7 Ideas For Spending An Afternoon In Madrid

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 230
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Incredible weather, a fantastic nightlife and an effervescent cultural scene: it''s hard not to be jealous of the ?madrilenos? (as the locals are known in their native tongue). The city caters for all tastes, whether that is art, clubbing or soccer (with the world-famous Real Madrid team), so you''ll never be at a loss for something to do:

Visit the Royal Palace: impossibly grand and built on a ludicrous scale, it may take you more than an afternoon to see everything inside, but it is an idyllic place to while away a few hours, gazing at the beautiful collections of tapestries, paintings and ornate furniture within.

Take a stroll in the park: El Parque de Retiro is bang in the city centre and in summer, a great place to relax and enjoy the sunshine. The ?madrilenos? (as residents are known) will also be out in force on a sunny day, particularly families with young children who can be taken for a boat ride on the pond as a treat.

See a bullfight: The Spanish capital is home to the country''s most skilful bullfighters (or ?toreadors?) who delight crowds in the main bullring: La Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas ...
... del Esp?ritu Santo.

Find a bargain at the Rastro: this is Madrid''s largest open air flea-market and is held every week from 9am till 3pm. From antiques to clothing, souvenirs and food stalls, the market is an attraction for locals as much as tourists. Don''t be afraid to haggle to get a good deal.

Take a guided tour on an open-topped bus: it may be a bit ?touristy? for some, but this is a great way to get an overview of the main city sights and begin to discover a little bit about their history. Children up to the age of seven ride free, under 16s and over-65s are charged 8.50 euros and it costs 17 euros for a day ticket for an adult.

Get the cable-car experience: ?El teleferico?, Madrid''s cable car, carries visitors high above Casa de Campo park and the Manazares river and gives them breathtaking views of the city. Best to avoid if you''re scared of heights.

Chill out with chocolate con churros: to regain your strength after an arduous morning of activities and sightseeing. This is a local specialty consisting of sticks of fried dough dipped in hot, thick chocolate: a real treat! Bonny Kominek is a freelance writer who was inspired to write this article by Octopustravel.com where you can book a variety of hotels including Madrid hotels.