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Spain : Madrid - March 2008

Country Code: Dial for Spain

Getting around

Barajas Airport

Bus: There are regular buses from the airport to Avenida de America (which connects with Metro lines 4, 6, 7 and 9) until 11pm. The journey takes between 30 minutes and an hour (emtmadrid.es).
Train: Terminal 4 is covered by line 8 of the metro system. The journey to the city centre takes about 45 minutes and a single ticket costs €2.
Taxi: The journey to the centre takes around 20 minutes and costs around €28 (which includes the taxis’ airport charge of €5,25).
Tourist information: The main office is at 27 Plaza Mayor (tel. , www.turismomadrid.es) but there’s also an information stand at Terminal 1.

OPERA

Concentric to the beautiful Plaza de Oriente, the streets here are crammed with small shops and restaurants, which all have a distinctive Spanish air.

Sleep soundly – Head to the hip Hotel Mario for great service and divine breakfasts.

Culture vultures – Madrid’s Royal Palace (Plaza de Oriente) is an absolute treasure trove. Take a tour of the impressive public rooms, the 18th-century pharmacy and Europe’s largest medieval armoury.

Must eat – Full of old-world charm with cosy wooden booths, Restaurante La Opera (5 Calle Amnistia, tel. ) does traditional Spanish favourites. The lunchtime set menu is especially good value.

Dance the night away – Palacio de Gauiria (9 Calle Arenal) is a nightclub housed in a regal 19th-century palace that comes complete with frescoed ceilings and gilded mirrors.

Shop til you drop – Victimas del Celuloide (4 Calle Santiago) sells handmade clothes, quirky gifts and art.

BILBAO

Restock your wardrobe at one of the boutiques here then head straight out – after dark, the district turns into one of Madrid’s hottest nightspots.

Sleep soundly – The Ibis Madrid Centro is located on one of Madrid’s liveliest streets.

Must eat – Isla del Tesora (3 Calle Manuela Malasaña, tel. ) serves up some of Madrid’s best vegetarian food in a garden setting.

Dance the night away – Still one of the most popular clubs in town, Pacha (11 Calle Barceló) is spread over three heaving floors. Come here for disco, techno and the odd bit of flamenco.

Shop til you drop – You’ll be spoilt for choice as you wander the length of Calle Fuencarral between Glorieta Bilbao and Gran Via – the street is lined with stores selling beautiful gifts.

LAVAPIÉS

Slightly off the beaten track, but well worth the detour, Lavapiés offers a multicultural experience.

Sleep soundly – Cat’s Hostel has a lively atmosphere and is a good budget option.

Culture vultures – It’s just a short walk to Madrid’s massive modern art museum the Reina Sofia (52 Calle Santa Isabel). During March, more than 400 works from the Picasso Museum in Paris will be on show

Must eat – Calle Ave Maria is Madrid’s Little India. There are more than 10 restaurants here, serving delicious curries and tandoori specialities. Find a seat outside and enjoy the sun.

Must drink – Open all day and well into the night, Puerta de Damasco Tetería (8 Calle Ave Maria) offers aromatic teas and infusions, as well as Middle Eastern water pipes and Syrian snacks.

Dance the night away – Bar Don Tablón (19 Calle Olmo) stages live rock and reggae, and has a decidedly underground feel.

LA LATINA

Just a few blocks from Plaza Mayor, this historic area has loads of bustling tapas bars, as well as peaceful plazas that are perfect for people watching.

Culture vultures – Learn about 12th-century Madrid and the turbulent life of its patron saint at the San Isidro Museum, which exhibits ceramics, art and sculpture.

Must eat – Start lunch with a cool vermouth in the bar before moving on to the elegantly old-fashioned dining room at Restaurante Schotis (11 Calle Cava Baja, tel. ), which serves traditional Spanish cuisine.

Must drink – Take your drink outside at Cervecería San Andrés (4 Plaza de San Andrés). You’ll be surrounded by spectacular monuments, roving musicians and a boisterous crowd.

Compiled by Scott Adams