A mishmash of old and new, of narrow quaint streets and soaring grand buildings, Madrid is a perfect mixture of cultural sights and a bustling, pulsing lifestyle. There are magnificent statues next to commercial stores, and elegantly dressed women walking alongside aging prostitutes.

Taking the metro is truly the way to go around. Almost all major attractions are within walking distance of all metro stops. A single ticket costs €1, while a 10-trip ticket is €7,40. The two-day pass for all metro, which costs €8,80 (P616), is the best deal for travelers on a budget.

Metro stop: Sol

The grandest plaza in Madrid is the Plaza Mayor. It is a huge, sprawling square locked by long, candy-colored buildings. Everyone and everything is awash in sunshine, as though the sun were shining from the very cobblestones themselves. There are mimes and street performers dotting the sides, ranging from a mud-colored Charlie Chaplin to a pudgy Spiderman who waddles contentedly, waving at tourists.

Stepping through archways along the square, you can find yourself in the middle of a weaving maze of side streets. There are boutiques and small cafes with handwritten menus for the day, beckoning pedestrians to sample their dishes.

When it comes to food, Madrid is best known for its gambas al ajillo (shrimp with garlic) and the paella. The place that gives the best bang for your buck is Museo de Jamon. Located at Sol, it serves delicious paella for two (but can actually feed four). Theirs is a steaming, flavorful medley of seafood, chicken, and rice.

The calamari is also a favorite along with the gambas al ajillo. It is interesting to note that Madrid, located in the heart of Spain, has seafood to rival those along the coastal regions. Theirs is one of the top-ranked fresh sea produce in Europe, and the food is worth every cent.

If you are craving good Filipino food, look no further than Purika’s. The place is a bit hard to find, but the food only costs €9,50 (P700) per head. You can order three dishes and have unlimited refills, along with rice.

One thing to take note of is that people in Madrid have their lunch hours at 2 pm or 3 pm, while dinner is from 8 pm to 10 pm. Most restaurants don’t open until these times, but fastfood places stay open all day.

Metro stop: Serrano

Madrid has its own version of the Champs-Elysees in Paris and New York’s 5th Avenue, but its stores have less expensive options for tourists. Called Serrano, it has stores such as Chanel, YSL, Louis Vuitton, Prada and more. It is a tree-lined avenue where ladies can enjoy a quiet day browsing through the stores and window-shopping.

Metro stops: Gran Via, Callao, Plaza de España, Banco de España

One of the main streets is called Gran Via or literally “Broadway.” It is one of the busiest avenues in Madrid, with its constant flow of cars and soaring buildings displaying some of the best cosmopolitan Spanish architecture. At night, the buildings are illuminated with subtle lights while the pedestrians stroll around, taking in the refreshing night air.

It boasts of quite a number of shops, which have enough clothes and accessories to satisfy any shopaholic’s heart. Madrid is a haven for fashionistas on a budget. Not only is it home to Zara, but it also has Bershka, Blanco, Stradivarius, and other shops.

But the true winner is Leftie’s, a store which sells Zara factory defects and overruns at ridiculously low prices. Inside Leftie’s is a jungle of shirts, jackets, shoes, and belts. One can easily spend two hours inside just rummaging through the bins and finding bargains like Zara blazers for €7 (P490), Zara basic tanktops for €1 (P70) and blouses which range from €3 to €5 (P210 to P350).

One can also visit the famous museum in Madrid, the Museo del Prado, at the metro stop Banco de España. It has one of the finest art collections to rival the Louvre. It boasts paintings by artists such as Spanish masters Velazquez and Goya, Italian painters Raphael and Caravaggio, and Dutch painter Rembrandt. The entry costs €8 but again, students get discounts at €4 a head.

Metro stop: Atocha

Named after Queen Sofia of Spain, the Museo Reina Sofía showcases an excellent collection of Spanish art. It houses 20th century masterpieces, most famously Picasso’s Guernica. The museum has collections of notable artists such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. Admission costs €6, but minors and university students get in for free.

Metro stop: Opera

Another famous tourist attraction is the Palacio Real. The entry price is €8, guided tour €11, while students and children get in for just €3 to €5. Traveling students are advised bring their school IDs everywhere, as anything will have a discounted rate.

The Palacio Real is a huge palace surrounded by a wide expanse of courtyard. The balconies located around the edges of the palace grounds offer amazing views of trees and gardens below. The Royal Palace is not the residence of the royal family, but official ceremonies are held there. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in Madrid, and houses some of the most important artistic treasures of the country.

The rooms are works of arts in themselves, decorated from ceiling

to floor with the best of Spanish designs. It is, however, forbidden to take pictures inside the palace.

Metro stop: El Retiro

Parque del Buen Retiro is considered as Madrid’s answer to New York’s Central Park. There is a large man-made lake across which you can rent a boat and row around for €4,55 for 45 minutes. The boat, which seats four people, can be an excellent way to pass time and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

Metro stop: La Latina

If you’re in Madrid on a Sunday, it is a must to experience struggling with the Spanish crowds in El Rastro, its largest flea market. It has vintage clothes, food, secondhand shoes and jackets, old books, records, trinkets, and even small models of cars. It is extremely important to be careful with your belongings; pickpockets abound in El Rastro.

For those who like to live on the wild side, the Parque de Atracciones is the place to go. They have extreme rides for thrill-seekers and the roller coasters can leave with the ultimate adrenaline rush.

Whether or not you spend your whole trip going to museums, shopping, or just savoring Spanish cuisine, Madrid is definitely the place to be, whatever you decide to do. It is the perfect mix of cultural attractions and interactive fun. Every tourist will definitely leave his heart in Madrid.

For more details on Parque de Atracciones, visit http://www.parquedeatracciones.es/index.php