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Spain : Madrid - November 2008

Country Code: Dial for Spain

The festive lights go on throughout Madrid as of 15 November. Visitors should make a start on their Christmas shopping, warm up with a dish of paella, then move on to the Prado – there’s a major Rembrandt exhibition on this month (1 November-6 January), says Scott Adams

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.

AROUND ATOCHA

The lively area around the main train station is the place to head for top art, dance and a slice of Madrid street life in the huge square in front of the Reina Sofia Museum.

Sleep soundly – The old-world exterior of the Tryp Atocha Hotel conceals large, wellappointed rooms with modern décor.

Culture vultures – Just a few steps from each other are the two art biggies: the Prado Museum (23 Calle Ruiz de Alarcón), with classic art, and the Reina Sofia National Art Museum (52C Santa Isabel) with 20th-century works including Picasso’s Guernica.

Must eat – Discover modern Spanish cuisine at Arola Restaurant (43 Calle Argumosa, tel. ). Set in a minimalist interior, the menu features creative tapas and an excellent wine list.

Dance the night away – Spread over seven levels, Madrid’s biggest club Kapital (125 Calle Atocha) gets busy about midnight and goes on until late.

CHUECA

Once the city’s gay quarter, Chueca has now become slightly more mainstream. It’s one of the best areas in Madrid for young fashion, funky bars, gourmet restaurants and, of course, bustling nightlife.

Sleep soundly – Offering great value for money, Petit Palace Duca is perfectly located.

Must eat – If the lurid interior doesn’t blow you away, the Mexican food at La Panza es Primero (33 Calle Libertad, tel. ) will do the trick.

Must drink – Perfect for an evening out, the Vinoteca Barbechera (6 Calle Gravina) has a tempting wine-by-theglass list and serves hot and cold tapas.

Dance the night away – Sacha’s Disco (1 Plaza Chueca) plays hipshaking, no-nonsense disco upstairs and salsa and flamenco downstairs.

Shop til you drop – Right in the heart of Chueca, L’Habilleur (8 Plaza Chueca) stocks a stunning range of elegant young designer labels and is good for accessories, too.

BARRIO SALAMANCA

This glitzy neighbourhood is perfect for window shopping and people watching.

Sleep soundly – Hesperia Hermosilla is a trendy boutique hotel.

Must eat – Once a 19th-century theatre, Teatriz (15 Calle Hermosilla, tel. ) has been redesigned by Philippe Stark and is the perfect spot for a special celebratory dinner.

Must drink – Sink into one of the plush white leather sofas and choose from over 50 types of tequila at Mestizo (13 Calle Recoletos), which also serves Mexican beer and piquant cocktails.

Shop til you drop – With an eclectic range of designer labels, including Vivian Westwood and Alexander McQueen, Exotic (20 Calle Villanueva) sells modern day and evening wear with paycheck-draining price tags.

PASEO DE LA CASTELLANA

This busy thoroughfare is flanked by some of Madrid’s grandest buildings.

Culture vultures – Head to the Museo Sorolla (27 Calle General Martinez Campos) to see the work of Joaquin Sorolla, one of Spain’s greatest early 20th-century artists. His beautiful paintings exude light and life.

Must eat – With two Michelin stars to his credit, Óscar Velasco creates modern Spanish magic at his restaurant Santceloni (57 Paseo del la Castellana, tel. ). Don’t miss his excellent lamb, or try the spider crab.

Must drink – MOMA 56 (56 Calle José Abascal) is all about seeing and being seen. Here you’ll bump into top models, Real Madrid players and movie stars.

Shop til you drop – With more than 50 shops under one roof, ABC Serrano (34 Paseo de la Castellana) is perfect during inclement weather. Choose from fashion, accessories, homewares and shoes.

Compiled by Scott Adams