Madrid in a weekend

Madrid is such a compact capital that even in just a couple of days you can sample most of the city's leading sights. Kristina Pentland from travel publishers, Rough Guides, explores.

The Prado
If you have time for just one cultural foray, the Prado, with its superlative collection of fine art, should be it. It's Madrid's premier tourist attraction and one of the oldest and greatest collections of art in the world, largely amassed by the Spanish royal family ""for the most part discerning and avid buyers "" over the last two hundred years.

The Prado houses an unequalled display of Spanish art, an outstanding Flemish collection and an impressive assemblage of Italian work.

Tapas
Spend an evening sampling the endless range of tapas on offer in the city's bars. There are a vast array of traditional tapas bars, particularly concentrated around the picturesque Plaza de Santa Ana.

The Rastro
Mingle with the bargain hunters and marvel at what the stallholders are trying to sell at Madrid's rambling market. Every Sunday morning the heaving, ramshackle mass of El Rastro flea market takes over Calle Ribera de Curtidores.

On offer is just about anything you might "" or more likely not "" need, from second-hand clothes and military surplus items to caged birds and fine antiques.

Real bargains are few and far between, but the atmosphere is always enjoyable and the bars around the streets are as good as any in the city. Be aware though, that petty theft is a big problem here, so keep a close eye on your belongings.

Sunday-afternoon paseo
Join the locals for a Sunday promenade in the Retiro park. A delightful mix of formal gardens and wide open spaces, the 330-acre park offers the chance to jog, rollerblade, cycle, picnic, row on the lake (you can rent boats by the Monumento a Alfonso XII), have your fortune told, and "" above all "" promenade.

Football
See Real Madrid's collection of "galactico" superstars at the splendid Bernabeu stadium "" a suitably imposing home for the most glamorous team in football.

This information has been extracted from Madrid DIRECTIONS (1st edition), written by Simon Baskett, published by Rough Guides, www.roughguides.com.