The city that surprised me
I knew very little about the city of Madrid before my visit. We booked our trip on a whim, unsuspecting of the beauty and vivacity that awaited us.
Ideally located in the heart of Madrid, just a five minute walk from the Prado Museum, we were right in the centre of this lively city. A city famous for football, food and panoramic rooftops, Madrid is the perfect weekend away for backpackers, foodies, luxury lovers and culture seekers alike.
The Weekend Itinerary
Day One – A Green Dream
- Head to the Parque Del Retiro
A great way to get to know the city on foot. This park has so much to offer beyond its beautiful gardens and its decadent water features. Start your day at the Real Jardin Botánico, paying a small fee to explore pristine gardens, tropical greenhouses and glorious canopy’s. This serene location was one of my highlights from the trip.
Whilst we were nearby, we booked ourselves an afternoon slot at The Prado Museum, Madrid’s national art gallery, before making our way into the park and towards the Palacio de Cristal. This magnificent feature is made almost entirely from glass, proudly overlooking a gorgeous lake with a live orchestra. The Palacio is open to visitors and is just as impressive inside.
Head towards the Palacio de Velázquez for a dose of art and culture, an extravagant structure which houses a contemporary display. After cooling off in this grand hall, it’s time to head towards the main park attraction, boating on the lake. Tickets are allocated by time, depending on the season and the number of people in your group.
We had an hour to kill so headed to a nearby cafe for a coffee and a bite to eat. This part of the park is by far the most touristy, piled high with restaurants, cafes, buskers, entertainers and of course, a lot more tourists. If you fancy heading away from the crowds whilst you wait, leave the park via the Puerta de la Independence, where you’ll find some quieter restaurants and bars, such as Berria, Bakan and La Vanduca to name a few.
Boating on the lake is well worth the wait and the money. It is such great fun and offers a brilliant view of the Monumento a Alfonso XII. After an hour of boating, bashing into other rowers and basking in the sun, you’ll be heading back to the dock both joyful and exhausted!
2. The Prado Museum
If you are feeling peckish before your visit to the Prado, I recommend heading out of the park via the Puerta de la Independence and winding your way through the side streets. There are multiple restaurant options within this area, as well as some more sight-seeing spots. A choice of the National Museum of Decorative Arts, the Cybele Palace, the Museo Naval and the Madrid stock exchange await you, plenty of options depending on time and interests.
The Prado Museum is a great way to relax and cool down in the afternoon. Explore halls of iconic European art, chiselled marble busts and native Spanish masterpieces. This vast building is extraordinary and the collection it withholds is no less astounding.
3. Cuesta de Moyano
Before retiring back to your hotel or villa for the evening, make sure to stop by the Cuesta de Moyano, a short street where vintage book sellers set up shop. The street is lined by beautiful wooden shelters piled high with secondhand books and posters. I recommend visiting in the late afternoon as it is even more special under the golden sun, however, the street is just as enchanting in the early hours.
4. Dine at Azotea Círculo de Bellas Artes
We stumbled upon this incredible restaurant by chance. Located on the Calle de Alcalá, this restaurant boasts al fresco dining, delicious cocktails and a panoramic rooftop bar, my favourite rooftop from our visit. Rooftop entry costs €5, but is absolutely worth it! We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and our visit to the top, where were reclined on sofa beds with an aperol against a city scape backdrop. Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Day Two – A Jam-Packed Walking Tour
- El Rastro Sunday Market
We spent the morning of day two at the Sunday market, which opens at 9am and ends at 3pm. I recommend arriving early to avoid the heat and the crowds. At about 11am the market started to get incredibly busy, with herds of visitors piling down the hill. The market is perfect for thrifting, leather, gifts and nic-nacs, with hundreds of stalls lining the pavement. Towards the bottom end of the market, you’ll stumble upon most of the vintage stalls, a blue lagoon of vintage Levis and denim. Thrifting is very affordable, with most stalls selling by the kilo. A great way to start your Sunday and buy your souvenirs!
2. Lunch at Bel Mondo
Bel Mondo occupies a beautiful space, with a winding staircase, pink padded dining room and an enchanting outdoor space, offering a delicious range of pizzas and pastas. Whilst I’m generally not a fan of chain dining abroad, a meal here was a welcome retreat. The garden is cool and peaceful, with kind service. A quaint and quiet dining experience, and not to mention that the food is delicious. Overall rating: 7/10
3. San Miguel Market
If you’re looking for something a little lighter or aren’t in the mood for Italian, then make your way towards the San Miguel Market, which was our next destination. Here you’ll find classic Spanish dining, from tapas to charcuterie to paella. A steaming hotpot of locals and tourists, eagerly browsing stall to stall, making the impossible decision of what they’d like to eat! Whilst the market is famous for it’s food, make sure to check it out even if you aren’t in the mood for eating. There’s a fantastic energy in and around this area that’s not to be missed!
4. Stop by the Plaza Mayor
This is just a short walk from the market and is perhaps one of the liveliest parts of the city. Restaurants border the large square, the perfect place to sit back with an aperol and people watch for a while. My only caution is when coming here in the evening to dine, which I don’t recommend. Like many touristy locations, the restaurants are great for an afternoon drink, but less pleasant for a meal. Instead, walk a few minutes from it’s outer perimeter and you’ll find lots of nearby dining options.
As you wonder the surrounding area, you might be lucky enough to come across Chocolateriá San Ginés a small cafe which has been serving churros since 1894. Chocolateriá San Ginés is well known amongst locals and tourists, luring in visitors with cups of warm chocolate and crisp churros. Overall Rating: 9/10
5. Head towards the Templo de Debod via the Palacio Real Madrid
This is about a 20min walk from Plaza Mayor, but Uber is also an easy way to get from A to B. But if you choose to walk, as we did, you’ll be pleasantly met by some diversions en route. We headed firstly for the Almudena Cathedral, which stands facing the Palacio Real de Madrid. Here, you can tour the palace and it’s gardens, the Jardins del Campo del Moro before continuing towards the Templo de Debod.
However before you reach your first destination, you may be startled by a pooping man in a little red hat as you wonder down Calle Mayor street. Shocked, yet intrigued, we stepped inside this strange looking store. We were kindly informed of the history of the pooping man, more commonly known as Caganers. These little figurines are traditional features of a Catalan nativity scene, a symbol of ‘Good Luck’ for the new year. They have since become a comedic piece, taking the form of celebrities and politicians such as Trump and Messi. A great gift idea, with a comedic and historical twist!
After wondering through the Jardins del Campo del Moro, we approached the Templo de Debod, an impressive stone temple surrounded by a pool of water. The temple is a beautiful structure, with history dating back to the 2nd Century BC. This unique feature is open to visitors and well-worth the visit.
6. Head to the 360 Rooftop Bar for sundown
Before heading out to dinner, make sure to grab a drink (or two) from another of Madrid’s impressive rooftops! The 360 bar is only a 5-minute walk from the temple and has magnificent views of the city from above. I recommend getting here in time for golden hour and sunset to see the city in all it’s glory. If you’re fearful of heights, approach with caution, as glass floors and viewing platforms give you a knee-trembling view of the drop below! Overall Rating: 7/10
7. Dinner at La Abacería
This quaint wine bar and grocer conceals an extraordinary restaurant behind it’s unassuming doors. Tucked away at the back is a fantastic kitchen serving fresh food paired with delicious wines. We opted for a range of tapas plates and were savouring every mouthful. The flavours were incredible and the ingredients were perfection. Our waiter was incredibly helpful, assisting us with our wine decisions, which were all very affordable. Overall rating: 9.5/10
8. Finish the evening at a rooftop bar
One of the most fantastic features of Madrid is the evening scene. Rooftop bars come in all shapes and sized, with plenty of options for everyone. They tend to close at 1am, which is when most people will head to the clubs. Here are a few of my personal suggestions:
- Radio Rooftop (limited view) – 5/10 – ££
- Restaurant Terraza Puertasol – 6.5/10 – £££
- Four Seasons Rooftop – 8/10 – £££
- La Terraza del Urban – 7/10 – £££
- The Principal Madrid – 8/10 – £££
Alternative suggestions from online:
- Vincci Rooftop Bar Gran Via – ££
- La Terraza de Oscar – £££
- Secret Rooftop Garden – ££
- WXYZ – ££
Day Three – Football Frenzy
- Gran Vía no. 1
For a relaxing and slow morning start, head towards Gran Vía no. 1, where you’ll find the beautiful Grassy cornerstone, adorned by a sparkling Rolex sign. This iconic building is just as luxurious inside and is particularly impressive in the early morning light.
2. Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
At the beginning of our trip, we booked ourselves a tour of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (€15 – €25). As a non-football fan, I didn’t have high expectations, reluctantly booking my spot after some strong words from my younger brother! I am so glad I listened to him. This tour is phenomenal, even for those of us who don’t tune into the beautiful game. The stadium was partly under construction during our visit, but no less astounding. Rooms full of trophies, a panoramic view of the stadium and a merchandise store that could keep you occupied all day!
3. Lunch at Mo de Movimiento
Mo de Movimiento is about a 20 minute walk from the stadium (or a 10 minute Uber). You’ll pass by the Ministry of Public Works on your way, before wondering through a quiet and quirky neighbourhood which felt unlike the rest of city. The restaurant itself is gorgeous. A modern, minimalistic, yet urban and industrial collaboration of design. Giant clay domed pizza ovens greet you on arrival, pots cascade from the ceiling above you and an open back terrace brings the outdoors inside.
The dining experience was just as exceptional as the setting. We ordered some cocktails, freshly baked focaccia and a main. The quality of the produce used is evident in every mouthful. The eggplant parmigiana is easily one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. Overall Rating: 10/10
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Calendar Girl 