I will be visiting a friend in Madrid in May. Since I will be staying in Madrid the whole time I wanted advice on what to do, day trips etc. I know my friend probably knows a lot, however I would love to have an idea on what is there to do, and specially the nearby cities I can visit. I don't plan to stay in any other city overnight (this is my money saving strategy). Any help is greatly appreaciated! I have done all of my Europe trips with the great advice of fellow fodorites =)

Definitely day trip to Salamanca, it's a really nice little town. You should also try to stop by Avila on the way back to Madrid if only for the photo op of the city walls and their 88 towers (I think that's the number).

Segovia
Toledo

alcalá de henares.. very nice town easily accessed on commuter train.
Chinchón
Aranjuez

If going to Salamanca, leave VERY early as it is further away than the others and there is a lot to see there.

There are many day trips you can do. Toledo, Segovia, Avila are near by and are pretty good places to visit. I think they are worth an overnight trip. In Madrid you can get lost in any Barrio you care to know better. Salamanca district is a nice walk and experience. If you like soccer, you can visit the Real Madrid Stadium, Santiago Bernabeu; they have self guided tours inside the stadium to know the team´s history and championships, which are many. At night, Madrid is famous for the many tapas options you can enjoy. The museums are great, with extraordinary master pieces, don´t know if Goyas´May 2 and May 3 still are at The Prado Museum, which to me, are worth the ticket. In Reina Sofía Museum you can see Picasso´s Guernica. Take time to know the city map visiting GOOGLE maps, it will make your trip more enjoyable. Have fun with caution.

http://www.museodelprado.es/coleccio...los-mamelucos/

the 2nd of May is there, pretty sure May 3 is there too. yep:

http://www.museodelprado.es/coleccio...-principe-pio/

to me, the Prado is a must do. even if you just scratch the surface, there is soooooooooooooo much art there. surely something to please everyone.

1. How long will you be in Madrid?

2. I see you ike to dance...see lots of flamenco!

Lots of great information on Madrid in the free guide you can download from www.maribelsguides.com.

My favorite museum in Madrid was the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Very visitor friendly with lots of interesting paintings- minor works by major artists and major works by lesser known artists.

The evening atmosphere around the Plaza Santa Ana is lively and fun, with lots of tapas bars surrounding the plaza.

There are several venues for flamenco. I have only been to one, Casa Patas, but I enjoyed it so much I returned on my second visit to Madrid. www.casapatas.com

The Retiro Park is terrific as a break! The art Museums are also some of the best but one most people don't visit is the Sorolla. It is in a house which he owned. You might want to do a search on his name to see if his Impressionist art appeals to you. Be sure to take the Hop on/Hop off tour bus around the city to acclimate yourself.

Thank you for all the advice! I will definitely look into visiting Salamanca, Segovia and Avila. And thank's for the soccer stadium idea...I definitely want to put that in my plans! I loooove Salvador Dali, is his art in el Prado? or another museum like Reina Sofia?
Definitely will see some flamenco, I love the passion and strenght of a true flamenco dancer. I am trying to travel budget this time, so any advice on great but cheap food is appreciated! Thank you for all the advice!

I'll be tehre the last week of May, so sadly I'll miss the Goyas =(

Dali is in Sofia .

the menu of the day mid-day monday through friday is a good deal everywhere.

The last week of May is great for flamenco in Madrid. Rocío Molina was awarded the prize as best bailaora (female flamenco dancer) by Spanish critics in both 2007 and 2008. From May 27th to 30th she will Madrid premiere her new show at Teatros del Canal. This is the performance she takes to the Bienal de Flamenco in Sevilla in September. I've seen Molina four times since the flamenco/dance experience of my life in Antequera in late summer of 2007. Tickets 16-22€ (discounts until the end of April): http://www.esmadrid.com/en/cargarBus...al=2580&tipo=5

Also, the up and coming Belén López dances at intimate Cardamomo from 25th to 30th of May. At only 22, she has been compared to perhaps the greatest flamenco dancer of all times, Carmen Amaya (1913-1963).
http://www.cardamomo.es/

Review in Financial Times of both Rocío Molina and Belén López at New York City Center in February: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dadc5198-1...44feab49a.html

Regarding the previous posting: Rocío Molina is also joined by one of the most promising young cantaoras (female flamenco singers), Rosario Guerrero "La Tremendita":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJBR7HihXCw

What is the weather like in Madrid in December?

....people wearing fur/winter coats, gloves and sometimes you will have snow/wind/rain. or.. if you are lucky, a sunny heat wave and heavy jackets you can possible take off at a sidewalk café protected by a wall.

Spain's weather is all about the SUN. If it comes out.. it is pleasant even when it is cold. But we have had an exceptionally dark, gloomy wet winter across the whole country.

This is the second most mountainous country in Europe but most people still identify Spain with beaches instead of mountains. There is NOTHING compared to the Caribbean here in the winter.. not even the Canary Islands, ( and they are 3 hours away by plane!)