48 hours in . . . Madrid, an insider guide to the soul of Spain
Come for the art, stay for the street life
With dazzling light and bright blue skies for much of the year, Madrid would be an energising city even without the world-class museums and the buzzing nightlife. The centre is smartening itself up, too, with new boutiques, delis, cafés and gastrobars opening every week, but it is the traditional tapas bars and tiny shops that are the real soul of the city. Wherever you stay, you can usually walk to the major museums, such as the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofia, which all have astounding collections, but what will make you smile long after you’ve left is the little things you discover along the way as you stroll through the different neighbourhoods.
Madrid is all about spontaneity and even the best-laid plans tend to get forgotten after a couple of days as you slip into the swing of the city. Don’t feel guilty about abandoning your cultural agenda, it just means you’re behaving like a true Madrileño.
Hot right now . . .
Annie Bennett, our resident expert, offers her top tips on the hottest places things to do and places to eat and stay this season.
Do
The Palacio de Liria (Calle de la Princesa 20; 0034 912 302 200), home of the Duke of Alba, contains one of the best art collections in Spain and is opening to the public this autumn. Wander the halls to admire the paintings of many great masters, including Goya, Velázquez, El Greco, Ribera and more. Book well ahead online as demand is likely to be high. Opens Sept 19.
The Prado Museum (Paseo del Prado; 00 34 914 202046) celebrates its 200th anniversary on November 19. The museum’s history is charted in the exhibition Prado 200, on until January 1, 2020, while Drawings by Goya opens on November 19 and runs until February 16, 2020. Admission €15 (£14).
• The best things to do in Madrid
Eat
Diego Guerrero, who has two Michelin stars at his DSTAgE restaurant in the fashionable Salesas area, has opened Dspeakeasy (Calle de Fernando VI 6; 0034 913 195 435) around the corner – a more bistro-style place with a creative spin on traditional dishes, such as sole in a kombu sauce.
• The best restaurants in Madrid
Stay
You can’t help but soak up Madrid’s history at the elegant new Pestana Plaza Mayor (Calle Imperial 8; 0034 910 052 822), as the building actually forms part of the city’s signature square, which dates back 400 years. That combined with elegant design makes this one of the most interesting places to stay in Madrid.
• The best things to do in Madrid
48 hours in . . . Madrid
Day One
MORNING
Kickstart your system with a traditional breakfast of churro fritters dipped into gloopy hot chocolate at Chocolatería San Ginés (Pasadizo de San Ginés 5; 00 34 91 365 6546), which has been keeping Madrilenians carbed up since 1894. You may well have to queue but service is quick.
Cut down to Calle Arenal, turn right and immediately left up Calle Maestro Victoria, which leads to the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales (Plaza de las Descalzas; 00 34 91 454 8800). Originally a palace, the convent was founded in the mid-16th century by Juana, King Felipe II’s sister. It is still home to a small community of nuns and contains an extraordinarily rich collection of art and tapestries.
Walk down Calle San Martín and along Calle Bordadores to to the Plaza Mayor to soak up 400 years of history. Framed by red-brick buildings and slate turrets, the square is has just been transformed with 1,100 plants and 100 trees and the pavement cafés have had a revamp too.
AFTERNOON
Dive into the adjacent Mercado de San Miguel(Plaza de San Miguel; 00 34 91 542 4936) for a quick bite. Madrid’s first gourmet market is celebrating a highly successful decade with the arrival of Michelin-starred chefs, including Rodrigo de la Calle’s paella stall and Jordi Roca’s Rocambolesc ice-cream outlet.
Wander down the Calle Mayor to the Puerta del Sol square and look out for the 'kilometre zero' plaque on the pavement in front of the Casa de Correos (now the headquarters of the regional government), which marks the official centre of Spain. Take a photo next to the statue of a bear jumping up at an arbutus tree, which is the symbol of Madrid.
• The best free things to do in Madrid
Have a mooch around the shops as you walk up Calle Preciados to the Gran Vía, the avenue that cuts through the city and was built in the first half of the 20th century – look up at the domes on the rooftops.
In the early evening, get right into the Madrid vibe by taking a tapas tour around the most traditional neighbourhoods, learning a bit of history and how to order in busy bars as you go. Try Devour Tours (00 34 695 111 832), as they focus on family-run places and offers a variety of routes, taking in the oldest taverns (such as Casa Botín), modern gastrobars and speciality food shops.
LATE
With its maroon wooden façade, marble tables and red velvet banquettes, Café Central (Plaza del Ángel 10; 00 34 91 369 4143), just off Plaza de Santa Ana, is a much-loved institution that is popular with all ages and gets packed for the jazz and blues concerts that happen every night at 10pm.
Afterwards, walk across the square to Salmón Gurú (Calle Echegaray 21; 00 34 91 0000 6185), a buzzy cocktail bar run by top mixologist Diego Cabrera. The design veers from vintage New York bar to Pop Art in a series of spaces. Choose from classic cocktails such as an Old Fashioned, or go for something more experimental – the expert bartenders are only to happy to advise you or mix your favourite combo.
• The best restaurants in Madrid
Day Two
MORNING
Book online in advance to get into the Prado (Paseo del Prado; 00 34 90 210 7077) when it opens at 10am – you are going to need all morning just to see the highlights, including the best Velázquez and Goya collections in the world. The museum is celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2019, starting with the exhibition Museo del Prado 1819-2019: A place of Memory, which is on until March 10th, 2019.
On the hill behind the Prado, Murillo Café (Calle Ruiz de Alarcón, 27; 00 34 91 369 3689) has terrace tables and is a handy spot for lunch. A bloody Mary and a plate of huevos rotos – fried eggs broken over chips with slivers of ibérico ham – should set you up for the afternoon.
• The best free things to do in Madrid
AFTERNOON
Continue up the hill to get to the Retiro Park, where Madrileños go to stroll, drink coffee at outdoor cafés and row boats. The monument to Alfonso XII, which presides the lake, has a new observation deck with panoramic views.
From the park, walk down to the Reina Sofía Museum (Calle Santa Isabel 52; 00 34 91 774 1000). The huge contemporary art museum, housed in an 18th-century hospital, is home to Pablo Picasso's great masterpiece, Guernica, as well as works by Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró and Juan Gris.
Within the museum, Arzábal and Nubel are both great for a drink or dinner. Or walk 10 minutes to Bodega de los Secretos(Calle San Blas 4; 00 34 91 429 0396), a romantic restaurant in underground wine cellars with arched booths where you can feast on modern Spanish dishes, such as oxtail rolls, sea bass with scallops, and grilled octopus.
• Where to try the best tapas in Madrid
LATE
From the restaurant, meander through the atmospheric lanes of the Barrio de las Letras to Santos y Desamparados (Costanilla de los Desamparados 4; 00 34 91 63 019 5839), where crucifixes adorn the black walls and they take the business of making cocktails very seriously indeed. It is a favourite with actors, artists and writers, so look out for famous faces lurking in the darkness.
Walk up to the adjacent Calle Huertas, where there are lots of bars such as La Trocha (Calle Huertas 55; 00 34 91 429 7861) and La Fidula (Calle Huertas 57; 00 34 91 018 6170) which often has live music. If you feel like dancing, walk to nearby Teatro Kapital (Calle Atocha 125; 00 34 91 420 2096), a wildly popular club in a former theatre that sprawls over seven galleried floors with a different vibe on each level.
• The best nightlife in Madrid
Where to stay . . .
Luxury Living
Situated right in the middle of the city, Gran Hotel Inglés brings a whole new level of luxury to the Madrid hotel scene, with stylish Art Deco design, sumptuous rooms, a quietly excellent restaurant and a superb spa.
Doubles from €284 (£248). Calle Echegaray 8; 00 34 91 360 0001
Boutique Bolthole
You feel like you are sleeping in an art gallery at The Pavilions Madrid. This elegant boutique hotel is a favourite of regular Madrid visitors, particularly from the creative industries, given its handy yet non-touristy location (just off Plaza de Colón) and well-designed rooms.
Doubles from €165 (£145). Calle Amador de los Rios 3; 00 34 91 310 7500
Budget Beauty
The fun, no-frills Generator Hostel Madrid is just off the Gran Vía, 700 yards from the Puerta del Sol. The cool bars and boutiques of Malasaña and Chueca are a five-minute walk away. There are plenty of double rooms as well as dorms, industrial design, a groovy rooftop bar and a friendly vibe.
Doubles from €43 (£38). Calle San Bernardo 2; 00 34 91 047 9800
• A complete guide to the best hotels in Madrid
What to bring home . . .
Casa Hernanz (Calle Toledo 18; 00 34 91 355 5450) has been selling handmade espadrilles since 1840. Behind the long wooden counter, shelves are stacked with every conceivable style from the traditional flat version to wedges with ribbons.
The new Real Fábrica Española (Calle Cervantes 9; 00 34 91 125 2021) shop is a treasure trove of gorgeous things that are made in Spain. Snap up baskets, scarves, olive oil, kitchenware and lots more.
When to go . . .
Although it is cold in winter, there are usually a lot of bright, sunny days and it is often warm enough to sit outside during the day. Just remember your hat and gloves. The weather is best in spring and autumn. Cultural and street festivals are under way for most of May. It is usually uncomfortably hot for much of July and August, so if you want to go then, it is a really good idea to book a hotel with a pool. Then you can spend the mornings in air-conditioned museums and shops, swim and sunbathe all afternoon, and sit at outdoor cafés and restaurants after the sun has gone down.
Know before you go . . .
Essential information
British Consulate General: Torre Espacio, Paseo de la Castellana 259D; 00 34 917 146 300; ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en
Tourist Offices: (00 34 91 578 7810; esmadrid.com), Plaza Mayor 27, Plaza de Neptuno; Centro Centro, Plaza Cibeles 1; Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport Terminals 2 and 4
Emergency services: Dial 112 for police, ambulance and fire services. To report a crime, call 902 102 112, where English-speakers are available
Local laws and etiquette
You must carry your passport with you by law, and usually have to show it when paying by debit or credit card. Take photocopies of your passport and EHIC European Healthcard, as you will need both for any medical treatment.
The basics
Currency: Euro
Telephone codes: Dial 00 34, then the local number, if telephoning Madrid from Britain. When dialling Madrid numbers, you must always dial the 91 Madrid code before the number
Time difference: +1 hour
Flight times: Madrid is approximately two hours from UK airports
Author bio
Annie has been living in Madrid on and off for more than 30 years. She never gets tired of exploring the oldest parts of the Spanish capital and discovering new tapas bars.
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