Guide to Madrid A Morning Walk Around Old Madrid Begin the morning at Plaza de la Villa with its handsome 16th- and 17th-century palaces. Take the busy Calle Mayor as far as Calle de Felipe III, then turn into Plaza Mayor . Cross this magnificent square diagonally, leaving by the ancient Calle Toledo, once the main exit south from the city. On the way look out for the Hernanz rope store (see Casa Hernanz) and other reminders that this was once an artisans’ quarter. Looming on the left is the Baroque Colegiata de San Isidro . Continue to La Latina metro. Turn and follow Plaza de la Cebada, past the modern covered market. Turn right into Plaza del Humilladero and cross this square to the adjoining Plaza de San Andrés and its huge domed church. Straight ahead is a 16th-century palace, now the Museo San Isidro . Follow the path round the back of the church into Costanilla de San Andrés, a narrow street which opens onto the historic Plaza de la Paja, a good area for bars and restaurants. On the corner of Calle de Alfonso VI is the Colegio de San IIdefonso whose students chant the results of the Christmas National Lottery in a distinctive sing-song. By now you’ll probably be ready for a well-earned lun-ch. Vegetarians will be tempted by El Estragón (Costanilla de San Andrés 10); another good choice is the Taberna Bilbao next door (No.8). A Day on the Paseo del Prado Morning Begin at Plaza de Cibeles and take a peek at the palatial central hall of the Main Post Office (see Palacio de Comunicaciones). Plans to redirect traffic away from the Paseo del Prado have been frustrated, but the central boulevard still makes a pleasant walk, with plenty of shade in summer. Cross the road to Plaza de la Lealtad and the garden terrace of the Hotel Ritz – a delightful spot for coffee. Continue past the Neo-Classical façade of the Museo del Prado and you’ll come to Plaza de Murillo and the Real Jardín Botánico. Allow at least an hour here to make the most of the verdant tranquillity. On leaving the garden, cross the Paseo del Prado and double back to Plaza Cánovas del Castillo and Ventura Rodríguez’s splendid Neptune Fountain. The small side streets here are crammed with plenty of tempting tapas bars and restaurants. You could try La Platería for a light lunch. Afternoon After lunch, take the small detour into Plaza de las Cortes, to admire the impressive portico of the Congreso de los Diputados . Return to the Paseo del Prado and on your left is the Museo ThyssenBornemisza which will occupy the rest of the afternoon. Take the central boulevard to return to your starting point, Plaza de las Cibeles. traveldk.com A Day in Royal Madrid Morning Catch the first guided tour of the morning (10:30am) at the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales . On leaving, cross Plaza San Martín to Calle de Hilera, then turn right onto Calle del Arenal. Follow this busy street to Plaza de Isabel II, the best place to admire Madrid’s opera house, the Teatro Real. Follow Calle Felipe V alongside the theatre until you come to Plaza de Oriente and the Palacio Real . The palace is closed at least once a week for official functions but, if it is open, it is worth allocating an hour to looking around. There are plenty of places to eat in the vicinity of Plaza de Oriente, for example the café of the same name (see Café de Oriente). A plaque on the wall nearby reminds visitors that this was once the treasury house where the artist Velázquez had his studio. Afternoon After the frantic activity of the morning, enjoy a restful afternoon in the Casa de Campo park. If you didn’t lunch at a café, a picnic may be a good idea. You could stock up at the Oriente’s delicatessen, just round the corner at Calle Carlos III, 3 (see El Obrador del Café de Oriente). To get to Casa de Campo take the metro from Opera (on Plaza Isabel II) to Lago (line R to Principe Pío, then line 10). Here you can either enjoy a spot of peaceful sunbathing and people-watching, or take in one of the many attractions of the park. A Day’s Shopping Morning Leave Serrano metro station, heading south and limber up with a spot of window shopping on Salamanca’s main fashion drag. Turn left into Calle Columela – try not to pay too much attention to Mallorca’s mouthwatering displays of cakes and pastries – then left again into Calle Claudio Coello, a delightful street lined with private art galleries, antique shops and boutiques. Don’t miss Capa Sculptures (No. 19) and Monasterio Antígüedades (No. 21). Look left at Calle de Goya for the entrance to the shopping mall, El Jardín de Serrano . Cross Goya, then continue along Calle de Claudio Coello to Calle de Hermosilla. As many Spanish shops still take an extended lunch break and siesta from 2pm to 5pm, this is the perfect moment to stop for lunch. Choices abound, but leading contenders include Teatríz for more formal eating, the tapas bar at Estay or the reasonably priced pizza and pasta joint, Gino’s . Afternoon Give Calle de Hermosilla the once-over, then resume your walk on Calle Claudio Coello, which boasts designer names such as Angel Schlesser, Antonio Pernas and Cristina Castañer . At Calle de Ayala turn left to return to Calle de Serrano, where you can either ogle over the designer goods and dream, or blow your budget on a beautiful handbag or pair of shoes. 40 Suggested Itineraries
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