Madrid City Guide

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Check out The Scene's recommendations for the Spanish capital and send us your ideas and suggestions below.

SEE: If one building in Madrid symbolizes the city's burgeoning confidence it's the shamelessly space age Hotel Puerta America on Avenida de America, which opened earlier this year. Described as a "hotel with its own soul," each of the building's 12 floors has been created by a different architect or designer, with contributions from the likes of Marc Newson, Norman Foster and Zaha Hahid. Lavapies is Madrid's most cosmopolitan district -- an old-fashioned multi-cultural barrio in the heart of the city. It's also home to El Rastro, the Sunday morning flea market that is a Madrid institution, although it's more notable for the cunning of its pickpockets than for having much worth buying. Still there are bargains to be had -- with particularly nice lines in fake fashion -- and plenty of local color and intrigue to enjoy. Madrid boasts an unmissable trio of art museums, which are collectively known as the "Golden Triangle." The Prado is one of the world's greatest, featuring works by Velasquez, Goya, Rubens and Rafael, while the Reina Sofia has a more contemporary collection by the likes of Picasso, Miro and Dali -- including the iconic Guernica. The Thyssen spans the two -- taking in everything from medieval iconography to pop art. To see some of the world's modern masters head for the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu -- home of Real Madrid, the world's most famous football team, and their collection of galacticos; Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and the cultural phenomenon that is El Becks. The club museum contains its unrivalled collection of nine European Cups.

BE SEEN: Some of the coolest bars can be found around Plaza Dos de Mayo. There's also plenty of fun to be had around Chueca, Madrid's gay district. For early evening drinking (that's midnight for Madrilenos), Bar Areira is a popular haunt on Calle Hortaleza, with great food and a laidback crowd. El Eucalipto on Calle de Argumosa is the place to go for cocktails -- it's famous for its mojitos. For the musically-minded in search of some local flavor, La Solea, hidden away on Cava Baja, has long been one of Madrid's best-loved flamenco tablaos with an ever-changing cast of singers, guitarists and dancers creating a good-natured and inclusive vibe. Otherwise, try Casa Patas on Canizares, Joaquín Cortes' favorite tablao. For hardcore clubbers, Ocho y Medio on Mesonero Romanos is one of the biggest parties in town, with DJs spinning the best in techno and electronica until dawn. House aficionados should head for The Bash Rooms at Plaza Mayor.

EAT AND DRINK: Madrid means tapas. You could easily gorge yourself on an evening without ever sitting down to eat. Squeeze into the bar at La Trucha on Calle de Nunez de Arce and you'll soon discover why this place is so popular with the locals. Also worth sampling is Taberna Antonio Sanchez on Meson de Parades- - owned by a former matador and decorated with the spoils of his career in the bullring. Otherwise, there are plenty of great restaurants to choose from. El Buey on Calle General Diaz Polier specializes in raw beef cooked on hot pottery plates in front of each diner. For something even more off the wall, try Dassa Bassa on Calle Villalar, where hot young chef Dario Barrio has brought "molecular gastronomy" to the Spanish capital. From Andalucian gazpacho to Basque bacalao, Madrid brings together the best of Spanish regional cooking. Despite being hundreds of miles inland, the seafood is surprisingly good. Some of the best can be found at Cabo Mayor, frequented occasionally by members of the Spanish royal family, and at the Galician Ribeira do Mino on Santa Brigada. For something from further afield with a latin flavor, check out the Peruvian-themed menu at El Inti De Oro on Amor de Dios.

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