Hey, long story short, i'm going to Madrid, Spain next weekend and would like you guys n gals to suggest me places to go and must-go monuments/tourist points. Also, if there's stuff I should know about places to avoid, It'd be very much appreciated
In order to get more accurate info: Im 20, staying for 4~5 days, studying engineering, going with a college group around 7 people, looking for monuments/museums/nice landscapes/nice and productive routes/stuff that madrid is known for (preferably good stuff).
Thanks in advance
>>1227716
Have you checked out wikitravel? Usually has some good basic info...
>>1227716
Madrid was meh to me.
Here's a few tips:
Theres a few really cool hostels in the city. I remember Kats hostel being great.
There's some monuments and parks in the city that are neat. I think there was one with fountains and lions that was neat.
The bars don't start going until like midnight, and go all the way till 4am, and even to daybreak at times. So don't be surprised if you are out at 10pm and nothing is happening.
The paella in Spain is so fucking good.
Oh also. Spainard men can be a little arrogant, just take it as fun and don't get offended. Spainard women are VERY flirty even though 90% of the time it does not actually mean they want to fuck. It's a weird game they play. Just have fun with them and don't "try" to get laid. And things might just work out for you.
The biggest 3-4 museums are all good and have free/discount days/hours. I think I got into the one that has all of the Jesus art (Prado?) or free. The one with the modern art is very good - the civil war era stuff is pretty heavy.
I feel like the navy museum would be pretty cool but I was in Spain during August and all of the government attractions were closed. If you're into history then something guided might be a good idea since the consolidation of Spain into a single country was pretty complex and the Franco stuff is important but could be entirely lost on a backpacker.
The plazas are nice places to hang out even if crawling with non-Spaniards. The walled-in market thing is pretty cool but the food is expensive but might be good to try some finger foods.
I have a 9 hour lay over in madrid. Wat do
>>1227716
Go to Avila. I shouldn't even post it on here it's such a gem. Walk the walls explore inside. Amazing day trip.
Madrid is great tho, second favorite place in Spain next to Asturias, another gem I shouldn't even post since there are hardly any tourists there compared to other places in Spain.
>>1227733
Do you remember the monuments/parks names, for reference?
Since im going to the city by bus with all the groups, we have a curfew at 5pm OR 10pm so I wont be able to enjoy the night there
Also not looking for flirts either, but thanks :)
>>1227767
Yea, it seems many places are free for students so I want to take advantage of it. Surely looking for historic stuff, but not fill it too much in my plans. I'll write those down, thanks :)
>>1227898
Not sure if I'll have much time to go around outside of Madrid because of curfew, but in case I do, I'll have it in account. Thanks :)
>>1227733
>>1227767
>>1227898
Not OP but thanks a lot. I'm going to Spain for 2 weeks in May/June and it is my first travel ever outside of Canada/USA and the first time I take the plane, so obviously I'm scared as fuck about this.
At least I speak decent Spanish, by the way, will I be ok in catalan areas if I only speak Spanish? I've heard some of them will even speak French which is my native language, but I'm not too sure and the language barrier scares me a lot.
>>1228118
>will I be ok in catalan areas if I only speak Spanish?
Yes, 100% of the population speaks Spanish. Don't worry, it's a non-issue. You'll have much more luck with English than woth French, at least with the younger generations.
I'm from Madrid.
And there are a lot stuff to do, see.
If you want museums you can go to
the classic art museum --> Prado
the modern art mueseum --> Reina Sofia
Art Expos --> Caixaforum, Espacio fundacion Telefonica, there is now and Escher expo too, look for it, its really interesting...
A beautiful park --> Retiro
A beautiful places/landscapes --> Debot Temple, Royal Palace, Sabatini Gardens...
Places to go at night --> Malasaña(modern young hipster neighborhood), Lavapies(alternativ underground neirborhood), Chueca(Gay neirhborhood)
Places to eat --> go to any bar/restaurant and get some tapas.
People are very friendly, a lot of tourists in the center.
The place is very safe just dont be an asshole.
If you need more info, ask me.
>>1229232
Woah, thanks a lot! What's the best way to go around Madrid to places that are far from each other? How much can cost the daily pass for train or bus (and the name of the company so I can do further research on their site)?
>>1229305
Metro is thé best wayto move around.
Red one is Madrid city, green one Madrid ans Madrid country.
Tout only nées thé tes one unless toi wanna visit some little towns around Madrid
À ten trips ticket costs ~13,5€.
>>1229583
You only need the red one, unless you wanna visit some little towns around madrid....
SOme of them are worth it, but a long time trip**