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/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/11295
Amazing Moorish and Visigoth exhibits. There are reproductions of the famous Altamira cave paintings in a specially constructed grotto outside.

The museum is also right by the Jardines de Descubrimiento with impressive modern fountains and sculptures celebrating Colombus' discovery of the new world. More famously this is where the Giant Flag flies - a Spanish national flag the size of a tennis court.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11295 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11045
Surprisingly peaceful, when considering that it's situated in the centre of Madrid. Sit in the shade under one of the many trees, or learn a little about the many plant species.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11045 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2183 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2183 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2117
Take a stroll to Plaza Comendadoras for a drink in one of the many "terrazas" while you look at children playing in the playground. On the same plaza there's a "Sauna" (a brothel); opposite you'll see the also impressive building of the Convento de las Comendadoras. The area has the air of a small village about it; it's a mix of bizarre, genuine and unique Madrid.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2117 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2082 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2082 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2036 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2036 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2026 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2026 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1174 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1174 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1034 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1034 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/148 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/148 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9014
The top floor also houses contemporary installations which make the mind boggle. Enough for an hour or two of culture, without feeling obliged to see the rest, or be overwhelmed at the amount of work to see.

My favourite is a preparatory sketch of a bull with mad eyes Picasso made, for Guernika. My first stop whenever I am in town.

Free Saturday afternoons from 2pm.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9014