Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Madrid: The City that Always Sleeps

Fuente de las Cibeles in Madrid's city center, aglow at night.
Fuente de las Cibeles in Madrid's city center, aglow at night.

For a city known for nightlife, Madrid's residents sure like to sleep.

Don’t expect to accomplish much in the land in la mañana. I remember hearing stories during a city tour: it took city workers 170 years to remove a foreboding human skull from a street corner, and after nearly 500 years the ayuntamiento of Sevilla had only half of the detailed inscriptions finished on its walls. Thus, things don’t seem to start in Spain until mañana.

Madrid had never really been an ideal vacation destination of mine. When discussing the trip with friends, I was often told to forget Madrid and visit Barcelona, which I would have done if not for impending obligations. I had to go to Madrid, two weeks in Getafe, than off to explore the more anticipated southern coast.

Sponsored
Sponsored

American perceptions lend few qualities to the capital of Spain. Bull fights, flamenco, fútbol, Columbus. The former applied by Hemingway and the latter not Spanish at all; historians say Christopher Columbus was probably a Jewish Italian. But I digress.

So what is uniquely Madrileño? The city center, montaditos, la gente and parks.

Little known fact: Madrid has the largest population of trees of any major European metropolitan city. Large parks revive one's soul from congested paseos and honking scooters. Not majestic – or even pretty parks – but parks nonetheless. The city center, Puerta del Sol, is the hub of congestion. Masses of Madrileños loiter about, flooding the streets, forming an eclectic ocean of people.

The streets of Madrid are a melting pot of cultures young and old. Take a chance to sit at the fountain in Sol and people watch. A summary of the world’s inhabitants will pass by while listening to street music performers playing anything from heavy metal to mariachi. Variety best describes the Madrileño population.

As you sit, you’ll notice a phenomena common in many Latin destinations: la siesta. Waves of people are washed away as the tide ebbs daily around 2 p.m. Streets empty, storefronts close and the city sleeps. A bustling metropolis grinds to a halt. From the hours of 2-5 p.m., it’s national naptime. From a perch on the fountain, you’ll witness puzzled tourists circling the streets finally able to cruise the calles and see sights the city has to offer. But beware, markets, banks, hospitals (joking, I think), everything/everyone is asleep.

Don’t go looking for a montadito at 3 p.m. in Madrid. You won’t find one. Speaking of montaditos! They’re sandwiches – small sandwiches. Bocadillos are big sandwiches, and sandwiches are, well, sandwiches. The only difference is size. Just like two shrimp on a piece of bread is a tapa or pinxto (depending on where you go).

Anyway, the best place to eat in all of Madrid on a dime is Cien Montaditos. It’s a chain of sandwich shops that offer a variety of sandwiches, montaditos, bocadillos, pintxos and tapas (they’re all the same thing, don’t let the names fool ya). On Wednesdays, everything, even beer, is only 1 euro.

A warning on Spanish beer: unless you’re one of those guys into Michelob Ultra, you may be disappointed. There’s Mahou, and Cruz Campo. Both compare to Pabst. Nothing against Pabst, but when one comes from San Diego and has acquired a pallet for Stone & Strauss, a Mahou just doesn’t cut it, especially for upwards of 4 euros a pint!

Something I do recommend isn’t Spanish at all, but Italian. Lumbrusco is an Italian sparkling red or rose wine. It’s great for a hot summer picnic or aperitif, and a bottle is generally only 3-5 euros.

While picnicking, one must try the ham. Before arriving, I never imagined the love Spain had for pork – all sorts of pork. Chorizo, salchichas, lomos, serrano, ibérico are just a few types of ham the Spanish devour. There are even museums dedicated to the delicatessen.

Museo del Jamón is a chain of small restaurants as frequent in Madrid as coffee shops in Portland. Beware!! Our country's wonderful customs regulations prohibit the introduction of Spanish cured or smoke meats (unless if bought in Ralphs, Vons, Albertsons or any other large commercial vendor). A little tip: don’t declare it.

You’re noticing an increase in life in the center of town. The bell has rung, and national naptime is over. Time to stretch out those legs and abandon your place at the Puente. The best thing to do in Madrid is join the masses and flow with the crowd. Go wander; the public transit system is great, and the majority of Madrileños are quite friendly. If you get lost, just stop and ask for directions.

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Peaceful, eaze-y feeling

The evolution of San Diego's dope delivery
Next Article

San Diego Reader Best of 2024

A world-class museum, best drinking, best eating, best shops, ups and downs of Del Cerro, parent-friendly playgrounds, peaceful, eaze-y feeling
Fuente de las Cibeles in Madrid's city center, aglow at night.
Fuente de las Cibeles in Madrid's city center, aglow at night.

For a city known for nightlife, Madrid's residents sure like to sleep.

Don’t expect to accomplish much in the land in la mañana. I remember hearing stories during a city tour: it took city workers 170 years to remove a foreboding human skull from a street corner, and after nearly 500 years the ayuntamiento of Sevilla had only half of the detailed inscriptions finished on its walls. Thus, things don’t seem to start in Spain until mañana.

Madrid had never really been an ideal vacation destination of mine. When discussing the trip with friends, I was often told to forget Madrid and visit Barcelona, which I would have done if not for impending obligations. I had to go to Madrid, two weeks in Getafe, than off to explore the more anticipated southern coast.

Sponsored
Sponsored

American perceptions lend few qualities to the capital of Spain. Bull fights, flamenco, fútbol, Columbus. The former applied by Hemingway and the latter not Spanish at all; historians say Christopher Columbus was probably a Jewish Italian. But I digress.

So what is uniquely Madrileño? The city center, montaditos, la gente and parks.

Little known fact: Madrid has the largest population of trees of any major European metropolitan city. Large parks revive one's soul from congested paseos and honking scooters. Not majestic – or even pretty parks – but parks nonetheless. The city center, Puerta del Sol, is the hub of congestion. Masses of Madrileños loiter about, flooding the streets, forming an eclectic ocean of people.

The streets of Madrid are a melting pot of cultures young and old. Take a chance to sit at the fountain in Sol and people watch. A summary of the world’s inhabitants will pass by while listening to street music performers playing anything from heavy metal to mariachi. Variety best describes the Madrileño population.

As you sit, you’ll notice a phenomena common in many Latin destinations: la siesta. Waves of people are washed away as the tide ebbs daily around 2 p.m. Streets empty, storefronts close and the city sleeps. A bustling metropolis grinds to a halt. From the hours of 2-5 p.m., it’s national naptime. From a perch on the fountain, you’ll witness puzzled tourists circling the streets finally able to cruise the calles and see sights the city has to offer. But beware, markets, banks, hospitals (joking, I think), everything/everyone is asleep.

Don’t go looking for a montadito at 3 p.m. in Madrid. You won’t find one. Speaking of montaditos! They’re sandwiches – small sandwiches. Bocadillos are big sandwiches, and sandwiches are, well, sandwiches. The only difference is size. Just like two shrimp on a piece of bread is a tapa or pinxto (depending on where you go).

Anyway, the best place to eat in all of Madrid on a dime is Cien Montaditos. It’s a chain of sandwich shops that offer a variety of sandwiches, montaditos, bocadillos, pintxos and tapas (they’re all the same thing, don’t let the names fool ya). On Wednesdays, everything, even beer, is only 1 euro.

A warning on Spanish beer: unless you’re one of those guys into Michelob Ultra, you may be disappointed. There’s Mahou, and Cruz Campo. Both compare to Pabst. Nothing against Pabst, but when one comes from San Diego and has acquired a pallet for Stone & Strauss, a Mahou just doesn’t cut it, especially for upwards of 4 euros a pint!

Something I do recommend isn’t Spanish at all, but Italian. Lumbrusco is an Italian sparkling red or rose wine. It’s great for a hot summer picnic or aperitif, and a bottle is generally only 3-5 euros.

While picnicking, one must try the ham. Before arriving, I never imagined the love Spain had for pork – all sorts of pork. Chorizo, salchichas, lomos, serrano, ibérico are just a few types of ham the Spanish devour. There are even museums dedicated to the delicatessen.

Museo del Jamón is a chain of small restaurants as frequent in Madrid as coffee shops in Portland. Beware!! Our country's wonderful customs regulations prohibit the introduction of Spanish cured or smoke meats (unless if bought in Ralphs, Vons, Albertsons or any other large commercial vendor). A little tip: don’t declare it.

You’re noticing an increase in life in the center of town. The bell has rung, and national naptime is over. Time to stretch out those legs and abandon your place at the Puente. The best thing to do in Madrid is join the masses and flow with the crowd. Go wander; the public transit system is great, and the majority of Madrileños are quite friendly. If you get lost, just stop and ask for directions.

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Timken museum among best in world

Balboa Park is such a pleasant place, it can almost seem a waste to spend time indoors
Next Article

Scott Peters aide gets free travel and hotel from Big Pharma

Todd Gloria sucks up money from Big Billboards
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader