IFLY tips Madrid
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Puerta de Sol shopping area (1 hr – ½ day)
The Puerta del Sol originated as one of the gates in the city wall that surrounded Madrid in the 15th century. Outside the wall, medieval suburbs began to grow around the Christian Wall of the 12th century. The name of the gate came from the rising sun, which decorated the entry, since the gate was oriented to the east.
In the big streets around this square you will find many shops including huge department stores like El Corte Ingles. You will also find a lot of restaurants and terraces that are especially good for lunch while shopping.
Gran Via (1-2 hrs)
Nearby Puerta del Sol, also in the centre of Madrid is the famous Gran Via. This is one of the city's most important shopping areas. The street used to have a large number of hotels and movie theatres, and most of them are being replaced by shopping malls nowadays.
Gran Via is also noted for the beautiful architecture of its buildings. Gran Via leads from Calle de Alcalá, close to Plaza de Cibeles, to Plaza de España. The shops are open from morning to late evening.
Mercado de san Miguel (1-2 hrs)
A great way to try local Spanish wines and delicacies is the old Mercado de San Miquel. This is a market place from the 1920’s, which was refurbished in 2009. They maintained the old structure and the building now houses many food shops, bars and small restaurants.
Everybody who is interested in local delicacies or other gastronomic delights should go here. You can spend some time for lunch, dinner or just a snack in between. It’s open from morning till early next morning. And especially at Thursday nights it can be really packed.
Mercado San Miquel is located just off Calle Mayor, between Plaza Mayor and Cathedral de la Almudena.
Plaza Santa Ana (1 hr – 1 night)
Plaza Santa Ana is a great place to start an evening's entertainment in Madrid. At this square are really great tapas bars located. It is the place to eat at night. The Madrileños eat and drinkhere as well, especially on Thursdays and weekends.
Also in the small streets around Plaza Santa Ana you will find a lot of restaurants and bars. These old or hip and trendy bars are open all night. Many guys in the street will approach you and offer you free drinks in their bar. We suggest you just pick the bar you like, as the offers are never really fair.
There are several metro stations around the area like: Sol, Anton Martin and Sevilla.
Salamanca (1-2 hrs)
Salamanca is one of the 21 districts that form the city of Madrid. It is located just outside the Retiro Park, northeast of the historical centre of the city. In this neighbourhood you will find many hip and trendy shops, bars and restaurants.
The limits of Salamanca district are defined by the Paseo de Recoletos and the Paseo de la Castellana to the west, the Calle de Alcalá and Calle O'Donnell to the south, the Avenida de la Paz (M-30) to the east and María de Molina Street and Avenida de América to the north.
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Language of the world
Of course you like to speak a few words of the local language onboard the plane or at your destination. Here you find some simple basics of the main language spoken in Madrid.