In love with Madrid (Part II)

CEBU, Philippines - Our Madrileña contibutor, Diana G. Marugán, now writes about her native city.

In the previous article, she has made Madrid more affordable through the MadridCard and her passionate guidance as to which places to stay and to visit. Here, she continues to make us get enamoured with her historic and romantic city — Madrid.

Become an Ensaimada Addict

It is time to eat another kind of rice. Let's start with a paella then a toast of Sangria (fruit wine) and then finish with San Marcos cake to cap your meal. After lunch, we can take the metro line 1 and go to Puerta del Sol. It is the most famous square of Spain and is the center (Km 0) of the radial network of Spanish roads. You stand on that plate, right in the middle, close your eyes and make a wish. The square also contains the famous clock whose bells mark the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes in the first 12 seconds of the beginning of the New Year. This celebration has been broadcast live on Spanish TV since December 31, 1962. Once each year, we, Spanish and visitors, do the same thing at the same time and with the same feelings.

At the Puerta del Sol (Sun Gate) you will see the the emblem of Madrid, The Bear and the Strawberry Tree. You should take a souvenir photo here. This area is crazy, full of people, some with a bohemian and funny look, artists, tourists, citizens in a hurry, students, actors and comedians, and some pickpockets — so take care of your belongings.

It is also here that you can eat the best Madrid cake, called ensaimada, in "La Mallorquina." Once you have tasted it , you become a new ensaimada addict!

Walking through these central streets, you will arrive at the Plaza Mayor. In the arcades of the square are the authentic arts and craft shops of Madrid. You will see many shops with religious themes and where the priests buy their clothes. If you want to find a saint, this is the place. There are the famous hat stores, handcrafted fans (abanicos), or the traditional gloves and tailorings. Most of these places are over three centuries old! They also have the best souvenir shops. At Christmas, an ambulant market occupies the square, where you can buy all the decorations and the Nativity figurines. This place has many restaurants, but they will charge you as a rich tourist if you want to dine there. It is much better to walk along small streets and find a picturesque place to order a Bocata de Calamares.

Gran Via!

In this tour, we can also go walking from Puerta del Sol to The Gran Via, my favorite place in the world, where I used to go with my friends. It has plenty of shops, clubs, bohemian people, movies, restaurants and is alive 24/7. This is one of the main streets of Madrid, more than a century old and beautiful. It begins in Calle de Alcala and ends at the Plaza of Spain. It is an important landmark in the city since its construction in the early twentieth century. The section between the Plaza del Callao and Plaza de España is known as the Broadway of Madrid. If you have a chance, please watch how Spanish actors sing, act and give their souls onstage. You don't need to know the language to understand the plot, because I promise that you will feel in your heart their wonderful talent.

Lovers' Sunset

Not too far away from the Gran Via, there is Austria's Madrid, the Royal Palace and the Sabatini Gardens. Spectacular is the enchanted Maze, a beautiful garden where bohemian writers and painters are trying to find their muse, while the street musicians play classical music and lovers walk around to share the most beautiful sunset in Madrid.

And if we continue with royal life, we cannot forget to visit the Almudena Cathedral, where Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia were married. But make sure you go there early.

Now it's time to discover the beauty of Madrid on high, so we'll take a Madrid cable car, Teleférico, (entrance included with your MadridCard) and be amazed at the city from atop. This is so much fun, specially if you go with children.

From this place, you will be able to see Casa de Campo, another big lung of the city, where you find the Zoo, the Aquarium, the Amusement Park and the Training School for future bullfighters.

Torero OLÉ!

It is true that I am not a big fan of bullfighting, but it really is a beautiful art and bullfighters have a history of tradition and culture. The most important bullring in Spain is the Plaza de las Ventas, and on the feast of San Isidro Labrador in May, the most important bullfighters go through the front door and show their power and art. So when someone is brave, we call him or her torero. If you want to see a bullfight, ask at your hotel because there are places that have special runs all year round for intrepid tourists.

As we continue with traditions, you cannot visit Spain without seeing a flamenco show. Therefore, Corral de la Morrería is the most famous show-restaurant in Madrid, where all the celebrities are seen. But you can also enjoy the same in any Tablaó Flamenco (restaurant with show) and shout Olé, Olé! when you admire the art, to praise the beauty of their dance, music and songs. Please, if you are in these places, do not forget to ask the waiter for Jamón Ibérico (Spanish ham), a good Gazpacho (cold tomato soup) and Croquetas de la Sole (sole fillet). I am sure you will be absolutely in love with Madrid at the first bite.

We are the Champions!

We Spaniards are now very popular in soccer games and the most famous team is Real Madrid. The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is another must-go that is included in the MadridCard, and maybe you can also book a reservation to watch a match. Let's cheer for those cute boys (Christiano Ronaldo and friends...). In the stadium, there is a super elegant restaurant with a very cool menu, but expensive. Well, that is for a special dinner, where you can enjoy the food and the game at the same time.

When the team wins, we all go to celebrate (even the players) to Cibeles Fountain; and when the other team from the city, Atlético de Madrid, wins, their fans go to Neptuno Fountain. That is why these beautiful fountains are also the football icons. Both are in Paseo de la Castellana, one of the main business streets of Madrid.

It is Shopping Time

Because not everything in life are museums, monuments and art, we deserve to go shopping. Madrid is open to your wishes. El Corte Ingles is the department store where you can find absolutely everything you can imagine. But for an afternoon of finding the best brands at the best possible prices, you can go to Serrano Street, where the most luxurious brands are; or go outside the city, to Las Rozas Village, the outlet place, with the best Spanish and European designer brands. Don't forget your Philippine passport for tax exemptions!

Madrid Nightlife

Well, now that we have new outfits, and maybe a new look from a modern beauty saloon, let's go to have fun, because the party starts now. First, dinner in the Latina area, (our dinner starts from 9:30 until 12pm), then drinks in those small pubs, and finish in the super big and famous discos (Kapital, Pacha, Joy Slava...) Ask your hotel if they have a guest list and the dress code for these places, and do not come back to your hotel until sunrise. Then go enjoy the best Chocolate con Churros breakfast at Cafeteria San Gines (the taxi drivers will know...). After all that dancing, let's go to sleep, because in a matter of hours, Madrid will be waiting for your next tour. So, relax and Good Morning-Night!!!