Temple of Debod
The BEST place to go to watch the sun set over the city, with views of the Royal Palace, Casa de Campo – Madrid’s largest park and green space – and the Madrid Rio below. The temple itself is a historic piece of Egyptian architecture dating back to the 2nd century BC, gifted to the city. Get there by walking up the stairs to Parque de la Montaña after taking a left at the top of our street.
Sabatini Gardens
Neoclassical gardens with an unobstructed view of Madrid’s Royal Palace. Our favorite place in the neighborhood to visit in the morning with a cup of coffee. Royal Palace of Madrid Spain’s Royal Palace is the largest palace in Western Europe, and still the official residence of the Spanish Monarchy. Stroll around the grounds or take a self-guided tour through its monumental spaces. The changing of the guards ceremony takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Teatro Real
Take in a show or just walk around the gardens enjoying the scenery. This theater and opera-house boasts over 170 years of history! Plaza de Espana Newly renovated, the verdant Plaza España has become one of the most bustling destinations in the entire city. Apart from being a local landmark, it’s also a favorite place for Madrileños to enjoy the Spanish “paseo” tradition – a leisurely stroll on the weekends and in the evenings.
The Golden Triangle of Art
The area around Madrid’s tree-lined Paseo del Prado, also known as The Golden Triangle, is a must-visit for any art lover. Here you’ll find 3 iconic Art museums, the Museo del Prado, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museo Nacional.
The Prado is one of the worlds most visited art museums and houses an impressive collection of European art. They have a large collection of Goya and Velázquez paintings and many works by old masters including Raphael, Caravaggio, El Greco, Rembrant, Titian, and Botticelli.
The Thyssen stands out for housing one of the largest private art collections in the world. A significant part of the museum is devoted to 20th century avant-garde works, with outstanding Impressionist and expressionist collections.
The art at the Reina Sofia is more focused on the modern and contemporary. You’ll find works by famous Spanish artists such as Dalí and Miró there, and Picasso’s Guernica lives at the Reina Sofia, no doubt it’s most well known masterpiece.
El Retiro Madrid
300 sprawling acres of park in the center of the city, with a large central lake, plenty of open grassy spaces, various manicured gardens, and several small exhibition spaces, including the iron and glass Palacio de Cristal, a 19th century conservatory.
Plaza Mayor
The heart of Old Madrid, Plaza Mayor is an impressive Renaissance square surrounded on all sides by ornate residential buildings. The plaza itself is wrapped by a porticoed arcade lined with souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes. The central open space plays host to annual events, markets, street performers and outdoor dining.
While the restaurants and cafes in Plaza Mayor are admittedly touristy, it’s still a nice place to stop for a drink or cup of coffee for some afternoon people watching. And if you do find yourself getting hungry, stop by La Campana or Bar Postas to sample Plaza Mayor’s most famous snack, crispy fried calamari sandwiched in a crusty baguette with alioli and a squeeze of lemon, locally know as a “bocata de calamares”.
Mercado San Miguel
A historic traditional market dating back to 1916 that was transformed during the early 2000s into the first gastro-market in the city. With a couple of dozen stalls featuring an array of tapas including classics like banderillas, croquetas and jamón to gourmet cheeses to Michelin chef sandwiches and ice cream, you won’t have any problem finding something delicious to eat.
Bar 360º – Hotel RIU Plaza España
The recently refurbished “Edificio España” is a historic building long known for being Madrid’s first skyscraper. Coming in at 27 stories, it now houses the Hotel Riu along with the 26th floor’s exclusive nightclub, SkyBar, and the open-air Bar 360º which sprawls over the hotel’s terraced rooftops offering unobstructed views over the entire city. Looking out over Plaza España from a rooftop almost 400 feet above is a thrilling experience on its own, but Bar 360º amplifies the sensation by giving you the opportunity to look down over the city, if you dare, from a completely transparent balcony cantilevered beyond the building’s front facade or from a 20’ glass walkway bridging across the two wings of the building. With such heavenly views of Madrid literally beneath your feet, it’s no surprise that Bar 360º quickly become one of the most in-demand rooftops in the city.
Gran Via
Madrid’s main artery, stretching from Plaza de España to the Circulo de Bellas Artes. Like a combination of New York’s 5th Avenue and Broadway, Gran Vía is lined with stately hotels, historic theatres and lots of shopping. Some of Madrid’s most emblematic buildings, including the Edificio Metropolis are found on Gran Vía. The scale of the street and architecture along it is absolutely stunning.
Madrid Río
The green ribbon that runs along the banks of Madrid’s recently revitalized Rio Manzanares is becoming a more popular destination by the day. With over two thousand acres of park, including an urban beach, meandering trails, playgrounds, outdoor cafes and cultural spaces, it’s easy to see why.
Campo del Moro
Hidden in the shadow of the Royal Palace, at a glance, the romantic gardens of Campo de Moro are almost unassuming. But don’t let first impressions fool you, as you step through the wrought iron gates that mark the garden’s entry, you’ll immediately be struck by its beauty. English in style and French in inspiration, the garden boasts spectacular views of Madrid’s Royal Palace, wandering peacocks, shaded avenues and two ornate fountains which punctuate its verdant central meadow.
Puerta del Sol
Madrid’s literal center, a place to gather and celebrate (especially on New Years Eve), and in the absence of city wide events, a popular place to go for some retail therapy. A landmark unto itself, Puerta del Sol is also home to some of Madrid’s most recognizable symbols, including the Oso y Madrono, a bronze statue of Madrid’s coat of arms – a bear and strawberry tree, the beloved neon Tio Pepe and a towering statue of King Carlos III, one of Spain’s Bourbon Kings. This sprawling plaza also marks the symbolic center of Spain. Walk over to the Casa de Correos building and stand below the clock tower to find the plaque marking Kilometer 0, the official starting point from which distances are measured along Spain’s 6 major radial roadways.
Círculo de Bellas Artes
One of the best spots to drink in the grandeur of Madrid’s cityscape, with an up-close view of the towering Minerva statue, iconic Gran Vía and ornate Metropolis building. The Círculo de Bellas Artes itself is a private cultural organisation that offers curated exhibitions, live performances and fine art classes, but they’ll grant you access to their rooftop for a small fee. Ascend to their Azotea at the top of the building and enjoy the views with a Gin and Tonic from their rooftop bar, the unofficial drink of Spain.
Cibeles
This picturesque plaza with the illustrious Palacio de Cibeles serving as its backdrop is an unmistakable symbol of the city. A neoclassical white marble fountain featuring the goddess Cybele upon her chariot sits at its center and marks the convergence of several of Madrid’s most exclusive neighborhoods, Recoletos, Justicia, Jerónimos and Cortes. Venture into the Palacio de Cibeles and there’s more to be discovered. Inaugurated in 1919 as the official home of Spain’s central Post Office, the Palacio de Cibeles is now home to Madrid’s City Council, a glass domed event hall, a rooftop restaurant, an 8th floor observation deck and the CentroCentro exhibition space.
El Rastro
If you’re someone who likes treasure hunting, don’t miss Madrid’s Rastro Market, held in the lively La Latina neighborhood every Sunday since the 1740s. Well known for being one of the oldest, and largest, open-air flea markets in all of Europe, El Rastro is legendary. For the best finds, head straight past El Rastro’s most frequented street, Ribera de Curtidores, and make your way over to Plaza del General Vara de Rey and the surrounding smaller side streets. It’s down these more obscure alleys that you’ll find El Rastro’s best antiques, obscure books, retro furniture and vintage clothing. And if you’re serious about doing some shopping, bring cash and be sure to get there in the morning.
Puerta de Alcala
Predating both Paris’ Arc de Triomphe and Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, these Neoclassical granite arches once served as an entrance to Madrid through the Royal Walls of Felipe IV which enclosed the entire city from the early 1600’s to the middle of the 19th century.
CaixaForum Madrid
A museum housed in a former power station reimagined by Architects Herzog and De Meuron with origami-like steel surfaces, engraved corten screens and a 24 meter vertical garden designed by Patrick Blanc. Exhibitions rotate regularly and entrance fees range from cheap to free. Easily one of our favorite spaces in Madrid. Even if the current events don’t catch your attention, the building itself is amazing.
Matadero
Once the site of a major slaughterhouse, as alluded to by its name, Matadero may not sound like an inspiring space, but its 48 neo-mudejar buildings have undergone a striking transformation to create a massive cultural center with an ever-changing roster of events from art installations and film screenings to live concerts and markets.
Atocha
Madrid’s central train station might not seem like more than a transportation hub from the outside, but enclosed within its wrought iron and glass cupola, a jungle awaits. At its historic core lies a gigantic atrium and botanical garden, boasting over 400 species of plants and even a turtle sanctuary.
National Archaeological Museum
An incredibly curated collection of archeological history. Starting with the evolution of man, exploring ancient settlements and the birth of agriculture, tracing the introduction of religions and currencies, and following the evolution of society all the way into the mid-19th century
Santiago Bernabéu
Stadium Home to one of Europe’s most successful football (soccer) teams. Behind-the-scenes tours are available daily, including days when Real Madrid is playing.
Neighborhoods
Conde Duque
Conde Duque is Madrid’s most up-and-coming neighborhood. Full of unique eateries, neighborhood taverns, independent boutiques and a plethora of cultural offerings. Conveniently located just up the street! Palacio The Palacio neighborhood of Madrid is where you’ll find some of it’s most iconic architecture, and of course, the Royal Palace of Spain. The palace’s Sabatini Gardens are a great place to spend the morning, and luckily for us, their entrance is practically across the street.
Malasaña
Malasaña is the most hipster area in Madrid. It’s bustling Calle Pez is lined with shops and restaurants, a fun place to go any night of the week. Plaza Dos de Mayo is the lively center of the neighborhood, typically filled with people and terraces spilling out onto the street. Barrio de La Latina Known for being the bohemian neighborhood in Madrid.
La Latina
is where you’ll find Madrid’s famous El Rastro Flea Market, along with the lively Cava Baja, known for tapas bars and drinking. On the weekends, Cava Baja can be unimaginably busy, so get there early, or go without a plan and just pop in where there’s space. Some of our favorite tapas bars in the area include Lamiak, La Concha, Casa Lucas, Tempranillo, La Antoñita, Casa Revuelta, Barmiton, Txakolina and Juana la Loca.
Barrio Las Letras
A beautiful neighborhood of mostly pedestrian streets. Known as the Literary Quarter, it was once home to the legendary Miguel de Cervantes. Anchored by the lovely Plaza Santa Ana, famous for the Teatro Espanol and its terrace cafes, this area is also referred to as Huertas, for the infamous street where promoters offer free “chupitos” to anyone who passes by in the evenings. We skip the chupitos and head straight for the delicious tapas at Casa Alberto before continuing down the street for a bit of wine and cheese at Alimentacion Quiroga or Casa Gonzales.
Madrid’s Subway System is Amazing!
Super efficient and cheap. You can easily access it from the Principe Pio station at the bottom or our street, or a short walk away from Plaza España
Grocery Shopping
We love to buy our groceries at Madrid’s traditional markets. The closest to our house is Mercado de los Mostenses, a 10 min walk away. There is a grocery store (Dia) at the bottom of the street and an express grocery (Carrefour) around the corner on Cuesta de San Vicente.
Drinking Water
Water quality in Madrid is great so it’s perfectly fine to drink tap water. Spanish restaurants don’t typically serve tap water, but in Madrid they are required to by law if you ask for it (specify “agua de grifo”).
Neighborhood Parks & Picnicking
Alcohol consumption is technically forbidden in parks, plazas and on the streets in Madrid, but you’ll see tons of people in the parks with beers or red wine sodas (called Tinto de Verano, it’s like a simple Sangria). If you are respectful, you shouldn’t get in trouble, but you can also order drinks from one of the many park kiosks or terraces if you want to play it safe.