Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
Paseo del Prado 8
Tel. +34 (0) 91.369.0151
www.museothyssen.org
The 800 or so pieces in this collection used to be on display in relative obscurity at a villa in Lugano, Switzerland, until 1895, and comprised perhaps the finest private art collection in the world. This is a distilled version of great world museums that track many movements of Western art, such as the Met in New York. Here, the visitor gets more variety from world-class painters in a much smaller space than the Prado, from 13th century Italian to 20th century American pop art. You might say this collection houses lesser-known works from the best masters, and the best works from minor masters. 

Prado Museum
Paseo del Prado
Tel. +34 (0) 91.330.2800
www.museoprado.es
The Prado is the joy of Madrid.To see canvases of this magnitude close up is reason enough to travel to the city. After you see Velazquez's painting "Las Meninas" you will want to see it again and again. The museum contains 9000 works of art but only 1500 are displayed at any one time, just another reason to go back.

Matadero Madrid
Paseo de la Chopera, 14
Tel. +34.91.517.7309
www.mataderomadrid.com
This alternative art space was created by the City Council.  It's purpose to bring culture to the southern part of the city has seemed to work.  The vast space is still a work in progress but lectures, films, concerts and exhibitions are free.

Real Jardin Botanico (Adjacent to the Prado)
Plaza de  Murillo, 2
Tel. +34.91.420.3017
www.rjb.csic.es
Five thousand species of trees with some being over 200 years old.  There is 2 Euro entree fee which maybe is the reason its never crowded.
The geometric design with flat walkways make it an ideal place for a jog.
No dogs are permitted.

Patrimonio Comunal Olivarero
Mejía Lequerica 1
Tel. +34 (0) 91.308.0505
http://www.pco.es/usuario/portada.htm
Olive oil lovers will giddy at all the choices they find in this store, which sells dozens of varieties of the extra virgin and extra healthy oil. The four main types of olive from which the liquid is pressed are represented, and the helpful staff will clue you in on which are strong, soft, fruity and sweet. Closed Sunday.

Loreak Mendian
Argensola 5 bajo
Tel. +34 (0) 91.319.9138
www.loreakmendian.com
Classy and understated casual clothes, Loreak Mendian emphasizes comfort and clean lines, with an innate sexiness. Listen to hot tracks in an overall comforting shopping experience. There are stores in Barcelona and Bilbao as well.

Isolee
Calle Infantas 19 (Chueca)
Tel. +34(0) 91.523.8136
www.isolee.com
Madrid's new shopping "mall" in the trendy Chueca neighborhood combines fashion, lifestyle and food under one roof El Rastro Flea Market Between Plaza Cascorro, Calle Ribera de Curtidores, and neighboring streets This legendary Sunday morning flea market fills an entire neighborhood. There are the usual T-shirts and odd things, but you can also find artisan tablecloths, wood carvings, handbags, shoes, antiques and treasures. Go early before it gets crowded, and be wary of pickpockets.

Baruc Corazón
Plaza Mayor 30
Tel. +34.91.366.1766
www.baruccorazon.com
Baruc Corazón has been stitching to the torsos of members of the Spanish royal family to flamenco singers. His shop is located high above the Plaza Mayor. His custom-tailored shirts come in a colorful array of Italian silks, linens, heavy cottons and poplins. There are also pajamas, polos and American-cut blazers in luscious heavy cotton, linen and seersucker as well as a small hand-knit collection.

Laura Caicoya
Conde de Xiqena, 12
Tel. +34.91.319.8099
www.lauracaicoya.com
Small boutique where Laura Caicoya sells her fashions designs with the help of her mother who crochets and sews the feather topped hats. Her grandmother makes collarlike necklaces out of raffia and her sister's paintings hang on the wall.

Mercado San Miguel
(Plaza Mayor)
Tel. +34.91.542.4939
www.mercadodesanmiguel.es
This traditional market has been reborn for the 21st century.  During the day residents and tourists alike can be seen under the soaring wood and iron roof. Everything from fresh fish, produce, cookbooks to cooking utensils can be purchased. At night the scene changes and the crowd leans towards sampling the local beer and tapas.  It's open til 10PM Monday to Wednesday but stays open til 2AM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Be sure to stop by Daniel Sorlut, an oyster and Champagne bar. In keeping with living "Green" there is no air conditioning.  Instead the air is infused with water droplets. Every few minutes shoppers are bathed in a blast of micro-rain.

Ioli
Calle Espiritu Santo 1
Tel. +34 91 521.0022
www.ioli-guide.com
If your looking for shoes that you can't find anywhere else then this place alone may be worth a trip to Madrid.  Cynthia Ioli was a former costume designer for theater and opera and now she designs shoes for men and women. You can take shoes as they are but if you want you can have them customized.  The process takes about two weeks and will be shipped anywhere. 

Airport Spa
Visit the new Terminal 4, opened in February 2006, and you will find a 2400 square foot Turkish bath and hydro massage. The perfect way to relax before your flight.

By Bike
Avenida Menéndez Pelayo 35
Tel. +34 (0) 90.287.6483
www.bybike.info 
Biking may not be the supreme way to get around the city, but it is gaining popularity. Bikes are great for seeing beautiful Retiro Park, next to By Bike. There is also a 60 km greenbelt that slices through various parts of town.

Calle Huertas
This is a good street for weekend revelry.You’ll find young professionals sipping mojitos here.

Moma
José Abascal 56
Tel. +34 (0) 91.399.4873
www.moma56.com
This chic spot is really three: a club, a bar, and a lounge. The club is red and fiery, the bar greenish and chic earthy, and the lounge wood-toned and cozy (with Vietnamese cuisine). Any way you slice it, this is the spot for Madrid’s “in crowd”.

Casa Patas
Calle Cañizares, 10
Tel. +34 (0) 91.369.3394
www.casapatas.com
Searching for popular music mixed with traditional flamenco dancing? You’ll find it just a short jaunt from the center of the city. As second home to Madrid’s hippest residents, this place also features a restaurant that serves great traditional Spanish fare.

VaOva
Plaza del Humilladero 6
Tel. +34 (0) 91.364.1017
Talk about exclusive: the door is locked and you have to knock to be admitted. Inside you’ll find a subdued taste of Morocco with fez-topped waiters, water pipes, huge cognac glasses and a well-dressed crowd listening to trance and electronic lounge music.

La Reina Bruja
Jacometrezo, 6
Tel. +34 (0) 915.428.193
www.reinabruja.com
Tomas Alia's latest Madrid project, a nightclub, is next door to two of his past creations, Larios Cafe and club Cool. Its a corridor-like, subterranean space, divided by columns. An LED lighting system drenches the dancefloor, a wavy wall and even loos in different colors in time with the music.

Cafe Central
Plaza del Angel, 10
Tel. +34.91.369.3226
www.cafecentralmadrid.com
This is the club where the true lovers of blues and jazz hang.  The art deco ambiance with high ceilings and marble topped tables also a special air.  Open til 3AM and even later on weekends.

Cardamomo
Calle Echegaray, 15
Tel. +34.91.369.0757
www.cardamomo.es
This very basic Flamenco club is small and attracts an young crowd that appreciate the dancing which is raw, sweaty and fun.  Reservations are a must!

Bar Cock
Reina, 16
Tel. +33 91 532 2826
www.barcock.com
This has been one of the top Madrid night spots for over 20 years. The success it enjoys is because the place is attractive, the cocktails great and the service excellent. The best time to visit is between 12midnight and 2AM. Mixed clientele.

Museo Chicote
Gran Via, 12
Tel. +34 91 532 6737
www.museo-chicote.com
This is a local legend.  It opened in 1931 and is probably the first American style bar in Spain.  It was once frequented by people from Hollywood who were in town shooting films. Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly. They all came here and today the place is still the favorite water hole of the stars who start the party here.

Ramses
Plaza de la Independencia, 4
Tel. +34 91 435.1666
www.ramseslife.com
This designer bar is by Philippe Starck.  The spectacular iluminated bar counter serves creative atmosphere and cocktails until 3AM.