Chueca is a gay district. Nuff said.
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Not sure what that means but it does sound intolerant. We are an old married couple and stayed in apartment in the middle Chueca rented from a young straight couple in October. The crowds at the bars and the restaurants were mixed and if you actually touched a gay person, you did not sing show tunes in Spanish in the morning.

Thank you very much for your comments and help!

Calle Serrano looks lovely, but it is quite far from the city centre, and we only have one day.

Christina, I very appreciate your opinion on Preciados, thank you.
We thought of walking there since it is so nearby Puerta Del Sol, which we will visit.

I did not quite manage to get your opinion on Chueca.

Would you recommend to spend some time in it?
Particularly walking through Calles Fuencarral and Hortaleza?

Thanks a lot!

The 2 streets are lively...mostly pedestrian, shops and eateries you could find in any mall in the US.
If you have time to see a different side of Madrid, visit the area north of park Retiro
called Salamnca. : beautiful buildings, leafy streets, upscale shops and restaurants .




...

Not to worry. You can fit in everything that interests you. Madrid is a night owl city so you could stay out all night, return to the apt to take a shower, go have breakfast and then go to the airport.

Metro stop RETIRO is only 3 stops from SOL...probably 25-30 min walk;
the park , Calle Serrano and the most beautiful part of Madrid is right there.
Not far at all.

Thank you very much!

It is very helpful to read your insights!

Really great suggestions. No way to do them all in the timeframe given, but many wonderful options from which to choose!

Fuencarral and Hortaleza could be fun, a very special part of Madrid: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-...lle-fuencarral
Hortaleza, "a rebel with a cause": http://www.secretosdemadrid.es/la-ca...lde-con-causa/

First time here they were building the San Ildefonso market, maybe stop by here for a bite: http://www.mercadodesanildefonso.com/

Nepenthe, Kimhe

Thank you very much!

Kimhe, the links are wonderful!

Oh Kimhe,

Is San Ildefonso market worth going at evening? (around 8pm)

Is everything still open there?

I quite enjoyed the area around Retiro Park. It reminded me a bit of NYC near Central Park-same posh feel.