Sunday mornings offer perhaps one on Madrid's most famous attractions- the Rastro. This celebrated flea market stretches for streets, selling the finest and largest variety of goods known to any such market.

Atop the list of authentic Madrid sites a tourist must see, rests the Rastro, an open-air flea market selling goods beyond the stretch of ones imagination. This genuine market atmosphere is charming and fun, offering a variety of merchandise, ranging from sweaters and scarves to electronics, music to leather bags and jackets.

Famous for the more than one thousand vending stands, the Rastro offers an eclectic range of artwork, originating from places such as Egypt, India and China. The collection of second-hand goods is abundant, offering items such as authentic matador costumes and antique Spanish souvenirs. Open from 10 am until 2 pm, Sundays and holidays, this market is fun for everyone, whether shopping is a priority or not. Entertainment acts, clowns and vendors selling typical Spanish snacks add to the true Madrid market experience.

As the morning comes to a close and the shopping bags become heavier, perhaps you might want to complete your Rastro experience by stopping along one of the side streets for authentic Spanish tapas. Or, within 500 meters of the Rastro is Plaza Mayor, where relaxing and eating on the outside terrace is equally as famous and enjoyable.

As an avid Rastro-goer, I can offer some advice to a tourist experiencing the market for the first time. Wearing closed-toed shoes is an absolute must. The streets are crowded and dirty and the stretch is long; so, if you're really in it for the long-haul market experience, I strongly suggest covering your feet. Be aware that as the morning and early afternoon progress, the crowds thicken by the thousands. It is best to arrive as early as possible to beat the congestion, as walking and browsing become progressively more difficult the closer it is to 2 pm. Finally, keep your wallet, purses, and cameras well stored as pick-pocketers thrive on such crowded tourist attractions.

The Rastro can be accessed by three near-by metro stops: La Latina (lines 2 and 5), Embajadores (lines 3 and 5) or Tirso de Molina (line 1). Upon exiting the underground metro, the market is difficult to miss, located between Calle de Toledo and Calle de Embajadores. Follow the crowds and shop away, remembering that the old game of bargaining has not yet died out at this famous Madrid shopping haven.