atmosphere in the city pre and post match. I was lucky enough to experience a Madrid derby but it was just great to sit down to dinner at 11:30pm and hear everyone talk about the match. The enthusisasm for the sport in the city is wonderful. If you go during the seasons peak you cannot help but get involved.

It's a great city although the noise and pollution are rather irritable. Nothing can be 100% perfect!

[Excape Goat]

I really liked Toledo about an hour by train from Madrid.

[Joep]

I really loved the Retiro. What a perfect place to kick a ball around (make sure not to do it near the crystal palace) and sweat away a massive hangover.

Or so I've heard...

[macaluca]

I really loved the Retiro. What a perfect place to kick a ball around (make sure not to do it near the crystal palace)

Not a problem for us madridistas...we know how to control a ball. :p

[Joep]

Oh, that was actually quite sharp

Well, you know, for a madridista, at least ;)

Back on topic. anyone here visited the Thyssen?

[forcamadrid]

I am bringing this old thread up cause I am planning to make a one week trip to Madrid in September. I will be able to watch the match against Numancia. Actually I am staying three more days than I should (its a business trip) just for that. Well, to enjoy the night life in Madrid also :). I write my feedback once i return. In the meanwhile I would welcome any suggestion on what I can do. what I am planning to do (till now) is:

1. visit to Bernabeu museum
2. Watch RM in training if I can (any suggestions on that?).
3. visit the ZOO. someone here said Madrid has the best ZOO in Europe so I wont miss that.
4. Of course the match.

anything else. i am not into fine arts, but I like architecture and big/famous engineering projects.

[laudrup]

2. Watch RM in training if I can (any suggestions on that?).
3. visit the ZOO. someone here said Madrid has the best ZOO in Europe so I wont miss that.

The problem with items 2 and 3 is that they're not overly accessible places. I don't think you can make it to the training ground unless you take a very expensive cab ride or rent a car.

The zoo is OK, I don't think it's the best in Europe, but I went with the girlfriend last summer and it was fun. It is accessible by public transit (in fact, I don't think private drivers can enter the park where it's located), but plan ahead because the walk to/from the metro stop is kinda sketchy after nightfall.

[Madrid_1902]

To watch them train you can get off at Campo de las Naciones which is on the airport route, IIRC. When you get off it's almost worth getting a taxi (if you can find one) because it's a further 10 minute walk and the footpaths are not particuarly great.

On the two occasions I have visited it I couldn't get beyond the gate because one was a private training session (day before matches) and the other day only permitted socios to enter. It does seem like a worthwhile experience though.

I would recomend going to see the Bull Ring at Ventos? The tour and a fight if possible.

The main park - parque del retiro - is quite a nice place to relax. The Gran Via is an OK place to shop. It's over-rated and doesn't compete with the shopping areas around most other major cities I've been to in Europe.

[macaluca]

but plan ahead because the walk to/from the metro stop is kinda sketchy after nightfall.

Unless of course forca has a bit of spare cash and no wife in tow*.

In which case my only advice is to be more careful than Ronaldo was.:p

The Zoo is really good...though again I wouldn't like too claim it as the best in Europe. We found it easier/closer to catch the bus back into the city than walk back to the metro...but again I would not leave it too late

Try and get to a RM basketball game if you can forca....a really good experience and 5 minutes walk from the metro (Vista Alegre)


*I'm only joking forca...I know you are a family man, and laudrup is right, Casa de Campo is not a great place to be walking at night.

[laudrup]

tro (Vista Alegre)
*I'm only joking forca...I know you are a family man, and laudrup is right, Casa de Campo is not a great place to be walking at night.

I was really referring how you can have to literally go through the bush* to get there. Kind of. :D

* No pun intended. :D

[forcamadrid]

Guys, thanks for your advice. Well, I will be with my wife, althought I think I will be going alone to the training ground ( I will take her to the staidum and the museum though). Is there anyway to find out if I can get into the trainings prior to going there. This would save lot of time and money going there and not being able to get in.

thanks for the tips regarding the late night walk to the ZOO :D. I think I will go there during the day.
I am staying in Carretas street. Read its a good located area. Hope that is true.

What I like about Madrid is the vivid life (never been there but based on what i have heard). I love going out in the caffeteria and bars and just observe.

[macaluca]

I love going out in the caffeteria and bars and just observe.

The you will love madrid.;)

[9Qui]

Other than what has already been suggested, you should go to the Cibeles fountain and also see the Palacio Real. Just walking around the neighborhoods around Puerta del Sol is also nice. :)

[forcamadrid]

Yes, i was going to Cibeles fountain. Would not miss that either.
Actually I will stay very close to Puerto del Sol.
One more question. When do the match tickets go public. If the match is on Sunday (it seems like that) will the ticket go public on Friday or Saturday? I know this should propably go the the ticket purchasing thread, but did not want to go off-topic i that thread by asking ticket puchasing questions. :P

Also, i want to by my RM 08-09 shirt. I guess they can be purchased inside themuseum, right? Is that the best place to buy them?

[Eddie]

Yes, i was going to Cibeles fountain. Would not miss that either.
Actually I will stay very close to Puerto del Sol.
One more question. When do the match tickets go public. If the match is on Sunday (it seems like that) will the ticket go public on Friday or Saturday? I know this should propably go the the ticket purchasing thread, but did not want to go off-topic i that thread by asking ticket puchasing questions. :P

Also, i want to by my RM 08-09 shirt. I guess they can be purchased inside themuseum, right? Is that the best place to buy them?

I think there are plenty shops around the Bernabeu with RM gear. Check a few and compare the prices.

[9Qui]

Yes, i was going to Cibeles fountain. Would not miss that either.
Actually I will stay very close to Puerto del Sol.
One more question. When do the match tickets go public. If the match is on Sunday (it seems like that) will the ticket go public on Friday or Saturday? I know this should propably go the the ticket purchasing thread, but did not want to go off-topic i that thread by asking ticket puchasing questions. :P

Also, i want to by my RM 08-09 shirt. I guess they can be purchased inside themuseum, right? Is that the best place to buy them?

You should check the club's website to see when the tickets go on sale to the public.

Real Madrid have several tiendas, official stores where you can purchase a shirt. The one right off Puerta del Sol or the one at La Esquina (the shop at Bernabéu) would be the most logical choice for you. The store at Bernabéu is accessible without doing the tour.