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Spain : Madrid - April 2010

Country Code: Dial for Spain

Madrid sheds its winter coat in April. Catch some warming rays in one of the many plazas while enjoying a beer and some tantalising tapas, then stroll the streets under the budding trees before shopping for fab fashions. Monet is the star for art lovers this month, with a huge exhibition dedicated to the French impressionist. Scott Adams steps out

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.

TIRSO DE MOLINA

Just minutes from the bustling Puerta de Sol, but a world away with its mix of small shops and ethnic eateries, this down-to-earth neighbourhood is worth discovering.

Sleep soundly – Purrrfectly located, the Cat’s Hostel (6 Calle Cañizares, tel. , catshostel.com, shared rooms from €18 per night) offers a bright and cheery atmosphere for budget travellers, along with internet access and weekend paella parties.

Must eat – Step back into the 19th century at Oliveros (4 Calle San Millán, tel. ). Choose from a wide variety of traditional Spanish favourites, including spicy chorizo sausage and fried red peppers, washed down with a glass of wine from La Mancha.

Shop til you drop – The shop’s name is a giveaway. Comics (15 Calle Toledo) has all the fantasy-type reading matter and games you could desire.

CHUECA

Home to Madrid’s gay community, you’ll feel very welcome in Chueca whatever your sexuality. This is where to shop for funky street wear, discover new flavours and, of course, dance ‘til dawn.

Sleep soundly – Oh-so-chic and close to all the night-time fun in Chueca, Hotel Oscar (12 Plaza Vázques de Mella, tel. , room-matehotels.com, doubles from €105) has modern rooms in striking colours. Don’t miss the über-stylish rooftop bar and pool area.

Must eat – You’ll love the pure white minimalist décor as much as the innovative cuisine at Bazaar (21 Calle Libertad, tel. ). Open for lunch and dinner every day, try tangy goats’ cheese salad or fried beef with port wine and figs.

Shop til you drop – Right in the heart of Chueca, L’Habilleur (8 Plaza de Chueca) has a stunning range of colourful, young-designer garments and accessories for both him and her.

OPERA

Bordered by the royal palace, the opera house and the bustling Gran Vía, you’ll find history around every corner in this pretty, iron-balconied part of town.

Culture vultures – Michael Jackson fans will love this mega musical tribute. Forever King of Pop will rock the house at the Teatro Lope de Vega (57 Gran Vía, entradas.com) until 25 April, with original video footage and a cast of 40 performers singing and dancing the hits, from the late superstar’s Jackson Five days to the classic ‘Thriller’.

Must eat – Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, El Anciano Rey de los Vinos (19 Calle Bailén, tel. ) has an extensive tapas and small-dish menu served at the shady outdoor tables. Don’t miss the octopus with paprika, or the garlicky mushrooms.

Dance the night away – Fab dance music from the 1970s to the present is what you’ll find at Tabata (12 Calle Vergara). The fun crowd knows how to have a great time, and everyone ends up on the dance floor.

PASEO DEL PRADO

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy what is known as Madrid’s outdoor ‘living room’. This wide, tree-lined boulevard is flanked by bubbling fountains, top museums, Belle Époque hotels and boutiques.

Sleep soundly – For a real treat, spend a few nights at the sumptuous Westin Palace Madrid (7 Plaza de las Cortes, tel. , westinpalace madrid.com, doubles from €220).

Culture vultures – Let the light and colours of Monet’s paintings carry you away at Monet and the Abstraction at the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza (8 Paseo del Prado, museothyssen.org) The exhibition puts the French master’s works in a new context, showing them alongside those by Willem De Kooning, Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko.

Dance the night away – Still Madrid’s biggest and best disco, Kapital (125 Calle Atocha) covers five floors and pumps out a wide variety of music. April sees some hot party themes, including Ibiza, go-gos and indie pop. DJ Armand Vasquez spins the best music on the main dance floor.

Compiled by Scott Adams