DK Travel : Madrid

Madrid’s three world-class art museums and two royal palaces alone would set the pulses racing, but there is more to this exciting and diverse capital than its tourist sights. The fashion boutiques of the Salamanca district showcase Europe’s top designers and are just the tip of a shopping iceberg, perfectly complementing the informality of the fascinating El Rastro market, while Madrid’s world-famous tapas bars vie for attention with gourmet restaurants and humble tabernas in a city which never sleeps. To simply watch the world go by, head for the supremely elegant Plaza Mayor.

Casa del Libro

Four floors of books on every subject under the sun. Some English books. Good travel section, especially for books on Spain.
Casa Hernanz

One of a number of intriguing shops on Calle de Toledo, Casa Hernanz specializes in rope, with items such as espadrilles, baskets, mats and light-shades.
Casa Jiménez

It’s difficult to tear yourself away from this emporium specializing in mantones (Spanish shawls) and mantillas , the silk headresses worn by women in Goya’s paintings (see Casa Jiménez).
Casa Jiménez

A superb shop dealing mainly in mantones de Manila . These embroidered, brightly coloured silk shawls originated in China and found their way to Spain via the Philippines. They gained popularity in 19th-century Seville when the working girls of the tobacco factories wore them. Also sells fans and mantillas , the traditional black lace headdress still worn on formal occasions (see Casa Jiménez).
Casa José

The cuisine is based on home-grown produce including the local artichoke.
Casa Labra

A Madrid institution, it was here that Pablo Iglesias founded the Spanish Socialist party in 1879. Of the tapas on offer try the house speciality, soldaditos de Pavía (fried cod).
Casa Labra

The speciality here is cod croquettes. If you don’t fancy standing at the bar, classic Madrid dishes are served in the wood-panelled room at the back (see Casa Labra).
Casa Lucas

This old-fashioned lechería (dairy) should be seen if only for its decorative tiled frontage. The sign outside with the cows reads “Pure milk for children and the sick”.
Casa Lucio

It’s worth splashing out on a meal in this restaurant renowned for its roasts. Booking ahead is essential.
Casa Mira

Founded in 1842 by Luis Mira, who knew how to cater for the famous Spanish sweet tooth, this confitería (confectioner) is best known for its turrón (Christmas nougat); also marzipan, chocolate and pestiños (honey-coated pastries).

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