We will have one full day in Madrid en route to/returning from other parts of Spain...any suggestions on what absolutely must not be missed in the city? (Two adults, two teenagers, lots of stamina and motivation!) Thanks for any suggestions.

Hi

Try the Royal Palace, Prado Museum, Plaza Mayor, Retiro Park (you can hire rowboats) and the Madrid Vision Tourist Bus. I loved strolling Gran Via for a sample of some the magnificent architecture in the city. If you are there on a Sunday the teenagers would love El Rastro flea market, one of the largest in the world. Lots of cool, funky stuff at cheap prices.

Have fun

Hi

Worldinabag has really given you the top things to do. If you like art, in addition to Prado museum, you might want to go to Reina Sofia museum. It has modern art and has Picasso's famous huge painting "Guernica".

And if you are STILL in need of a museum fix there is the Thyssen.

Good list from worldinabag, including the boats in Retiro Park. I'd add sitting in one of the cafes in Plaza Santa Ana in the evening.

Depending on how old and responsible the teenagers are, let them go out in the area near la Puerta del Sol. I have a lot of great memories of fun nights out in that area. Speaking of Puerta del Sol, it is not a particularly interesting area, but the Plaza Mayor (not far walking) is a wonderful place to walk around during the day.

Claire

Thank you very much, worldinabag et al! These sound like great suggestions. I really appreciate it.

Go on a night tour in Madrid with the Chairman of the Wellington Society Stephen Drake-Jones. I found it very fun and not boring at all. He will give you some interesting stories and tidbits about Madrid. The website is http://www.sellsoc.org

Bill
www.WilliamBert.com

If you do happen to be there on a Sunday, the Rastro in the am. Then, the Prado and Reina Sofia are free although perhaps crowded. If you are short of time, you can just go directly to the Guernica in the Sofia and leave.

Worldinabag summed up the "musts" very well.

Thanks again,everyone. these are great tips...almost ready to go now!

tagging this for myself

Is that day a Sunday? I'll be in Madrid on a Sunday after San Fermín with my brother, who's never been to Spain, and I'm having trouble coming up with things to do that aren't "couply".
I'm thinking of the Puerto del Sol-Plaza Mayor-Palacio Real route and ending at any open tapas bar.

www.nycClubTaurino.com

If in Madrid after nightfall go for a walk on the Gran Via or take a tour of the city. Madrid, at least in the big public areas, is spectacular at night. Many cities look better after dark but with Madrid the effect of the night and the lighting are particularly striking.

1. eat
2. drink
3. eat some more
4. drink some more
5. eat and drink

You have had several replies telling you to go to el Rastro on a Sunday: I am not a fan of el Rastro! Sunday for me would include a stroll thru Retiro Park from the Puerta de Alcalá entry to the Cristal Palace. On a nice day there will be many street performers setting up around 11:00 AM. It can be delightful!

And the performers are not aggressive like those at Fishermen's Wharf in San Francisco or Washington Square Park in New York. On weekdays you may see a few of them on c/Preciados (i.e., between Puerta del Sol & Gran Via)

But you didn't say you would be there on a Sunday. I would add Plaza de Oriente (across from Palacio Réal) for a history lesson as you view statues of Spain's Visgoth Kings and the years of their reigns ...

Nearby is Plaza de España and statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza (good background for teenagers' photos).