How to spend an afternoon in Madrid

Incredible weather, a fantastic nightlife and an effervescent cultural scene: it''s hard not to be jealous of the ?madrilenos? (as the locals are known in their native tongue). The city caters for all tastes, whether that is art, clubbing or soccer (with the world-famous Real Madrid team), so you''ll never be at a loss for something to do:

Visit the Royal Palace: impossibly grand and built on a ludicrous scale, it may take you more than an afternoon to see everything inside, but it is an idyllic place to while away a few hours, gazing at the beautiful collections of tapestries, paintings and ornate furniture within.

Take a stroll in the park: El Parque de Retiro is bang in the city centre and, in summer, a great place to relax and enjoy the sunshine. You''ll see many local families doing just that, or paddling in a rowboat on the pond.

See a bullfight: The Spanish capital is home to the country''s most skilful bullfighters (or ?toreadors?) who delight crowds in the main bullring: La Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas del Esp?ritu Santo.

Find a bargain at the Rastro: this is Madrid''s largest open air flea-market and is held every week from 9am till 3pm. The market is home to over 3500 different stalls and has laid claim to being the largest of its kind in Europe. Don''t be afraid to haggle to get a good deal.

Take a guided tour on an open-topped bus: you might stand out as a tourist, but it''s the perfect way of taking in the city sights if you''re on a tight schedule. Children up to the age of seven ride free, under 16s and over-65s are charged 8.50 euros and it costs 17 euros for a day ticket for an adult.

Get the cable-car experience: ?El teleferico?, Madrid''s cable car, carries visitors high above Casa de Campo park and the Manazares river and gives them breathtaking views of the city. On a clear day you''ll be able to see for miles around.

Chill out with chocolate con churros: after a hard morning of walking around the city, Chocolate con churros is a must. The local specialty consists of sticks of fried dough dipped in hot, thick chocolate: a real treat!

Article Source: http://www.casinoarticlessite.com

Caron Kristan is a freelance writer who was inspired to write this article by Octopustravel.com where you can book a variety of hotels including Madrid hotels.

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