A Holiday Makers Guide To Fabulous Madrid

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The Prado, The Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen Bornemisza museums are surrounded by lovely foliage, and only a short walking distance from each other. They are located at the lovely Paseo des Arte, which is in the Eastern part of city. Private apartment complexes and fine dining highlight this area, and the older museums serve as background for the ambience of the bigger three. The retiro gardens with its ponds, fountains, glass pavilions and flower gardens with blooming roses lie behind the Prado and is a decent area dipped in the shades of trees where a man can spend some cozy hours avoiding the tremendous heat of the summer.

To the West of the Paseo del Arte you can find the exciting barrio of Santa Ana, it's thin sloped lanes surrounded on either side by tiled tapas bars and restaurants. Ever since the days of Cervantes and Lope de Vega, it's been known as a free-spirited, lively and unconventional place. At one point in time, the theatres used to compete with the brothels for customer but even today, its a happening spot to be when the sun goes down. The swarms of people fill the terraces surrounding the Plaza, jockeying for places to sit and standing room. During the calmer daylight hours, chic dogs out walking with their trendy professional owners amuse and delight the older neighbors who relax on the benches of the area.

This beautiful plaza is the heart and soul of old Madrid. The large, impressive square which was long ago the site of royal ceremonies and religious persecutions, is now, sadly, just filled with tourist restaurants. The contorted and intricate lanes that wind away from the square as well as the senior lanes in the metropolitan area, are a final distant sound of the history of the georgeous city. A historic classic town combining all key elements of a village including religious and musical components reflecting a slow paced lifestyle. The newly restored Opera House resides just east of here, along with the Palacio Real, which is a wonderful exemplification of extravagant beauty.

These average blue collar neighbourhoods lie randomly under the Plaza Mayor. Much of the area is poor and run down although renovation is definitely evident with its own cutting edge brilliance. Immigrants from North Africa and South America, native people from Madrid and eclectic young artists opening up pubs and coffee shops make for an enticing combination. Do not miss the popular Sunday morning flea market, El Rastro, and then a tapas crawl.

Gran Via is a reflection of the best of east meeting west including the modern shops and classic entertainment venues. A contrast of calm and craziness exist between night and day north of Gran Via. The hip and trendy shops and bars meshing hand in hand with the famous endless nightlife makes these places the coolest areas in Madrid to hand out in.

Swanky Salamanca, in the northeast area of the city, is made up of wide avenues with chic apartments and exquisite restaurants. As soon as you spot the Ferraris, exclusive clubs and designer boutiques, it becomes obvious that money is in no short supply in Calle Serrano. Some mansions from the nineteenth century only add to the upscale atmosphere, and the glossy towers lining the Paseo Castellano are an excellent attraction for those interested in modern architecture.

Information about the Author: Lucy is a part-time writer who pens occasional pieces on tourism and holidays, whilst working on holiday airport transfers for Resorthoppa on behalf of eComparison Destinations Articles: http://www.article-buzz.com

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