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.

NH Alcalá

This 4-star hotel is handy for the Retiro, the art museums and the fashion boutiques of Salamanca. The building is modern but the ambience is old-world. All rooms were refurbished in the 1990s; try for one overlooking the leafy courtyard.
NH Embajada

Located in lively Chueca, this distinguished-looking hotel includes a restaurant and meeting rooms, while the pleasant rooms have TV and hair-dryers. A special breakfast is available for early risers.
NH Nacional

A large 4-star hotel in an imposing early 20th-century building opposite Atocha railway station. The location is perfect for the “golden triangle” of art museums. The hotel has its own bar and restaurant and the stylish rooms are equipped with satellite TV (some have balconies).
Nightlife

Madrid is notable for its nightlife and night clubs. On weekends, Madrilenian youth are famous for dancing all night long, stopping only to have some chocolate con churros at dawn, go home, take a shower, shave (or not), and go to work. What is also popular is the practice of meeting in parks or streets with friends and drinking alcohol together (this is called 'botellón', from 'botella', bottle), but in recent years, drinking in the street is punished with a fine and now young madrileños drink together all around the city instead of in more well known places. Many places host bands (concerts in Madrid). Nightlife and young cultural awakening flourished after the death of Franco, especially during the 80s while Madrid's mayor Enrique Tierno Galván was in office. This new movement was called la movida and it initially gathered around Plaza del Dos de Mayo (Malasaña area). Some of the most popular night destinations include the neighbourhoods of: Bilbao, Tribunal, Alonso Martinez or Moncloa, together with Puerta del Sol area (including Opera and Gran Via, both adjacent to the popular square) and Huertas (barrio de Las Letras), destinations which are also filled with tourists day and night. The gay district of Chueca has also become a hot spot in the Madrilenian night life, not only for gay people but also for straight people looking for fun in their crowded clubs and popular discos.
Niza

This 19th-century confectioners has retained its stuccoed ceiling, marble-topped counter and wooden fittings. Sells mouth-watering cakes pastries and biscuits, as well as a range of sweets.
Nuevas Galerías

Shop here for prints, lithographs, repro-ceramics and antiques. Souvenir hunters should make a bee-line for Albarrelo and Mercedes Cabeza de Vaca.
Nuevo Baztán

This settlement south of Alcalá de Henares was the brainchild of an 18th-century nobleman from Navarre, Juan de Goyeneche. Goyeneche built the estate so that he could supervise his various industrial enterprises, among the most advanced of the day. The Baroque palace, the domed church of St Francis Xavier and the workers’ houses, designed by José de Churriguera, are the main attractions.
Observatório Astronómico

The National Observatory museum includes historic telescopes and other astronomical instruments.
Opéra

As its name suggests, this comfortable 3-star hotel is close to the opera house. All rooms have satellite TV and some have balconies. The English-speaking staff are helpful. The waiters in the restaurant serenade guests with arias.
Orense

This 4-star hotel has an excellent location in the heart of Madrid’s business district. Facilities include three meeting rooms, a private dining room and fax service.

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under €70
- €70-€120
- €120-€180
- €180-€240
- over €240