Here are six sandwich shops guaranteed to hit the spot:

Bar Postas
Calle Postas, 13
Metro: Sol
Telephone: (+34) 91 521 1942

At this unassuming spot between the hustle and bustle of Sol and the Plaza Mayor you’ll find the best calamari sandwich in town. There aren’t many tables at this establishment, so either eat the fried, crispy, goodness at the bar with a caña or take it for the road.

Bar Melos
Calle Ave María, 44
Metro: Lavapies
Telephone: (+34) 91 527 5054

Big appetites should head here. Bar Melos is famous for their zapatillas: an enormous sandwich overflowing with ham and cheese on what is almost like challah bread. It’s scrumptious.

Cervecería 100 Montaditos
Multiple locations
Web site

In Spain, Montaditos is similar to Starbucks in the States; they’re everywhere. Walk through the center and you’ll spot them on almost every corner. Although a chain, Montaditos is one of the best places to stop for bite-sized sandwiches at an unbeatable price. Tip: Swing by on a Wednesday when all sandwiches are only €1.

Museo del Jamón
Multiple locations
Web site

Yes, it looks like a tourist trap (see photo, top), but it’s a local stop for many Madrileños. And, although it feels like a museum, with ham legs hanging from the ceiling, it’s not. No, the Museo del Jamón is instead one of the greatest places to munch on an inexpensive bocadillo, elbow to elbow with locals.

Hurly Burly
Calle del Marqués de Cubas, 2
Telephone: (+34) 91 523 2367
Metro: Banco de Espana

Winner of many international sandwich contests, the Hurly Burly is a more expensive, gourmet option. Treat yourself to a bocadillo of cod, morcilla spread, and peppers. Or go for the goat cheese with tomato and paletilla ibérica. Or perhaps the fajitas with lomo, mushrooms and tomato sauce. Yum!

El Cubanito
Bravo Murillo, 10
Metro: Quevedo
Telephone: (+34) 91 471 547

El Cubanito is the spot if you’re craving a traditional Cuban sandwich. Not much more to say here, only that once you bite into this soft, juicy, and super savory bocadillo, you’re likely to order another one.

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After nearly four years of living here, I’d say I’ve become quite the café connoisseur, and I’m happy to share my favorites. He’s my quick list of the city’s best cafés:

Matilda Bar & Cocktail
Calle Almadén, 15
+34 914 2980
Metro: Atocha
Web site

Venture down this quiet street only steps from Calle Atocha and you’ll come upon Café Matilda. This light blue café is decorated with little knick knacks that give it a cozy feel, with a mish mash of tables and chairs, a small sofa and a bookshelf lined with assorted titles. The bathroom here is also a highlight, as its walls are covered with text from books and magazines.

Café de la Luz
Calle de La Puebla, 8
+34 91 523 1199
Metro: Tribunal

Relax, get some work done, or simply hang with friends at this bright and airy gem of a café. A variety of seating options span many decades and make it easy to get comfortable.

Bar La Piola
Calle León, 9
+34 67 974 4898
Metro: Antón Martín
Web site

This no-frills café draws more of a “30-something” crowd. Upon entering you’ll likely notice the chilled out vibe of not only the staff, but also the customers. Eavesdrop on conversations and you’ll learn about politics, art and literature.

Cafe Comercial
Glorieta Blbao, 7
+34 91 521 5655
Metro: Bilbao
Web site

Even though this is one of the best-known cafes in Madrid, it’s still one of my favorites. Mirrored walls with burgundy leather seats, waiters in white, and an upstairs where you can opt for a game of chess keeps me coming back. Also, they have outdoor seating, which makes for a great day of people watching.

La Marabunta
Calle Torrecilla del Leal, 32
+34 91 530 5555
Metro: Antón Martín
Web site

Located well off the beaten path and only a few months old, La Marabunta is both a bookstore and a café. Sit among the literary greats while you work, talk with others about the future of literature, or join in on one of their seminars.

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High on any visitor’s “must see” list when traveling to Madrid are the city’s fine art museums. The capital city is overflowing with classic, contemporary, abstract, expressionist and experimental art. What many may not know is that many of the best museums offer free admission–at least at some point during the week.

Here’s a quick overview of five of my favorite art museums in Madrid, and when you can visit them for free:

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia

Museo del Prado
Paseo del Prado s/n
Metro: Banco de España
Tel: +34 91 330 2800
Web site

The permanent collection houses works by El Greco, Ribera, Zurbarán, Murillo, Alonso Cano, Velázquez, Goya and more.

Free admission: Tuesday to Sunday 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Sundays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Other free days: Constitution Day (December 6), November 19, National Holiday (October 12), May 2, and on International Museum Day (May 18).

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
Calle Santa Isabel, 52
Metro: Atocha
Tel: +34 91 774 1000
Web site

Check out Picasso’s Guernica, Dali’s Figure at a Window, or Juan Gris’ Portrait of Josette Gris.

Free admission: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday 2:30 p.m. – 9 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Other free days include World Heritage Day (April 18), International Museum Day (May 18), National Holiday (October 12), and Constitution Day (December 6).

Museo Naval de Madrid
Paseo del Prado, 5
Metro: Banco de España
Tel: +34 91 523 8789
Web site

Interested in seeing treasures accumulated by Columbus, navigational instruments, or murals of routes taken by Spanish explorers? The Naval Museum is the place to feast your eyes on all things maritime at no cost.

Free admission every day. Open Tuesday–Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m

CaixaForum Madrid
Paseo del Prado, 36
Metro: Atocha
Tel: +34 91 330 7300
Web site

Located in the heart of the city center, Caixa Forum holds events and art exhibitions all year round. Read more about the CaixaForum on MapMagazine.

Free admission every day. The CaixaForum is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Museo Arte Público
Paseo Castellana, 40
Metro: Rubén Dario
Tel: +34 91 701 1863
Web site

You’ll find sculptures and installations at this completely free outdoor museum. Open since 1970, the museum offers collections from Andreu Alfaro, Rafael Leoz, Pablo Palazuelo and more. Best times to go are during the spring, summer and fall.

Free admission every day.

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If shopping is on the agenda while you’re in Madrid, you’ll surely come across price tags that will make you scratch your head. The good news is that although most trendy stores will drain your funds, there are some spots that won’t.

Clothing: Lefties
Multiple locations, including:
Calle Carretas, 10
Calle Princesa, 63
Calle Conde de Peñalver, 16

In Madrid Lefties is pretty much the Spanish equivalent of H&M. The store has multiple locations around the city and all of them have a large selection of inventory. Even though the price tag is super cheap – the clothes are made well and outlast the latest fads.

A quick tip: Because this is such a popular spot, sometimes you’ll have to go searching through disorganized racks and shoes here and there to find that perfect item. The checkout line can also be brutal. Go during the week and don’t expect it to be a quick trip.

Sales: February and July

Unlike in the United States, where sales happen all year long, in Madrid there are only two sale seasons. February and July are when the rebajas come to the city. The best time to hit up the racks is at the beginning of the month, because by the end there’s almost nothing left on the hangers.

Essentials: El Chino

All around town you’ll find stores that locals call “los chinos.” These tend to be stocked with everything one would need: adapters, slippers, coffee makers, notebooks, shower curtains, kids stuff, plates and more at unbelievably low prices. Even if you don’t need anything, they’re a fun place to explore–it’s almost like entering a Bazaar. Really, these stores have it all.

Food: Order a drink and get free food

If you’ve been to bars in the south of Spain, you know how amazing tapas can be: you order a small beer and you get a large plate of food “on the house.” Well, in Madrid, if you know where to go, you can get the same treatment. Some suggestions:

España Cani
Plaza Angel 14, 28012 Madrid
67 644 5808

Off of Plaza Santa Ana is local bar that serves up a large bowl of potato chips, chorizo and jamon with any drink you order. Best of all, once you’ve finished you’re first drink and order another one, you get a whole new basket of goodies.

La Buena Mezcla
Calle Redondilla, 9, 28005 Madrid
62 940 6776

In the neighborhood of La Latina, which is known for its tapas bars, this little spot is hidden off the main strip. Enter this cozy locale and sit at the two tables on the main floor that’s adorned with old photos, phones, dishes and pans, or walk downstairs and lounge on bean bags. Order a glass of wine or caña and choose from homemade dishes like tortilla española, lentil soup or paella. The options change weekly and the portions are large.

The post 5 Ways to Save on Shopping and Food in Madrid appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

La Fabula
Calle Ruiz, 20

The outside looks like any taberna in the city, but inside the decor is a mix of cultures. Paintings by a Russian artist, hand-carved Mexican furniture, painted tables flown in from India, and the list goes on. Besides stopping in to see what this place looks like, you should also take a seat in the gorgeous dining area and order some Galician style pintxos (tapas). The dishes here start at €1.80. To wash the Boquerones en Vinagre down, try one of dozens of types of wines. There’s also a good beer selection and the bartender here makes excellent cocktails.

El Sur
Calle Torrecilla del Leal, 12

For Spanish film buffs out there, this tapas joint has got the goods. If you’re up on your movie trivia, you might try naming the director of each movie poster plastered to the wall. Walk to the back where there are wooden tables, large enough for groups, and browse through the savory menu. At El Sur you’ll find a mix of Raciones: spinach quiche with raisons (a larger plate at only €2.50), scrambled eggs with mushrooms, chorizo, and Jamón Serrano, the Tortilla Española, plus a a bunch of daily specials.

Bar Automåtico
Calle de Argumosa, 17

Posters and old framed photographs adorn the light blue walls of this popular bar-cum-restaurant. The vibe here is 50s chic mixed with a local Lavapiés-neighborhood flavor. During warmer months, Automåtico is the place for sipping Tinto de Verano and other refreshing concoctions outdoors. All year long, though, this place is chock-a-block full of patrons. Put simply, the tapas some of the best in the ‘hood. The Salmorejo is rich and fresh, croquetas pack a punch, and the prices are reasonable.

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Atocha

Art junkies and outdoor lovers cross paths in this area. On one side is the Reina Sofia Museum, where you can spend the day admiring paintings by Picasso, Joan Miro, Salvadore Dali Juan Gris and more. And on the other side is the Retiro Park, which is a great spot for a run, walk, bike ride or picnic.

Chamberi

The Chamberi area is best for those who want to experience less of a scene and more of a laid-back, local feel. One of the most popular spots here is the Plaza de Olavide. Gather with a group of friends and while away the hours at one of the many outdoor cafés.

Chueca

A young downtown vibe, boutiques, hip restaurants and clubs await you in Chueca. Pick from any number of bars in the area, but don’t worry when they close because that means the nightlife is just getting started. There are many clubs and after-hours locations in this neck of the woods.

Gran Via

Madrid’s main street is great for basic shopping and theater-goers. Hemmingway used to call Gran Via “Little Broadway,” which is no surprise as this is where the majority of theaters are located. Aside from stores and show business, this area sports many hotels and some famous bars. Museo Chicote draws an older, sophisticated crowd and is a great place to spot local celebrities.

Huertas & Santa Ana

The literary neighborhood of Madrid, this area is relaxing during the day and crowded with 20-somethings at night. Calle Huertas overflows with bars, restaurants, jazz and flamenco venues. Here you’ll find street vendors selling fedora hats and jewelry.

Puerta del Sol

The touristy area in Madrid is at the heart of the city, Sol. The area is always crowded with visitors taking pictures or young foreigners searching for hostels. At night, you’ll find lots of people handing out fliers for free drinks at nearby bars. This is a well known area for sports bars, so if you’re looking to watch American football, soccer, rugby, or baseball, you’ll find it here.

Salamanca

Do you like showing off the latest designer fashions, dining in celebrity chef restaurants or mingling with the wealthy crowds? (Admit it, “Cheapo”!) Calle Serrano and the close by Calle de Jose Ortega y Gasset are for the seasoned fashionistas out there, featuring designer labels and international styles. Dining in the area requires reservations and the popular nightclubs (including Gabana 1800 and Serrano 41) draw a highbrow crowd.

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Since moving to Madrid, I’ve spent a lot of time arriving in and departing from the Barajas International Airport. I’ve been in all four terminals and have learned the hard way how to make getting to the airport a stress-free experience. To make your arrival or departure as glitch-free as possible, follow the tips below.

1. Getting to the airport: Use the Metro

Getting to the airport from the city center is a cinch. Most locals hop on the Metro, switch to Line 8 (pink) at “Nuevos Ministerios” and arrive at their desired terminal.

Why do most locals take the Metro? It’s cheap! At just €2 (€1 for the ride and €1 for the airport tax), it’s a much better option than shelling out upwards of €20 for a taxi ride. The Metro can take between 30 to 45 minutes, depending on which part of the city you’re coming from. If I’m traveling light, I always take the Metro. If I can’t carry my bags, then I know it’s time to hail a cab.

2. Budget extra time for long lines

When flying from Madrid to other European destinations, I normally arrive at least two hours early, and when traveling to the U.S., I arrive a little more than three hours in advance. If I’m leaving out of Terminal 1, I always give myself some extra time because of the long indoor walk to the terminal from the Metro.

Why so much time in general? Lines. If you’ve spent some time in Madrid, you know that Spanish people embrace lines and they don’t get upset waiting in them. The airport is no exception. Security lines are a breeze compared to the check-in lines. The worst lines are for Ryanair flights when you’re checking baggage, or flights to Newark, JFK or any other U.S. destination. Prepare to wait for almost an hour to check in.

Once through security, check your watch. If you’ve taken my advice, you’ll most likely have time for a café con leche or a bit of browsing in the duty-free shops. Make sure to check the monitors, as there are no PA announcements to let you know that a flight is boarding.

3. Ready to board. Ready to wait in another line.

If you haven’t gotten used to lines by now, don’t worry: You’ll really understand the concept after you reach the boarding area. Don’t get nervous if you see a long line starting to form before boarding has begun. As I said before, the Spanish love lines. Most flights are still boarded by rows, but lines are customary.

4. The easy part: Arriving at Barajas

The difference between arriving and departing from Barajas is that, upon arrival you don’t have to wait in any lines! The only wait you’ll have is for your luggage. Terminal 4 has the longest luggage retrieval wait time.

If for some reason your bags don’t arrive, walk to the customer service desk (hopefully there isn’t a line). Here you give them your information, identify the brand and color of your luggage, fill out a form with your address and they’ll deliver it to you, for free.

5. Go to town!

Once you have your luggage, you can either take a cab, bus line 200 or the Metro. Again, I most always opt for the Metro. Take line 8 (pink) to “Nuevos Ministerios.” From there you can hop on Line 10 and be in the city center in about 10-15 minutes.

For more information about getting to the airport, check out our Madrid city guide.

Have you been to Barajas?

Have you recently flown into or out of Madrid’s airport? Tell us about your experience in the comments section.

The post Madrid: 5 tips for passing through Madrid’s Barajas International Airport appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

J & J Books and Coffee
Calle Espiritu Santo, 47
Metro: Noviciado
Telephone: +34 91 521 85 76
Web site

J & J is a great place to go for a coffee, beer and, of course, English-language books. Walk in and you’ll likely find lots of expats chatting away. The staff speaks English and they are always willing to help you find titles. The bookstore itself is downstairs, and here you’ll find the classics, contemporary fiction, travel guides, teaching materials, non-fiction, biography and more. Since it’s a used bookstore, the prices surely beat the bigger chains.

Pasajes Libreria Internacional
C/ Genova, 3
Metro: Alonso Martinez
Telephone: +34 91 310 12 45
Web site

Known for its wide variety of titles in Spanish, German, English, French, Italian, Portuguese and Russian, Pasajes more often than not will have what you’re looking for. English subject matter includes: Language and Linguistics, Philosophy, Literature, History and Geography, Social and Political Sciences, Psychology, Religion, Science, English as a Foreign Language, Art, Music, Cinema and Children’s Books. For all the titles it offers one would think the space would be large; however, the bookstore is small in size and the atmosphere is quite cozy.

Petra’s International Bookshop
C/ Campomanes, 13
Metro: Santo Domingo y Ópera
Telefone: 91 5417291
Web site

This used bookstore in Madrid’s city center carries a wide selection of English titles. The staff is super friendly and if the book you’re looking for isn’t on the shelves, they’ll call you when they have it. Walk by the bookstore and you’ll find titles spilling out onto the street. Walk in and you’ll notice that the layout is similar to an apartment–and in fact, it used to be one! This place has great prices and a friendly atmosphere.

Biblioketa
C/ Justiniano, 4
Metro: Alonso Martinez
Telephone: +34 91 391 00 99
Web site

What makes this bookstore different from the rest is that it specializes in Spanish, English and French titles for children and teens. The great selection starts at books for toddlers zero to three and it doesn’t go too far beyond teen literature. Another feature that sets this place apart is the “La Cuevade Keta,” a space where you can catch lectures, book readings, author signings, music, theater and more. Activities are in English, Spanish and French.

Casa del Libro
Multiple Locations
Web site

One of the biggest bookstores in Madrid (with chains all over the world), Casa del Libro has plenty of stores in the city. It’s no surprise that you’ll find an English language section here. Even though the store is big, the English literature selection isn’t. So it’s possible you may find what you’re looking for, but it’s not guaranteed.

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10 bus or metro rides with the “billete de diez”

Although metro tickets are only €1 for a single ride within Madrid, buying multiple single journey tickets can actually cost you more than if you buy a metro pack. One option is to buy a ticket for 10 rides, which is otherwise known as a “billete de diez” or “Metrobús.” The cost is €7.40 and you can use this ticket to travel anywhere within Zone A, which is where most of the tourist attractions in the city are located.

What’s great about these tickets is that they can be used on both the metro and buses, and there is no expiration date! You can buy the “billete de diez” at any metro station, “estanco” (tobacco shop), and at the kiosks located in the metro station. You can’t, however, buy these passes on the bus.

Unlimited travel with the “Abono Turistico” pass

The second option for cheap metro travel is the “Abono Turístico.” This pass gives you unlimited travel throughout the city of Madrid on the metro and buses, and is also valid on the “cercanías,” trains that take you to Madrid’s surrounding areas. You can buy a pass for either 1-5 days or 7 days, and for either zone A or to for the entire Community of Madrid.

This pass is a great option if you know you are going to be traveling outside the city center for day trips. A one-day adult pass for only zone A is €5.20. For a 1-day pass that includes the Community of Madrid the cost is €10.40. A seven-day pass for travel in zone A is €23.60, and for travel that includes the Community of Madrid it is €47.20.

You will need your passport to buy the “Abono Turistico.” It can be purchased in metro stations, the tourism office in Madrid, at hotels, or online.

The “Abono” ticket for longer stays

A third option if you are in town for a month is to buy a season ticket, simply called an “Abono.” The “Abono” is valid for the entire calendar month, so it’s beneficial to buy the pass before the month begins. Zone A should cover everywhere you’d want to go, unless you are planning to travel outside the city.

An adult “Abono” for travel within Zone A costs €46. There are reductions in cost for young people and those over 65. To purchase the “Abono,” you will need your passport and a small passport size photo, and they can be purchased at most tobacco shops around the city.

Taxi Tips

Two quick tips about taking a taxi in Madrid:

For normal rides you do not need to tip the driver. Of course if you want to, go ahead. But again, you can save an extra euro just by knowing it’s not customary to do so.

Secondly, the meter always starts at €2.05, but depending on where you’re going and the time of day, you may be charged an extra fee on top of that.

There is an additional charge from 11 PM to 6 AM, on Sundays and public holidays, and there are extra supplements for travel starting from a bus or train station (€2.95), from the airport (€5.50), and to and from the IFEMA fair complex (€2.95).

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History of the Rastro

The Rastro is the largest outdoor flea market in Madrid and its origins date back nearly five centuries. It’s been said that the area used to be the epicenter of the tanning trade. The word “Rastro” actually translates as “track” or “trace”, which evokes the image of slaughterers dragging animals to the tannery. Alongside the tanners were clothing makers and workers in other associated trades, which encouraged the development of the area into a commercial district.

Today, the Rastro has much more to offer than just tanned leather and hides. Walking the market’s principal road, Ribera de Curtidores, you will find every product imaginable: from t-shirts to jewelry to musical instruments to hand bags. The side streets are more specialized.

Where to look for what

As a general rule, the streets to the east of Ribera de Curtidores offer more commercial goods, and are hot spots for great deals. Calle de San Cayetano is also to the east: Here you’ll find frames and a variety of original artwork.

The streets to the west host more antiques dealers. The Calle de Carnero, leading off the main drag, is just one of many streets that offer an eclectic selection old world goodies. Dealers here casually display their items on blankets or in makeshift stalls. You can find everything from coins to crucifixes to old furniture.

On the north side, Calle Arniches runs into the Plaza del General Vara Del Rey, which is where you’ll find tons of second hand clothes.

Getting there

To get to the Rastro, take metro line 5 or 10 to La Latina or line 1,2, or 3 to Puerta del Sol. From these stops, follow the signs toward Puerta de Toledo—you’ll soon see the crowds browsing the market’s many stalls. The Rastro is open Sundays from 7 AM to 2:30 PM.

One note of caution: The market is filled with pickpockets, so keep a tight grip on your valuables.

Bonus tip: Relax at the Plaza de la Paja after shopping

So you’ve shopped, you’re tired, now what?

Well, head over to Plaza de la Paja. Filled with restaurants and bars, there’s nothing better than after a long day of bargain hunting to relax with a caña (little beer)! The entire area around Plaza de la Paja is chock-a-block full of revelers, enjoying the summer sun or the cozy winter taverns.

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