minimemom

Will leave NYC on a friday in August and arrive Madrid early Saturday morning, plan to stay 2-3 days then by plane to Barcelona for 3-4 days. Hoping things are opened in Madrid over weekend, museums...want a clean beach area to go to in Barcelona,,,Suggestions for good hotels to stay and restaurants,,will travel with

Robert2533

Why are you flying from Madrid to Barcelona when the train is much easier and more comfortable?

Everything will be open in August, at least all of the monuments and museums, but a number of excellent restaurants will be closed for holiday.

Have you read Maribel's Guides to Madrid and Barcelona? You should find them useful in planning this little adventure (www.maribelsguides.com).

kimhe

The Veranos de la Villa (Summer in the city) Festival in Madrid goes on through all of July and August. Top national and international artists every night at scenes around town. The outdoor scene in the Sabatini Gardens just outside the Royal Palace is spectacular. Rock, pop, blues, theater, dance, zarzuela, flamenco. Have had some great concert experiences here. About the 2012 edition: http://veranosdelavilla.esmadrid.com/index.php/en/

The 2013 festival goes on from Thursday 27 June to Sunday 1 September.

http://www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do is always updated about wonderful Madrid.