How to Spend One Day in Madrid, Spain

1. Museo Prado, Calle Ruiz de Alarcon, 23 (www.museodelprado.es):  The Prado is one of the most impressive museums in the world with an expansive collection of Spanish artists including Velasquez and Goya. Open from Tuesday-Sunday from 9:00-8:00. Closed Monday.  This museum can be overwhelming so hire a guide for 1-2 hours and ask him/her to focus your tour on what is of interest to you or what will keep the kids interested. My husband would take our daughter to the gift shop first where she would pick out 3 postcards of art in the museum and then embark on a scavenger hunt to find the art. Since the art is displayed by type and date, hints on the back of the postcard helped her to locate the piece. The Spanish adore children and place a high value on exposing children to art, so children are well tolerated in museums.
2. Museo Reina Sofia, Santa Isabel, 52 (www.museoreinasofia.es): The Reina Sofia is known as the modern art museum in Madrid with “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso its biggest draw.   Open Monday-Saturday from 10:00-9:00 and on Sunday from 10:00-2:30.  Closed Tuesdays.
3. El Museo de Arte Thyssen, Paseo Prado, 8 (www.museothyssen.org): The Thyssen is my favorite museum in Madrid because of the variety of art displayed in a building that does not overwhelm. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00-7:00. Closed Mondays.
4. Museo del Traje, Avenida de Juan de Herrera, 2 (museodeltraje.mcu.es): The Museo del Traje is the fashion museum in a modern building located in Madrid but outside the city center. The collection is vast if your interest lies with great Spanish designers including Balenciaga, Manolo Blahnik, and Paco Rabanne.  Take a cab to this museum. Open Monday-Saturday from 9:30-7:00. Closed Sundays.
5. 5.  Lazaro Goldiano Museo, Calle de Serrano, 122 (www.flg.es): This museum was once the home of a couple whose interests collecting art, ceramics, jewelry, and bronzes are brilliantly displayed.  Completely restored in 2003, a self-guided tour throughout this mansion is a treat. Open Wednesday-Monday from 10:00-4:40. Closed Tuesdays. For a typical Spanish snack, walk across the street and up 4 blocks to Calle de Serrano, 89 where the restaurant “Jose Luis” makes the best Spanish potato tortilla “tortilla de patata” in Madrid. Enjoy at a table or order a tortilla to go in a box that resembles an American pizza box.

1. La Paloma, Calle de Jorge Juan, 39 (www.rtelapaloma.com):  This is my favorite restaurant in Madrid because it gets two things right:  atmosphere and food.  Located on a chic street known for shopping, this small restaurant feels like it was plucked out of Provence.  My favorite meal is fried eggplant fritters drizzled with honey, followed by sea bass and a homemade free form apple tart (that needs to be ordered when you place your entrée selection as each tart is made to order and takes time). Phone number: 34 91 576 8692.
2. El Lando, Plaza de Gabriel Miró, 8. This restaurant does not have a website and is not advertised. We were introduced to it by Spanish friends. El Lando is difficult to find as the restaurant is located on a small street, down a flight of stairs, and through a final nondescript door. You have to know where you are going but most taxi drivers know exactly where El Lando is.  Famous for their traditional Spanish cooking, the grilled asparagus or french fries topped with a fried egg are delicious.  If you want to experience real Spanish cooking, this is the place to eat.  Phone number: 34 91 366 7681.
3. Restaurante Horcher, Alfonso XII, 6 (www.restaurantehorcher.com):  Horcher is probably the most famous and finest restaurant in Madrid.  Open since 1904, the atmosphere is formal, the service excellent, and the food superb. Phone: 34 91 522 0731.

With miles of walking and biking trails, El Retiro provides a welcome respite from busy city streets. Or, if you want to shop, walk down Calle Serrano, Calle Jose Ortega y Gassett (which is referred to as “Lista” by locals), or Calle Jorge Juan. These streets contain both national and local brands along with speciality boutiques:

1. Lavinia at Calle Jose Ortega y Gasset, 16 is the largest wine store in Madrid and contains a vast selection of wines and spirits. Their website is:  www.lavinia.es
2. Loewe, a Spanish luxury brand known for their leather goods, clothing, ties, and scarves is located at Serrano, 34.  Their website is:  www.loewe.com
3. Corte Ingles, Madrid’s only department store with locations throughout the city offers a vast selection of almost anything you need including groceries and pharmacy items.  The grocery store is usually located on the bottom floor where you can purchase raw marcona almonds, Spanish paprika, or amazing olive oil while the gourmet shop is on the top floor.  Their website is: www.elcorteingles.com
4. Mercado de la Paz, located at Calle Ayala 28 (very close to The Embassy Restaurant) is one of the best markets in Madrid with vast selections of cheeses, olives, fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, and seafood. Stop by Alimentacion Miguel Angel and purchase “Arte Fritas de Soria” – the most delicious potato chips. Or go see Sal at La Boulette for a fine cheese selection.
5. And, if you happen to be in Madrid in December or early January, go to a bakery called Formentor located at Calle General Diaz Porlier, 7 which is located right off Calle Goya and buy “Pan de los Reyes” which means “Bread of the Kings” – a holiday cake-like bread made in honor of Kings Day, January 6th. Every bakery in Madrid makes their own version of this butter coffee cake throughout the holiday season but Formentor makes the most superb example and the cake comes in many sizes. Be prepared to wait (it’s worth it) as the line sometimes wraps around the block, but moves quickly.

1. Madrid is an elegant city and people are very well dressed.  Dress comfortably but neatly.
2. Wear very comfortable walking shoes.
3. Madrid has a very clean, safe and extensive metro system but if time is limited, take a taxi.
4. The Spanish love to smoke but smoking in restaurants and bars was outlawed in Jan, 2011.
5. The DK Guide to Madrid is an excellent resource for information about the city.
6. Most Spaniards don’t speak English so carry a Spanish-English dictionary if you don’t speak Spanish.
7. The Spanish don’t adhere to walking on the right, passing on the left and also don’t share the same personal space comforts that Americans are used to so don’t be alarmed if you feel your personal space is violated.
8. Most stores are open from 10:00-2:00 and then reopen from 5:00-8:00 pm.
9. Don’t carry a backpack where a wallet can be pick pocketed.  Although a relatively safe city, don’t wear expensive watches or jewelry.
10. Pay attention to traffic signals that tell pedestrians when to walk across streets.
11. When entering a room, always greet people with “Buenos Dias” (Good Morning) or “Buenas Tardes” (Good Afternoon).