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Spain : Madrid - July 2008

Country Code: Dial for Spain

With its geranium-filled balconies and colourful plazas, Spain’s capital comes into its own during the summer months. Enjoy world-class museums and excellent shopping by day before indulging in good food, fine wine and an electrifying nightlife after dark. Scott Adams arrives to find a city in full swing

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.

BARRIO DE LAS LETRAS

Once the stamping ground of literary greats such as Miguel de Cervantes, today this lively neighbourhood is crammed full of fashionable bars, shops and restaurants.

Sleep soundly – The sleek and chic Room Mate Alicia is right in the thick of the action near Plaza Santa Ana.

Culture vultures – The recently opened Caixa Forum Cultural Centre (36 Paseo del Prado) is exhibiting work by art nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha until 31 August.

Must eat – La Biotika (3 Calle Amor de Dios, tel. ) does delicious vegetarian and macrobiotic food, and also sells fresh produce.

Must drink – Grab an outside table under the shady trees at Café-Bar Milano (13 Plaza Matute). Order a dish of juicy olives to enjoy alongside a cold, refreshing beer.

Dance the night away – The rooftop Penthouse Terrace at ME Madrid (14 Plaza Santa Ana) enjoys spectacular views of the city. Sink back on one of the Balinese-style canopy sofas and order an exotic cocktail from the extensive list.

Shop til you drop – Looking for all the world like an Aladdin’s cave, Piedra de Luna (14 Calle Príncipe) sells exotic clothes, gifts and jewellery.

PLAZA SANTA BARBARA

The narrow streets around this leafy square are filled with fabulous shops and historic cafés.

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

Shop til you drop – You’ll be spoilt for choice as you wander the length of Calle Hortaleza, between Plaza Santa Bárbara and Calle Gran Vía. Pick up original designs, shoes and gifts here.

Must drink – Watch the world go by from the shady outdoor tables of the century-old Cervecería Santa Bárbara (8 Plaza Santa Bárbara).

Dance the night away – Still one of the most popular clubs in town, Pacha Madrid (11 Calle Barceló) has a summer rooftop terrace, three dance floors and an eclectic music policy

PLAZA TIRSO DE MOLINA

The narrow streets around this leafy square are filled with fabulous shops and historic cafés.

Sleep soundly – Mad Hostel is perfect for those on a budget. Don’t miss the flamenco show here.

Shop til you drop – You’ll be spoilt for choice as you wander the length of Calle Hortaleza, between Plaza Santa Bárbara and Calle Gran Vía. Pick up original designs, shoes and gifts here.

Must drink – One of Madrid’s most traditional bars, La Taberna de Antonio Sánchez (13 Calle Mesón de Paredes) is full of old-world charm.

PLAZA SANTO DOMINGO

A short walk from the bustling Calle Gran Vía, this quiet square is surrounded by a tangle of fascinating lanes.

Sleep soundly – Famous for its art collection and spectacular views across the city, Hotel Santo Domingo (13 Plaza Santo Domingo, tel. , hotelsantodomingo.com, rooms from €80) does a nice line in classic charm. The service here is great, too.

Culture vultures – Discover what life is like inside a working convent at the historic Convento de la Encarnación (1 Plaza de la Encarnación). The rooms house a massive collection of priceless art and religious relics.

Dance the night away – For a unique nocturnal experience, head to Palacio de Gaviria (9 Calle Arenal), a nightclub housed in a 19th-century former palace, complete with frescoed ceilings and gilded mirrors.

Shop til you drop – Sun Records (8 Plaza Santo Domingo) sells thousands of vintage LPs and T-shirts.

Compiled by Scott Adams