Madrid: 6 hours this Sunday afternoon

[Leyla Giray Alyanak]

Hi All - I'm in Madrid this Sunday, around the Pza Mayor and Pta del Sol... from 11-5pm.

Andy thoughts on great places to eat/see/photograph? I can't really leave the central area and I'm happy to go to several places (I'll be writing/blogging as well). Not interested in the jerez/beer/wine, just the food and sights.

Thank you!

[Steven P. Unger]

There's time for a bullfight, and with a long lens you can't go wrong.

[Leyla Giray Alyanak]

Naw, I think I'll stick to the center of town, thank you!

[Jose R. Garrigo]

Hi Leyla, Gee it's tough to recommend when you only have six hours. It will take you 30 minutes just to go from the Barajas airport to downtown Madrid.  Your best bet, if you can afford it, is to get a taxi who will take you to the various places.  I recommend, driving through Paseo de la Castellana to la Gran Via, Plaza Mayor, Parque de El Retiro, the Old Food Market.  And if you still have time (you can spend six hours there), of course, the Museo de El Prado.  Enjoy Madrid, Joe Garrigo, Miami, FL 

[Leyla Giray Alyanak]

Thank you Jose for your kind suggestions - actually I have been to Madrid before but because I have to stay in the center of town for a number of reasons I was looking for ideas within walking distance of the Puerta del Sol/Plaza Mayor... I know I can just walk around the neighborhood but if you have any special places or ideas please don't hesitate!

[C. Edwards]

Hi! You may want to consider doing a tapas tour. It takes about 2-3 hours. Most start at Plaza Mayor. My husband and I went on a tapas tour our first day in Madrid and it was incredible! It was a great way to walk around the area and discover restaurants that are NOT touristy. I highly recommend La Casa del Abuelo, excellent food! You can find several groups that arrange tapas tours online.

[Leyla Giray Alyanak]

Thank you all for your suggestions - in the end I did stay right in the center, and here's how it all turned out!

A Taste of Old Madrid (because with me it always ends up being about food!)

[David Paul Appell]

Yummy!  Was that the Chocolatería San Ginés, by any chance?   If you ever want to republish this on Tripatini, we'd love to have it!

DPA

[Leyla Giray Alyanak]

If memory serves me, it WAS San Gines! It's just down the street from the Mercado... :-)

As for republishing, I try not to do that because of Google's penalties surrounding duplicate content... it's discouraged and I'm trying to stay on the straight and narrow with GG... I hate that we have to worry about things like that!