Goldenbackpacker.com

MADRID - STAY FOR LESS "EURO"

MADRID, the Capital of Spain, lies in the centre of the Spanish meseta or high plain on the slow flowing Manzanares River. Its an upbeat, vibrant City, still enjoying a post 1975 Franco renaissance under the direction of King Juan Carlos. It's Europe's highest Capital at more than 2000ft, with a population of over 4million people. 90% of the City is a modern sprawl surrounding a historic core but to see the most of Madrid GB offers you the local knowledge

ACCOMMODATION

No 1 - Posada de Huertas on Callede las Huertas 21 (in old part of town, round corner from delightful Plaza Santa Anna) tele (34) 91 429 55 26 Email: huertas21@hotmail.com - E13 pn incl. breakfast, lockers & linen with real beds. Ideal modern self cater kitchen TV meeting room, great showers first floor. Character hostel, well managed, central location for all parts of town - Metro Anton Martin

Reserve - Barbieri Hostel at Calle Barbieri 15 (just North of centre, down road from Palais de Buenavista, on 2nd floor) tele (34) 91 531 02 58 www.barbierihostel.com E14 pn incl. breakfast & linen in 8 bed mixed dorms. Modern s/c Kitchen, sep lounge room with TV & good showers, lockers E1. Not an inspiring area but central & close to Gran Via - Metro Chueca

FOOD - To self cater, use the well stocked and cheap CHAMPION supermarkets especially for there fresh fruit & veg & also hot snacks - nearest to No1 is next to Metro Lavapies. Also a cheap Dia% is just around corner on Magdelena. In Madrid you have to try a Tapas Bar, the most spectacular is Cerveceria on Calle San Jeronimo. Tapas originated in Andalusia & means "lid"or dish over a wine glass (to keep flies out - of course!). There are 3 sizes - pincho (mouthful) - tapa ( saucerful) - racion (plate) all include bread pan, but eat at bar as sitting down is 25% extra.

TRAVELLING AROUND - the historic centre is enjoyably covered on foot with no major sight being more than 20 mins. away from Puerta del Sol, Madrids central square. The subway is simple, speedy & cheap if you buy a T10 Metrobus ticket, at Metro stations, for E5 (1x95c) Place ticket in the entry turnstiles, but remember one journey lasts only 75mins! City busses from Calle Mendez Alvaro station (SE City centre) but you need a RARE urban bus route map to study before you attempt

"FREE" SIGHTS TO SEE

1. Retiro Park - stroll the City's huge parkland behind Prado or a shady siesta, see the Crystal Palace
2. Plaza Mayor 1617 - splendid square with balconies, pinnacles, dormer windows & erotic facades
3. Puerta del Sol - "kilometre zero" from which all of Spain is measured & roof sign for Tio Pepe
4. Gran Via - Planned 1860 completed in 3 stages 1908/22/29 includes some of the best 20 C designs
5. Atocha Station - has a remarkable botanical rest area with turtle pond & tropical forest
6. Mercado de San Miguel 1915 -unique iron/ glassed in fresh fruit, veg ,fish etc. market, see tiles
7. Monesterio de las Descalzas - walk up Calle de Preciados & 2nd left to see Convent tapestries
8. El Rasto Flea Market - Fri - Sun between Plaza de Cascorro & streets around, bid 2/3 off price
9. Plaza de Toros de las Ventas - the Bull Ring, tilework & statues o/s, to see inside go on Sunday
10. Puerta de Europa - leaning twin towers survived a financial scandal & now seem to defy gravity

CHARGE (OR FREE) SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. Royal Palace (Palacio Real) is Europe's 3rd greatest Palace (after Paris, Versailles No1 & Vienna's Schonbrunn No 2). King Phillip V commissioned this huge 2000 rooms 18C Palace after old one burned down. It has miles of tapestries, 100's chandeliers, porcelain, paintings & lots of clocks. Palace now used for state receptions as present Royal Family now lives out. of town. (Free EU citizens Wed. bring passports)
2. Prado has Europes top collection of paintings with more than 3000 canvases, including entire rooms of masterpieces by Vela'zquez, Goya, El Greco & Bosch, its overwhelming. (Free on Sundays & Saturday 1430 - 1900hrs)
3. Centro de Arte Reina Sofia - 20 C art but you're here for Picasso's Guernica, also Juan Miro & Salvador Dali, the best! -(Free on Sundays)

(Esther, David & Sally, Indigo, Michael, Martin (my buddy) Ricardo, Juan Carlos & Sofia)