Wonderful city for a 3 day break . Huge choice of hotels of all standards & prices.
Prado museum outstanding with so much top quality on show you almost become blase
Palaces amazing too. Beautiful Park Del Retiro full of little bars to while away a few hours
Restaurants off the main streets excellent value 25euro for two with wine!
Top quality/value shopping for the ladies !!
Traffic typical to most cities-terrible so use the Metro ,cheap,clean reliable& runs until 2 in the morning
We shall return soon

I just returned from a week in Madrid with a group of eight other women. Let me preface this by saying that we are all experienced travelers. I have traveled in several countries in Southeast Asia, Central & South America, Eastern Europe, etc. IN ALL MY TRAVELS, I-AND THE OTHERS- HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THE LEVEL OF PICKPOCKETING AND PETTY THEFT THAT WE OBSERVED IN MADRID!

In seven days, we observed FIVE overt acts of pickpocketing or theft. Police officers, restaurant owners and strangers all cautioned us, unsolicited, about crime. Police and security guards patrol restaurants, stores and the Metro, but the crime seems to go on unabated.

Please take the following precautions in Madrid: Use a money belt or pouch. Do not carry a backpack on your back, even while walking down the street. Turn it around to your front and keep your hands on it all times. Only carry purses which can be securely shut with a zipper and place your hand over the zipper opening. Keep your purse or pack on your lap in restaurants. Leave extra money, airline tickets and most credit cards in your hotel safe. You will only need a passport on you if you use a credit card to make a purchase. Otherwise, carry other ID and your hotel address and leave the passport in a safe. Keep small money in inside zipped pockets, rather than a wallet. Be vigilant at all times, especially in the Metro.

I can't caution you too much, after what we witnessed in Madrid. It really was a shame. It's a beautiful city, but the thieves make it much less enjoyable, not only for the tourists, but, apparently also for the inhabitants.

This was the end of a ten day European vacation and it was by far our least favorite city. There are beautiful places to visit but we felt the three days we had devoted to it was a waste of time and that the time could have been better spent elsewhere. Definitely visit the Prado, the Museo de Sofia, Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, I also suggest making time for flamenco dancing.

After two weeks in Madrid we are back to work and thinking about a return trip. The buildings all over the city are fascinating to look at. The palace looks superb and with the squares and statues every quarter mile has something to grab your attention. Just stunning.