Curated Travel Tips for a Perfect Stay in Madrid.
We cover our favourite Madrid neighbourhoods and provide you with hand-picked suggestions of must-do things in the Spanish capital city.
Madrid Map & Key-Areas
The best 7 areas to stay in Madrid are:
(1) Paseo del Prado, El Retiro, Ibiza; (2) Salamanca; (3) Malasaña, Chueca, Las Salesas; (4) Puerta del Sol, Barrio de Las Letras; (5) El Madrid de Los Asturias, La Latina; (6) Chamberí; (7) Lavapiés.
(1) Paseo del Prado,
El Retiro, Ibiza
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Museum Quarter, City Park, Luxury Hotels, Tapas Heaven
If your plan is to explore the best cultural options in Madrid, there is no better place to stay rather than the posh area surrounding Museo del Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and Reina Sofía, three of Madrid’s most prominent art-dedicated institutions (dubbed as the “Golden Triangle of Art”). This is also where some of the best hotels in Madrid with views are located, in particular over The Prado and surroundings.
Stretching from Fuente de Cibeles to Atocha (where Spain’s most important railway station is located) with Fuente de Neptuno in between, Paseo del Prado is among Madrid’s most beautiful arteries and acts as a link between this area’s major attractions, including Real Jardín Botánico, one of our favourite green spaces in the Spanish capital. Almost in parallel to Paseo del Prado runs Calle de Alfonso XII (named after the peacemaker King), where the stunning El Retiro Park is to be found.
Further east, in an unsuspected neighbourhood named Ibiza, Madrid’s “gastronomic golden mile” marvels locals and visitors alike with some of the finest restaurants and eateries in town.
Visit The Prado Museum,
A Worldwide Reference
Here’s your chance to visit some of the greatest artworks ever produced by the most renowned artists in the world. Some of those that can’t be missed include Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights, Velásquez’s Las Meninas and Goya’s Saturn Devouring His Son. Going to Prado may require long hours, which is why we suggest preparing your visit beforehand and getting your tickets online to avoid the often extremely long queues. To take the most out of your visit, go in the morning (usually less busy) and for lunch grab a quick bite at the on-site Café Prado.
Museo Nacional
del Prado
@kustovamaria
Explore Madrid’s
Golden Triangle
When you’re done with The Prado (if you ever will), consider a visit to the two other major museums in this area: Reina Sofía, a museum mainly dedicated to the 20th century Spanish artists and home to Guernica, Pablo Picasso’s post-war masterpiece, as well as several other works from names such as Salvador Dalí; and Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, one of the largest private western art collections in the world, featuring creations from El Greco, Caravaggio, Van Gogh, Monet, Gaugin, Matisse, Cézanne and Picasso, among many others.
Reina Sofía in
Passeo del Prado
@artic_a.l.l
Go for a Walk
In Retiro
Don’t mistake El Retiro with the vast majority of city parks around the world. This colossal green space, sprawling across more than 125 hectares, has a life of its own. Dating back to the 16th century, Retiro has been the ground of several historic events, including of destructive battles during the Napoleonic Wars. Fast-forwarding to what Retiro is today, we suggest visiting two palaces: the Palacio de Cristal, made almost entirely of glass and used for several art exhibits; and Palacio de Velásquez. Last but not least, the Fountain of the Fallen Angel, allusive to Lucifer, also demands for the visitors’ attention.
El Retiro, Madrid’s Largest Urban Park
Tapear in Ibiza
For those unfamiliar with the concept, tapear consists in embarking on a gastronomic journey expressed in several dishes and served in small portions - the famous Spanish tapas (opposite to the concept of raciones, which are much larger portions). While staying in Madrid, head to Ibiza area, on the other side of Retiro, where some of the best eateries in the city can be found. Between Calle del Doctor Castelo and Calle de Ibiza, there are several places you can try. Our favourites we hear you asking? Vinos de Bellota (Calle de Antonio Acuña, 27), La Raquetista (Calle del Doctor Castelo, 19) and KultO (Calle de Ibiza, 4).
Delicious Tapas
at La Raquetista
@sundaydandy
(2) Salamanca
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High-end shops, Exclusive Hotels, Sophisticated Feel
Born from a man’s dream - the Marquis of Salamanca - this 19th century neighbourhood, inspired in other European cities upscale areas, didn’t take long to become a magnet for Madrid’s rich and famous. Located immediately north of Retiro Park, the area is known as the “golden mile”, with its most iconic streets being Calle Ortega y Gasset, Calle de Serrano (parallel to Paseo de la Castellana), Calle de Claudio Coello and Calle de Velázquez, among many other streets in their vicinity.
Enjoy Madrid’s
Stunning Light
Together with Lisbon in neighbouring Portugal, Madrid is the sunniest capital in Europe. Like one would expect, this translates into an abundance of natural light and frequent magical sunsets. With low-rise, beautiful buildings, Salamanca neighbourhood is among Madrid’s best areas to get that vitamin D boost. To better understand what we mean, head to BLESS Hotel Madrid’s rooftop, located in the affluent Calle de Velázquez. Perfect for a gin&tonic!
BLESS Hotel Madrid
@domenicabroad_
Go Shopping
For the common of mortals it would’t be hard to max out credit cards while strolling around Salamanca. In here you’ll find the long-established luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hermès but also the one’s originated in Spain like Balenciaga and Loewe. On a different note, we suggest a visit to Spain’s largest wine store - Lavinia, to concept store Isolée, to gourmet’s paradise Mantequerías Bravo and Masscob, a preferred among the ladies.
Lavinia, Spain’s Largest Wine Store
@the_hedonist_banker
(3) Malasaña, Chueca,
Las Salesas
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Bohemian Life, Free-Spirited Stores, La Movida Birthplace, Creative Hub
Formerly one of the poorest areas in the city, Malasaña is nowadays one of the finest options to stay in Madrid and a neighbourhood brimming with a creative, independent energy. This heritage goes way back in time, in particular to the year of 1808, when Manuela Malasaña fought off the French troops and died as a consequence. This area’s quest for freedom resumed after dictator Franco’s death in 1975, giving way to the countercultural movement known as La Movida Madrileña.
Malasaña is nested between Gran Vía and Chamberi. Its busiest area is around Plaza del 2 de Mayo, extending to Calle de Fuencarral, all the way down to Calle Gran Vía.
Further east from Calle de Fuencarral, we arrive in the fashion and design melting pot of Las Salesas and the hipster Chueca neighbourhood.
Stay in a Hotel with a Spectacular Madrid View
We are firm believers that staying in a hotel with a Madrid view is all about raising the bar of your overall experience while stopping over in Spain’s capital city. A good example is Dear Hotel Madrid, opposite to the neo-baroque Edificio España (one of Europe’s first skyscrapers, commissioned by Franco) and with Malasaña district at its feet, where 360-degree panoramic views can be witnessed from the hotel’s rooftop bar and photogenic pool. Also worth a visit is Room Mate Oscar Hotel’s rooftop located in Plaza de Pedro Zerolo, the pulsating heart of Chueca.
Dear Hotel Madrid
@juli____a
Eat Healthy & Grab a Coffee
Looking for manicured lattes or fulfilling avocados? Head to Calle Santa Feliciana, 5 and find one of the best coffee shops in Madrid: Toma Café. Located near Platform 0, Madrid’s “phantom metro station”, this is the ideal place for international travellers to share tables or mingle with locals. The business is managed under the motto “No drama, just coffee”. We tend to agree. On a different note, visitors following a plant-based diet (and we suspect all others too) will be pleased to visit the hip La Colectiva Café on Calle Francisco de Rojas, 9. Yummy!
A Colourful Table
at Toma Café
@molly_in_madri
Explore Malasaña’s
Food Markets
It was after five long years, in 2014, that Malasaña neighbourhood got a brand new attraction: the Mercado Barceló. Forget everything you associate with food markets as there is nothing conventional about this somehow futuristic market. Pictures are not allowed inside and we won’t spoil it for you neither, so just give it a go. In case you get hungry while visiting, the market’s rooftop is home to Azotea restaurant, so why not give it a try? Last but not least, the three-level space Mercado de San Ildefonso on Calle Fuencarral is also a reference in Malasaña’s food scene.
Mercado Barceló,
an Unusual Market
@romaincosta_
Learn about the
Romanticism Movement
Perhaps one of Madrid’s best kept secrets in what museums concerns is the endearing Museo del Romanticismo, in Calle de San Mateo. Dedicated to the historic period between 1770 to 1850, the museum’s collection sheds a light on how the Spanish Bourgeoisie lived and who where the leading figures of this artistic movement. Save some time for having a cup of tea and a slice of homemade tart at the on-site Café del Jardín.
Museo del Romanticismo
@virtual_kami.666
(4) Puerta del Sol,
Barrio de las Letras
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City Center, Emblematic Squares, Literary Quarter
Considering this is Madrid’s epicentre (the “kilometro cero”, from where Spanish highways distances are measured), this is probably the best area to stay in the city for first-time visitors. Truth to be told, it is also one of the busiest districts in the city, particularly by the tourists’ crowds. If that doesn’t put you off, keep reading.
From the ever-busy Puerta del Sol, head to Plaza de Canalejas and turn right on Calle del Príncipe: you have just entered one of our favourite sections of this central area, the Barrio de las Letras (the literary quarter), formerly known as Huertas. Once you get to the beautiful Plaza de Santa Ana, take a seat at a square-facing restaurant, order some tapas, a refreshing sangria and allow some time to soak in the city’s energy unfolding before your eyes.
Once you’re done, stretch your legs along Calle de las Huertas while keeping an eye on the pavement - you’ll find some versos from some of the most famous Spanish intellectuals, authors and novelists like Miguel de Cervantes and Lope de Vega. This was also one of Ernest Hemingway’s favourite barrios in Madrid.
Dance the Night Away
on a Rooftop with a View
In Madrid, when the sun goes down, the fun begins. In fact, this is a city that surely knows how to party. To get a taste of it, don’t miss a night out at ME Madrid Reina Victoria, a hotel housed in a beautiful modernist building offering superlative views over Plaza Santa Ana and beyond. The venue is located on the hotel’s rooftop bar - Radio. Not a night owl? Go at least one hour before sunset time and, with a drink-in-hand, say your goodbyes to another fabulous day in Madrid in this perfect setting.
Radio Rooftop at ME Madrid Reina Victoria
Experience Spain’s
Modern Cuisine
It is behind a red-painted door that the magic happens. The brainchild of three Spanish chefs, TriCiclo restaurant on Barrio de las Letras is your chance to embark on a culinary journey of an exceptionally well presented twenty-five-plate menu. The ingredients are among the finest and freshest you’ll find in any Madrid restaurant, thus contributing for a divine tasting experience. We suggest saving some space for desserts.
TriCiclo Restaurant
@arthurstravels
Visit an Interior
Designer Studio
Classic, but with a modern twist. This could well be a good definition to what to expect when visiting Lorenzo Castillo’s impeccable decoration studio on Cañizares, 7, only moments away from the tree-lined boulevard of Paseo de Recoletos. The man behind design projects for several hotels and private properties all over the globe - Lorenzo Castillo - invites you to his world of sumptuosity and timeless elegance. A favourite among the city’s elites.
Lorenzo Castillo
@esterbellon
Try the Spanish Royals’ Favourite Cookie
Looking for something sweet this time? Find your bearings to El Riojano, located in Calle Mayor, 10, only moments away from Puerta del Sol. This historic bakery has been building its reputation since 1855 when it became the official royal supplier. Should you get overwhelmed by the diversity of pastries and other sweets on display, order a few pastas de consejo and ask the waiter to tell you the story behind those lemon biscuits’ name.
Pastelería
El Riojano
@mochilan
(5) El Madrid de Los Austrias, La Latina
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Impressive Monuments, Picturesque Squares
After allocating a full day to visit the surrounding area of Museo del Prado, we recommend planning another full day to explore this region.
Here’s the itinerary: from Plaza Mayor head do food market Mercado de San Miguel for some full-filling tapas (trust us, the journey ahead is long). Move on to the neo-Gothic Catedral de la Almudena, before reaching to your day’s highlight visit: the Palacio Real de Madrid (Royal Palace). When you’re done “visiting the royals”, proceed to the palace’s gardens - the Jardínes de Sabatini, on your way to the Temple of Debod (take a moment to rest while contemplating those phenomenal views).
Feeling hungry at this point? If not, pay a visit to the nearby Museo Cerralbo. If you are, we suggest two not-so-distant alternatives: the eco-restaurant The Village Taproom on Calle de Martín de los Heros, 28 or the more traditional Los Bocadillos, famous for its fried-squid sandwiches, on Calle del Marqués de Urquijo, 1.
South to El Madrid de Los Asturias lies La Latina, a lively area with plenty of restaurants, happening bars, charming squares (Cascorro, Paja and Cebada) and cultural venues like La Latina Theatre and Centro Cultural La Corrala.
Marvle at The
Palacio Real de Madrid
Located on the former site of the fortress of Mayrit, this stunning 18th-century palace is one of the most impressive royal residences in Europe and holds the record of the continent’s largest in size. Conceived by Juvara and Sachetti, the crown jewel of the Spanish Royalty houses nothing less than 3418 rooms, an art gallery with works from Goya, Velázaquez and Caravaggio, not to mention a chapel with stringed instruments by Stradivari himself. The most impressive space in the palace? Our vote would go to the State Dining Room and its fabulous chandeliers.
Royal Palace Madrid
Have a Break After
Visiting the Palace
Feeling the need to be pampered after your visit to the Royal Palace? Well, we can’t think of a better place for this rather than Café de Oriente, one of Madrid’s most emblematic restaurants on Plaza de Oriente, 2. The outdoor terrace, available year-round, unveils a remarkable view over the square and the palace.
Café de Oriente
@sal_scenes
Get a Sugar Rush
at Caramelos Paco
Think of a kaleidoscope made entirely of colourful sweets. Sounds like fun? Spare a few moments to visit Caramelos Paco, one of La Latina’s most quirky shops, sweetening Madrileños’ life since 1934 with an endless candies variety.
Caramelos Paco
@olgacabrero
(6) CHAMBERÍ
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Gastronomic Hotspot, Tree-Lined Streets, Younger Crowds
The continuation of Malasaña to the north and west of Salamanca, Chamberí, a wealthy yet unpretentious area, is the ideal place to stay in Madrid for those who favour being a bit further away from the touristic center and aiming to explore some of the best gastronomic options the city has to offer.
In fact, one of Chamberí’s streets - Calle Ponzano - has a reputation for being one of Europe’s best destinations for exploring a multitude of restaurants. Should you be looking for a hotel to stay in this area, NH Collection Madrid Abascal is one of our favourite 4-star hotels in Madrid (some rooms even come with charming views).
Other Chamberí highlight is the beautiful Plaza de Olavide, served by the nearby Quevedo Metro station. This is perhaps the best starting point to explore one of Madrid’s most effervescent neighbourhoods.
Further northeast, in Hispanoamérica area, lies one of Madrid’s most visited attractions - the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid CF.
Real or Atletico? In Madrid You’ll Have to Choose Sides
One thing visitors to Madrid soon realise: the Spanish do take football seriously, almost like a religion. In Madrid’s case, two long-time rivals have emerged: Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. The best way to take in this culture is to watch a live game. The second best, is to visit their corresponding stadiums: Santiago Bernabéu (not far from Chamberí) and Wanda Metropolitano.
The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
@signorina_yana
A Fan of (Really) Hot Food?
Introducing you to one Madrid’s most exciting joints: Kitchen 154. One might associate 154 with a street number. Not the case here. That is, in Fahrenheit, the temperature at which food is cooked here (we’ll save you the math, it’s 67.7 degrees Celsius). The place is usually packed with patrons eager to taste the - often quite spicy we must say - delicacies served here. Don’t expect any frills when visiting this Mercado de Vallehermoso restaurant - just an amazing experience to take home from your Madrid stay.
Kitchen 154
@javier.rol
(7) Lavapiés
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Cosmopolitan Vibe, Exotic Food, Accessible Culture, Medieval Streets
Bordered by La Latina, Barrio de Las Letras and Paseo del Prado - and formerly Madrid’s Jewish neighbourhood, this could well be Madrid’s most eclectic district. In fact, it’s speculated that more than half of Lavapiés residents were not born in Spain. In turn, this translates into a truly cultural mosaic, a reality better expressed in restaurants serving flavours from all latitudes and longitudes - a stroll along Calle Lavapiés and Calle Argumosa would be enough to demonstrate such gastronomic richness.
One of the advantages to choose Lavapiés as your place to stay in Madrid is its proximity to Atocha Station, which offers high-speed railway connections to several other Spanish cities. Should this come into factor, picking a hotel like Catalonia Atocha, close enough to the station as well as the city center and featuring splendid views over Madrid, might prove to be a spot on choice.
Experience an Unusual Theatre
A good way to enjoy the pulsating cultural scene of Lavapiés neighbourhood is to take a seat at Teatro Circo Price, where athletic performers defy gravity on a constant basis and dazzle the audience with unexpected choreographies. The theatre is located in Ronda de Atocha, 35. A couple of minutes away lies Los Chuchis (Amparo, 82), a restaurant that combines the best of Italian, English and - of course - Spanish cuisines. Delicious!
Teatro Circo Price
@amadeus_lopez
Stay in Madrid with a View
At The Most Perfect View we believe that staying in a hotel with a view makes any stay away from home even more special - below are some examples. Madrid is served by a vast number of quality hotels but if you’d like to know which ones we’d pick, check our page of Madrid hotels with best views.
