livori

Me and my friends will be arriving at Madrid at 6am and have to depart from Madrid to Lisbon at 5pm. Since we have 11 hours as connecting time, would it be possible a small visit to Madrid? In this case which place/s me and my friends should visit? We have to be back to our terminal at least two hours before our flight at 5pm and therefore we would have approx. 8 hours visit to Madrid. Thanks for your replies.

worldinabag

Hi

Given the short amount of time I would use the tourist bus, Madrid Vision - http://www.madridvision.es/en/index.php, to get an overview of the city. Then maybe a meal at one of the oldest restaurants, Posada de la Villa - http://www.posadadelavilla.es. Aletrnatively, the paella is supposed to be pretty good at La Barraca - http://www.labarraca.es. One clothes shop you might like is Zaras - http://www.zara.com.

kimhe

It's absolutely possible to make this into some eight hours of genuine Madrid experience that will leave you wanting more of this great city.

Have breakfast at Café del Círculo de Bellas Artes in down town Calle Alcalá, 42. One of the city's most emblematic cafés. Grab a window table and watch Madrid wake up on bustling Calle Alcalá. If it's open at this time of the day, you should take the lift up to the roof topp terrace (the azotea) for the most spectacular views of the city. http://www.esmadrid.com/en/cargarApl...ntificador=179
pictures/videos: http://11870.com/pro/circulo-bellas-artes

Then head for the Reina Sofia contemporary art museum. Opens at 10am. 10-15 mins walking or 5€ taxi ride from the café. The second floor with Picasso, Dalí, lots of other painitings, posters, films, photos etc. completely blew my mind off last year.
http://www.spanish-fiestas.com/madri...fia-museum.htm

Then, maybe a stroll in close by and beautiful Retiro Park? http://www.aviewoncities.com/madrid/parquedelretiro.htm

For lunch, I would suggest Casa Granada, on the 6th floor of an apartment building just off Plaza Tirso de Molina. Three course lunch with drinks included for 9€, or just some tapas. Great terrace. 10-15 mins walking from Reina Sofia. Opens at 1pm, and a taxi to the aiport would be about 25-30€ and 25 mins. http://www.tripfilms.com/Travel_Vide...ada-Video.html

If you want to have more time for your meal, I suggest you go to all day open Café de Oriente, just in front of the Royal Palace and some 25 mins walk from Reina Sofia/Retiro, or 7€ taxi. Great inside, but in this case I would have opted for a table in the large terrace. Good value three course Menu del día for lunch.
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/madrid/D3433.html

kimhe

Or perhaps, if you want some relaxation and peace and quiet in between flights, why don't spend some time in the Arab bath just off Plaza Mayor in Calle Atotcha, 14. Medina Mayrit (Mayrit is the old Arab name of Madrid, meaning running water and reffering to the water sources beneath the city).
http://www.medinamayrit.com/
http://www.madaboutmadrid.com/guide/..._mayrit_a.html

When in Lisboa, don't miss Casa do Alentejo. A spectacular 17th century palace, now turned into Cultural center for the Alentejo region and a basic but well worth visiting restaurant. Just off Rossio sqare, in Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, 58.
http://www.casadoalentejo.pt/flash.html

livori

Really thanks for your reply. Thanks for your time. Much appreciated.

Nepenthe

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