Weekend in Madrid

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Madrid is the capital of Spain and should not be missed if you are thinking of visiting Espana.There are lots of places to stay, but this time I stayed in a hostel called Residencia Alvaro in the centre of Madrid, very close to the Plaza del Sol. It was good value for money, 129 euros for 3 nights. There is free internet, use of the kitchen and washing machine. It is a small hostel, only 7 rooms, some private some dorms but the staff are very friendly. Towels and linen are also provided and there was a tv and fan in our room.

I was only here for a weekend, but I would recommend 5 things to do in Madrid:

1. Take the tourist bus around the city. This gives you an overview of the whole city, you can hop on and hop off all day which is especially nice if it is a warm and sunny day. There is a lot to see, the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace.

2. Go to El Retiro - the park on the east of Madrid. While you are there, visit the botanical gardens (Jardin Botanico) entrance is 2 euros per person. There is a wide range of flowers and plants to see - if you like that sort of thing.

3. Eat Tapas - go to Cava Baja - there are lots of restaurants to choose from - not far from Plaza Mayjor. For more bars, you are just a short walk away from La Latina

4. Go out and Party - Madrid is the party town where bars open till up to 6am in the morning.

The Penthouse is an outdoor terrace bar on the top floor of the ME Madrid Reina Victoria- in the Plaza Santa Ana. It is open for hotel guests and the public, and once you arrive at the top floor, you can see panoramic views of the Plaza Santa Ana.

If that is not your thing - I can't imagine why it wouldn't be, then just a few metres away are a whole host of bars and restaurants in the Plaza and surrounding streets.

5. Plaza Mayor

This is Madrid's most famous plaza and is worth a visit. Have dinner or even a cerveza in the Plaza Mayor, then head off to Puerta del Sol. You can easily travel from Madrid to the other Spainish cities by bus or by train, next stop for me, was Valencia.