MADRID, Spain—EuroCheapo’s “Wandering Cheapo” Kari Hoerchler arrived this week in Madrid, where she’s spending the week strolling about town. While there, we asked her to snap some shots of everyday life in Madrid on her fancy new iPhone.

While touring the city yesterday, Kari realized that orange and red, typical fall colors, show up in the most beautiful, and sometimes surprising, places in Madrid.

Sign promoting the Rembrandt exhibit at the Prado museum.

Block north of Teatro Real facing Plaza de Oriente east of Palacio Real.

Block south of Teatro Real facing Plaza de Oriente east of Palacio Real.

Entrance to Museo Taurino, at the northeast arc of the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, the museum to accompany Madrid’s bullfighting ring.

Guard’s chamber at Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, the bullfighting ring.

Fountain along the Gran Via at the northeast end of the Plaza de Espana.

Many thanks to Kari Hoerchler for the colorful photos of Madrid in the fall. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Also see: Our recommended budget hotels in Madrid.

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MADRID, Spain—EuroCheapo’s “Wandering Cheapo” Kari Hoerchler arrived Monday morning in Madrid, where she’s spending a week strolling about town. While there, we asked her to snap some shots of everyday life in Madrid on her fancy new iPhone.

Last night, Kari wandered Madrid, photographing the city’s finest monuments. Is it just us, or do the Spanish have a gift for lighting their monuments with a dramatic gusto unmatched in other countries?

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas is Madrid’s bullfighting ring.

Allegorical paintings decorate the Casa de la Panaderia at Plaza Mayor.

Benches line the Paseo del Prado connecting the Plaza de Cibeles and Plaza de Canovas del Castillo.

The impressive headquarters of Spain’s postal service was built between 1905 and 1917 by Antonio Palacios sits on the Plaza de Cibeles.

The Ministerio de Asuntas Exteriores y de Cooperacion built in 1636 sits across the street from Plaza de Santa Cruz and Plaza de la Provincia.

Designed by Francesco Sabatini, construction of the Puerta de Alcala started in 1769 and took nine years to complete. It stands in the center of Plaza de la Independencia.

This fountain is found in Plaza de la Puerta del Sol. 

Many thanks to Kari Hoerchler for the fabulous photos, and for taking us along on a tour of Madrid monuments by night.

Also see: Our recommended budget hotels in Madrid.

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MADRID, Spain—EuroCheapo’s “Wandering Cheapo” Kari Hoerchler arrived yesterday morning in Madrid, where she’ll spend a week strolling about town. While there, we asked her to snap some shots of everyday life in Madrid on her fancy new iPhone.

Today Kari visited Retiro Park. Part of Madrid’s Jeronimos district, Retiro Park was originally part of Real Sitio del Buen Retiro, a palace complex for Felipe IV (1621–1665). In the 17th century, the park grounds provided a private playground for the royal family. By 1869, it was fully open to the public. Welcome to Retiro Park!

Entering from Calle de Alfonso II and el Cason del Buen Retiro.

View of el Cason del Buen Retiro

Yes, those are magnolias you see, imported from the southeastern United States. How exotic!

Inside los Jardines de Cecilo Rodriguez

Built in 1887 by architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco, Palacio de Cristal was inspired by the structure of the same name, en ingles, in London. The glass and steel structure was originally designed to stage an exhibition of tropical plants during the Philipinne Islands Exhibition.

Che, pavito real! Peacocks are friendly inside los Jardines de Cecilo Rodriguez.

School children tracing tree bark along Paseo Parterre

Thanks for the photos, Kari. We look forward to hearing and seeing more from Madrid! 

All photos by Kari Hoerchler

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A matador and his bull in Seville, Spain: photo courtesy of bullcreek

Not for the faint of heart, a bullfight in Seville can mean edge-of-your-seat excitement and thrills. For Cheapos, the feeling is similar to finding an inexpensive - or free - European souvenir. So, once you’ve taken in some flamenco and eaten all the tapas you can handle for a day, we recommend you pick up a personalized poster commemorating the controversial Andalusian sport of bullfighting. That ain’t no bull!

Take home prize for bullies-

The violent dance between man and bull has been a custom since prehistoric times, when its beginnings were linked to bull worship and sacrifice. Spain put their footprint on the sport in 1726. Francisco Romero was the first matador (torero) to publicly fight a bull (toro) without riding an animal for assistance. Soon, fancy equestrians were replaced by commoners on foot.

The easiest and safest way to be a bullfighter, without exactly throwing yourself into the ring, is to purchase a personalized bullfighting poster, touting your own name. Stroll up and down Tetuan and Sierpes Streets for a picturesque walk, and to track down posters and flamenco trinkets. Look for the words, Tu Nombre Aqui, on sample posters and put ‘Your Name Here.’ Prices start at €7.

If it’s a real fight you’re after, check out Plaza de Toros’ web site for bullfight schedules.

While you’re at it…

Grab anything with a bull and go. Napkins, beer coasters, pamphlets, ticket stubs. Little items that seem trivial while on the road take on a whole new meaning miles from the bullring. Ole!

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Lovely Spanish fans. Photo by fuzuoko

Cheapos in search of a bargain take-home-prize from the land of flamenco need only peek at the sophisticated ladies of Spain. Not only do decorative fans provide personal air-conditioning in Europe’s balmy southwestern country, they’re also a fan-tastic piece of history to bring home. Cool!

Wave to the folks back home

The first known use of human-hand powered fans, made of palm leaves, were those to ward insects off Egyptians. In a later incarnation, high-born women spread a hand-held fashion craze, extending to every corner of Asia and Europe where weather was humid and dress was fancy and layered.

By the 18th century, specialized craftsmen used leaves, sticks, lace, silk, and parchment to create breezy constructs before fans were decorated and hand painted. With rhythms of flamenco, fans swung into the dance and music scene of Andalusia Spain.

Today, handcrafted Spanish fans can cost hundreds of euros. However, fantastic plastic and paper counterparts can be purchased for €5 to €10 from street vendors, inside shops along the Gran Via in Madrid, or even at some museum gift shops.

While you’re at it…

As long as you’re dancing along to the el baile flamenco beat, pick up a set of castanets, which can be found for €7 to €12. While flamenco dancers hold them in their hands and click the wooden ovals together to the rhythm of the music, bargainistas hear the sound of cheap.

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No trip to Barcelona is complete without picking up a little free (or almost-free) reminder of Gaudí, the city’s favorite architect. Happily, Barcelona is teeming with arty Gaudí souvenirs, ranging from the refined to the (you guessed it) gaudy.

Take home some cheapo Gaudí

Regarded as tasteless in his own time, Antoni Gaudí’s unique art nouveau ideas are widely celebrated in Barcelona’s architecture today. All over the city, and surrounding his iconic Sagrada Família in Eixample, Gaudí souvenirs abound.

Sure, some of these items are tacky, but tacky will be fun back home! Some of our favorite examples of Gaudí souvenirs include:

• Illustrated brochures and ticket stubs from the Segrada Família
• Gaudí-adorned (and free) napkins from the church’s on-site café
• Postcards of the picturesque Casa Milà and Parc Güell
• Salt and pepper shakers in the shape of Gaudí smokestacks
• Gaudí chess pieces

These are just a few of our favorite Gaudí-themed cheapo souvenirs. You can preview some souvenirs here, but know that you’ll be able to find cheaper versions from street vendors.

While you’re at it…

As long as one is in the barrio, we suggest picking up free hand-outs from museums showing off any of the city’s modern style. The Picasso Museum in Old Town and the Museum of Chocolate San Pere Born are both good places to find stylish brochures.

Editor’s Note: This is our third post in our “Cheapo Souvenirs” blog series. Join us over the next four weeks as we suggest one cheap or free souvenir to bring home from each city we cover on EuroCheapo. Do you have a suggestion for another cheap souvenir in Barcelona? A favorite Gaudí souvenir? Leave a comment below! 

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Photo by beurre salé

Flamenco dancing has its roots in the gypsy barrio of Seville. So, if this Southern Spanish city is on your travel itinerary, you’d better take yourself to a baile! Flamenco performances are offered all over Seville and typically take place in tablaos, which are restaurants or bars that charge admission for the show. It is possible, however, to catch a flamenco show for the price of a drink alone.

Free flamenco in Seville (for a drink)

La Carboneria is a hot spot located in the Barrio Santa Cruz, a neighborhood known for its free flamenco shows. Although dismissed by some as a tourist trap, La Carboneria will have you tapping your feet as the dancers stomp to the beat. Its energy is infectious. When the weather is warm, you can take in the free show on La Carboneria’s outdoor patio (tapas and drinks not included).

La Carboneria is open daily, excluding Mondays, from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. For more information, go here.

For 13 more places to catch free flamenco in Seville, including places that welcome you to join the dancing, check out Explore Seville’s article on flamenco.

Also see: our list of recommended budget hotels in Seville.

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“Artemis” by Rembrandt. One of the masterpieces on display at the Prado.

The Museo Nacional del Prado is Madrid’s most famous museum. Opened to the public in 1819, today it boasts a world-class collection of European artwork, including more than 7,000 works spanning from the 12th century to the early 19th century. At any time, about 1,300 pieces of art are on display.

The museum started out as a royal collection of art, and visitors can still get a feel for the varying tastes of monarch’s past. The Prado is especially acclaimed for works by Spanish painters, including Velazquez, El Greco, and Goya, as well as “foreigners” Titian, Bosch, Rubens, and Rembrandt.

Visiting the Prado Museum…

The museum is open daily from 9 AM to 8 PM, and closed on Mondays.

General admission to the museum costs €6 if tickets are bought at the museum’s ticket office. Advance tickets (allowing you to skip the line) can be purchased online through the Prado’s website, for €9.

…for free

However, the Prado offers free admission at the end of every day for two hours (three on Sunday). From Tuesday through Saturday, the museum’s doors are wide open from 6 PM to 8 PM, and on Sunday from 5 PM to 8 PM.

With so much to see, we’d suggest visiting the museum multiple times for free. Popping in to tackle one artist or one section of the museum is not only doable in two hours, but could help prevent “museum burn-out.”

Tip: Check out the museum’s recommended list of 15 masterpieces on the Prado’s website. This virtual tour offers historical insights into the collection’s most famous paintings.

Also see: our list of budget tips for Madrid and our reviews of budget hotels in Madrid.

Next stop: Munich! 

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If you’re heading to Barcelona, there’s no doubt that Antoni Gaudi’s art and architecture will be high on your list. From whimsical apartment buildings to the imposing spires of a Roman Catholic church, the Catalonian architect’s work dominates the city. You could pay €10 to scale the steps of the (perpetually-under-construction) Sagrada Familia or spend €8 to explore Gaudi’s art nouveau Casa Mila. Or, you could check out a more Cheapo-friendly option - the magnificent Parc Guell, which has free entrance.

The park is a local favorite, complete with a colorful mosaic terrace overlooking the city. Impressive columns, a sprawling staircase, and a large-scale Gaudi dragon make for an incredible ambience. Best of all, taking in this virtual garden of Catalonian color costs nothing, apart from a hearty walk across Guell’s 42 acres!

Parc Guell is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. or dusk. Take the green line Metro to stop “Lesseps” and follow the street signs to the park’s entrance. For more information, visit the Project for Great Public Space’s Parc Guell page.

Join us again tomorrow, Cheapos, for another free tip. Next stop? Berlin!

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When it comes to our list of travel essentials, iPods and MP3 players are right up there with good city maps and sun block. And, if we hit a bump in the road or happen to meet with a European transit strike, there’s no better way to while away the hours than with a few portable travel guides.

Read on, dear Cheapos, for five free podcasts we love for Barcelona, Spain:

For those with unique taste

If you’re more into meandering side streets than queuing up at the Sagrada Familia, check out Notes from Spain’s frequently uploaded casts. Audio guides offer an “anti-tourist” take on exploring Barcelona, from back street tours of the barri gotic to a bike route through the Basque region.  

For well-rounded travelers

We like Tourcaster for its wide array of podcasts—from tours of art museums to jaunts through national parks—highlighting destinations around the world. Although some audio guides get super-specific (Madrid’s Royal Palace, anyone?), the Barcelona City Guide provides a comprehensive introduction to the city’s top attractions, like Gaudi’s Parc Guell or the best places to eat tapas. And, unlike other Tourcaster podcasts, it’s free!

For the language buffs

Don’t know your por qué from your por favor? Radio Alicante International FM, a radio station broadcasting from Spain, doles out language lessons in a free podcast on learning Spanish. Download the courses from iTunes and listen, repeat, listen, repeat.

For architecture aficionados

For a Cheapo architecture fix, we like LoDingo’s comprehensive building tour. The two-hour podcast winds its way through Barcelona’s best examples of “el Modernisme Catal,” the style made famous by the Catalonian architect Antonio Gaudi.

For some in-flight entertainment

Okay, so the Barcelona Vidcast HD podcast is in Spanish, but since it’s a video, the sights and sounds of the city speak for themselves. It’s available on iTunes (search “Barcelona Vidcast HD” to find it), is perfect for the plane ride over or for distracting yourself during a classic Spanish conundrum, the rail strike.

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