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ATIVE N R E T E AL
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GUIDE
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ITINERARIES
PERSONALITIES
TRENDS
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Cuatro Torres Business Area
Torres Kio Plaza de las Ventas
Cibeles Gran vía Puerta del Sol Santiago Bernabeu Palacio Real
Museo del Prado
Puerta de Alcalá
Casa de Campo
Parque del Retiro Plaza Mayor Museo Reina Sofía
El Rastro
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Estación de Atocha
EDITORIAL THE CLASSIC MADRID CHARACTERS OF THE PAST, the female Chulapas and male Manolos, would undoubtedly be stunned by the new image that traditional Madrid offers nowadays for its verbenas, those outdoor fairs known for wafer cornets and the smell of fresh-made churro dough sticks, traditional chotis dancing and flirtatious remarks. They would surely admire the imposing skyscrapers; the wide, garden-lined avenues; an underground railway network that is the envy of the world, and a Madrid Olympics project that brings together internationally prestigious, state of the art architectural schemes, the latest technical and environmental innovations, and a level of public support unheralded in the history of the modern Olympics. There’s also an avant-garde cultural programme that rubs shoulders with the likes of London and New York; one that includes museums, with the Triangulo del Arte - the Prado, Thyssen and Reina Sofía - at the fore; theatres that are filled with a varied offering that ranges from the classics to contemporary authors; the most prestigious orchestra
directors in the world visiting the Auditorio Nacional de Música without a second thought; designer restaurants and bars attracting ever more people; and shops and boutiques selling the latest in fashion, an added attraction for any visitor. All of this has helped forge the new welcoming and modern image of the Spanish capital. But what makes Madrid truly irresistible, what has tempted many of those who came as visitors to stay for ever, is much more ethereal, intangible and incalculable to the naked eye: the feeling of not being away, of not being ‘lent out’ but of being back home when you pay a visit. Madrid is an open city and one that pays little attention to where its visitors hail from. It is a crucible of cultures and a pillar of solidarity. With an unbreakable faith in liberty, the city pays due respect to all those natives of a thousand corners around the planet who feel at home in its streets, bars and parks. And all the while it is domed with that Velázquez blue sky that lights up its every nook and cranny.
STAFF +Published by Mediarama S. L: C/ Gran Vïa nº69 Oficina 403 28013 Madrid (+34) 915390263 / 915426553 advertising@magazinebabylonm.com +Adviser: Jorge Traver +Design: Iosu Palacios y Xabier Huici +Translation: David Ing. Proofreading: London School of Economics +Photographers: Mimi & Shotaro . +Collaborators: Plinio (skyline), Carmen Moreno (shopping) +Printed by Gráficas Gómez Boj Pol. Industrial el Plá. C/ El Plá nº39 08750 Molins de Rei Barcelona +Legal Deposit: B-25003-09
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LOADING Visual culture of the city
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BASICS Spotlights, curiosities and moments
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ARCHITECTURE The metropolitan metamorphosis ART The new cultural landmarks ENTERTAINMENT Funny times SHOPPING An alternative trendy tour MUSIC Listen the citie vibes GASTRONOMY All you can eat LITERATURE Parnassus streets
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CAST Starring by
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FEELINGS Photoemotions
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USEFULL INFORMATION
+Supported by:
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Metro The modern Metro system in Madrid has inherited the logo, the tile work and the guardrails of entwined ironwork of Antonio Palacios, the architect who was instrumental in promoting the urban image of the city.
Tiles One of the elements that characterize the streets in the centre of Madrid is its picturesque ceramic tiles, where you can not only read the name of the street but also discover its origins in the illustrations.
Mahou The history of Mahou, the Madrid beer par excellence, began in 1890, when Frenchman Casimiro Mahou opened his first brewery in calle Amaniel.
Tio Pepe Situated right on the Puerta de Sol, Madrid wouldn’t be the same without the illuminated ad that lights up the logo of sherry house Bodegas Tío Pepe, the work of Luis Pérez Solero. This and the one for Schweppes are ‘protected’ by the regional government as being part of the capital’s heritage.
Schweppes ad on Callao The Gran Vía wouldn’t be the same without the illuminated Schweppes billboard on the adjoining Plaza de Callao, an ad that has starred in two of the best films to be made in the capital.
Real Madrid vs. Atlético de Madrid Madrid has its heart split between the all-white merengues (meringues) of Real Madrid and the colchoneros of Atlético, named after the old mattresses (colchones), that were recovered with stripes of red and white, the same colours used by Atleti for their shirts.
SONGS TO DISCOVER THE CITY Pongamos que hablo de Madrid. Joaquín Sabina. Malas Compañías (1980) One of the ‘hymns’ of the capital. The songwriter from Jaen concentrates in a few verses his vision of a Madrid that is cruel but one he cannot leave. Concierto de Aranjuez. Miles Davis. Sketches of Spain (1959/60) Put on the headphones, head off towards the
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Plaza de Oriente at dusk, and press play. Miles’ genius will isolate you from all around, leaving you to feel the beauty of this very special area. Ahí te dejo Madrid. Shakira. Servicio de Lavandería (2001) The Colombian singer Shakira dedicated a song to Madrid for us to dance to until dawn, all to the catchy rhythm of Latin beat. Classic music for a pick up.
Confusion!!! Cycle. Weak on the rocks. (2005) If you want to lose yourself among the masses on Gran Vía and enjoy the chaos, get into the catchy melody of this electronic group from Madrid. Maybe. Jotamayúscula feat. Jean Grae. Camaleón (2006) Load your mp3 with this song and discover the ‘toughest’ side of the city on any Metro journey trhough the bowels of the metropolis.
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losing Park ay morning The Retiro ng any Sund the di en nd sp ou th ar It’s wor afy woods le e th ls bo g on of the sym yourself am Angel, one n of lle ty Fa ci e for the statue of th green lung e ic th at , ty em ili bl qu of this em e and tran the ge of peac fu nd re ou A ar y d. Madri stle and jo s, orms to bu , masseur park transf une-tellers rt fo r re ei he th w ll se ows and elegant lake to tists offer sh ar op d st an ho ns w magicia passers-by e variety of wares to th ten. look and lis
You don’t h ave to be a The Trian great art fa Meninas b gle of Art n to apprec y Velázquez ia te that in look yo u are viewin story with ing at Las g a masterp Picasso’s G uernica, or iece. It’s th or Miró. Li e same with any of kewise, yo the works u don’t nee fferent art of Goya, Dal d an exhau movemen í stive know ts to under ledge of th of the thre stand, from e e galleries d ithe length that make no other co and bread up this priv rner of the th ileged grou planet can dern colle ping, that you jump ctions of th in so ea e si Reina Sofía ly from th passing via e moto the Dutc the impres h school at sionist pain the Prado, tings of the Thyssen-B ornemisza .
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A tapas crawl through La Latina
The area between the plazas of Humilladero, de los Carros, de la Paja and de San Andrés in the traditional central district of La Latina is the most fashionable to go eating tapas at any time of the day, although it can be very difficult to find a space in a bar or on a terrace before lunch on Sundays. The squares and adjoining streets fill up with a colourful mix of fashion styles and trends, of conversations and laughter, all to the sound of street musicians and orders being shouted out loud.
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The Oriente Palace Everything th e visitor sees in this, the official reside nce of the Sp anish monar chs, is origin al and has re mained in its place throug h the centur ies, a unique occurrence that singles it out it from all other Eu ropean roya l palaces. Th Campo del M e oro gardens and the Plaza de la Armería enhance the beauty of the building even more if that’s possible.
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The Students’ Residence This centre was founded in 1910 with the aim of allowing the children of learned families to widen their education outside the university system. Geniuses like the painter Dalí, film-maker Buñuel and the poet Lorca, lived inside its walls. Others, such as Alberti, Unamuno, Ortega y Gasset, Einstein and Marie Curie were among the visitors.
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id s of Madr rict of The fiesta in the dist s ta es fi ay M 2 , cee Th San Isidro the day of after ed Malasaña; m na the district fair, a m lebrated in lo Pa ena de la rb ve e e th ; to him s out on th the chulapo io it ad tr that brings d the Madrid, an ta er Pu e streets of th in the grapes nal eating of Year’s Eve. ew N on a del Sol plaz
Multicultural Lavapiés An ancient district that was home to both Jews and Muslims during the Middle Ages, Lavapiés had been all but forgotten until a few years ago. Now this barrio has become the heart of the racial, cultural and social intermix that makes Madrid such a great meeting place.
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: the o ldest resta Found urant ed in in the 17 2 5 in th the re world staura e stre et of c nt has Its cele a b ll e e en ser brated Cuchil vin le dishes wood , the c g meals eve ros, beams e r sinc , il the br ings w resple e. ick v ith the nde ir ope its rep nt list of fam aults in the n c utation ellars, ous din grow and a ers, s year b erved y year to ma . ke
The Las Ventas bullring It is regarded as the most prestigious place on the planet to triumph as a bullfighter. The unmistakable neo-mudéjar style of architecture is proudly displayed on postcards and in guídebooks. For good reason, the bullring is one of the most outstanding symbols of the city.
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Why they call us gatos (cats) The origin of the madrileños nickn ame is unknown. However, there is a legend tha t says the custom began at the beginning of the 11th century at the foot of the Ar ab walls. The story goes that an intrepid soldier, an xious to get on wi th the attack, climbed the stone wall like a like a ca t, and was the first to start fighti ng with the defen ders.
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The P uerta de Al Opene ca d in 1778 b lá the A y Kin lcalá g Ca gat folk, wagg e was use rlos III, o d by ners all typ sales and t es as ravell an ac the C e r t s u ity al ent ry po of Witho and the P int to alace ut dou u b n t, it is of M the No til 1869. adrid 1 and landm its b emblem ark. est k nown
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stillas Dusk in the Las Vi from these garThe fabulous views the viaduct that dens, situated near govia, take in the crosses the calle Se nares river and course of the Manza rk. They make pa o the Casa de Camp to sit on one of the it well worthwhile the sun go down. benches and watch
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11 Calle Preciados ral reports as seve by d Classifie being the most expensive shop ling bust the ping area in Spain, betpedestrianized street runs o, Calla and Sol of as plaz the ween at the side of the Gran Vía. It is also ked reckoned to be the most wal pe. Euro of le street in the who
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The 2nd and 3rd of May These are the dates that mark the start of the revolt against the French troops who invaded Spain in 1808, and as such the most significant in the historical calendar of Madrid. The cemetery of La Florida, the monument to the fallen in the Plaza de la Lealtad and the canvas painted by Goya to commemorate those who were shot on the orders of General Murat are some of the reminders of what in a very decisive way helped to mould the noble yet rebellious character of the city’s inhabitants.
MTV Europ e Music A wards 2010 The Caja M ágica is th e site chos the 17th MTV en for European M usic Awar a mass ev ds, ent followed by 600 mill people wor io n ldwide that brings toge some of th ther e most w ell-known in internatio faces nal music. All the glam and glitz of our the MTV Aw ards, for th time ever in e first Madrid (7th november) .
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ARCHITECTURE ARCHITECTURAL METAMORPHOSIS Visitors arriving for the first time in Madrid, landing at the T4 terminal at Barajas airport or getting off the train at Chamartín station, will be surprised by the huge new districts and modern buildings that welcome them. Madrid airport’s spectacular T4 was designed by British architect Richard Rogers and is one of the symbols of the new Madrid, a city that in the last 10 years has become a world showcase for architecture. Norman Foster, Rafael Moneo (for his extension to the Museo del Prado) and Jean Nouvel (the extension to the Reina Sofía), have all chosen Madrid for developing their avant garde designs. Foster’s studio is also responsible for one of the four towers that make up the new financial centre of Madrid, the Torre de Caja Madrid. At 250 metres, it is the highest building in Spain. The El Cuatro Torres Business Area, located on the main Castellana thoroughfare, is one of the projects that best exemplifies the innovatory architecture that has been developed in the capital this century. Another of the objectives of this new urban vision is that avant garde should also be applied to social housing, and that care be taken to fit in with the setting of the city. This is the philosophy being followed at the Casa de Bambú (the Bamboo House) in the Carabanchel district, a building by Alejandro Zaera conceived to connect people and environment directly with the location, and which makes use of sustainable buildings mate-
MADRID SKYLINE MAP
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The Cuatro Torres Business Area
The main entrance to Casa Bambú
The exterior of La Caja Mágica.
Boulevard of Vallecas, a complete urban eco-system
rials. Another example is the bio climatic boulevard in the Ensanche de Vallecas area where its ‘trees of air’, made 90% from recyclable materials, help clean up the air and capture polluting gases. Over the next few years, a revival scheme for the banks
Caja Madrid Tower 250 mts
of the Manzanares River including the Caja Mágica, and new infrastructures being developed for Madrid’s Olympic games bid will conclude an urban renovation the likes of which have never been seen before.
Torrespaña 232 mts
Picasso Tower 157 mts
Madrid Tower 142 mts
TOMÁS ALÍA, INTERIOR DESIGN ARCHITECT
Tomás Alía has transformed quite a few of the capital’s trendiest spots.
When hardly anyone in Spain worried about interior decoration, Tomás Alía stole a march on the rest by giving his own style to the interiors of some of the trendiest clubs, restaurants and hotels in the capital. The work philosophy of this man from Toledo is based on achieving a “democratic interior design” that involves the location, the object and the people. What impact has Larios Café had on Madrid’s nightlife? It’s the job that got me known. Nightspots were not interested in interior design, but from then on people began to take pleasure in the idea of having a drink and enjoying a good time in a club that looks after the aesthetics.
Sacyr Vallehermoso Tower 236 mts
Which jobs are you most proud of? For being the first, El Larios Café (Silva 4); La Reina Bruja (Jacometrezo 6), because it’s well thought out from the idea of shape and lighting, and the hotel Room Mate Mario (Campomanes 4), a building where the interior represents my style to perfection. If you were to recommend a fun trail through Madrid to a foreigner, which places would you pick? To stay in, Room Mate Óscar (Plaza Vázquez de Mella 12) is brilliant. When I go out for tapas in the centre, I go for the traditional, el Delic (Plaza de la Paja) and el Bonano (Plaza Humilladero 4) are my favourites. At weekends, Cool and the Omh disco on Gran Vía are very good for dancing.
MYSTERIOUS BUILDINGS IGLESIA DE SAN GINÉS Just a few years after this 12th century church was built, thieves entered the building and cut the head off an old man A few weeks later, a headless ghost appeared in the church. PALACIO DE LINARES Possibly the most mysterious of all in Madrid. Since it was opened in 1900, several of those who have worked in this old palace of the marquises of Linares say they have heard noises and strange voices. MINISTERIO DE CULTURA It´s said that in the building two ghosts live together. One of them passes through the chimneys of the building every night and the other through the cellars. Both of them died in the building for love. Crystal Tower 249 mts
Space Tower 223 mts
Europa Tower 121 mts
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ART THE NEW ARRIVES IN THE TRIANGLE
The biggest concentration of art museums in the world, the Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza which make up Madrid’s ‘Triangle of Art’, have been joined recently by some new companions that have strengthenned even further, if that’s possible, the unbeatable cultural riches of Madrid.
CAIXAFÓRUM
MATADERO
Paseo de Recoletos 23 Mon from 14 a 21 h. Tue-Sat to 10 a 21 h. Sun and hol from 12 to 20 h.
Paseo de la Chopera 14 Mon to Sun from 10 a 22 h.
Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, the Swiss architects who won the Pritzker prize in 2001, were signed up to restore this jewel of Madrid’s industrial architecture. A spectacular building, located right on the Castellana, it is designed tio cater for all types of visitor. Here you can see contemporary art, temporary exibitions, concerts, conferences and social and educational events.
The new headquarters of the Mapfre Foundation in the Paseo de Recoletos involved the remodelling of a luxurious palace built between 1881 and 1884 to the design of architect Agustín Ortiz de Villajo for the Duchess of Medina de las Torres. The area set aside for exhibitions covers 1,000 m2 and is divided between three rooms.
This former slaughter house (matadero) is the new cultural symbol of Madrid. Covering 148,300 m2 in the centre of the city, it has been transformed into an integrated centre for the arts, a meeting place for the creation of plastic, scenic and visual arts, literature, music, design and architecture.
CASA ENCENDIDA
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FUNDACIÓN MAPFRE
Paseo del Prado 36 Mon to Sun, from 10 to 20 h.
CIRCO PRICE
FUNDACIÓN CANAL
Ronda Valencia 2 All days from 10 to 21.30 h except hol.
Ronda Atocha 35 Ticket office: Tue to Sun from 11 to 20 h.
Mateo Inurria 2 Mon to Sun from 11 h to 20 h, Sun and hol from 11.00 h to 14.00 h.
This new cultural corner, located in a neo-mudejar style building that first opened in 1913, has more than 6,500 m2 of multi-purpose installations, is aimed at different disciplines to suit all different tastes. The objective is to relate culture and art with ecology, the environment, integración and solidarity.
Ever since the demolition of the last permanent circus in Madrid, the Price in 1970, the circus community and the public in general had been hungering for a new one to be set up. An old biscuit factory has been used to build a scenario that aims to be a point of contact between popular scenic arts and new types of spectacle.
This former pumping station, located beneath an elevated water tank on the Plaza de Castilla, is now the headquarters of the Fundación Canal. Its mission is to make people aware of the need to protect the environment and water, through the organization and sponsorship of a series of artistic, cultural, historical, scientific and applied research activities.
FROM MADRID TO HEAVEN The sky of Madrid that so inspired Goya and Velázquez is a good enough reason for visitors to raise their eyes upwards. But in their must-do walk along the Gran Vía, calle Alcalá and the Atocha-Paseo del Prado-Recoletos stretch, they will also come across some of the city’s curious mythological statues silhouetted against that sky. These watchmen on high started appearing in the second half of the 19th century, when the city’s best known line-up of the gods - Cibeles, Apollo and Neptune – were already in place in the Paseo del Prado, all of them created during the reign of Carlos III. It was time to make room for new political and financial institutions in the historic centre of the capital, and these began to crown their imposing buildings with Greek and Roman style statues that symbolized their newly found power. At the top of the Círculo de Bellas Artes building on Alcalá is a bronze statue to Minerva, goddess of wisdom and the arts, the work of José Luis Vasallo. Vulcano, god of fire, is part of a group statue designed by Jerónimo Pedro Mathet for the headquarters of insurance company Seguros La Estrella at Gran Vía 10, in which he appears alongside his wife Venus, goddess of love, and Pandora, the first woman on earth. Two chariots, the work of sculptor Higinio Basterra, form the finishing touch to the Banco de Bilbao building on Alcalá. The last mythological element in the city is the winged Victoria that rules the Metrópolis building, the work of Federico Coullaut Valera. Keep your eyes wide open and discover for yourself the wonders hidden among Madrid’s own sculptural Olympus.
UNNOTICED WONDERS
GOYA AND THE FRESCOS OF SAN ANTONIO DE LA FLORIDA In what is known as ‘Madrid’s Sixtine Chapel,’ Goya stole a march on the expressionism of the 20th century and brought religion closer to the people by painting beggars, blind people, labourers and knaves above the holy figures. The remains of the master painter from Aragon are buried in this small church.
LA DAMA DE ELCHE This bust of a woman, whose elegant hair-do reminds you of Princess Leia, was sculpted from limestone around the 4th or 5th centuries before Christ. A unique and unbeatable example of the culture of the Iberians, it’s on display at the Museo Arqueológico Nacional.
WALL AND PIECE Madrid has opened up to urban art. Internationally known artists like SpY and Suso 33, who have already seen their graffiti exhibited at the Reina Sofía, and initiatives like M.A.D.R.I.D.28045 and the Festival Cultura Urbana, have strengthened the links between public and artistic space in the city.
MUSEO ARTE PÚBLICO Underneath a bridge that links the streets of Eduardo Dato and Juan Bravo, passers-by can enjoy the best of modern Spanish sculpture: from Julio González, Alberto Sánchez, Pablo Serrano and Miró... One that stands out is the Sirena varada (the beached siren) by Eduardo Chillida.
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ENTERTAINMENT
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THE GRAN BROADWAY
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The year 1909. After various failed attempts, French banker Martin Albert Silver decided to finance a project to build a wide avenue to help ease the flow of traffic in the city centre. The Gran Vía was to be a key factor in the modernization of Madrid, and it didn’t take long to become the heart of the city’s leisure and culture scene. History breathes in this century old street. A bit over a kilometre long, it has had eight official names, only receiving the current one in 1981. This new boulevard changed the lives of Madrileños, who watched as the pavements filled with cinemas, theatres and grand hotels. Nightlife started to liven up with casinos and party rooms like Pasapoga; and classic American-style bars, of which legendary examples like the Chicote still exist. It was in the Gran Vía where the first department store in the country - SEPU (Sociedad Española de Precios Únicos) – opened. Here, too, were erected the city’s first skyscrapers, like Edificio Callao, a building clearly influenced by the Chicago School, and the Edificio Telefónica, which combines the American style of its structure with the Baroque of its façades. In its day it was the highest in Europe. Although the passing of time has taken its toll and many of the original buildings no longer exist, -of the 12 cinemas initially only four now remain -, the Gran Vía still maintains much of the style of when it was born. The 41 hotels here, three theatres, two museums, and a multitude of restaurants and fashion shops back this up. From the spectacular entrance to the Metrópolis building – whose angel looks out on the city and marks the start of the street –to the Plaza de España, this famous, historic avenue is, has been and will be the main reference point for leisure and entertainment and a favourite spot for the millions of tourists who flood along it each year. Not in vain did Hemingway come to define it back in the 1950s as a European mixture of New York’s Broadway and Fifth Avenue. The show must go on.
GV FOCUS
CHICOTE MUSEUM, Gran Vía 12 Opened by Perico Chicote in 1931, it is a benchmark in the leisure and cultural life of Madrid. Among the many who have visited are Bette Davis, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly, Ernest Hemingway, Gary Cooper, Orson Welles and Ava Gardner.
FILM SET The street has served as scenario for many films. Worth pointing out are El Día de la Bestia, in which Santiago Segura appears hanging from the legendary illuminated Schweppes located in the Edificio Callao ad, and Abre los ojos, with Eduardo Noriega walking along a totally deserted Gran Vía.
GRAN VIA MUSICALS Madrid is officially the number three city in the number of musicals it stages, only beaten by New York and London. Even the current crisis has not been able to reduce the average figure of almost 2.5 million spectators who each year pass the ticket offices of theatres like the Lope de Vega and Compac.
HOW TO ENJOY MADRID CINEMA
CASINO
1. - Kinépolis, the biggest cinema complex in the world. Ciudad De La Imagen, Pozuelo de Alarcón 2. - Renoir, films with original soundtrack (VO) Plaza de los Cubos. Metro Plaza de España. 3. - Cines Doré, the exhibition halls for the Filmoteca Española C/ Sta Isabel 3. Metro Antón Martín. KIDS
1. - Casino de Torrelodones, blackjack, poker, and you can even get married here! A6 motorway, exit 29. Bus from Plaza Colón. 2. - Zarzuela horse racetrack, selected Sundays A6 motorway, exit km 8. Bus from Moncloa (free on race days). 3.- Bingo Las Vegas. 4,500 m2 of floor area C/Hermanos Garcia Noblejas 17. Metro Ciudad Lineal. SCIENCE
1. - Warner Bros Park, the theme park of Bugs Bunny & Co. M301 road, km 15500, San Martin de la Vega. Suburban train stop: Parque de Ocio. 2.- Zoo Aquarium de Madrid, Casa de Campo Casa de Campo s/n (no number). Metro Casa de Campo. 3. - Aquópolis, the Madrid water park. Avenida Dehesa s/n, Villanueva De La Cañada. Buses from Moncloa and Príncipe Pío. SPORT
1. - Planetario de Madrid, the planetarium for looking at the stars Avda del Planetario 16, Parque Tierno Galván. Metro Arganzuela-Planetario. 2. - Cosmocaixa, the science museum of the Fundación La Caixa foundation C/Pintor Velazquez s/n, Alcobendas. Metro Marqués de la Valdabia. 3.- Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid, flower garden right in the ‘Triángulo del Arte’ Plaza Murillo 2, alongside the Museo del Prado. Metro Atocha. ROMANTICISM
1. - Madrid Snowzone, ski-ing on covered slope Centro Comercial Xanadú. Bus from Príncipe Pío. 2. - Santiago Bernabeu, the temple of football Paseo de la Castellana 140. Metro Santiago Bernabeu. 3.- La Caja Mágica, the Olympic project Parque Lineal del Manzanares. Metro San Fermín-Orcasur.
1. - Eurostar Madrid Tower, Jacuzzis at a height of 235 metres Paseo de la Castellana 261. Metro Plaza de Castilla. 2. - Temple of Debod, the most romantic dawn in Madrid Paseo del Pintor Rosales s/n. Metro Plaza de España. 3.- Restaurante La Favorita, dining among tenors C/Covarrubias 25. Metro Bilbao.
THE CYCLIST GREEN RING Who said Madrid has no cycle paths? How many times have you heard that “in Madrid it’s impossible to ride a bike”? Thanks to the new Anillo Verde Ciclista it’s now possible to ride around and enjoy the capital using pedal power. Divided into six stretches, starting and finishing in the Las Tablas district, the Anillo Verde connects the outermost districts of the city. There are also many intermediate cycle paths (like the one for the Manzanares, which runs parallel with the river) that end up in the built-up part of the city. There’s still quite a
bit to do, with new routes that will connect the historic centre with the ring now under way. One example is a future cycle way being built that will reach the Retiro Park. Among other measures being planned are improvements to the riding surfaces, sign posting and the maintenance of trackside gardens. The Anillo Verde Ciclista is now a reality with plenty of future, another demonstration of the ecological will of the people of Madrid.
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SHOPPING A FASHION ITINERARY Spain’s capital city brings together in its streets and shopping districts the best-known names in international design with the best of what they have to offer as well as the audacious offerings of new talent. In Madrid, a T-shirt at 20 euros gets the same shelf space as a designer one at 6,000, the trick being in which district you buy it. The explosive mix of the different areas, each with its own identity, makes the districts in themselves interesting destinations for tourists who love shopping. A virtual tour through the corners of the Madrid fashion scene helps us get to know some of the capital’s main shopping areas. The most central of these, known for their quality at good prices, are the exclusive districts of the so-called Golden Mile (Salamanca and Chamberí), which each season renew their stock with a mix of avant garde and exclusivity. At the other end of the scale you can find shops full of colour, fashion and social conscience in Malasaña, Fuencarral, and Chueca, the emblematic bastions of avante garde fashion in Madrid with their second-hand, vintage and retro offerings. As in all Europeran capitals, Madrid has an extensive network of mega fashion complexes on the edge of town. Prices there are very competitive, as most of them are tax-free and factory outlets.
FASHION EVENTS IN MADRID EL EGO The punchiest platform for young Spanish designers is now in its tenth season. Designers like Alba Blanco, Amai Rodríguez, Joan Fábregas, or Potipoti have made their names here.
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THE MADRID INTERNATIONAL FASHION SALON This catwalk –celebrated twice a year – has become an indisputable benchmark for the international clothing industry. The 63th edition attracted 408 exhibitors and 604 brand names, most oh them from the Spanish market.
CIBELES MADRID FASHION WEEK Celebrated twice a year, in February and September, at IFEMA, the Feria de Madrid exhibition complex, this is a must do event for the world’s top designers (and one that’s not without its controversies). Fashion is alive, that’s for sure.
THE NEW GOLDEN MILE VS MALASAÑA EXCLUSIVITY IN THE RENEWED GOLDEN MILE The Salamanca district is regarded as the city’s most glamorous, exclusive and chic. Not for nothing are the luxury boutiques concentrated here around streets such as Castelló, Goya, Velazquez, Jorge Juan, Príncipe de Vergara and Ortega y Gasset…
THE ALTERNATIVE WAY OF LIFE Modernity in its purest state in Chueca, Malasaña, and the latest in cool districts in the area, TriBall. Two hundred metres from calle Fuencarral, this is the first ‘brand district’ in Spain, along the lines of Nolita and Tribeca in New York and Soho in London. Paintings and retro design. Bolsa,10 Budo is a multi-discipline store with its own small exhibition room. With its ‘50s feel, in Budo you can find some of the latest creations from independent fashion designers like Freddy Gaviria.
Between numbers 10 and 16 Ortega y Gasset you’ll find some of the top international firms: the prèt a porter of Italian fashion house Versace; Hermes, with its habitual and exquisite elegance or the sophistication and avant garde of Dolce&Gabanna… In Serrano, Loewe attracts with its exclusive clothes and accesories both for women, at number 26, and for men, at 34. It shouldn’t be forgotten that Spanish fashion has also claimed space for itself in the most exclusive district of the capital. Jewellery has a big part to play in this prestigious central district of Madrid. The shop windows of Suárez, Cartier and the distinguished Bvlgari exhibit diamonds to be admired.
ATYPICAL SHOPS CASA DE DIEGO. Puerta del Sol 12 A maker of fans, umbrellas and manton de Manila shawls since 1823. Their experience has won them orders from royal houses from all over the world. GALLO. Claudio Coello 97 Welcome to the paradise of multi-coloured socks Couture, Tailoring, Classic and Collection- right in the centre of Madrid. They also sell beach wear, lingerie, bags and silk ties. PAPAYA. Juan Bravo 26
Modernity . Pérez Galdós, 3 The hairdresser Juan, por Dios started up quite a few years back when Chueca still didn’t have many places like this. A coffee and a good book . Apodaca 3. The writer Soledad Puértolas and painter Leopoldo Pita wanted to open up a place that mixed the concepts of library, café, bar and exhibition room. At weekends it stays open until two in the morning for drinks.
One of the best for accessories. The collection of earrings, brooches and some of the foulards and designs by Antik Batik and La Bella Lola are spectacular. DAK TAK. Hilarión Eslava 44 and 51. While you can travel out to Xanadú leisure centre with its indoor artificial ski slopes, as hard as you look there are no pistes but this shop sell winter sports lovers all the gear they need. TEMPLO DE SUSU. Espíritu Santo 1
The shopping centres of the Salamanca district exude an air of elitism and distinction. Check out the exclusiveness of Jardín de Serrano (Goya, 6-8) or ABC Serrano (Serrano, 61), where the modernity of the shopping area fuses with the old history.
Dolores Promesas . Desengaño, 22. Tula and Trini, the faithful female dog and cat of the designer, started off as symbols on the name tags of Dolores Promesas, just like her own image which was stamped in a thousand different ways on her T shirts.
A shop that’s been going for quite a while, and one of the pioneers in the city in selling second hand clothes. Most of the clothes have a touch of the ‘60s and ‘70s.
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MUSIC MESTIZAJE MYSPACE
Since that musical whirlpool known as the ‘movida madrileña’, the capital has always been a laboratory for the latest musical trends. The boom in immigration at the end of the 1990s has fed the metropolis with musical influences from around the world. A good example is the small district of Lavapiés, where more than 88 different nationalities live together. – an area that has made this cross-breeding (mestizaje) its banner. Jazz, reggeatton and African rhythms have managed
to co-exist and mix with deep-rooted national music, creating an unlikely cocktail. The dozens of jam sessions flourishing in the city have become a perfect setting for local musicians or those just passing through to get feedback from each other in these frenetic, improvised and usually free sessions. The animated street life and tolerant attitude have favoured a fusion of eclectic musical styles. Popular kettle drum sessions in the Retiro, spontaneous singing in the streets of la Latina, freestyle rap in Malasaña... these are just some of the places where you can find out about the true beat of the city: its music. But the Madrid musical scene doesn’t live on mestizaje alone. There are many young groups who, partly thanks to the web, are starting to surprise critics from home and abroad. The singer-songwriter folk-rocker Russian Red, swingers No Reply, and the impossible to classify Vetusta Morla are just some of the acts that have taken their first steps here. These groups are starting to get top billings – a space previously reserved for time-honoured stars – and to find their way on to the programmes of leading festivals. The festivals in themselves are another of the city’s big attractions, with prestigious events being held throughout the year for nearly all the different styles. Come and discover how Shakira, Maná and Joaquin Sabina all fell for Madrid.
TOP GARITOS JAZZ Calle 54. Paseo de la habana 3 Clamores. Calle Alburquerque 14 Segundo Jazz. Calle Comandante Zorita 8
SOUL/FUNK/HIPHOP La boca del lobo. Calle Echegaray 11 Kathmandú. Calle Señores del Luzón 3 Sala el Sol. Calle de los jardines 3
ELECTRONIC Macumba. Plaza de la Estación de Chamartín s/n Sala Heineken. Calle Princesa 1 Pacha. Calle Barceló 11
THE MADRILENIAN GROOVE Yes, it was a bit frivolous and suffered from excesses. Even so, you cannot deny the legacy left to us by this colourful rainbow that emerged after 40 years of the leaden grey skies of the Franco regime. It has to remembered that Pedro Almodóvar, now recognised by just about everybody as being the best Spanish film director of all time, grew out of this movement with his frenzied
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group Almodóvar & McNamara. His film Laberinto de Pasiones is a true portrait of that mad Madrid of the ‘80s. The atmosphere of those times can still be revived at some of the dens that are still going, places like Morocco, where occasionally you find yourself going back 25 years to dance to the rhythms of Alaska and Los Pegamoides.
POP/ROCK Vía Láctea. Calle Velarde 18 Honky Tonk. Calle Covarrubias 24 Siroco. Calle San Dimas 3
BREATHING FLAMENCO It’s been a long time since the roots of flamenco extended from the south to the capital of Spain. Madrid has now become one of the nerve centres for the art; not only because this is the city where the artists have to come –the writer singer Camarón de la Isla is the best example - to triumph, but also for the enormous number of bars and quality tablaos you find here for enjoying flamenco. It’s in the Austrias district, between the Puerta del Sol, the Palacio de Oriente and La Latina, that you’ll find the biggest concentration of venues. The most famous are the historic Corral de la Morería, which has been visited over the years by people like John F. Kennedy and Nicole Kidman; or the legendary Casa Patas; or the Cardamomo of the magical musical
evenings known as veladas. But the best thing is to let yourself be led by the ‘imp of the night’ and leave it to chance. Having dinner or a drink at the same time as enjoying the show , and in good company, can make for a magical night out in Madrid. The city also hides another world linked to flamenco, although one that’s little known: that of the luthiers. These are the artisans who ever since the 19th century have been making flamenco guitars by hand. In Madrid, this tradition is still preserved in its purest form. Dozens of little shops – especially around the Glorieta de Bilbao area- spread around a city that breathes flamenco.
INTERVIEW WITH SARA LEZANA
DANCER, ACTRESS AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE BALLET FLAMENCO DE MADRID.
c Javier Nadal
What is flamenco for you? Shouting, rebelliousness. Tell us about your company? With very young people, we are trying to spread the meaning of flamenco, adapting it to modern times while always maintaining its origins. What do you like most about Madrid? I love that Madrid is so open, and that everybody who comes here feels
like they are Madrileños. You’ve won awards in Asia, have performed in Fidel Castro’s Cuba... what moment do you remember as having the most effect on you? The most magical moment I have experienced was a dawn in the 70s, singing with some Greek friends in the Parthenon. A song for Madrid? The chotis Madrid, by the Mexican Agustín Lara.
MADRID FESTIVALS KLUBBERS DAY All the different electronic styles get together for Klubbers Day, an obligatory call for lovers of electronic music in the capital. April SUMA FLAMENCA Suma Flamenca, through its own effort, has become one of the points of reference festivals in Spain. May-June MADRID JAZZ FESTIVAL In its more than 25 years of history, the Festival de Jazz de Madrid has hosted the leading jazzmen and bands of the century. October-November. CULTURA URBANA The recently established Cultura Urbana festival brings together each year a select line up of national and international rap. May.
MADRID MUSIC ABROAD
DOVER
RADIO FUTURA
LA EXCEPCIÓN DIEGO EL CIGALA
MECANO
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GASTRONOMY THE NEW MECCA OF GASTRONOMY Since time immemorial, Madrid has been a sort of gastronomic crucible where all the national and international culinary trends converge, and it has become the best city in Spain in knowing how to adapt to the evolution of gastronomy over the last few years. Instead of throwing itself headfirst at the charms and frills of creative nouvelle cuisine or, on the contrary, to remain anchored in the past, the city has like no other known how to combine tradition and avant garde, to enter the 21st century as the benchmark among Spanish cities when it comes to gastronomy; for its heterogeneity but, above all, for its authenticity. The Spanish capital receives more than seven million visitors a year, and gastronomy is increasingly one of the main reasons, especially when we are talking about foreign visitors. An example of the growing interest in the art of cooking in the city is that each year Madrid becomes the international capital of gastronomy with the holding of the culinary summit known as Madridfusión, an event that since 2003 has brought together the leading chefs in the world. Among them, and for quite a long while now, is the young Madrid chef Mario Sandoval, the best example of the fusion between culinary roots and the latest trends. There are more than 3,000 places in Madrid where you can enjoy the pleasure of eating a meal or tapas in all its sizes and possibilities. Nine of these already have a star rating in the Michelín Guide, the world’s Bible of gastronomy. Restaurants like La Terraza del Casino, with Ferran Adriá as consultant and Paco Roncero as chef; the new Sergi Arola Gastro, from the irrepressible Sergi Arola; the very modern El Chaflán and Santceloni; the traditional Zalacaín and Zaranda, or the exclusive Club Allard and Alboroque, are now and for ever essential names in the world of Spanish cooking.
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THE MAGNIFICENT FOUR THE MOST EXCLUSIVE The Asador Donostiarra is one of the most traditional places in the capital. If you’re lucky, you may bump into one of the players from Real Madrid. | Infanta Mercedes 79
THE CHEAPEST One example is enough to give you an idea. For the price of just one small glass of beer at Casa Pepe you can eat six chicken wings. | C/ Celanova 19
THE MOST TRADITIONAL
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Casa Paco is traditional through and through. The marvellous dining room is decorated with photos of some of the famous people who have eaten there. | Plaza Puerta Cerrada 11
THE MOST EXCEPTIONAL We won’t tell you any more: at La Favorita restaurant the waiters sing opera as they serve the meals. | Calle de Covarrubias 25
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BEST TRADITIONAL DISHES LUCIO BLÁZQUEZ, THE KING OF CAVA BAJA
GALLINEJAS Born in the district of Legazpi, this originally humble recipe based on a fry-up of lambs’ offal has moved on from being a working-class dish to a delicacy – usually accompanied by chips – which only the most traditional and authentic of bars keep serving.
COCIDO MADRILEÑO
CHURROS & PORRAS
This stew is the Madrid dish par excellence, and by tradition included on restaurant menus of the day on Wednesdays. It comes in three parts: soup, chickpeas and different types of sausage. It’s such a heavy dish that at the Boñar de León restaurant they offer a trip to the Canary Islands to anyone who can finish it.
Breakfasting on these simple yet tasty sweet doughs is a tradition (and a pleasure) that’s very deep-rooted in the city. They can be dunked in white coffee or in a chocolate drink. The chocolate drinking house, San Ginés, on the calle Arenal near Puerta del Sol, is a legendary place to try them.
Mercado de San Miguel (Plaza de San Miguel) Built in 1916, this market building is the only remaining example in Madrid of what is referred to as ‘iron’ architecture. Today it is a modern complex that combines leisure and exclusive gastronomy, without losing its vocation of being a traditional market.
CALLOS There are various specialities of callos (tripe) in Spain, but the Madrid one is the most famous. The recipe was made popular by Lhardy in the 19th century when it was included on the restaurant’s menu. Since then, callos have been an icon of Madrid cooking.
Mercado de la Paz (Ayala 28) This market opened in 1882 and is one of the most emblematic in the capital. Situated right in the heart of the Salamanca district, it offers its select customers a wide range of top quality products.
After more than 30 years, restaurateur Lucio Blázquez, known in the capital as the Tabernero Mayor de Madrid (the tavern-keeper of the city), is still King. He founded the restaurant Casa Lucio in 1974, in the authentic Calle de la Cava Baja, a place that has since become a cultural benchmark in the city. Apart from counting the Royal Family among his regular clients, there are few personalities coming to Madrid who don’t pass by Casa Lucio. What is the secret of the famous smashed eggs at Casa Lucio? The coal stove, and timing them just right. Which famous people did it impress you most to see in your restaurant? Sandro Pertini and Severo Ochoa. What’s the most valuable virtue of an innkeeper? Discretion and friendly treatment. What is left for you to do? My memoirs. Mercado de Maravillas (Bravo Murillo 122) The influx of immigrants has breathed new life into this district market that first opened in 1942. It’s the biggest in Madrid and the one with the most varied selection of products. More than 8,000 m2 where you can find a veritable melting pot of foods at the best prices.
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LITERATURE BARRIO DE LAS LETRAS “Never in the history of universal culture has there been so much concentration of talent in four or five streets.”(Arturo Pérez-Reverte). Don’t miss this mustdo walk through streets frequented by the geniuses of Spain’s Golden Century.
1 Casa de Cervantes (Cervantes 2) The author of ‘Quijote’ moved house several times in Madrid. An inscription recalls the house where Cervantes died in 1616.
2 Casa de Góngora and Quevedo (Lope de Vega 17) Two of the best poets in Spanish literature lived here, one in front of the other. They hated each other.
8 10 4
11
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1 2 6
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4 Teatro de la Comedia (Príncipe 14) Opened in 1875, this theatre has witnessed the passing of several generations of leading Spanish actors, as well as some excitable political meetings.
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3 Casa-Museo de Lope de Vega (Cervantes 11) The house where the poet, novelist and greatest Spanish playwright lived; Lope de Vega was known as the “best of the ingenious”.
5 Calle Huertas Read the quotations of Cervantes, Lope, Quevedo and Góngora that you’ll find stamped in bronze on the paving.
6 La Iglesia de San Sebastián (Atocha 39) This church houses the remains of Lope de la Vega. The register includes the baptisms, weddings and funerals of many leading literary celebrities.
7 Imprenta de Juan de la Cuesta (Atocha 87) A commemorative plaque records the site of the printing house from where the first editions of Don Quijote de la Mancha appeared in 1605.
8 Teatro de la Comedia (Príncipe 14) Opened in 1875, this theatre has witnessed the passing of several generations of leading Spanish actors, as well as some excitable political meetings.
9 Ateneo de Madrid (Prado 21) Built in 1884, this building figured in many of the political and cultural movements during the first third of the 20th century.
10 Callejón de Álvarez Gato Its deforming mirrors are a symbol of the ‘fright’ that Valle-Inclán portrayed in Madrid in his drama ‘Luces de Bohemia’.
11 Teatro Español (Príncipe 25) At the Corral de la Pacheca theatre, today the Teatro Español, Madrileños watched the first nights of the works of Calderón and Lope de Vega.
12 Convento de las Trinitarias (Lope de Vega 18) The nuns from the Trinitarias convent paid the ransom to free Cervantes from the Algerian dungeons where he was imprisoned for five years. His remains are buried inside.
SIX NOVELS SET IN MADRID
Publisher : (Still no translated) Alfaguara
Publisher in English : Penguin Classics
Un día de cólera
La Busca
La colmena.
Arturo Pérez-Reverte (2008)
Pío Baroja (1904)
Camilo José Cela (1951)
Through the hand of the author, the events of 2 and 3 May 1808 are narrated by the actual protagonists as they move through pages of history that they themselves wrote. It’s a book that takes us back to a lost and forgotten Madrid, one of market gardens and convents.
A portrait of the rougher parts of the city, the slums and poor areas where the villains of 1900 move with ease gives us a vision of the other Madrid in this masterpiece of Baroja’s literature.
Publisher in English : Biblio Bazaar
A post Civil War Madrid that’s dirty, miserable, destroyed and hungry can almost be smelt through the pages of this marvellous novel, the most important of Cela’s work, with the Publisher in English : action taking place during a few Dalkey Archive Press days in 1942.
Fortunata y Jacinta
Luces de Bohemia
Tiempo de Silencio.
Benito Pérez-Galdós (1886-1887)
Ramón María del Valle-Inclán (1920)
Luis Martín Santos (1962)
Madrid at the end of the 19th century is faithfully reproduced in this magnificent novel, considered the best written by Galdós. The ambience of the cafés, the First Republic and the restoration of the monarchy, the differences between classes, the hypocrisy in society at the time…All of it is reflected in this book.
The last hours in the life of a failed writer allow the reader to move around early 20th century Madrid and see how street fights, misery and envy laid in wait for one at the turn Publisher in English : of every corner.
The cafés and their tertulia gatherings, the boarding houses that provided a roof for the many immigrants arriving from the countryside, the throb of life at the end of the 1940s, Publisher in English : full of difficulty but also of hope Columbia University Press – that’s the Madrid of Martín Santos.
Café Gijón Opened in 1888, the Gijón soon became a home for artists, writers and poets. Its legendary gatherings, the smell of cigarette smoke and an intense aroma of coffee were all to become emblems of an unrepeatable era.
Café del Espejo The café’s Art-Nouveau style pavilion, located right on the Paseo de Recoletos, is undoubtedly one of the preferred places for many Madrileños to get under cover and have a drink on a cold autumn evening.
Aris & Philips
CAFES LITERARIOS
Café Comercial The doyen of the literary cafés, it has been running without interruption since 1887, and still today is perhaps the best place to sit down, drink a good coffee and read a book.
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WILLY. BARMAN
He studies Economy in the Complutense University of Madrid. During the weekend he works as a cocktail waiter. “ Madrid is the city of the opportunities. I can pay my degree because I found this job. In another different city it couldn’t be like that”.
ÁNGEL MAURI. WAFER SELLER
Ángel has been working as a wafer seller for 25 years, and can be found in the Plaza de Oriente. “You don’t earn that much. Partly I do it to keep up a tradition that dates back to the 19th century”.
DOLLY. DRAG QUEEN OF THE GULA GULA
JOSE ANTONIO MORINOS. SELLER OF SQUID ROLLS
“I am here because I love the show. If not this, I would have been a civil servant, working in prisons” .
“Before we only sold wine and aguardiente (schnapps). The squid roll has been the top seller for 60 years. We sell a thousand a day”.
At No 1 Gran Vía is the Gula Gula, the first restaurant with a drag queen show in the city. Dolly is the veteran of the performers, having spent 12 years entertaining the clients.
He’s one of the old guard at the Museo del Calamar. If you’d come to Madrid more than 30 years ago, it’s possible Juan Antonio would have served you.
LAURA, PAULA & CATERINA. ERASMUS STUDENTS.
Madrid is one of the most popular destinations for Erasmus students. Laura – in the centre of the photo – supports it.
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“I really enjoy the party atmosphere of the city”.
EMILIO AND EMILIO. HEAVY ANARCHISTS OF THE GRAN VÍA
They have spent five years sat on the benches of the Gran Vía. They’ve seen plenty of people passing by during these years, “including extra terrestrials”. “We’re from these parts, all our lives, but we’ve been coming here for five years. Our work consists of being free. We believe in anarchy, and in life”.
APOLLO. FLOWER SELLER
He came to Madrid from Bangladesh. He has since brought his family over and every day tries to make sure his flowers look prettier than those of his rivals. “I like my job. You know? One rose, one euro, he giggles“.
JESÚS. LOTTERY TICKET SELLER.
Jesús hands out luck on a corner of the Puerta del Sol. You can usually find him near the La Mallorquina cake shop. “I sell around 400 tickets at weekends”.
ROBERTO. CLOWN TORERO
He’s Argentinean, and instead of the clown’s usual cut off trousers and boots he prefers the traje de luces (suit of lights) worn by bullfighters. He dresses up every Sunday to go through the traditional bullfighter passes with his cape (capotear) in the calle Cuchilleros. “I’ve never fought a bull. For me, bulls are for watching on the telly. My idol is Esplá.”.
PURLEGUIS. STREET ARTIST
More than 50 nationalities live in the Lavapiés district. Purleguis arrived from Cuba three years ago and is one of the many street artists in the metropolis. “Before, I used to be a taxi driver, but somebody stole my car. Now I sell necklaces. I enjoy my work because I get to know a lot of people every day”.
FEELINGS
The senses of the city
Sight: Goya immortalized the panorama from Las Vistillas park, without doubt one of the best picture postcard views in the city.
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Smell: Breath in the heady aroma of the flower market on the typical Plaza de Tirso de Molina.
Hearing: The traditional Sunday drumming sessions have turned Retiro Park into a real party.
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Touch: Dance until you drop, living the unrepeatable experience of a night in Madrid.
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Taste: You can’t say you have been to Madrid if you haven’t tasted the delicious tapas on offer in the bars around the Plaza Mayor.
USEFULL INFORMATION AEROPUERTO DE BARAJAS AIRPORT Carretera de Barcelona, km 16 902 40 47 04 AEROPUERTO T1-T2-T3 / AEROPUERTO T4 Bus lines L 101 from Canillejas (T1, T2, T3) L 200 from Avenida de América (T1, T2, T3) L 204 from Avenida de América (T4) Long-distance buses 822 (T1), 827 & 828 (T4) Coslada- Airport (T1, T2, T3) Shuttle bus Special free connexion service between the four terminals. RADIO TAXI 91 405 55 00 91 447 51 80 TELE TAXI 91 371 21 31 902 50 11 30 EMPRESA MUNICIPAL DE TRANSPORTES (CITY BUS COMPANY) 902 50 78 50 Operating 06:00-23:00 h, at intervals of 10 to 15 minutes www.emtmadrid.es METRO SUBWAY 902 44 44 03 Operating 06:00 h-02:00 h www.metromadrid.es MADRIDCARD Madrid Card is the tourist city pass, which grants free entrance to over 40 museums and
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significant discounts at restaurants, transport, shops and entertainment venues. € 24 h (45 €), 48 h (58 €), 72 h (72 €) Tourism Centres 902 08 89 08 / 91 360 47 72 www.madridcard.com MADRID VISION CITY TOUR 917791888 Every day non-stop depending on the season Ticket sales on board o or at www.madridvision.es Info & Sales Felipe IV, between Museo del Prado & Hotel Ritz ESTACIÓN SUR DE AUTOBUSES (BUS STATION) Méndez Álvaro, 83 Metro: Méndez Álvaro 91 468 42 00 / 91 468 45 11 www.estaciondeautobuses.com Main bus companies Alsa (902 42 22 42) Socibús (902 22 92 92) Auto Res (902 02 09 99) RAILWAY 902 24 02 02 www.renfe.es
902 24 02 02 International Information 902 24 34 02 Opening hours 06:30-23:45 h ESTACIÓN DE CHAMARTÍN (TRAIN STATION) Agustín de Foxá, s/n Metro: Chamartín Bus line Línea 5 Information and bookings 902 24 02 02 International Information 902 24 34 02 Opening hours 05:30-24:00 h TOURIST INFORMATION + Madrid Tourism Centre Plaza Mayor, 27 (bajo) Metro: sol / ópera 91 588 16 36 turismo@munimadrid.es Lun-dom / Mon-Sun 9:30-20:30 h + Colón Tourism Centre Former underground passage (access through the side of Paseo de la Castellana on the corner with Goya street) Colón
ESTACIÓN PRÍNCIPE PÍO (LOCAL TRAIN STATION) Paseo de la Florida, esquina Cuesta de San Vicente Príncipe Pío
+ Plaza de Cibeles Banco de España
ESTACIÓN PUERTA DE ATOCHA (TRAIN STATION) Glorieta del Emperador Carlos V Atocha RENFE Information and bookings
+ Paseo del Arte Santa Isabel Atocha
+ Plaza de Callao Callao
+ Madrid-Barajas Airport
Terminal 4 Arrivals halls 10 & 11 + Cultural and Tourist Information Duque de Medinaceli, 2 902 10 00 07 + SATE (Foreign Tourist) Assistance Service) Leganitos, 19 Plaza de España T 91 548 85 37 / 91 548 80 08 / 902 10 21 12 satemadrid@munimadrid.es H Mon-Sun 9:00-22:00 h LOST AND FOUND Paseo del Molino, 7 91 527 95 90 EMERGENCY 112 TICKETS + Entradas.com 902 48 84 88 / 902 22 14 24 + El Corte Inglés www.elcorteingles.es/entradas 902 40 02 22 + Tick Tack Ticket www.ticktackticket.com 902 15 00 25 + La Caixa ticket sales W www.servicaixa.es T 902 33 22 11 + Top Ticket Line www.topticketline.es 902 88 87 88