What to do in Madrid?

Question

I'm going to Madrid for vacation this summer. I think I will stay for about a week- is that too long? What are good things to see (for students around 18 yrs. old)?

Answer 1

I only know student stuff...someone else will fill you in on the clubbing etc.

If one week is too long for just Madrid (it is for me, too) use your lodging as a home base and day trip around.  Train tix are not very expensive.  

Some good and important places to see that  only require one day:

Toledo

Segovia

Avila

You might want to go to Salamanca, but that might need a day and a half, so an overnight.

Rioja country (wine country)

Burgos is not too far

Campo de Criptana, near Ciudad Real, where the famous windmills are, according to tradition, the windmills that Don Quixote fought.

Pretty much any further, and you want to change locales, so, that ought to give you enough to do.

If you can do it on Sunday, until 2:00, the Rastro, a flea market, just down from the Plaza Mayor, and if you're interested in Stamps and coins, IN the Plaza Mayor there's a market.  

Definitely get to the Prado, largest Art museum in Spain.

If you're into more Modern Art, the Reina Sofía is more your speed (check open times...they are different from the other museums)

Retiro Park

there's a spectacular botanic gardens

Palacio Real

Walk the Gran Vía, shop, etc.  

go to Corte Inglés  if only to check out what a Spanish department store looks like.

Theater, if you're interested (live, not the movies, but seeing an American movie dubbed into Spanish is an experience, too).  Bullfights (also Sundays, only)

Football (also Sundays, only - two teams in Madrid, and at least one in the suburbs.

I think that's enough ideas for you.

Answer 2

Madrid is nice, but its so big and crowded it can be overwhelming. I am currently studying abroad in Spain and visited Madrid a few weeks ago. As everyone has said, you will find plenty to do! Get a late start, dinner is about 9pm here.

*****BE CAREFUL**** Pickpockets make a fortune on the metro here. I had my wallet stolen with all my money, and credit cards when I went. One of my friends went the week after me and was almost pickpocketed, and her friend was as well. I've heard so many stories of people getting their things stolen so PLEASE watch your belongings. It's an amazing city though and awesome night life. Have fun!

Answer 3

I'm going too and I'm going to see a game there. Barcelona v. Real Madrid. Also I'm going 2 a bunch of museums and clubs. I think it'll be nice.

Answer 4

Go to the museums, talk to the people, have a siesta, stay up late (Spaniards night life gets started around 9pm) have some hot chocolate (tapas bar).

GO CLUBBIN' YO

go play some tennis on clay courts! Go try and spot Rafael Nadal... But he lives in Mallorca, Manacor.... a small Spanish island off the coast. Actually he'll be at the French Open tournament...

Answer 5

I agree with Sue ( I live in Madrid)

And some of the other answer ...

If you like museums,taps,clubbing or whatever its here

If you like architecture there are lots of beautiful buildings to just walk around and look at .

There are 2 really great parks here if you wanna chill with someone .

One is call Retiro Park (in enlgish)

And the other is Casa de Campo which both can be walked to or metro train.

I would say its not too long to stay in Madrid

Deffinitly do as Sue says go to Toledo and Segovia

They are about one hour or so away south and north and must see's

Have fun!

Answer 6

Depends on what you prefer really.. Madrid has plenty things to do but if you are feeling like doing the usual touristic stuff it should take you 3 days and you could go to cities nearby.

Toledo(classic must seen city), Avila(great wall around the city), Segovia(Roman Acueduct and famous castle) or Aranjuez Palace.

In Madrid you must see the Retiro Park (take the boat and just walk around you always find something to do or watch...). The museums Prado (Classic stuff...) Reina Sofia (Modern Art) and my personal favourite Thyssen Bornemisza. Also you must see the "Plaza Mayor", the Cathedral, the Egyptian small pyramid and the "Plaza de Toros"...

Besides you can walk around the city centre in Madrid, its lovely and you can find lots of interesting stuff (including cheap stores with the lefties). If you like reading or art, you shouldnt miss the street "Gran Via" has many bookstores and theaters.

Night life in Madrid its amazing and when you go out spanish people like to party in different bars per night (Marcha), every bar has its on style and type of music, I recommend you the "Cardamomo" very nice gypsy/ flamenco bar, really cool dancing.

Have fun and if you are going further away from Madrid you could considerate Sevilla or Granada in the south or any country town in the north (my personal favourite: Santiago de Compostela) although its really far away from Madrid.