Travel:
Food:
Chocolateria San Gines, in the San Gines passage
https://chocolateriasangines.com/
The most famous chocolate and churros shop in Madrid. The hot chocolate is undrinkable, but that's because you're not meant to drink it - it's for dipping! Open 24 hours.
Mercado de San Miguel, Plaza de San Miguel
http://mercadodesanmiguel.es/
A great food hall, with so much to choose from. We recommend Lhardy for delicious croquetas.
Mercado San Anton, Calle de Augusto Figueroa 24
https://www.mercadosananton.com/
A great food hall, with so much to choose from. We recommend Delitaca for Greek specialities.
Salamanca
North-east from the city centre, this shopping district has high-end fashion, notably along the "Golden Mile". Worth a stroll, even if you can't afford anything.
Nuevos Ministerios, Paseode la Castellana 79
This has lots of the usual (El Corte Ingles, H&M etc) but is notable for having the largest Zara in Madrid and indeed in Spain. We did a last minute dash on our final morning and managed to spend £££ (well €€€ but you know what I mean)
El Rastro Street Market
This vast market seems to go on for miles. Open every Sunday from 9am. Plaza de Cascorro and the streets Ribera de Curtidores and Calle de Embajadores, as well as the small side streets leading off these main thoroughfares. Start or finish at La Latina Metro station, on Line 5.
Eurostar/Thalys from St Pancras, changing at Paris.
In the summer, you can even Eurostar to Lyon, then change on a fast train to Spain there.
In the summer, you can even Eurostar to Lyon, then change on a fast train to Spain there.
Alternatively, flights to Spain are well-timed and not too expensive.
MADRID
MADRID
Hotel:
Intercontinental Madrid, Paseo De La Castellana 49
https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/gb/en/madrid/mddha/hoteldetail
It might be pricey, but you are paying for excellent service and facilities. It's 45 minutes walk from the centre of the city, but only 5 minutes from Metro Ruben Dario which is on several lines. It's also handy for the out-of-town shopping centre at Nuevos Ministerios.
https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/gb/en/madrid/mddha/hoteldetail
It might be pricey, but you are paying for excellent service and facilities. It's 45 minutes walk from the centre of the city, but only 5 minutes from Metro Ruben Dario which is on several lines. It's also handy for the out-of-town shopping centre at Nuevos Ministerios.
Tourist Card:
A travel ticket for between 1 and 7 days is available
Food:
Chocolateria San Gines, in the San Gines passage
https://chocolateriasangines.com/
The most famous chocolate and churros shop in Madrid. The hot chocolate is undrinkable, but that's because you're not meant to drink it - it's for dipping! Open 24 hours.
Mercado de San Miguel, Plaza de San Miguel
http://mercadodesanmiguel.es/
A great food hall, with so much to choose from. We recommend Lhardy for delicious croquetas.
Mercado San Anton, Calle de Augusto Figueroa 24
https://www.mercadosananton.com/
A great food hall, with so much to choose from. We recommend Delitaca for Greek specialities.
Shopping:
Salamanca
North-east from the city centre, this shopping district has high-end fashion, notably along the "Golden Mile". Worth a stroll, even if you can't afford anything.
Nuevos Ministerios, Paseode la Castellana 79
This has lots of the usual (El Corte Ingles, H&M etc) but is notable for having the largest Zara in Madrid and indeed in Spain. We did a last minute dash on our final morning and managed to spend £££ (well €€€ but you know what I mean)
El Rastro Street Market
This vast market seems to go on for miles. Open every Sunday from 9am. Plaza de Cascorro and the streets Ribera de Curtidores and Calle de Embajadores, as well as the small side streets leading off these main thoroughfares. Start or finish at La Latina Metro station, on Line 5.
Sightseeing:
Royal Palace, Calle de Bailén
https://entradas.patrimonionacional.es/en-GB/informacion-recinto/6/palacio-real-de-madrid
Almudena Cathedral, Calle de Bailén
https://catedraldelaalmudena.es/
Next to each other by a viaduct with amazing views
Museum Reine Sofia
https://www.museoreinasofia.es/en
free 1.30-7.00pm on Sundays, or 7-9pm on Saturdays
National museum of 20th century art, including Picasso's Guernica
Take the glass lift to the top for views
Museum Prado
https://www.museodelprado.es/en/visit-the-museum
free 6-8pm Mon-Sat, 5-7pm Sun - but allow 30 minutes for the queue
A gigantic art museum in the Louvre mould
National Library of Spain, Paseo de Recoletos 20
http://www.bne.es/en/Inicio/
Open 10am-8pm, Sunday 10am-2pm. Airport-style security as you go in. Permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Huertas district
Calle Cervantes 2 is the house where the author died. There is a statue of him at Plaza de las Cortes. Nearby is the Museum Thyssen-Bornemisza with art from 13th century to the present day.
Imprenta Municipal, Callede Concepción Jerónima 15
https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/imprenta-municipal
A museum dedicated to printing and the graphic arts. Historical printing presses and temporary exhibitions about visual art in Spain. Closed Monday.
Museo ABC - Design Museum, Amaniel 29
https://museo.abc.es/?lang=en
Museo ICO, Calle de Zorrilla 3
https://www.fundacionico.es/arte/sobre-el-museo/
Architecture and photography, with great temporary exhibitions, and a well-stocked bookshop
BETWEEN CITIES
The train from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants takes under 3 hours, and there are about 20 trains a day. You can buy tickets on the Renfe site, or from any rail reseller, and they cost around €70 in Turista (2nd class) or €100 in Preferente (1st class - which gets you drinks and a meal, plus wider seats with more legroom). If you get a Promo+ fare (slightly more expensive than the cheapest Promo advance fare) you can cancel or change your reservation, and Preferente customers get to use the Sala Club Lounges in the station.
BARCELONA
Hotel:
Boqueria Food Market, on la Rambla, northwest of Liceu station
http://www.boqueria.barcelona/home
Mercat de Santa Catarina, Av de Francesc Cambo
https://www.mercatsantacaterina.com/
We only discovered this on the last day. Away from the tourists, it's a neighbourbood market hall with lots of atmosphere and nice snacks.
Sightseeing:
Montjuic:
This is a mountain and museum district to the south-west of the city.
Start by taking the Teleferic funicular railway from Parallel (Metro lines 2 and 3) to the cable car station, then continue up to the top of the mountain. On the way you get great views of the bay. Visit the Castle. Walk downhill (or take the cable car again) and visit the Fundacio Jean Miro, the Olympic Stadium from 1992, and the Catalan Art Museum.
Beyond that is a grand plaza with the Montjuic Magic Fountain.
The Diagonal:
Often overlooked by the casual tourist, this is a very long straight street to the east of the city.
Catch the bus or tram to Glories station. The shopping mall here has a large Carrefour, the usual mid-price fashion stores, and a food court.
First visit the Design Museum.
Here also is the Encants Vells fleamarket, quite an experience!
At the end of the Diagonal is the Natural Sciences Museum, and the beach!
Poblenou District:
Also worth a stroll, off the beaten track, start at Poblenou metro and walk west back to town.
Visit the boutiques, delis, art studios, or just enjoy the local atmosphere.
It's very safe and a great stroll.
You can hop on bus 20/25 or the Metro anytime
https://www.poblenouurbandistrict.com/en/membres/
Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA), Placa dels Angels 1
https://www.macba.cat/en
West of La Rambla, closed Tuesday
Mirador de Colom
https://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/page/457/mirador-de-colom.html? A Columbus Column, if you will, marking where La Rambla meets the sea. Open 0830-2030 every day, with a lift to the viewing gallery 50m up.
Catalan History Museum, Pl de Pau Vila 3
http://www.mhcat.cat/
Closed Monday
Correus I Telegrafs, Placa d'Antonio Lopez
One for the architecture fan, it's a post office, but it is the size of a theatre!
Other random sights:
Santa Maria del Mar, church of the sea, Ribera district:
http://www.santamariadelmarbarcelona.org/home/
Estacio de Franca, railway station, Av. del Marquès de l'Argentera
Royal Palace, Calle de Bailén
https://entradas.patrimonionacional.es/en-GB/informacion-recinto/6/palacio-real-de-madrid
Almudena Cathedral, Calle de Bailén
https://catedraldelaalmudena.es/
Next to each other by a viaduct with amazing views
Museum Reine Sofia
https://www.museoreinasofia.es/en
free 1.30-7.00pm on Sundays, or 7-9pm on Saturdays
National museum of 20th century art, including Picasso's Guernica
Take the glass lift to the top for views
Museum Prado
https://www.museodelprado.es/en/visit-the-museum
free 6-8pm Mon-Sat, 5-7pm Sun - but allow 30 minutes for the queue
A gigantic art museum in the Louvre mould
National Library of Spain, Paseo de Recoletos 20
http://www.bne.es/en/Inicio/
Open 10am-8pm, Sunday 10am-2pm. Airport-style security as you go in. Permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Huertas district
Calle Cervantes 2 is the house where the author died. There is a statue of him at Plaza de las Cortes. Nearby is the Museum Thyssen-Bornemisza with art from 13th century to the present day.
Imprenta Municipal, Callede Concepción Jerónima 15
https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/imprenta-municipal
A museum dedicated to printing and the graphic arts. Historical printing presses and temporary exhibitions about visual art in Spain. Closed Monday.
Museo ABC - Design Museum, Amaniel 29
https://museo.abc.es/?lang=en
Museo ICO, Calle de Zorrilla 3
https://www.fundacionico.es/arte/sobre-el-museo/
Architecture and photography, with great temporary exhibitions, and a well-stocked bookshop
BETWEEN CITIES
The train from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants takes under 3 hours, and there are about 20 trains a day. You can buy tickets on the Renfe site, or from any rail reseller, and they cost around €70 in Turista (2nd class) or €100 in Preferente (1st class - which gets you drinks and a meal, plus wider seats with more legroom). If you get a Promo+ fare (slightly more expensive than the cheapest Promo advance fare) you can cancel or change your reservation, and Preferente customers get to use the Sala Club Lounges in the station.
BARCELONA
Hotel:
Hotel Colon, Avenida de la Catedral 7
https://hotelcolonbarcelona.es/
We were recommended this by our friends Peter and Miriam. It's literally opposite the cathedral, and most rooms have a balcony with a cathedral view. It also has a rooftoop bar with great views. The clientele are generally elderly or families, as we found in the lounge bar (very chintz) and at breakfast (nice buffet, in the basement). Not our usual style but we liked it! Walkable with a case from Urquinaona Metro station through the shopping area.
https://hotelcolonbarcelona.es/
We were recommended this by our friends Peter and Miriam. It's literally opposite the cathedral, and most rooms have a balcony with a cathedral view. It also has a rooftoop bar with great views. The clientele are generally elderly or families, as we found in the lounge bar (very chintz) and at breakfast (nice buffet, in the basement). Not our usual style but we liked it! Walkable with a case from Urquinaona Metro station through the shopping area.
Tourist Card:
Barcelona Card
https://www.barcelonacard.org/
This gets you free transport (essential in such a sprawling city), including to the airport, as well as entry to 25 major museums. Available for 3, 4 or 5 days.
Tourist Info Bureaus can be found all over the city - check
https://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/page/38/tourist-information-points.html
This gets you free transport (essential in such a sprawling city), including to the airport, as well as entry to 25 major museums. Available for 3, 4 or 5 days.
Tourist Info Bureaus can be found all over the city - check
https://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/page/38/tourist-information-points.html
Food:
Boqueria Food Market, on la Rambla, northwest of Liceu station
http://www.boqueria.barcelona/home
Mercat de Santa Catarina, Av de Francesc Cambo
https://www.mercatsantacaterina.com/
We only discovered this on the last day. Away from the tourists, it's a neighbourbood market hall with lots of atmosphere and nice snacks.
Montjuic:
This is a mountain and museum district to the south-west of the city.
Start by taking the Teleferic funicular railway from Parallel (Metro lines 2 and 3) to the cable car station, then continue up to the top of the mountain. On the way you get great views of the bay. Visit the Castle. Walk downhill (or take the cable car again) and visit the Fundacio Jean Miro, the Olympic Stadium from 1992, and the Catalan Art Museum.
Beyond that is a grand plaza with the Montjuic Magic Fountain.
- Funicular (open 7.30am-10pm): https://www.tmb.cat/en/barcelona/metro/-/lineametro/FM
- Cable car (open 10am-6pm): https://www.telefericdemontjuic.cat/en
- Castle (open every day): https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/castelldemontjuic/en
- Miro (closed Monday): https://www.fmirobcn.org/en/
- Olympic (closed Monday): https://www.museuolimpicbcn.cat/en/
- Catalan Art (closed Monday): https://www.museunacional.cat/en
The Diagonal:
Often overlooked by the casual tourist, this is a very long straight street to the east of the city.
Catch the bus or tram to Glories station. The shopping mall here has a large Carrefour, the usual mid-price fashion stores, and a food court.
First visit the Design Museum.
Here also is the Encants Vells fleamarket, quite an experience!
At the end of the Diagonal is the Natural Sciences Museum, and the beach!
- Design (closed Monday): https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/museudeldisseny/en
- Market (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 9am-8pm): http://www.encantsbcn.com/en
- Natural Sciences (clsoed Monday): https://museuciencies.cat/en/
Poblenou District:
Also worth a stroll, off the beaten track, start at Poblenou metro and walk west back to town.
Visit the boutiques, delis, art studios, or just enjoy the local atmosphere.
It's very safe and a great stroll.
You can hop on bus 20/25 or the Metro anytime
https://www.poblenouurbandistrict.com/en/membres/
Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA), Placa dels Angels 1
https://www.macba.cat/en
West of La Rambla, closed Tuesday
Mirador de Colom
https://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/page/457/mirador-de-colom.html? A Columbus Column, if you will, marking where La Rambla meets the sea. Open 0830-2030 every day, with a lift to the viewing gallery 50m up.
Catalan History Museum, Pl de Pau Vila 3
http://www.mhcat.cat/
Closed Monday
Correus I Telegrafs, Placa d'Antonio Lopez
One for the architecture fan, it's a post office, but it is the size of a theatre!
Other random sights:
Santa Maria del Mar, church of the sea, Ribera district:
http://www.santamariadelmarbarcelona.org/home/
Estacio de Franca, railway station, Av. del Marquès de l'Argentera
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