Navidad en Madrid: Mercadillos Callejeros

Etiquetas de Technorati: madrid,madrid 2012,madrid navidad,navidad madrid,madrid oferta,apartamento madrid,alquiler temporal madrid

Se acerca la Navidad y los distritos de Madrid se llenan de mercadillos de Navidad donde poder hacer algunas de las compras navideñas con regalos algo más originales de lo normal.


Las calles de Madrid durante la época de Navidad adquieren un gran ambiente, debido a la iluminación navideña ,  y al ambiente que dan los  mercadillos y las ferias de Navidad .

Tradicionalmente, desde hace muchos años las principales plazas del centro de la ciudad se ocupan con mercadillos donde puedes encontrar productos navideños, pero también ferias de artesanía y de regalos, que forman parte sustancial del programa de Navidad 2012 en Madrid .

Y tampoco faltan atracciones orientadas al disfrute de las familias, como ferias, pistas de hielo o espectáculos infantiles como el tradicional Cortylandia .

A continuación tienes la información, así como fechas y horarios de los principales mercadillos y ferias de Navidad 2012-2013 que puedes visitar en Madrid en estas fechas festivas.

Mercadillo de la plaza Mayor y plaza de Santa Cruz

El más tradicional de los mercadillos navideños de Madrid está abierto hasta el 31 de diciembre, en horarios de lunes a jueves, de 10 a 22 horas, y de viernes a domingo, hasta las 23 horas.
En este mercadillo que ocupa la Plaza Mayor y sus alrededores encuentras más de cien casetas decoradas con estilo austriaco, y asímismo, encuentras el ya tradicional tiovivo clásico para disfrute de los chavales.

Mercadillo de la plaza de Santa Cruz/plaza de la Provincia

Junto a la plaza Mayor, tienes en estas pequeñas plazas una extensión de su tradicional mercadillo, con los mismos horarios.

Mercadillo de la plaza de Benavente

En la cercana plaza de Benavente tienes el ya tradicional mercadillo de artesanía y regalos conocido como Feria de Navidad. Con más de 20 casetas con una decoración que emula un pueblo medieval.
Esta feria de Navidad puedes visitarla hasta el 6 de enero, todos los días de 10 a 22 horas.


Pista de patinaje en la plaza de Callao

En la céntrica plaza de Callao encuentras una pista de patinaje sobre hielo y la gran caseta para venta de adornos navideños que instala El Corte Inglés. De la decoración destaca el tradicional árbol de Navidad de 18 metros de altura.




Pista de patinaje en la plaza Santa Maria Soledad Torres Acosta


En esta plaza cercana a la plaza de Callao, hasta el 6 de enero tienes una pista de patinaje sobre hielo y una de esquí.
Los horarios de apertura son todos los días, de 10 a 22 horas.

Feria de Artesanía en la plaza del Carmen

También hasta el 6 de enero, en la plaza del Carmen encuentras una feria de Navidad con más de 30 casetas. Abre todos los días de 10 a 22 horas.

Feria de Navidad en la plaza de Santo Domingo

En esta plaza tienes una feria de artesanía hasta el 6 de enero, todos los días de 10 a 22 horas.

Feria de Artesanía en la Plaza de España
Esta feria de artesanía se inaugura el 15 de diciembre, y está abierta al público hasta el 5 de enero, de 11 a 21 horas. Cierra los días 25 de diciembre y 1 de enero, y los días 24 y 31 de diciembre cierra a las 15 horas.
Feria de Artesanía en la Plaza de Moncloa
Hasta el 13 de enero puedes visitar la feria de artesanía, que abre de 10 a 14,30 horas y de 17 a 22,30 horas.

Además, no olvides que alojándote en nuestros apartamentos, podrás recorrer  a pié todos estos mercadillos, ya que están situados en pleno centro de Madrid. Y, si puedes  venir a Madrid desde hoy 10 de Diciembre hasta el 28 de Diciembre puedes ahorrarte hasta un 20% en tu estancia, reservando uno de estos apartamentos que están en oferta:

Plaza Espana 2 Apartment: Céntrico, tranquilo ...y con capacidad para 6 personas

Gran Via Chueca 1 Apartment: Uno de los favoritos de nuestros clientes

Gran Via Chueca 2 Apartment

   

Plaza Mayor Loft: En plena Plaza Mayor, Un lujo

Lavapies Apartment: Con dos balcones y dos dormitorios

Madrid Divino Apartment: Acogedor estudio en pleno centro

Madrid Almudena Apartment: apartamento de 2 dormitorios  al lado del Palacio Real

       

Plaza Espana 1 apartment: perfecto para grupos

Apartments versus Hotels in Madrid

 

Whatever is the reason, you have decided to go to Madrid. You’ve booked your vacation time and chosen Madrid, or just came to Madrid for work,  and now the only thing left to do is to find somewhere to stay. Maybe a hotel or guesthouse may be the obvious choice, but it may be not the most smart, nor the most cost-effective.

HomesForTravellers have a great selection of short term rental apartments, aimed at people wanting to stay from a few days to a few weeks in Madrid.

So, just what are the advantages of choosing an apartment instead of a hotel?

Well, the cost is the obvious one (and let’s face it, everyone loves a good price!) For example, one of our apartments in the heart of the city, (like the Molino apartment) rents for as little as €165 a night for 4 people, and can accommodate up to 11 people for just 222€ (now in January and February 2012 with a 20% discount). Just try to find four bedrooms in a luxury hotel in the city centre for the same price! Usually this is the rental price of just one bedroom in a luxury hotel in Madrid. With a group like that, you would have needed 4 hotel rooms. So the good price and the ability to cook at home, you will save a bunch in a week.

Only think in that: If your group is larger than 2 or 3 people, you can save big by renting an apartment and cooking some of your own meals. Even in Madrid, Spain, it's hard to find a restaurant meal for under 10 euros/US$15. So for 4 people you get close to $200/day in meals. The downsides are that by visiting fewer restaurants you miss out on some of the local food culture and the time required to cook and clean. But if you enjoy cooking you get to experiment with new ingredients, and you can check out the food markets. All of our short term rental apartments come with a modern and fully-equipped kitchen. You can enjoy the new experience of shopping and cooking in a foreign country – the Madrid  food markets are an adventure in themselves!

Some clients don't like the agencies that ask for cash only. They said that it's better to have the choice of either paying with cash or credit card and that it's much easier to get the deposit refunded as there'll be no cash to exchange. In homesfortravellers.com, most of our apartments accept full payment by credit card, so you have not to carry money with you.

Also, you will have more privacy and freedom  having your own apartment. No need to worry about coming and going, wake up calls – you can relax yourself, and enjoy your new home away from home for the duration of your stay.

What most of our clients love about our apartments is the freedom of having their 'own' space, knowing no-one will come in when they are out - this makes them feel secure about leaving their belongings in the apartment and neither feel the need to leave everything tidy or return it to its 'correct' place each day. They like to stay in or go out every time entirely by their own choosing.

They like having a washing machine so they can travel light. They like having a kitchen so they are not obliged to eat out in restaurants all the time. And they love the Internet Connection for Free, to connect with their friends and family!

Our apartments also offer more space and comfort than the average hotel room, where you are often confined to spending all your time in the bedroom. A stay in an apartment gives you space, privacy and freedom, at half cost of a hotel of a similar quality. And in case you need help, we also offer additional cleaning services, and our team is always on hand to help you with any queries or problems you may have.

Have we convinced you yet? No?! One final point then – we have a broad selection of apartments of every size, shape and style, in some of the best locations in the city. Whether you want to stay in the heart of old Madrid, or in the trendiest areas like Chueca or Malasaña, we can help find the perfect property for you.

So, if you have not done yet, in your next visit to Madrid stay in an apartment. If you try it, you will love it!

Exhibitions Nativity Scenes in Madrid

For those interested in knowing the culture and traditions of Madrid, we present a list of all the places where there are Nativity Scenes Exhibitions in Madrid

From December 1 to January 8, the main Nativity Scene, organized by the City Council at Palacio de Cibeles will be open for visitors.

Hours: Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 to 21 h. 18, 24 and December 31, 10 to 16 h. January 5, 10 to 14 h.

This year, the Bethlehem Municipal finds its new location on the main floor of CentroCentro-Palacio de Cibeles, a space open to all locals and guests of our city to share the illusion of Christmas. The Bethlehem consists of 200 figures, 133 figures and buildings in the collection of the City of Madrid made by José Luis Mayo, and 70 figures from the personal collection of Enrique Haro made by different artists.
The scenery of Bethlehem represents the beginning of his tour the Nativity with the worship of angels, a portal that is a mixture of stable and cave. Continue with the representation of a mountain area in close-ups where is located the Annunciation to the shepherds and, through visual effects, creating the illusion of the appearance of the angel. After the procession of the Magi coming from the East the scenery takes us through all the typical Christmas prints to the town of Bethlehem.

Itinerary Nativity scenes in Madrid


Free admission, except in the National Museum of Decorative Arts

City Museum
C / Príncipe de Vergara, 140
Bethlehem Hebrew monumental character of the Association
The Cultural Dormis Cieza (Murcia).
From 8 December to 8 January.
Tuesday to Friday, from 10 to 20 h. Mondays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, 10 to 14 h. December 25 and January 1, closed.


Clock House Cultural Center
Exhibition Hall La Lonja
Walk of the poplar, 10
Popular Bethlehem hundred feet square, with figures of the craftsman José Luis Mayo Lebrija.
From December 12 to January 8.
Monday to Saturday, 10 to 14 h. and 17 to 21 h. Sundays, 10 to 14 h. December 25, 1 and January 6, closed


C. Municipal Ciudad Lineal
C / Hermanos García Noblejas 16, ground floor
Traditional Bethlehem.
From 19 December to 9 January. Monday to Thursday, from 9 to 17 h. Friday, 9 to 14 h. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, closed


National Museum of Decorative Arts
C / Montalbán, 12
Eighteenth-century Neapolitan Nativity.
Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30 to 15 h. Opening Thursday evening (except January 5) in 17-20 h. and 21, 23, 27, 28 and 30 December. Sundays and holidays from 10 to 15 h. On Mondays and days 24, 25 and December 31 and January 6, closed.
General admission: € 3. Reduced and free tickets: Available at mnartesdecorativas.mcu.es


Royal Palace of Madrid
C / Bailen, s / n
The Royal Palace houses the Prince Neapolitan crib, commissioned by Charles III for his son in 1760. Includes original figures of the eighteenth century, as well as architecture and popular elements.
From 15 December to 15 January.
Monday to Sunday, from 10 to 17 hours, closing ticket. Closed on 24, 25 and 31 December, 1 and 6 January and the days of official acts


Royal Monastery of the Encarnacion
Plaza de la Encarnación, 1
To celebrate the fourth centenary of the founding of the Monastery of the Incarnation in Madrid, this Christmas the church will host the Neapolitan Bethlehem Monastery of the Augustinian Recollect of Salamanca, the first time this crib is displayed outside the walls of Salamanca convent.
From 15 December to 15 January.
Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 to 13 hours, close the box office and from 16 to 17.30 pm, closing the box office. Sundays, 10 to 14 h, close the box office. Closed on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 and 6 January.


Monastery of the "Descalzas"
Royal Plaza of the Nuns, 1
Installing a small crib, which prevail spirituality.
From December 15 to January 15.
Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 to 13 hours, close the box office and from 16 to 17.30 pm, closing the box office. Sundays, 10 to 14 h, close the box office. Closed on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 and 6 January.


Royal Monastery of Santa Isabel. Church
C / Santa Isabel, 48
Bethlehem popular around the altar of the church of Santa Isabel.
From 15 December to 15 January. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10.30 to 12.45 h. and 16 to 17.45 h. Friday, from 10.30 to 12.45 h.
Sundays and holidays from 11 to 13.45 h. Closed on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 and 6 January


Monasterio de Santa Ana and San Jose "Discalced Carmelites"
C / General Aranaz, 58
Exhibition of Neapolitan crib and others from different parts of the world.
From December 4 to January 14.
From Thursday to Saturday from 16.30 to 19 h.
Sundays, 11 to 14 h. 24 and 31 December and 1 and January 6, closed.


Catedral Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora la Real de la Almudena
C / Bailen, 10
Bethlehem artistic figures Castells, Nicholas and May (computerized), made by Father Felix Castedo.Belén monumental (Mystery and Epiphany) with figures of Olot (Girona)-nineteenth century, made by Father José María Durán. From December 25 to January 15, from 9-20 h.


Real Basilica de San Francisco el Grande
Plaza de San Francisco, s / n
Bethlehem popular.
From 18 December to 8 January.
Tuesday to Friday, 8 am to 12.30 pm and 16 to 18 h. Saturday, 8 am to 12.30 pm and 16 to 20.30 h. Sundays and holidays, from 9 to 13 h. and from 19.30 to 20.30 h. Closed Mondays


Royal Church of San Ginés
C / Arenal, 13
Baroque Mystery.
From 17 December to 8 January. From 9 to 13 h. and 18 to 21 h.


Papal Basilica of San Miguel
C / San Justo, 4
Popular Bethlehem monumental sculptor José Luis Mayo Lebrija.
From December 12 to January 10, 10 to 13 h. and from 17.30 to 21 h. (Except during services)


Convent of the Nuns Corpus Christi Jerome "Vulgar Carboneras"
Plaza del Conde de Miranda, 3
Mystery and Three Kings.
From December 7 to January 8. From 9 to 13.30 h. and from 16.30 to 19.30 h. Sundays and holidays from 10 to 13.30 h. and from 16.30 to 19.30 h.


Convent of the Sisters of the Society of the Cross
C / King Francis, 19
Bethlehem Seville popular character with popular local figures.
From December 25 to January 8, 10 to 13.30 h. December 31, closed


San Rafael Hospital
C / Herrero de Tejada, 3
Bethlehem long tradition monumental Madrid.
From December 1 to January 11, from 11 to 13.30 h. and from 16.30 to 20 h.


Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
C / Temple, 2
Exposure of Births.
From December 6 to January 7, 10 to 22 h.


Association of Pontifical Right Heralds of the Gospel
C / Cinca, 17
Bethlehem popular with light and sound.
From December 11 to January 8, 17 to 21 h.


Basilica Church of Our Father Jesus of Medinacelli "Capuchinos"
Plaza de Jesus, 2
Baroque Mystery. Birth popular.
From 16 December to 8 January.
Monday to Thursday from 7 to 13.30 h. and 17 to 21 h. Friday, from 6.30 to 23 h. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 8.30 to 14 h. and 17 to 21 h.


Parish of the Twelve Apostles
C / Velazquez, 88
Great crib artistic audiovisual animation.
From December 22 to January 8, 12 to 14 h. and 18 to 21 h.


Parish of the Holy Christ of Victory
C / Blasco de Garay, 33
Bethlehem historic art computerized.
From December 25 to January 28, from 9.30 to 13.15 h. and 18 to 21.15 h.


Holy Spirit Church
C / Serrano, 125
Bethlehem with historical and artistic value. Neapolitan-style figures (XVIII-XIX).
From 15 December to 15 January. Monday to Saturday from 11.30 to 13 h. and 18 to 20.30 h. Sundays and holidays from 11 to 13.30 h. and 18 to 20.30 h. (Except during services).


Sociocultural Center Alberto Sanchez. Vallecas Bridge District
C / Cliff Pedroche, 14
Traditional Bethlehem District.
From December 15 to January 5. Monday to Friday, from 9 to 21 h.


St. Catherine Laboure Parish
C / Arroyo Opañel, 29
Historic Bethlehem.
From 16 December to 2 February.
From 9.30 to 13 h. and 17 to 20 h.


Mother Teresa Home Jornet "Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly"
C / Duchess of Tamames, 8
Traditional Bethlehem.
From 8 December to 8 January, from 10.30 to 14 h. and 17 to 20.30 h.


Royal Parish Church of St. Andrew the Apostle
Plaza de San Andrés, 1
Bethlehem Neapolitan eighteenth-century ivory.
From December 1 to January 7.
Monday to Saturday, 8 to 12 h. and 18 to 20 h. Sundays (not groups), 9 to 13 h. (Except during services)


Centro Cultural Eduardo Úrculo. Tetuan District
Plaza de Donoso, 5
Traditional Bethlehem.
From December 9 to January 7.
Monday to Friday, from 9 to 21 h. Saturdays, 10 to 21 h. Sundays and holidays, 24 and December 31 and January 1, closed


Crusaders of Faith
C / Atocha, 87 bis
Bethlehem of great artistic value with carved polychrome eighteenth and nineteenth centuries (International Gold Medal).
From 27 November to 6 January.
Monday to Friday from 18 to 20.30 h. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 11 to 13.30 h. and 18 to 20 h. 24, 25 and December 31 and January 1, closed


Telefónica Flagship Store
C / Gran Vía, 28
Sculpture and video art: an innovative and striking representation for all audiences, the traditional nativity scene.
From 17 December to 5 January.
Monday to Saturday, 10 to 21 h. Sundays and holidays, from 12 to 20 h. (December 25 and January 1, closed)

New Year Eve in Madrid

Each year, the Puerta del Sol becomes the epicenter of New Year's Eve for all of Spain. Thousands of people from all over the globe crowd into the square on December 31st, ready to see in the New Year and eat their lucky grapes, as the clock on the Real Casa de Correos building strikes twelve.

The lucky grapes
It is not just in Spain where the old year gets sent off with a particular kind of food, but Spain is the only place with a tradition that involves eating grapes. There are various theories about the origin of this custom, but the one most favoured by Spaniards places the tradition's birth in 1909. Wine producers from the Levante had such an excess of grapes that they decided to share their fruit with everyone, suggesting that eating the grapes on New Year's Eve would bring good luck. A century later, the success of this unusual campaign is still evident, as people all over Spain eat twelve grapes while the Puerta del Sol clock is striking twelve, to symbolize good luck for each of the twelve months of the year.

The clock

The clock at the Real Casa de Correos was made and donated by José Rodríguez Losada, and was inaugurated by Queen Isabel II on November 19, 1866. For many years, this clock was used as the country's official time standard, so it is fitting that it should be the one to ring in the New Year. And there's nothing better than being there in person for the event!

The sounds and movements of the clock striking midnight on December 31 are a televised ritual. A few seconds before 12am, the ball on the top of the tower falls, accompanied by the sounds of the carillon. Then the four quarters ring, followed by the strokes of midnight, the separation between the twelve chimes being just long enough for the grapes to be swallowed.

But now the night is just beginning, and this is a night when few in Madrid will get much sleep. There are just too many parties to choose from, to welcome the New Year with happiness and good cheer.

New Year's Eve parties
The city's best clubs will be pulling out all the stops for the celebrations, with special New Year parties where all drinks are included. A friendly atmosphere, great music and the party spirit are the ingredients that make any December 31 spent in Madrid an unforgettable experience. The Círculo de Bellas Artes throws one of the city´s most famous New Year´s parties, in a superb building just a few meters from the Puerta del Sol. Also nearby is Joy Eslava.

New Year's Day
What better way to start the year than dancing? And you don't need to stay up all night after a big dinner. In recent years a new trend has been taking off: welcoming the New Year in daylight, with daytime parties that often run on into the night of the 1st.

There's still time to book your apartment in Madrid to learn all the traditions of Madrid and enjoy the holidays in Madrid