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/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/23291 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23291 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22854
We don't normally go to the same restaurant twice when we are on holiday, but we came here three times when we were here in Madrid in summer 08.
There were queues into the place on some evenings.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22854 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22122 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22122 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22120 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22120 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21291 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21291 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21031 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21031 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20137
The Meson de la Tortilla only has four things on the menu (tortilla, garlic mushrooms, cheese and ham) - order one of each and enjoy, occasionally with live music.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20137 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19691 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19691 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/18175 (Basque) region of northern Spain.

Brilliant food, and that's why I am taken here by my hosts in Madrid who seek a change from the usual.
The most popular delicacies are patatas con bacalao, cocochas de merluza y centollo, zortziko de almejas, solomillo dantxari -al vapor, bacalao al pil-pil, con aceite de oliva virgen y pimiento, and tarta fina de manzana.

You could avoid these and try the more innovative dishes. I appreciated the excellent use of seasonal products and dishes such as 'pil pil' and their cod croquetas.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18175 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16807 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16807 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12271
Wash them down with glasses of house wine if you can get to the bar. A Madrid institution.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12271 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/11805
However, I'm not sure any of them mention that if you order a 'racion' of langostinos a la plancha rather than the road-more-trodden gambas a la plancha, you get twice as many for just 20 cents more. Tastes just as good to me. Upon leaving, I've always been given a voucher for a free 'chato' of the delicious sticky house wine at one of their other restaurants. Ask if they don't volunteer it.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11805 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/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/2111 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2111 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2064 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2064