Maps: Handpicked Madrid
Some cities are more liveable than others. These are the cities that seem to have it all. The food. The art. The scene. The lifestyle. It's a combination of an energy that flows through their streets, combined with a heartbeat that comes from somewhere deeper. Madrid is one of those cities. It's also extremely walkable, buzzing with life and filled with fantastic restaurants, waiting for you to stumble into them, around every corner. Leaving Madrid, you will already be secretly planning your next visit.
If you're on a smartphone and have Google Maps installed, click on the top right 'full screen' icon to open the map in the app.
1. Tasca Celso y Manolo – Restaurant
Calle Libertad, 1, 28004 Madrid
http://celsoymanolo.es
A small, modern looking, surprisingly bright tapas bar, where tomatoes take centre stage. But the rest of the food doesn't disappoint either. Eggs, foie gras and potato. Glorious meat. It's a modern take on Spanish cuisine that will keep you coming back for more. Reservations recommended.
2. Sala de Despiece – Restaurant
Calle de Ponzano, 11, 28010 Madrid
http://www.saladedespiece.com/
An even smaller, even more modern-looking restaurant. I'm all for tasting traditions when I visit cities, but Madrid's got the markets for that. If you're a fan of innovative cuisine, and truffle, this place is a must. Some dishes may be too much style and not enough substance, but the Rolex and crab filled with burrata were absolute standouts. If you're part of a big group, you'll need to book in advance, and they'll put you in the room next door (which is also very stylish and had a techno soundtrack on when we went). Otherwise, you'll have to wait and sit at the bar, but you will be rewarded at the end.
3. Mercado de San Ildefonso – Food Market
Calle Fuencarral, 57, 28004 Madrid
http://www.mercadodesanildefonso.com
A small, youthful market, in the heart of trendy Malasaña, Mercado de San Ildefonso is less tourist-filled than San Miguel, focusing on international street food with a predominantly Spanish focus. Worth dropping by for a quick snack, and also great at night if you arrive late and would rather go exploring rather than sit in a restaurant for a more leisurely meal.
4. Mercado de San Antón – Food Market
Calle de Augusto Figueroa, 24B, 28004 Madrid
Beautiful modern market, with fresh produce, tapas stalls and a roof terrace bar and restaurant. Also houses a stall by the famous Mama Framboise pastelleria. Leave this one for the sunset, and then go out in the vibrant Chueca, Madrid's gay neighbourhood.
5. Mercado San Miguel – Food Market
Plaza de San Miguel, s/n, 28005 Madrid
http://www.mercadodesanmiguel.es
I'm not going to lie, I was very close to leaving this one out. It's bang in the middle of the tourist area, and if you suffer even from the slightest case of agoraphobia, this place is a trigger. However, sandal-wearing men aside, it's also beautiful, and so is its food. It's also conveniently located if you're doing sight-seeing, as it's only a 6 minute walk from the Royal Palace. Just make sure you go mentally prepared (to eat standing, mostly).
6. Toma Café – Coffee Shop
Calle de la Palma, 49, 28004 Madrid
http://tomacafe.es/
Small, hipster coffee shop with plants and wooden surfaces. Also does brunch on weekends.
7. Federal Café – Coffee Shop
Plaza de las Comendadoras, 9, 28015 Madrid
http://www.federalcafe.es/
Another hipster, more Scandi-inclined coffee shop, with two spots in Madrid, two in Barcelona, and one in Girona and Valencia. Also good for brunch, and with outside seating space. The service may be a little slow, so don't go here if you're in a hurry.
8. Casa Camacho – Bar
4, Calle de San Andrés, 28004 Madrid
My favourite activity in Madrid was discovering Vermut. The locals love it, and most bars take pride in serving their very own version of it. Casa Camacho is a small bar in Malasaña that beats the 'hole in the wall' label by a few square metres. It's old, it's authentic, and it will get you drunk without you even realising.
9. Bodega la Ardosa – Bar
Calle de Colón, 13, 28004 Madrid
Another great place for an aperitif, Bodega la Ardosa is a beautiful bar that's brimming with personality, and also happens to serve tasty tapas.
10. La Pecera – Ice Cream
Calle Velarde, 2, 28004 Madrid
http://wearelapecera.com
Fish-shaped, filthy-looking (in the best way possible) ice creams. The only thing I didn't try, as I was always too full and the queue was always too long. I'll be back for those.
11. Museo Nacional Del Prado – Art
Paseo del Prado, s/n, 28014 Madrid
https://www.museodelprado.es/en
People flock to the Reina Sofia to see the Guernica. But Prado was a clear winner. It's filled with stunning art, with Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights stealing the show. It is, of course, a must see, alongside Las Meninas by Velasquez and Goya's terrifying Black Paintings. Buy a ticket online the day before and skip the queue, and also check the website for free of charge times.
12. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía – Art
Calle de Santa Isabel, 52, 28012 Madrid
http://www.museoreinasofia.es/en
Down the road from Prado lies the Reina Sofia, Spain's national museum of 20th-Century art. Not half as well curated as the Prado, its main attraction is Picasso's Guernica. The painting is truly breathtaking, and thankfully big enough to belittle the hordes of visitors who constantly occupy the room. Beyond Picasso, there is a generous amount of Dali and Miro, and outdoor sculptures by Calder and Lichtenstein. Sundays are free after 1:30pm.
13. CaixaForum – Art
Paseo del Prado, 36, 28014 Madrid
https://caixaforum.es/
Museum and cultural centre, with highly instagrammable architecture, especially its vast plant-covered wall which stands adjacent to that of the abandoned electrical station it replaced. There may not always be something interesting on, but the building itself is worth a visit.
14. Parque del Buen Retiro – Outdoor
A beautiful green space, where you can also find one of Madrid's most famous buildings, the Palacio de Cristal. And while you're there, you can't miss the lake, and the Alfonso XII and grandiose columns that sit on its banks. Devote half a day to it and walk it at a leisurely pace.
15. La Tita Rivera – Bar
Calle Pérez Galdós, 4, 28004 Madrid
https://www.facebook.com/LaTitaRivera/
Although labelled as a restaurant, La Tita Rivera is a perfect spot for an evening drink in Chueca, thanks to its pretty patio.
16. Macera Taller Bar – Bar
Calle de San Mateo, 21, 28004 Madrid
http://www.maceradrinks.co
Artisanal spirits (AKA handmade alcohol) in an industrial space. Expect to queue.
