I'm going to Madrid, what should I see?

Question

I'm going for three weeks in July, with 11 other students for a Spanish program. We have some activities planned, but I think we can see other things while we're there. I'll be in a homestay in Majadahonda.

Answer 1

Ok, I think Gringa might be a bit confused.  Firstly, all the things she(?) mentioned are great, and probably covered in your class, but the Main Square, it's called Plaza Mayor, and it's really nice.  You'll love it, and it's probably covered in your group.  Plaza de Cíbeles, while I´m sure you´ll get there, is no place to relax.  It´s a busy traffic hub, with a famous fountain in the middle.

Tons of shopping to do in Madrid, one of the great capitals of Europe and a very cosmopolitan city.  

On your own, you´ll want to explore Retiro park more deeply than you probably will with your class.  You´ll probably make excursions into some of the other cities nearby, and may even take some longer trips out to the further cities on the weekends.  

I´m going to assume you are not going to have too much time on your own, that your family won´t pick up the slack, but there´s the Rastro (Sunday flea market), it closes up at about 2:00, so go early, and keep a careful eye on your valuables.  bring your camera, because you never know when a photo is going to present itself.

There´s a really neat botanical garden, not sure of the name, but I´m pretty sure it´s on the East side of town.  Haven´t been there myself, but I´ve seen photos.  Also, I understand there´s an important skating rink right there in Majadahonda.  If you like to ice skate, it might be a really welcome change from the heat of the meseta in July.

You´ll probably be taken to El Escorial and the Valle de los Caídos, Segovia, Toledo, Ávila, Castle touring, Palacio Real,

etc.  On your own, you might want to explore some of the streets around the Plaza Mayor, that´s the oldest part of the city, and really "Spanish", very sort of late medieval.  Football is another good thing.  If you can get your family to take you to a fútbol game (preferably Real Madrid, but I checked and tickets are kinda pricey) games are on Sunday evenings.

Try to get to a flamenco show.  The best dancers are there in Madrid, even though the dance originates in Andalucía.  If you can get into a class, even cooler (if that´s your thing).  

Don´t know whether you´ll be allowed, but the young people in Spain usually stay out pretty late at night, often clubbing, dancing, etc.  Though, usually school trips have rules about drinking, the other activities might not be taboo.

Have a great time.  It really doesn´t matter how much you do.  Hopefully, you´ll go back and pick up anything you´ve missed on the next trip.

Answer 2

Maybe a bullfight, Las Ventas,Madrid's most famous bull ring

Reina sofia-modern art museum

Museo Nacional Del Prado

Madrid's famous square, Plaza de Cibeles fun place to relax