The various areas of Madrid cater to different types of people. The students have their hangouts while the artists and chicos rico (rich people) find other places to knock back their poison of choice. Look no further, here’s a quick write up of the most important nightlife areas in the spanish capital.

Huertas is an area who is extremely popular with foreigners and the streets and plaza are lines with bar after bar after bar. Barhopping is clearly a favorite pastime here, and revelers’ decisions are often helped along by people standing out in the street handing out fliers and inviting you to shots of fruity liqueur in many a bar. There is a great selection of various pubs and clubs in this area. Everything from jazz clubs to stylish minimalistic bars. And of course, there’s also a fair share of Irish pubs. Nearest metro is Sevilla (L2)

Chueca is Madrid’s gay neighbourhood. It is painfully hip, but also a bit seedy. Not only for gay. Lots of trendy places cater to the heterosexual party traveller as well. The nearest metros are Chueca and Gran Via (L5)

Alonso Martinez is an inexpensive area most frequented by students and young people. Great place to knock back your share of inexpensive drinks. The nearest metro is Alonso Martínez (L4, L5, L10).

About the Author:

Learn about the hottest nightlife zones in Madrid. Dirt Cheap Madrid travel guide got plenty of tips.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The Most Important Nightlife Areas in Madrid

Go to a Flamenco dinner show

A Flamenco dinner show is a great cultural nighttime option. If you are traveling to the South of Spain, particularly Granada or Seville, it’s best to find a Flamenco show in these cities. It will undoubtedly be cheaper and more authentic. However, Flamenco shows in Madrid are still a good option if you won’t be traveling outside of the capital.

Try a few tapas bars

A tapas crawl can be fun if you find the right places. Avoid some of the tourist traps in the Sol area, which are overpriced. Ask your hotel for suggestions. Vinoteca, in Plaza Santa Ana, is a one good option.

Check out some of Madrid’s big night clubs

Madrid’s night clubs are a fun experience. None card, and as long as you look about 18, you won’t have any problems getting in. Try Kapitol, across from metro stop Atocha, and Palacio Real (near Sol). Kapitol claims to be the biggest club in Europe. Both charge a cover of 12-15 euros and get busy at around 2 AM.

Hit the bars:

Madrid is full of good bars. Some of the best bars for young people are in the Moncloa, Tribunal, Bilbao, and Malasana neighborhoods. Here are a couple of bars that are normally flooded with American and Spanish college students, as well as others:

o El Chapandaz, “The cave bar” – (Calle Fernando El Catolico 77, Moncloa) Cool looking bar decorated like a cave. Some drinks are poured from a tap in the form of a rock formation hanging down from the ceiling. Good Thurs. through Sat.

o Casa de la Cerveza (Metro Bilbao) – This bar is normally packed on off nights because of its all-you-can-drink for 10 euro deal (from 11-1:30 I believe). You can try Sangria, beer, or red wine and coke (called calimocho- popular with the young Spanish crowd).

Note: Avoid the bars that promote around the Sol area. Some of the Irish bars are OK, as are many of the bars located in underground caves.

About the Author:
For a free guide to the must-see sites in Madrid click here. Or check out our irresistible Madrid vacation deals.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Nightlife Guide: Madrid

Madrid is rich with historical landmarks, museums, cultural centers, fine dining, and haute shopping venues. It also has luxury hotels, restaurants offering fine dining, and a lot to see and do. Here are a few suggestions to help get your party started!

The Hotel Orfila is five star boutique hotel that offers golf, horseback riding, and skiing for its most fortunate guests. It originally was a 19th century built mansion.

The hotel is located in the middle of the city near the business financial and cultural centers of Madrid. The Hotel Ritz Madrid is located between Retiro Park, Teatro de la Zarzuela, the Prado, the Thyssen Bornemisza and the Centro de Arte Moderno Reina Sofia museums.

The Mirasierra Suites Hotel features the Juban Club, which is an executive floor of suites on the top floor that overlook Sierra de Guadarrama. The Santo Mauro Hotel is the former residence of the Duke of Santo Mauro. It is located in the center of town off the Paseo de la Castellana. The dance halls and library of the Dukes place were restyled in to meeting rooms and a restaurant.

Restauarante Zalacain is a gastronomical landmark that has been serving Mediterranean cuisine in a formal atmosphere since 1973. Gentlemen are required to don a suit and tie. A shirt would probably be a good idea too. Zalacain boasts a vast wine collection approximating 35,000 bottles.

The decorum is fantastic. The architecture is breathtaking. But for more than 75 years, La Ancha Restauarante has primarily focused on its decidedly traditional dishes and service over the years. If you are able to focus on something besides the food, the place is suave, chic, and refined at no charge.

Combarro presents award winning seafood entrees that are subject to the season and availability of food and ingredients. The atmosphere rich environ also offers an impressive array of fine wines. Speaking of the aforementioned Santo Mauro Hotel, the hotels restaurant merits a mention in this section too.

Madrid has more than a dozen museums in the city to take in paintings by Rembrandt, Goya, Reubens an numerous works of acclaimed Spanish artists such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. The Prado Museum and the Archaeological Museum are great starting points. The latter contains artifacts that are more than 14,000 years old.

If partying in a 19th century palace reshaped into a decadent discotheque intrigues you, head for the Palacio Gaviria. Even Madrids nightlife intertwines the old and the new eras fluidly. Special VIP events occur nightly.

The Joy Eslava is another enclave of vibrant nightlife. And it is located on the same street as the Palacio Gaviria. When one cab ride can taxi you into two hotspots, it is a deal that is too good to resist. Always enjoy yourself responsibly!

The Plaza Puerto del Sol is good area to meet and casually absorb Madrids charming essence. The numerous shops, bars, and restaurants make it a great place to leisurely linger and lounge. It is the center of Madrid.

See the Bernabeu Stadium, which holds 80,000, and Madrids Manhattan, consisting of high rise buildings such as the Torre Picasso and the Torre Europa. Minoru Yamasaki, the designer of the fallen WTC Towers in New York, is the architect of the Torre Picasso. The Royal Palace (Palacio Real) and the Palacio de Communicaciones are just two of the historical sites that dot Madrids cityscape.

About the Author:

Click here to see beautiful pictures of Madrid and learn more about exotic travel destinations

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Your Luxury Guide To Madrid