Time Out Madrid

Book excerpt: Madrid has gone from shanty town to imperial capital in the last seven centuries. The local writers of Time Out Madrid assist travelers in seeing the city as a native, suggesting where to stay, eat, shop and experience its cultural offerings. Famed for its wild nights and lazy days, Madrid provides a whole lot more, from spectacular opera productions, chirpy folkloric zarzuela, and cutting-edge cuisine to ancient, tiled tabernas, designer-shoe shopping, and numerous flea markets. Written by resident journalists, Time Out Madrid also covers the artistic jewels housed in the Prado, Thyssen, and Reina Sofia, as well as the etiquette of watching a bullfight or joining in with a flamenco performance, as well as where to stay and how to escape the city heat. Also included are the intriguing stories behind some of the city’s best-known paintings, where to find gourmet tapas, the yoga centers, spas, and Turkish baths. Climbing, skiing, and hang-gliding are all within reach of the city, and suggested trips out of town are also recommended.