One Day in Madrid By Lauren Bonheim for www.Laurenonlocation.com

Throw on your walking shoes and get ready for an action packed day! :D Breakfast 10 – 11 AM Start off your day like a real Spaniard by treating yourself to a helping of ‘tosta con tomate’ or toast with tomato. It may seem a little weird to be eating crushed tomato at such an early hour (I know it was at first for me), but give this typical Spanish breakfast a try! Sprinkled with a little salt and olive oil, this has turned into one of my favorite morning meals! Alongside your toast, order a ‘café con leche’ (coffee with milk) and a glass of ‘zumo de naranja natural’ (fresh squeezed orange juice) for the true Spanish experience. This small, light breakfast, may not hold you over for very long, but don’t worry, the Spanish merienda(mid-morning snack) and lunch, the biggest meal of the day, are just around the corner. You can find toast with tomato at almost any Spanish restaurant, bar or café but here are some of my favorites: • • •

Café de la Luz- Calle Puebla, 8 Bicicleta- Plaza de San Ildefonso, 9 Toma Café-Calle de la Palma, 49

Explore One of Madrid’s Unique Barrios 11 AM – 12 PM One of my absolute favorite things to do in Madrid is simply wander, or as many madrileños put it, ‘dar un paseo’ (go for a walk). I realize that with such little time in any given city, aimlessly wandering is not at the top of every travelers list, but, I truly feel like this is one of the best ways to really get to know Madrid. If only just one hour, allow yourself to let go a little bit and let your curiosity lead you. (Also be sure not to get too lost by keeping some landmarks in mind!!) Pop in and out of corner shops. Sit in a plaza for second morning pick-me-up. Admire the many residential balconies overflowing with vibrant blossoms. Walk around and get acquainted with the REAL Madrid. Some of my favorite barrios or neighborhoods outside of the touristy center are: • • • •

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Malasaña– Fashionable and alternative hipster neighborhood (my favorite even though I’m biased) Chueca– Madrid’s ‘gay’ neighborhood. Very trendy, inviting and charming! La Latina– Traditional Madrid. Tapas bars, old buildings, winding streets and authentic feel. Las Letras– This neighborhood is directly in the center, but not too touristy. Filled to the brim with history, especially literature. Famous literary quotes and colorful bohemian art line the cobblestone streets. Salamanca– Posh luxurious neighborhood with fancy restaurants and designer shopping. Lavapies-Extremely diverse urban neighborhood with international roots 1-Moving2madrid.com

Get a taste of one of Madrid’s Markets 12 – 1 PM If you’re a returning reader to my blog, you know one of my favorite ways to familiarize myself with any city is to taste it. Just in time for Spain’s merienda, take some time to pass through one of Madrid’s many colorful markets. There are traditional markets all over Madrid boasting stalls of authentic Spanish delicacies including jamón serrano, Spanish tortilla, patatas bravas and varieties of pinchos and tapas alike, as well as specialized international stands. Allow yourself to indulge in a few small bites, but try not to fill up too much as lunch is not too far away. Depending on which barrio you previously chose to explore, find the corresponding market below: • • • •

Mercado San Miguel– Closest to Las Letras and Lavapies, Plaza San Miguel Mercado San Anton– Closest to Chueca, Calle de Augusto Figueroa, 24 Mercado Idelfonso– Closest to Malasaña, Calle Fuencarral, 57 Platea– Closest to Salamanca, Calle de Goya, 5-7

Get a look at Madrid from Above 1 – 2 PM “De Madrid al cielo.” This quote literally meaning “from Madrid to heaven” claims that once you’ve seen Madrid, the next best thing is that idealistic euphoria we all dream of. AKA nothing tops Madrid. What can I say …. I agree. But seriously, gazing down at Madrid from above, well there’s not much else like it. This city is known for its picturesque bright blue canopy sprinkled with fluffy cotton clouds. Its low laying buildings even allow us to take in the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains, truly yet ironically a heavenly backdrop. Check out these rooftops: • • • • •

Círculo de Bellas Artes “Tartan Roof,” Calle de Alcalá, 42 Terrace at Room Mate Hotel Oscar, Plaza de Vázquez de Mella, 12 Terrace at Hotel de Las Letras, Calle Gran Vía, 11 9th floor of Corte Inglés in Callao, Plaza de Callao, 2 Palacio de Cibeles, Plaza Cibeles, 1

*Be sure to check opening times as most rooftops in Madrid are seasonal.

Two options for Lunch 2 – 4 PM Hopefully you kept yourself under control in the markets, and still have room for what the Spanish consider the most important meal of the day- Lunch! You may be thinking 2PM is a little late for lunch, but here in Spain this is the norm. Lunch in Madrid is usually served anywhere between 2PM-5PM and is the largest meal of the day. Below I’ll give two very different yet very typical Spanish options for lunch, depending on what you’re looking for! Whichever option you choose– Take your time. Savor every bite. Crack a bottle of Spain’s finest. Enjoy the people around you and lose yourself in the conversation. This is how Spaniards do lunch and in my opinion, its the best way to do it.

Option 1- Sit down for a Spanish Menú The Spanish “menú del día” is not the typical menu us English speakers immediately think of. Instead this “menu of the day” usually consists of a three-course prix-fixe meal including a “primero” (starter) a “segundo” (the main dish) and a “postre” (dessert), often accompanied by your choice of beverage and bread. These menús are usually only offered during lunchtime on weekdays. When it comes to Spanish dining, this is the best quality meal you will find for an amazing value and will cost anywhere from 8-15 Euros.

My favorite menú del día in Madrid:

My must-try at Momo: Ceviche de salmón con mango

Option 2 - A Tapas Crawl Calle Cava Baja, Barrio La Latina

Momo, Calle Libertad, 8 The nice thing about Momo is that they offer their entire “carta” (English menu) during their midday prixfixe. Most restaurants change their menu del día daily, which can be a nice experiment, but also means it’s sometimes a gamble as to what you will get. Well, with Momo I’ve tried it all and it’s all amazing. Their modern twist on traditional Spanish flavors is damn well delicious. Momo’s regular menu is actually a bit on the pricey side, but their menú del día comes out to 11,50!

Another very typical Spanish option, although not as common in Madrid, is to do a tapas crawl. Unlike in the South of Spain, tapas are not usually free and are paid for in Madrid. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t have the typical Spanish tapas experience. The most famous street for trying these tasty little plates is just outside of the center on Calle Cava Baja in the La Latina neighborhood of Madrid. This little street has the most bars per square meter than any other street in the city!

DIY Walking Tour of Madrid 4 – 7:30 PM Not too long ago, I designed a DIY walking tour of Madrid's center sights. After lunch is the perfect time to take on this tour as you should be fueled, energized and ready to go! Madrid is a city with many things to do, but there are also many things to see that don’t necessarily have to be ‘done.’ What I mean by this is that you can very much enjoy yourself by simply exploring Madrid’s streets and taking in the sights from afar, rather than paying to enter them! This tour covers all of my favorite sites including the well-known Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace and Puerta del Sol passes through Plaza Cibeles and ends up right in my favorite park, Retiro! *Print a guide to my walking tour from http://laurenonlocation.com/diy-madrid-center-sights-walking-tour/

Retiro 7:30 – 8:30 PM My DIY walking tour will drop you off right in Retiro Park, which is not only the most well-known park in Madrid, but also my favorite! Surrounded by luscious open greenery you’ll completely forget that you are smack in the middle of the busy Spanish capital. Home to alluring galleries, extraordinary monuments and sculptures, a tranquil manmade lake, an exquisite crystal palace, intricate gardens and a variety of fountains, I could explore Retiro for hours. In the intense heat of the afternoon, after all that eating and walking, you deserve to relax in the fresh air of Retiro. Things to do/see in Retiro: • • •

Go see the Palacio de Cristal or Crystal Palace Take out a rowboat in Retiro Pond Check out the ever-changing temporary exhibitions in Palacio de Velázquez

Gran Vía 8:30 – 9:00 PM Calle Gran Vía is Madrid’s main vein connecting many popular neighborhoods of the city and running directly through the center. It is know by some as Spain’s own Broadway and is home to grand hotels, theaters, restaurants, brandname stores and a lively nightlife scene. Gran Vía truly has something for everyone! Take a stroll down this lengthy luxurious street admiring elegant 20th century architecture while window shopping (or actually shopping) and people watching! •

If you’re looking to shop you’ll find a range of stores suiting all tastes and budgets. Keep a eye out for popular Spanish clothing brands such as Springfield, Pull & Bear, Bershka, Sfera, Blanco, Stradivarius, Massimo Dutti and Desigual.

Look for the colorful Schweppes Logo and you’ve found Plaza Callao, a landmark of the city and sometimes referred to as the “Times Square” of Madrid. Callao sits right at the heart of Madrid’s cinematic and theatrical scene, along the infamous Gran Vía.

Templo Sunset 9:00 – 9:30 PM A stunning sight that should absolutely not be missed during a trip to Madrid is the Templo de Debod Sunset. Crowds gather to the railings in front of the temples to bid the sun goodbye as it creeps its way over the Madrid horizon. While the sunset is an incredible vision, I love to hang around about 20 to 30 minutes after the sun’s disappearance, when the crowds begin to disperse and dusk has prepared to fall. Just before the sun has truly kissed the sky goodnight, you will encounter a captivating scene- the reflection of the temples in the surrounding pool. In the inducing dark of night the water appears as a thin sheet of glass mirroring the Egyptian structures before you. Truly breathtaking. ***Note: Don’t forget to check the time of the sunset and adjust the schedule accordingly!!

Dinner at Madrid’s Lateral 10 PM Lateral is my go-to restaurant whenever I have visitors (or whenever I have a craving, which is often). Lateral’s extensive menu has a plate to please every pallet. They focus on modern Spanish tapas, toasts and ‘raciones’ to share. With a few locations throughout Madrid, there should be one close by, whereever you may find yourself. The atmosphere is young and lively, the food is affordable and delicious and the drinks are generous and refreshing! It’s no surprise that this popular place is always packed, but don’t let that discourage you! The turnover is very quick! *Check the website for locations: http://www.lateral.com/en/ My Suggestions: • Order one of Lateral’s fancy flavored mojitos! Next to the main bar is a side bar specifically dedicated to the crafting of these scrumptious drinks and unlike a lot of Spain, each is prepared with fresh fruit and mint instead of a sugary syrup! At only 7 Euros a piece they are a real steal! • Some of my favorite typical Spanish dishes at Lateral are the Rabo de Toro, the croquetas and the Rollito de Salmon! English menus are available so there is no confusion when choosing dishes! • Don’t let a long wait turn you away! I’ve been told up to an hour and a half and have never waited more than 15-20 minutes. Put your name and head to the bar for a drink, you’ll be seated before you know it!

Late night chocolate con churros Chocolatería San Gines, Pasadizo San Ginés, 5 Feeling up for a late night snack? After paroozing a bit of Madrid’s nightlife head on over to the famous chocolatería, San Gines! This little local churros joint is open 24 hours and although usually pretty crowded, it’s worth the wait! These are still the best churros and chocolate I’ve had in all of Spain so far, and I've eaten my fair share of churros!

Seasonal Must-Dos • • •

Go to see Madrid’s beloved Real Madrid or Atletico kill the game, as usual. See a bullfight. (Eek). In Madrid on a Sunday? Check out my Perfect Sunday in La Latina, complete with a trip to the Rastro http://laurenonlocation.com/the-perfect-la-latina-sunday/

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