Madrid reading: Madrid - a guide to the key sites and monuments Shopping Tourism in Madrid Madrid Spain Is The Home Of Great Art Nightlife Guide: Madrid Puerta del Sol - The Heart of Spain Things to do in Madrid Touring Madrid - Visiting the Church of San Francisco Travel Abroad To Museo del Prado Whistlestop Tour of Madrid, Spain

Nightlife Guide: Madrid   by AJ Yeakel

The nightlife in Madrid is the real reason the city is so popular with young people. During the day the city can be a little dry- with all the museums, parks, etc. Most nightlife gets going really late compared to that in the States. Here are a couple recommendations:

Go to a Flamenco dinner show

A Flamenco dinner show is a great cultural nighttime option. If you are traveling to the South of Spain, particularly Granada or Seville, it's best to find a Flamenco show in these cities. It will undoubtedly be cheaper and more authentic. However, Flamenco shows in Madrid are still a good option if you won't be traveling outside of the capital.
 

Madrid by Night and Torres Bermejas Flamenco Show Tour of Madrid by night and a performance of the Flamenco dances...more...

Try a few tapas bars

A tapas crawl can be fun if you find the right places. Avoid some of the tourist traps in the Sol area, which are overpriced. Ask your hotel for suggestions. Vinoteca, in Plaza Santa Ana, is a one good option.
 

Tapa tour in Madrid For groups of of 4 - 6 people we offer you a guided tour of some of Madrid's finest tapas bars. To help you out we will provide you with an English translation of Spanish food and cooking…more...

Check out some of Madrid's big night clubs

Madrid's night clubs are a fun experience. None card, and as long as you look about 18, you won't have any problems getting in. Try Kapitol, across from metro stop Atocha, and Palacio Real (near Sol). Kapitol claims to be the biggest club in Europe. Both charge a cover of 12-15 euros and get busy at around 2 AM.

Hit the bars:

Madrid is full of good bars. Some of the best bars for young people are in the Moncloa, Tribunal, Bilbao, and Malasana neighborhoods. Here are a couple of bars that are normally flooded with American and Spanish college students, as well as others:

El Chapandaz, "The cave bar" - (Calle Fernando El Catolico 77, Moncloa) Cool looking bar decorated like a cave. Some drinks are poured from a tap in the form of a rock formation hanging down from the ceiling. Good Thurs. through Sat.

Casa de la Cerveza (Metro Bilbao) - This bar is normally packed on off nights because of its all-you-can-drink for 10 euro deal (from 11-1:30 I believe). You can try Sangria, beer, or red wine and coke (called calimocho- popular with the young Spanish crowd).

Note: Avoid the bars that promote around the Sol area. Some of the Irish bars are OK, as are many of the bars located in underground caves.

About the AuthorFor a free guide to the must-see sites in Madrid click here. Or check out our irresistible Madrid vacation deals.

Shopping Tourism in Madrid   by Kurt Schefken

It may not be on the top of your list when you think of shopping travel destinations, but Madrid has the best of Spain to offer in its shops. If you are looking for upscale chic shopping experiences, there are a number of exclusive shops available in the city. If more organic shopping is your style, there are flea market atmospheres or a number of quaint antique shops available for perusing.

The main shopping area in Madrid is the Gran Via. This street is full of shops that seemingly never close. Even when the night life kicks up, there is still shopping to be done in this area in many of the stalls around the Plaza Mayor. A word of caution, make sure you know how to bargain. Some of these booths are just looking to make a buck off those in the tourism market and are selling the same tourist junk you can buy at any airport kiosk. Look around, and look for a good deal.

If you love the idea of shopping in the open air visit El Rastro, the massive outdoor flea market in Madrid. In addition to the same touristy things you expect to find everywhere, there are treasures to be found including jewelry, old books, clothes and antiques that need new homes. If you are in the area on a Sunday there is also a coin and stamp fair nearby.

Check out the La Latina Metro Stop. This is located between the Ronda De Toledo and the Plaza de Cascorro and Ronda de Toledo. You will know you are there when you see the massive Eloy Gonzalo statue in the center of Cascorro Square.

This place is packed on the weekends, as it is a travel destination, but while the crowds are big, so are the deals to be had! There are many, many shopping opportunities. There is also some shopping potential during the week, but not nearly as lively an experience as on the weekend.

Want the latest in style and fashion? Then you want the Alcalá area. You will be able to roam from boutique to boutique filled with dresses, shoes, and all the latest accessories. If you are using the metro as your transport, get off at the Sol or Sevilla.

Another fancy shopping destination is Calle Serrano. This street is full of the finest in shopping including art, gifts and a variety of designer clothing items. You can find a precious gift for yourself, and don't forget to get something for those back at home that were not lucky enough to be vacationing in Madrid.

The high fashion shopping in Madrid is not just for women. Both genders of the tourism market are appreciated where fashion is concerned. The Calle Princessa, which can be accessed by the Argüelles and Ventura Rodríguez metro stops, is lined with a number of men's boutiques selling suits, accessories and shoes for the classiest of men.

For a quaint shopping experience, try the Calle Preciados. It is a shopping area that is only accessible by walking. To get there, take the Metro to Sol.

Finally get a real feel of Spain at the Mercado de San Miguel. This was once just a fish market, but now it offers a wide variety of foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and other delectable items to experience.

About the Author
The magazine writer Kurt Schefken is especially interested in themes corresponding to Benidorm. You might come across his publications on Madrid and Gandia over at http://www.alicante-spain.com