Madrid & Barcelona Questions
Oct 12th, 2015, 05:58 AM
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Madrid & Barcelona Questions
Planning a trip to these cities next year in May. Have much to do in preparation but let us begin by asking a few basic questions. We will be staying on points at the Hilton Barcelona and the Westin Palace in Madrid. We are two seniors who travel a lot usually one trip to Europe and one to Asia each year. Fairly mobile and we enjoy walking about visiting the major sights, churches, cathedrals, basilicas, but not really into the museum scene. Shopping is high on our list- not luxury designer venues but more of the local designers and markets. Also looking for good places to eat the local specialties but not expensive places ( no chi chi places as we are not gourmet diners).
1) Need to know the culture in these cities as it relates to when restaurants open and close as we understand there may be very different times when lunch and dinner hours are observed (a mid day break?) .
2) Metro - want to use this to get around, what to know?
3) Local do's and don't as pertaining to the culture there.
4) Taxis- what to be aware of here?
Ok these will do for a start, many more to come as we get into the details more.
1) Need to know the culture in these cities as it relates to when restaurants open and close as we understand there may be very different times when lunch and dinner hours are observed (a mid day break?) .
2) Metro - want to use this to get around, what to know?
3) Local do's and don't as pertaining to the culture there.
4) Taxis- what to be aware of here?
Ok these will do for a start, many more to come as we get into the details more.
Oct 12th, 2015, 06:06 AM
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Good morning Olive! Sounds like another lovely Europe trip for you and Bill. Wish I could help, but, about the only thing I recall about my short stay in Barcelona was that people had dinner very late in the evening.
Enjoy your planning.
Carol
Enjoy your planning.
Carol
Oct 12th, 2015, 06:24 AM
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The Spanish usually have a light breakfast. Lunch for many is the big meal of the day, the rush will be at 2 PM. There is tapas between 5-7 and dinner at 10 PM, although most restaurants open at 9 PM.
In Madrid and Barcelona there are places open all day which cater to international dining times. But most of the better places are closed between 4 PM- 9PM.
Look at the high speed train The AVE between Madrid and Barcelona, it will save time a lot of time associated with air travel.
Both cities have extensive metros. In Barcelona look for places in the area called The Eixample. Many tourists stay in and around Las Ramblas, but it more touristy and noisy.
In Madrid and Barcelona there are places open all day which cater to international dining times. But most of the better places are closed between 4 PM- 9PM.
Look at the high speed train The AVE between Madrid and Barcelona, it will save time a lot of time associated with air travel.
Both cities have extensive metros. In Barcelona look for places in the area called The Eixample. Many tourists stay in and around Las Ramblas, but it more touristy and noisy.
Oct 12th, 2015, 06:34 AM
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I too stayed at the Westin Plaza last year and it is a great hotel. Right up the street is the Plaza Del Sol which has a lot of shopping areas including the El Corte Ingles department store. There are a lot of places to eat in the vicinity.
Dinner is usually late-after 9 pm but tapas restaurants are busy earlier and right across the street from the hotel is a very cheap sandwich place called 100 Montaditos for a quick bite(try the olives very good).
Can't help with the rest of your questions but you will love Spain.
Dinner is usually late-after 9 pm but tapas restaurants are busy earlier and right across the street from the hotel is a very cheap sandwich place called 100 Montaditos for a quick bite(try the olives very good).
Can't help with the rest of your questions but you will love Spain.
Oct 12th, 2015, 07:50 AM
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You have asked about when restaurants OPEN. In the core of Madrid, they OPEN around 7:30pm-8:00pm for dinner.
HOWEVER, this is different from when locals come to eat. They would not bother to come to restaurants until 10:00pm or later. Until then, you eat with other tourists.
Chocolatería San Gines for Churros with Chocolate. No need to worry about open hours. They are practically always open when you are awake.
Cocico Madrileno is a local stew dish served as a course. While it is not bargain, it is not a gourmet dish either. Be sure to protect your clothes from splashes using your napkin, local do this, when the server comes back to empty the content of the stew jar onto the soup plate.
HOWEVER, this is different from when locals come to eat. They would not bother to come to restaurants until 10:00pm or later. Until then, you eat with other tourists.
Chocolatería San Gines for Churros with Chocolate. No need to worry about open hours. They are practically always open when you are awake.
Cocico Madrileno is a local stew dish served as a course. While it is not bargain, it is not a gourmet dish either. Be sure to protect your clothes from splashes using your napkin, local do this, when the server comes back to empty the content of the stew jar onto the soup plate.
Oct 12th, 2015, 08:56 AM
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<Local do's and don't as pertaining to the culture there.> The Spanish are in general very laid-back and welcoming, you know of the lunch normally being the main meal of the day and dinner from about 9 to 11-12 pm. Just be good ;-)
<Also looking for good places to eat the local specialties but not expensive places> Some suggestions from many visits here the past ten years:
Barcelona:
Small and family-owned Ca l'Estevet, one of those timeless places: http://www.restaurantestevet.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html
Can Culleretes from 1789 (the oldest in Barcelona and the second oldest in Spain) serves fine, affordable traditional Catalan Food in the absolute best atmosphere. Run by some grown up ladies, effecient and no fuss service. http://www.culleretes.com/en/home
No Place to get a more genuine Barcelona lunch than in La Perla, at the foot of Montjuic. Lunch only: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html
Madrid:
Casa Alberto from 1827 for traditional Madrid fare with a modern touch, also a fine, little tapas bar in front. Popular with both tourists and locals:
https://11870.com/pro/casa-alberto
http://www.casaalberto.es/en/
Casa Manolo, just behind the Parliament, very typical and famous for the croquetas: https://11870.com/pro/casa-manolo
http://www.telecinco.es/blogs/pasaba...190265002.html
And you must have some tapas in Casa Revuelta in C/Latoneros, 3, just off Plaza Mayor, a fabulous little place, very popular with locals. Fried cod tapa to die for as well as many other goodies: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ta-Madrid.html
<Also looking for good places to eat the local specialties but not expensive places> Some suggestions from many visits here the past ten years:
Barcelona:
Small and family-owned Ca l'Estevet, one of those timeless places: http://www.restaurantestevet.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html
Can Culleretes from 1789 (the oldest in Barcelona and the second oldest in Spain) serves fine, affordable traditional Catalan Food in the absolute best atmosphere. Run by some grown up ladies, effecient and no fuss service. http://www.culleretes.com/en/home
No Place to get a more genuine Barcelona lunch than in La Perla, at the foot of Montjuic. Lunch only: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html
Madrid:
Casa Alberto from 1827 for traditional Madrid fare with a modern touch, also a fine, little tapas bar in front. Popular with both tourists and locals:
https://11870.com/pro/casa-alberto
http://www.casaalberto.es/en/
Casa Manolo, just behind the Parliament, very typical and famous for the croquetas: https://11870.com/pro/casa-manolo
http://www.telecinco.es/blogs/pasaba...190265002.html
And you must have some tapas in Casa Revuelta in C/Latoneros, 3, just off Plaza Mayor, a fabulous little place, very popular with locals. Fried cod tapa to die for as well as many other goodies: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ta-Madrid.html
Oct 12th, 2015, 11:53 AM
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I eat whenever I want to, which is usually around 8 pm in a restaurant. I also do not want a huge meal at lunch. I've never had a problem finding a restaurant open at 8 pm. I would never eat very late at night just before bed, don't sleep well (besides I'd be starving). I don't plan anything special for lunch, but never had a problem finding something light to eat in a bar or cafe or something like that.
Now I do use the metro a lot, and it's pretty decent in Madrid, so no special tips if you've used one before. Of course, be aware of pickpockets and don't have belongings carelessly open or easily available. The best deal for tourists is usually a ticket that covers multiple days, you can buy 1,2,3,5 and 7 day cards. It gets cheaper with more days, but runs about 6 euro a day. But then unlimited use of metro and bus in the city. Of coruse, if you don't intend to get around a lot, single tickets could be cheaper, they are about 1.5-2 euro, I believe.
Now I do use the metro a lot, and it's pretty decent in Madrid, so no special tips if you've used one before. Of course, be aware of pickpockets and don't have belongings carelessly open or easily available. The best deal for tourists is usually a ticket that covers multiple days, you can buy 1,2,3,5 and 7 day cards. It gets cheaper with more days, but runs about 6 euro a day. But then unlimited use of metro and bus in the city. Of coruse, if you don't intend to get around a lot, single tickets could be cheaper, they are about 1.5-2 euro, I believe.
Oct 12th, 2015, 02:47 PM
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Another nod to the Westin Palace in Madrid, loved it there and very well located. Close to Retiro Park, and in other direction, lots of shopping, restaurants, etc. San Gines for churros and chocolate as Greg mentioned. That was actually the first place we went after arriving on the overnight flight from US. Stopped to check into hotel and check bags, then to San Gines for the churros--lots of locals at that time of the morning, they opened at around 9 am as i recall. Also, while it is a late dinner country in general, we also found no problem finding places to eat earlier. And we really enjoyed eating at the Mercado San Migule in Madrid, very close to Plaza Mayor. Just loved going from place to place getting a taste of a lot of different things. We liked that better than going to a more formal dinner/lunch, so I would recommend checking that out at least once.
In Barcelona, again found many places to eat earlier, and we often went to tapas places and had that for dinner, while "locals" might have some tapas at that time with a drink and then go out to a real dinner much later. But the tapas was excellent for dinner for us, again could get a few small dishes and share everything.
Enjoy the trip!
In Barcelona, again found many places to eat earlier, and we often went to tapas places and had that for dinner, while "locals" might have some tapas at that time with a drink and then go out to a real dinner much later. But the tapas was excellent for dinner for us, again could get a few small dishes and share everything.
Enjoy the trip!
Oct 13th, 2015, 12:57 AM
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<In Barcelona, again found many places to eat earlier>
Plenty of such places in the most touristy parts of town, but I would in general recommend places in Barcelona that opens late. Of course exceptions to the rule, for example 7 Portes, an excellent restaurant with the best atmosphere and an institution in town, is open all day. http://www.7portes.com/angles/index.php
Plenty of such places in the most touristy parts of town, but I would in general recommend places in Barcelona that opens late. Of course exceptions to the rule, for example 7 Portes, an excellent restaurant with the best atmosphere and an institution in town, is open all day. http://www.7portes.com/angles/index.php
Oct 13th, 2015, 02:57 AM
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Yes we like simple places as opposed to formal sit down restaurants. I like the idea of ordering a variety of tapas as our meal. Where are the good food courts in both cities? Also when we are the mood for hamburgers or pizza are these readily available?
Oct 13th, 2015, 04:42 AM
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Please note, while you can make a meal of tapas, that is not the tradition in Spain. In Madrid and Barcelona, for example, you can go tasca hopping, where you sample the best of each tapas bar with some wine and then onto the next one.
It is a point or ask for a dish, there is no table service for tapas. It many places it is a family affair and in most the tradition is to throw the used paper napkin on the floor.
As I have never looked for a food court or ordered either a hamburguesa or pizza, thus someone else must advise you. There are, however, some American chains that might satisfy your need.
It is a point or ask for a dish, there is no table service for tapas. It many places it is a family affair and in most the tradition is to throw the used paper napkin on the floor.
As I have never looked for a food court or ordered either a hamburguesa or pizza, thus someone else must advise you. There are, however, some American chains that might satisfy your need.
Oct 13th, 2015, 06:29 AM
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<Where are the good food courts in both cities?>
Some excellent tapas bars inside the Boqueria food market in Barcelona. Crowded, noisy, great atmosphere, great food: http://www.gardenista.com/posts/la-boqueria-market
Or go for tapas with the locals in Poble Sec: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...to-bodega.html
In Barcelona you could have great burgers for example in Kiosko on the outskirts of vibrant and medieval El Born district. They mean business and have now opened five places around town:
http://www.bacoa.es/en/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html
In Madrid, I think you would like Mercado San Miguel, just off Plaza Mayor.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...el-Madrid.html
http://www.mercadodesanmiguel.es/en/
Or sample excellent tapas in some of the many great tapas bars in and around Calle Cava Baja, also close to Plaza Mayor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...ja-Madrid.html
The Kiosko guys in Barcelona are now opening Hamburgeseria Bacoa Madrid: http://www.bacoa.es/en/
More serious burgers in Madrid: http://www.timeout.com/madrid/restau...gers-in-madrid
Some excellent tapas bars inside the Boqueria food market in Barcelona. Crowded, noisy, great atmosphere, great food: http://www.gardenista.com/posts/la-boqueria-market
Or go for tapas with the locals in Poble Sec: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...to-bodega.html
In Barcelona you could have great burgers for example in Kiosko on the outskirts of vibrant and medieval El Born district. They mean business and have now opened five places around town:
http://www.bacoa.es/en/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html
In Madrid, I think you would like Mercado San Miguel, just off Plaza Mayor.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...el-Madrid.html
http://www.mercadodesanmiguel.es/en/
Or sample excellent tapas in some of the many great tapas bars in and around Calle Cava Baja, also close to Plaza Mayor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...ja-Madrid.html
The Kiosko guys in Barcelona are now opening Hamburgeseria Bacoa Madrid: http://www.bacoa.es/en/
More serious burgers in Madrid: http://www.timeout.com/madrid/restau...gers-in-madrid
Oct 13th, 2015, 09:39 AM
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I often make a meal of tapas or raciones - I know it isn't the traditional thing for dinner, but it works. I'm not a big eater, and most of my trips to Spain have been for work, so I need to be up early in the morning - my north American self is just not used to eating a lot very late and then going straight to bed.
Oct 13th, 2015, 10:08 AM
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-Where are the good food courts in both cities-
El Nacional in Barcelona has several restaurants and bars. I believe they do not close, but serve at all times of the day. It is on the pricey side compared to some other places in Barcelona but not pricey by US standards.
http://www.elnacionalbcn.com/en/
I also love Mercato San Miguel in Madrid, recommended above.
My favorite pizza in Madrid is Piccolo Diavola.
http://ilpiccolodiavolo.blogspot.com/
They have killer Naples-style pizza at Nap in Barcelona.
https://www.facebook.com/nap.bcn
-There is tapas between 5-7-
This has not really been my experience... most tapas places don't get rolling until 8 pm or so. 5 pm, people are still eating lunch or still full from it at least. Having said that you can find places in both cities where you can eat tapas at 5 pm..
El Nacional in Barcelona has several restaurants and bars. I believe they do not close, but serve at all times of the day. It is on the pricey side compared to some other places in Barcelona but not pricey by US standards.
http://www.elnacionalbcn.com/en/
I also love Mercato San Miguel in Madrid, recommended above.
My favorite pizza in Madrid is Piccolo Diavola.
http://ilpiccolodiavolo.blogspot.com/
They have killer Naples-style pizza at Nap in Barcelona.
https://www.facebook.com/nap.bcn
-There is tapas between 5-7-
This has not really been my experience... most tapas places don't get rolling until 8 pm or so. 5 pm, people are still eating lunch or still full from it at least. Having said that you can find places in both cities where you can eat tapas at 5 pm..
Oct 14th, 2015, 02:15 AM
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<There is tapas between 5-7> should most likely be there is tapas from about 7 onwards. Tapas is normally had before lunch and/or dinner.
Fully understand that many find it difficult to adjust to the Spanish meal hours, the menu del dia thing etc. But I strongly recommend to also go to places that stay with the regular Spanish hours. In general you will find much better food and atmosphere in such tapas bars and restaurants than in places that predominantly cater to people on the run and tourists.
Fully understand that many find it difficult to adjust to the Spanish meal hours, the menu del dia thing etc. But I strongly recommend to also go to places that stay with the regular Spanish hours. In general you will find much better food and atmosphere in such tapas bars and restaurants than in places that predominantly cater to people on the run and tourists.
