Madrid/Northern Suburbs

• Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales

  phone: +34 914 111 328
  address: C/ José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2
  Contains a large collection of fossils and minerals, plus educational exhibits (some are described in English but many are in Spanish only). Has two parts open to visitors with separate entrances. The ticket is purchased at the main entrance and to visit the other part you need to exit from the main entrance, turn left and follow the building until you reach the second entrance. Your ticket will be checked again there so don't lose it.

• Plaza de CastillaOn the north side of the city and bisected by Paseo de la Castellana, this plaza is in the center of Madrid's skyscraper district. A tall obelisk sits in the center of the plaza while the Gate of Europe (Puerta de Europa) towers, two slanted towers which frame the boulevard, are situated on the north side of the plaza. Taking the #27 bus, which runs along Paseo del Prado and Paseo de la Castellana and ends at Plaza de Castilla, will take you pass several Madrid highrises. North of the Plaza is the Four Towers (Cuatro Torres), four sleek new skyscrapers which are the tallest in Spain.

• Parque de El CaprichoOne of the most beautiful parks in Madrid. Built in 1797-1839, it has a strong Romanticism influence. Declared as an Historic Garden, its lakes with swans and ducks, labyrinths, palaces, squares and fountains makes this a lovely place.

• Museo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología

  phone: +34 914 250 919
  address: Pintor Velazquez s/n, Alcobendas
  This is a museum dedicated to the history of science and technology, exhibiting scientific instruments and consumer products from the last few centuries. It also contains a large educational hall, explaining natural phenomena with practical hands-on exhibits (fun for children). Many exhibits are described in English and Spanish, although some sections have only a summary in English.

• Spanish National Research Council HeadquartersHeadquarters of the largest public institution dedicated to research in Spain and the third largest in Europe. Not a real touristic place, and they would probably not let you in to take a photo of the building, but this is the main filming location of the Royal Mint of Spain in the spanish Emmy winner TV show, Money Heist (La Casa De Papel).

• Auditorio Nacional de Música

  phone: +34 913 370 140, +34 913 370 139
  address: C/ Príncipe de Vergara, 146
  The main concert venue for the Spanish National Orchestra and the Madrid Symphony Orchestra, as well as the main venue for touring classical artists and orchestras.

• Real MadridReal Madrid play in La Liga, the top tier of Spanish football, and are the most successful football club not only in Spain but in Europe, having been Spanish champions 32 times and European champions 13 times. Their biggest rivals are FC Barcelona, and these twice-yearly El Clásico matches sell out quickly, as does El Derbi against Atlético de Madrid . Their stadium, the Santiago Bernabéu, has a capacity of 81,000. It's one km south of Chamartin railway station and has its own Metro stop. On non-match days you can take a self-guided tour, adult €25, which includes the pitch, dressing rooms, Press Room and trophy museum. On days close to matches there is reduced access & entry price but the museum remains open. In addition to football, Real Madrid also runs a basketball team known as Real Madrid Baloncesto, which like its illustrious football counterpart is the most successful in Spain and Europe, having won a record 34 Spanish league titles and 10 EuroLeague titles.

• Atlético de MadridThey play in La Liga, the top tier of Spanish football, and are one of the most successful teams in Spain, having won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey on ten occasions. They were European Cup runners-up in 2014 and 2016 and won the UEFA Europa League in 2010 and 2012. Since 2017 their home ground is Estadio Metropolitano, capacity 67,700, also known as Wanda Metropolitano. It's 10 km east of city centre in San Blas district, with its own metro station.

• Cines Dreams

  phone: +34 91 4061785
  address: C/ de Silvano, 77
  This cinema is located in a shopping mall know for its ice-skating ring. It is a great place where teenagers can hang out since the mall also has restaurants, bars, and shops.

• El Corte Inglés Nuevos Ministerios

  phone: +34 914 188 800
  address: C/ Raimundo Fernández Villaverde, 65
  If for some reason you will end up in the concrete jungle of Nuevos Ministerios with time to kill, there is an 8-storey sprawling El Corte Inglés for your delight just over the station.

Budget

• Home Burger Bar

  phone: +34 912 195 658
  address: Paseo de la Castellana, 210
  Other burger bars of this brand can be found in Malasaña-Chueca.

Mid-range

• Bar Jaén III

  phone: +34 630 036 987
  address: Calle de Poitiers, 3
  An excellent tapas bar and restaurant. A nice place to enjoy Spanish food and lifestyle without spending too much. Being located just outside central Madrid, it's far from being a tourist trap and you can enjoy good food and true raciónes (portions). The pleasant owners are very willing to share stories about Madrid and Spain more generally. In summer time it has a superb terrace, within a stone's throw of the Olympic Stadium.

• Restaurante Samm

  phone: +34 913 453 074, +34 913 506 071
  address: C/ Carlos Caamaño, 3B
  Best paella in Madrid, but only if you bring more than two people by order of the proprietor. Frequented mainly by locals, prepare to be stared at by the wait staff if you are from out of town.

Splurge

Tamorlan

• Casa Nemesio

  phone: +34 913 238 410
  address: Paseo de la Castellana, 260
  Seafood.

• El Telégrafo

  phone: +34 913 597 083, +34 913 506 119
  address: C/ Padre Damián, 44
  Arguably the best seafood in Madrid.

• Meliá Castilla

  phone: +34 915 67 50 00
  address: Calle del Poeta Joan Maragall, 43,