In Spain for 10 days. What are some underground places?

Question

I don't want the places everyone goes.

I need some places to stay at night that arent just American Hotels.

I want some good restaurants and places to see.

We will be in Barcelona and Madrid.

Thanks

Answer 1

I don't do "underground", so these might be too tame for you.  Here's a link to the hostal we stayed at.  I chose it for the location.  It's steps (literally, like fifteen) from the Plaza Mayor.

http://www.hostalcruzsol.com/

Clean, neat, nothing spectacular, not terribly expensive, NOT American style at all.

and go to El Rey del Pimiento in Plaza de la Puerta Cerrada.  Just a few blocks off the Plaza Mayor, to the south.  Not terribly hard to find.  Totally local.  And don't eat the paella where they have signs with five types of paella.  It comes in a box.  make sure you ask for Paella CASERA.  (means made in house).  They might lie to you, but you have a better shot at getting the realy thing.  (not that the stuff out of the boxes is bad, just not homemade.  I was SOOOO disillusioned when I found out that was what they were serving.)

In Barcelona, there´s this wonderful little café across the Ramblas from the Opera.  (and so, the name: Café de la Opara...honestly!) great chocolate and churros.  Also, be sure to eat some of the ice cream along the Ramblas...homemade, fresh, and WAAAAAY better than you get at most places in the US!!!  And go to the Museu de Xocolate.  And eat off the Ramblas if you want more places where the locals go.  We found a nice little Indian place between the Ramblas and Paralel, but I couldn't tell you exactly where it was.  We wandered a bunch first.

Oh, and watch your valuables in both cities.  Pickpockets abound!