See what I mean?? 🙂
My husband can hardly wait to see this!

I just don't know what to say. The insights, the detail, the ideas, the tips and tricks, the advice, the confidence-building, the care.

Thank you. Truly. You guys are A M A Z I N G !!

​

Yummy pastries can be found at Estela Hojaldre at Plaza de Jesús 5 in Letras (closed now for vacation but reopening Sept. 1) for your NYE feast.
Ditto to Motteau for cakes at Calle San Pedro 9 in Letras
For churros/porras (thicker ones) and chocolate, if you don't want to endure the long holiday lines at the iconic Churrería San Ginés, there's "Chocolat" at Santa Maria 30, Or try both, since San Ginés is open 24 hours, Fri-Sat and until 11:30 pm on Sundays.

Have chocolate with 'soletillas' (sole-shaped elongated biscuits) in the cosy tearoom at the rear of El Riojano (Calle Mayor 10). This paradise for the sweet-toothed was founded in 1855 by a baker who worked for the Royal Family. El Riojano was refurbished in 1892 to its current appearance: mahogany from Cuba, Carrara marble and bronze. https://pasteleriaelriojano.com/breakfast-en/

In El Riojano you can also enjoy a typical sweet of the Christmas season: 'roscón de Reyes' which in English roughly translates to “kings cake” but it's actually more of a sweet bread, similar to a brioche. The round or oval-shaped 'roscon' is garnished on the top with candied fruit and cherries, sliced almond and sugar. You'll find a 'roscón de Reyes' in every Spanish home during the holiday season, typically enjoyed for breakfast on the morning of Epiphany (January 6th). By tradition, the 'roscón' is baked with a tiny figurine inside (la sorpresa). The lucky person who gets the portion with the figurine must pay for the cake. Roscones with fillings such as sweet whipped cream or chocolate truffle are often sold, but I like better the classic unfilled version. In addition, I am so lucky that I have to pay less that way.

I definitely need to add another day to Madrid! There is so much to see and do.

Starting to make our itinerary in Madrid and would love to start with a walking tour upon arrival on December 29, followed by a visit to the Prado.

I believe I read that the Arts and Crafts Fair on Paseo de Recoletos has more local artisan goods. Is that right? Perhaps we stroll through this Fair after the Prado. Then head toward Salamanca and Parque de El Retiro for lights and dinner in that part of the city.

Day 2: The Royal Palace and the Royal Collections Gallery.

Day 3: Unsure at the moment, but what do you think about visiting the Christmas Market Plaza Mayor for the late afternoon or early evening of December 31 since it sounds like most places in Madrid close.

El Riojano reminds me of the decade that I lived in Miami!

El Riojano is also our "go to" place for a portion of Roscón de Reyes. Revulgo, I'm a. classicist too, no nata for me.

Speaking of roscones: For those who want to purchase this treat, a whole Roscón de Reyes, outside of the Christmas-Epiphany season, when they're traditionally sold, the bakery Pan.Delirio sells them all year.

They became well known when the bakery won an award for "best Roscón in the Community of Madrid¨ (mejor Roscón artesano). They've won several awards for their baked goods. There's a branch in Salamanca at Juan Bravo 21 and in the El Corte Inglés Castellana Gourmet Experience, but not in the center, unfortunately.

https://pandelirio.es/collections/roscon

Seek and find... 🙂

Charity organ concert in the church of San Antonio de los Alemanes (calle de la Puebla 22, Malasaña) on December 29 at 8pm. The capacity will be from 100 to 120 people and it is not possible to book a seat. Tickets (10 euros, without assigned seat) can be purchased through the website (in Spanish) or, if available, at the lobby of the church a few minutes before the start of the concert. Tickets for the concert on December are not yet on sale https://realhermandaddelrefugio.org/conciertos/

San Antonio de los Alemanes (Saint Anthony of the Germans), was built at the beginning of the 17th century in the Baroque style. The inside is truly striking thanks to the frescoes which cover the church in its entirety. Painted in various stages by several artists including Luca Giordano who also painted frescoes in the Monastery of El Escorial and in the Casón del Buen Retiro.

🙂
Thanks, revulgo, we'll head to that concert on Dec.29! I was looking around for Christmas organ concerts yesterday, but I'm obviously not as talented at "seek and find", as you.
As now new residents of the Community of Madrid, we'll need you on speed dial!

@irice
If you add one more day, make it at the beginning of the trip because January 1 is a "asleep day" and many attractions and restaurants are closed. December 31st is the last day of the Christmas market and it will also close soon. It is better to attend after the Royal Collections Gallery.

Irice,
I much prefer the Arts & Crafts fair, the artisans' fair on the Paseo de Recoletos. I find it more interesting with tasteful wares that make nice gifts than the Christmas market on the Plaza Mayor. The latter isn't at all like the Swiss or German Christmas markets, but if you want to buy a silly wig...well, this is your place, or some other silly gag to use for Dec. 28, el día de los Santos inocentes, Spain's version of our April Fools' Day . 🙂

For your day 3, I think you would enjoy seeing a few of the wonderful, elaborate Nativity Scene displays, or the "belenes". We make a tour of these part of our Christmas activities. These are 3 that I think you would like:

1. The belén displayed in the Real Casa de Correos at Puerta del Sol 7. It's composed of 310 life like figures created by different artists. On Dec 31 it will be open from 10 am-6 pm and admission is free. You could combine this with a visit to El Riojano on Calle Mayor for that slice of Roscón de Reyes or brave the crowds lined up at the churrería San Ginés. Or afterwards, head to Bar Postas around the corner from the Plaza Mayor (revulgo's map) for a bocadillo de calamares (fried squid in a baguette).

2. The City Hall belén displayed in the patio of Centro-Centro, Palacio de Cibeles. It´s composed of 200 figures created by the master sculptor José Luis Mayo Lebrija. On Dec. 31 it´s open only until 1:40 but on Dec. 30 the hours are 10:10-7:40 (these are last year's hours). Entrance is free but you need to secure a ticket at the booth at the side entrance. Or for .50 last year one could purchase it online at www.centrocentro.org

3. The belén display at the Palacio Real was last year displayed in the salón de Alabarderos of the Palace, but it may have been moved or will move (??) to the new Royal Collections Gallery. And there will be a Nativity Scene from Quito, 17th century, on display in the Museum of the Catedral de la Almudena, next to the Royal Palace.

If the kids like to ice skate, there will be a rink installed on Plaza Colón in the Salamanca district, close to where one catches the Naviluz bus. Also on the square you´ll find a Christmas market selling ornaments and such, but I save my gift purchases for the Arts & Crafts fair.
The elaborate Christmas lights in the Salamanca district and all down the Gran Vía and the giant Christmas tree at the Plaza de España make the city so special during the holidays.

You will definitely need more days in Madrid.

* Classic tapas near Plaza de Santa Ana https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/vi...oe9XNzWs&hl=en
* La Raquetista and nearby https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...nkNBMFEdSJM8JQ
* Naviluz Christmas Bus. Tickets are only sold online and will go on sale around November 21st. Buy them ASAP because as Maribel said "tickets sell out very quickly, like hotcakes". Sometimes tickets for the entire Christmas season are sold out in two days. https://www.naviluz.es/
* On January 1st, the Metro network opens at 7am with a reduced service and the Cercanias commuter trains also operate from around 7am. If you are traveling on January 1st, know that Madrid's official taxis (those with the €30 flat rate to the airport) are scarce on January 1st. Uber vehicles, in addition to being scarce, charge a high rate that day. The 24/7 Bus Express line from / to the airport will have a frequency set at 35-45 minutes from 10:30pm to 7am. If you anticipate problems getting the airport or train station, ask for advice in advance at the lobby desk of your hotel.

Ditto to the taxi issue on the morning of Jan, 1!!! Taxis started circulating slowly, in the afternoon of Jan. 1 last year, but I would pre-order a private taxi transfer, as I know you have an early flight out. If you choose the Plaza de Santa Ana rental flat, I would ask at the Hotel Me on the square for advice about a private transfer.
And as soon as revulgo alerted me last year about when they started selling Naviluz tickets, I purchased ours, but ended up having to purchase for the very last night!
So keep checking www.naviluz.es.

Revulgo, would you want to add to your nifty Retiro google map, these 2 places, that we really like on Alcalde Sáinz de Baranda-they've been added to our own personal Retiro dining list, all of which are already on your handy, dandy map. 🙂

1. El Talgo Bar (really excellent service and lovely presented small plates)
https://eltalgobar.com

2. Lacrado Despensa--again, with lovely service, excellent tortillas, (Maribona declares it one of the city's best), ensaladilla rusa and Iberian ham and cecina from León. And it's open on Sunday nights and Mondays, a big bonus for dining in this food-rich district. The owners are really nice folks.
https://www.lacradodespensa.com

@Irice,
For a guided walking tour of Old Madrid or a museum tour, you could check with Federico García Barroso of Spain Fred, who does guided tours for Rick Steves groups and has his own website now with his own group of guides.
https://spainfred.com.

Or maybe you meant a self-guided walking tour?

@Lrice,
Another ticket that sold like hot cakes during the Christmas season was the wonderful evening light show, Naturaleza Encendida, at the Royal Botanical Gardens, similar to the one at Kew Gardens. The Real Jardín Botánico is just to the south of the Prado. I assume it will be repeated this year, but not sure.

I bought these far in advance, as soon as they went on sale. Last year it ran from late November to past Epiphany, and the first evening pass started at 6:30 and passes are sold every 15 minutes. You can walk through it in about 40 minutes.
I purchased my tickets through www.entradas.com after seeing no availability on the official web page,
https://planletsgo.com/naturaleza-encendida-madrid.
But on either portal tickets aren't yet available.
Revulgo can tell us when they go on sale, because I don't. remember.
I think they'll also be available through
https://www.elcorteingles.es/entrada.../exposiciones/

I haven't talked about the evening light show at the Real Jardín Botánico (RJB) because I'm still not sure if it will be offered this year. The RJB collaborates actively in the achievement of one of the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, such as the development of recovery and regeneration protocols for threatened species. Last year there were some protests because the RJB is not an amusement park but a shelter for living beings and the night light show harms the plants. I suppose that it will finally be held because the RJB obtains a good income from renting some of its facilities for holding events such as exhibitions, conferences, seminars, congresses, product presentations, meetings, etc.

That's what I was thinking, revulgo, that it might not be offered anymore or be moved to another city, but you´ll let us know either way 🙂. Thanks.

@lrice
The NYE, New Year's Day taxi issue has been an issue for us.
Our anecdote:
When we've stayed in a hotel and spent NYE celebrating w/family in the barrio where they live (not walkable from our hotel), the hotel desk staff has advised us that taxis will not pick up at hotels until after 2-3 am, as taxi drivers want to enjoy NYE at home with their families. Our family has come to pick us up. Although we could take the metro or bus, we're laden with gift bags for our NYE dinner and have preferred not to.
As revulgo says, please make sure that you pre-arrange a transfer to the airport on the morning of Jan. 1 for your 11:30 am flight.
As noted above, in our meanderings, walking around on New Year's Day, we didn't see taxis circulating until the afternoon. I even made a note to self that we only began to see them after noon, around 1 pm.

Oh my goodness! What an abundance of wealth Revulgo and Maribel!

Revulgo, do you have a "map" of the area near the Calle de los Madrazo apartment? While I have the Santa Ana apartment reserved, nothing is set in stone. Both locations seem to be convenient locations to reach other sights and neighborhoods.

After reading all of the information here, I almost think the Calle de los Madrazo apartment is better located to walk to the many restaurants and bars in Retiro, Salamanca, the park, the museums, the Arts and Crafts Fair on Paseo de Recoletos.

I'm looking forward to Labor Day Weekend here in the US, when I can sit down with my notebook and go through all of this inch by inch! Thank you!!

Lrice,
Overall, for what you want to do and see, the Calle de los Madrazo apartment would be a better fit because...
From the Calle de los Madrazo apartment you´ll be a 25-minute walk from La Raquetista in the Retiro, closer to the Paseo de Recoletos for the artisan fair, actually very close, closer to the Salamanca district, closer to Retiro Park. You would be also very close to the Museo Thyssen and an easy walk to the Monet at Centro-Centro.

If the kids want to experience the 360 degree views on the rooftop terrace, Azotea, of the Círculo de Bellas Artes, it´s just around the corner from Calle de los Madrazo. And for all of you, you have café sitting on the ground at the large Círculo de Bellas Artes terrace or inside.

For the other 3 museums of the Art Triangle, the Plaza de Santa Ana apartment would be a 12 min walk to the Prado, then further down to Caixa Forum, Reina Sofía.

Irice, look at this: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...watHEDl02X_mLA