http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26542 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26542 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23486
The Madrid Metro – the Orient Express compared to the London Underground – runs from the airport to city for a paltry €2. Visit the Parque del Retiro and explore the Crystal Palace art installations, monuments including the beautiful but sinister El Angel Caído, go boating by Alfonso XII's grandiose statue, then watch free street performers and puppeteers. Sip your sangria and toast the Madrid teleférico's 40th anniversary at the terminal bar: the skyline's not as exciting as Barcelona but it's relaxing and cheap.

Window-shop the Gran Via and continue to Plaza de España, Teatro Real, Palacio Real and Plaza Mayor for some classic Spanish architecture. Don't miss the El Rastro fleamarket on Sundays: calling it a flea market is a disservice to the sprawling city of stalls filled with delicious food and exotic crafts. It covers several blocks and gets very crowded so mind your valuables.

Madrid's gloriously rowdy tapas bars were out of my budget so I made do with the supermercado for flavoursome food. Ubiquitous Carrefour City and Express stores stock tasty Iberico ham, chorizo and other Spanish treats at unbeatable prices.

From horrific realisation to splendid sunny weekend of exploration, Madrid is perfect for a Spanish holiday on the cheap.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23486 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19690 After, go to the café/restaurant for some great food and of course a bottle of wine from the Ribera Del Duero region, superb.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19690 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19689 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19689 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19169 Tickets on my last visit cost just under 3€.
The main screen is a fabulous old salon, complete with balcony and boxes. The whole cinema is housed in a fin de siecle building which has starred in at least one Almodovar film.
As with any Spanish museum, morgue or meeting place there is a cafeteria serving coffee and snacks on site.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19169 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18783 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18783 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14246 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14246 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11806
Also a great place for vast filled 'bocadillos' (baguette sandwiches), and various other tasty 'raciones'. Just watch out for complimentary paella - myself and others have been laid low by food poisoning for some time after a visit. The fact that I'm still recommending the place tells you just how good it is.

One final thing - get there early if you have any kind of designs on a table.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11806 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10874
Pedro Almodovar is said to love the place. After a few raciones it's hard to disagree. They deserve recognition for their liberal use of olive oil if nothing else.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10874 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10709 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10709 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10710 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10710 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9088 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9088 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9087 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9087 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7334 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7334 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7236
For a cover charge of 60 euros you can drink as much Cava as you wish (the bar only serve Cava) and watch/participate in performance art (much blood letting). Live Electronic music was the order of the day, which allowed easy communication between the sexes unlike the Madrid dance clubs.

Many of Madrid’s club elite were in attendance, including many club owners and promoters, which may indicate that change is coming on the scene. Victory Over the Sun is based in Dublin and will not return to Madrid until November 06. I believe that it will trigger a sea change in Madrid’s nightlife that will bring it into the 21st century.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7236 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4066 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4066 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3263 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3263 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2209 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2209 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2194 A definate must, by far my favourite bar! Also they have amazing food, especially the Samosas!!!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2194 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2174 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2174