Notes from Madrid is a blog about Madrid written by a bunch of city-savvy expats. It includes everything from where to shop, eat, drink, and go out (neighborhood by neighborhood) to information on museums, parks, excursions outside the city, even what to avoid in the city.

www.notesfrommadrid.com/

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I lived in Madrid for two years. The best place has to be the birthplace of La Movida. In this barrio you can find excellent alternative bars from cafe Isadora to bar el 2 de. To get a feel for the area sit on the western side of the square in Bar Arco (the other side is full of tourists.) Enjoy.

Malasaña district. Metro station: Tribunal (Lines 1 & 10)

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Chueca is recognised as a gay neighbourhood in Madrid city centre, popular for its bars and discos of the same description. During the daytime there's a very tranquil, liberal vibe to the area. Then at night, especially on the weekends, it comes alive and everybody, gay or otherwise, mix together and have a great time. A perfect place for gay couples, free of prejudice.

Metro: Chueca

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This street is located in the Chueca neighbourhood. The narrow street has lots of designer shoe shops which are reasonably priced. Spain was one of the first shoe manufacturers, and this street is very good proof of that. In addition, La Calle Fuencarral, which is nearby, will offer you the coolest and most trendy shops in Madrid including Custo and El Mercado de Fuencarral.

Calle Augusto Figueroa.
Nearest metro is Chueca.

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Malasaña is a street and an area well known by all true 16-30 Madrileños. In the day time you can shop for some retro treasures in the two 'Popland' boutiques (one for bags, badges and tee-shirts, the other for sixties home decorations and posters). Then, well after dark, you can return and be part of the Madrid sub-culture night life. Go into some bars off Plaza Dos de Mayo and you'll think you've stepped onto the set of Austin Powers (without the irony!) There are all types of bars and clubs round here, but they all have one thing in common: the cool factor. The music is cool, the people dress cool, but most importantly, the attitude is cool, that is to say, laid back.

Malasaña district. Nearest tube: Tribunal.

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Calle Fuencarral is where the cool is in Madrid. All the "in" shops are there, from global brands like Levi's to national or local ones, you'll find stuff cool enough to impress your mates over here. Once on Calle Fuencarral, go to Mercado Fuencarral, a gathering of shops of all kinds. The area is called Chueca and it's the gay quarter.

I recommend walking up Fuencarral towards Malasaña and walk the pueblo-like narrow streets finding your way to Plaza Dos de Mayo, then choose a bar or cafe and you might be lucky enough to see director Alejandro Amenábar, who lives in the area.

Metro Gran Vía or Noviciado

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Beautifully kept and little known ornamental gardens behind the Royal Palace. A total respite from the hustle and bustle outside. Frequented at weekends by swarms of meringue clad brides and their grooms posing for the album in the lush elegant surroundings. When tired of the peace and solitude it is just a stone's throw from the large converted Estación del Norte shopping centre, and when you are sick of that pop straight down to the Goya frescos nearby, right next door to Casa Mingo where you can eat there yummy chicken for lunch washed down with real Asturian cider.

Take the C circular bus or go to Principe Pio metro station. For the frescoes in the chapel where Goya is buried and which he painted himself walk straight down the Paseo de San Antonio de la Florida to the twin chapels of San Antonio - only one has the breathtaking frescoes, recently restored.

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Probably the best T-shirt shop I've ever seen in my life with reasonable prices too. Really original stuff.

Ground floor, Mercado Fuencarral shopping centre, c/Fuencarral in the centre

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A Sunday street market something like a cross between Portobello and Brick Lane ... not to be missed, but be very careful with valuables; a friend of mine had the back pocket of her extremely tight jeans cut off with a razor without her noticing and lost 2000 pesetas ... and she's Madrileña ... that was years ago, they're more sophisticated and violent these days...

Metro: Tirso de Molina

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