Madrid Travel Answers

We stayed in that area a few years ago and the apartment hotel staff suggested: Supermercados Vecino S.l. Plaza de Matute, 11 28012 Madrid, España +34 913 600 027 Sadly the staff there did not speak any English so finding stuff took longer than we wanted.

There is a farmers market style market with stalls selling fruits, vegies, etc, just West of Plaza Major. Also, there are several buildings near Sol housing the large department store "El Corte Ingles". In the basement of one of them is a pretty good grocery market. Karl

Apart from the above replies: - www.museodeljamon.com/html/establecimientos5.html on Calle Mayor, 7; Plaza Mayor, 17-18; Carrera de San Jerónimo, 6: You can buy there good cheese, ham.... And there is another one similar to those ones which name i can't remember, and it's on Calle del Arenal, fro Puerta del Sol, on the left.

museodeljamon - YES, YES, its great in there unless you happen to be a vegetarian - LOL, but then again Spain is not noted for its vegetarian eateries.

Vegeterian?, then, it'svery easy: Cheese (unless vegies don't eat cheese either

yes, the El Corte Inglés is ok but pricey even if I am a cardholder of the place to use for other things like clothings and music/games. near at calle de la victoria you have a grocery store. Museo del Jamon en carreta de San Jeronimo, right on puerta del sol ,La Mallorquina, and of course La Casa Mira at carreta de San Jeronimo. In the street Nunez del Arce near Puerta del Sol there is an ALDI supermarket. And a Lidl supermarket at Plaza Tirso de Molina, about 5 mins walking from puerta del sol There are many small ones pop and mom stores near all corners of puerta del sol. The major markets are in the city limits or outside. hope it helps

Thanks for the help. We spent 4 weeks in Torremolinos in April and May and were impressed with the products and prices at Mercadona. I guess that we'll have to adjust to the higher prices and more limited products in the city center. Booking in the city center was a trade-off. We are going to be 70 years old when we make this 3-week trip but we like to walk and see people and things at eye level and we also like to prepare and eat "healthy" food if we can. The 2 weeks after Madrid will include stops in Bilbao, Bordeaux, Tours, Paris, Brussels, and London. I don't know if this is too ambitious and I have to map out the nitty gritty of how to get from place to place (bus, train, plane, and possibly rental car for touring local areas). Since we are going in October and November I will try to get a look at the bus and train options when they become available. I will also be trying to get a handle on any senior travel discounts that may exist - in Madrid as well as from place to place. We already have the Targeta Dorada from our stay in Torremolinos but need to see what value it has in our new travels. All in all I am beginning to wonder if we would have been better off booking a tour. However, I really like the fun of discovering things on our own. Although my wife and I disagree on this, I don't even mind getting lost. Any suggestions about any of my concerns would be appreciated.

For Renfe: www.renfe.es (Spanish railroad network), have a look at: www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/tarifas/index.html, you may find very interesting discounts, especially with the Golden Card/Tarjeat Dorada for people 60+, or evne booking trorough internet; We abd star/estrella.

For planes: www.ryanair.com www.easyjet.com www.vueling.com

you will be ok to those cities check the air and train alternatives. yes big city centers not too many big supermarkets.

I must apologize for the mistakes made; here is the "translation": Tarjeat = Tarjeta Evne = Even We abd star/estrella = There are some offers but just booked through internet called WEB and Star/estrella For Renfe: www.renfe.es (Spanish railroad network), have a look at: www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/tarifas/index.html, you may find very interesting discounts, especially with the Golden Card/Tarjeat Dorada for people 60+, or evne booking trorough internet; We abd star/estrella. Read more: VT Forum temporarily unavailable

I know that people try to be helpful when they post answers but really some of the posts are incorrect! The market next to the Plaza Mayor is now a very upscale/expensive/tourist place,Museo de Jamon is for meats & cheeses,ALDI market is long gone and Casa Mira is very gourmet shop for pastries and candy! The original poster asked for reasonalble markets close to Puerta del Sol.Walk down Calle Mayor, past the Plaza Mayor, turn left at the mercado San Miguel and just past the mercado you will find 2 supermarkets Gama and a couple of doors down is Dia.I think those markets are what you are looking for!

yes that what is asking food shopping, now if the English is groceries than the DIA at calle arenal is closer http://www.open25.es/02_tiendas.html#

Once again, incorrect info-there is NO Dia on Arenal-check the Dia website!

symantics is a 25 store same info its a grocery store, and I know ,lived there 4 yrs and have family.

What is symantics? I live in Madrid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

type the store name from above as Dia when I had the site for store 25, a grocery store.

The 25 store is expensive -only to buy snacks, drinks and pretty much for tourists! Dia is a real supermarket! Enough nonsense!

its not expensive to me, it depends what you want out of it. Its a grocery store, just like carrefour and mercadona are different. Its the original posters choice. You have nothing in your profile, maybe you should start putting all these wonderful tips in there for all to use permanently. Some might use it. enough said Cheers

The original poster said "supermarket like Mercadona".................