Within Ávila’s fortified walls, you’ll find a wealth of history, heritage, culture…and cuisine. From grilled meats to local sweets, these are the specialties that every visitor should sample! Located just over 100 kilometers (70 miles) northwest of Madrid, Ávila makes for the perfect day trip from the Spanish capital. Its impressive medieval walls have been […]
Where to Eat on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in Madrid
The Spanish capital’s reputation for both food and fiestas serves up one final espectáculo before saying adiós to the current year. Whether you’re a visitor, an expat, or a local, everyone is invited to Madrid’s New Year’s celebrations. Thousands gather in Puerta del Sol at the base of the Correos building, eagerly watching its clock […]
The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Madrid for Work – Top Tips For Business Travelers
Heading to Madrid for work? Here’s how to make the most of your business trip—from transportation tips and our favorite hotels to the best bars for tapas and networking! In addition to being the geographic and cultural heart of Spain, Madrid is an epicenter of global commerce. The city hosts several major conferences, and is […]
Madrid in January: Best Things to See & Do
Here in Spain, the holiday season doesn’t end when January first rolls around. In fact, there’s plenty of festive fun happening all month long! Spain’s gorgeous capital isn’t just one of the best places to celebrate the new year—it’s also a great place to spend some time at any point in January. Here’s everything you […]
Step Back in Time at 7 Centennial Establishments in Madrid
Madrid is a fascinating mix of historic and modern. On streets such as Calle Fuencarral, you can find symbols of globalization and modernization such as Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, and an Adidas shop. However, nestled amongst the commerce, you will find the small Virgen de la Soledad chapel, dating back to 1712. But the hidden gems […]
Where to Eat in Madrid at Christmas
If you’re not sure where to eat in Madrid at Christmas, you’re not alone. Holiday schedules can be confusing—if restaurants are even open at all—but this guide will help you narrow things down! It’s no secret that Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are among the most important days of the year in Madrid. All throughout […]
Madrid in December: Best Things to See & Do
Bundle up and get ready to indulge in plenty of seasonal treats. The holiday season has officially arrived in Madrid, and we couldn’t be more excited! There are plenty of fun activities in store when it comes to what to do in Madrid in December. If your holiday itinerary includes the Spanish capital (and it […]
5 Tips for Eating Alone in Madrid: The Best of Solo Dining
No one who visits the Spanish capital should leave without sampling its incredible cuisine—solo travelers included. Check out our guide to eating alone in Madrid, and make the most of every meal. In Spain, meals are a social affair. There’s nothing like sitting down for lunch with a big group of friends or family, and […]
Top 7 Spots for Tapas in Chamberí
Just north of the city center, Chamberí is a residential refuge and home to some of Madrid’s best tapas bars. When locals want to live in the city, but not “in the city,” many choose Chamberí. It’s the shortest distance you can travel from the center to get a taste of how locals are living […]
9 Lavapiés Bars & Restaurants: Tapas, Drinks & Beyond
If you want to understand Madrid—the real Madrid—these Lavapiés bars and restaurants are a great place to start. Until recently, Lavapiés was one of central Madrid’s most affordable neighborhoods. With its hilly streets and characteristic corralas (Madrid’s characteristic housing style where neighbors share an interior patio), throughout the 19th and 20th centuries Lavapiés attracted migrants […]
Madrid in November: Best Things to See & Do
Madrid in November – it’s the calm before the holiday storm. Before you know it, the Spanish capital will be all decked out for Christmas and Three Kings Day. We love the festive winter atmosphere in the city, but the last few days of autumn are a time worth taking advantage of as well. As […]
Madrid in October: Best Things to See & Do
Madrid bursts with colorful energy at the arrival of fall. After the summer crowds clear out and low season sets in, Madrid takes on a much more relaxed vibe. Pleasantly sunny days and crisp, lively nights bring the best of both worlds. Fall in Madrid is beautiful, with some of the best weather of the […]
5 Spots for Tapas in Chueca that Locals Love
Going out for tapas in Chueca isn’t just a way to devour Madrid’s culture—it’s a way to honor the city’s history.Chueca’s tapas bar scene symbolizes what the neighborhood stands for: modernity, diversity, dedication to quality and continuous evolvement. In the 1970s, Chueca was considered a dangerous area that even the president of Madrid’s LGBTQ+ coalition […]
A Guide to Solo Travel in Madrid: 5 Insider Tips
Solo travel in Spain—and across the globe—has been on the rise over the years, and Madrid is quite the hot spot for independent adventurers. In addition to the usual vacationing families, tour groups, and school excursions, this city is full of solo travelers with nothing but a backpack and a healthy dose of wanderlust. Its […]
The Complete Guide to Grocery Stores in Madrid
As the capital of one of the healthiest countries in the world, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to grocery stores in Madrid. There are supermarkets, indoor and outdoor markets, fishmongers, charcuteries, butchers, bakeries, and delis everywhere. You can find everything you want just by stepping outside your front door and going for a […]
Madrid in September: Best Things to See & Do
If you’re planning on visiting Madrid in September, great choice—you’ve picked one of the best times of year to visit the Spanish capital. It’s less hot and crowded than the summer, with more going on than later in the fall…in other words, all the makings of a perfectly relaxing trip! The city enjoys pleasantly warm […]
Madrid in August: Best Things to See & Do
The dog days of summer are in full swing, but Madrid still boasts plenty of fun in the sun throughout August. From days spent lazing by the pool with a drink in hand to sultry summer nights taking in a concert at the park, Madrid in August is a must for anyone seeking that idyllic […]
5 Free Museums in Madrid You Should Check Out
Not much can top an afternoon spent in one of Madrid’s many museums—except when that afternoon comes free! That’s right, Spain’s capital city is home to some of the most revered history and art museums in the world, and several of them also offer free entry for guests. So if you love the Prado but […]
Bullfighting in Madrid & Beyond: What You Need to Know
It may seem like attending a bullfight is one of most authentically “Spanish” experiences you can have. After all, it’s a spectacle that has been historically linked to Spain for hundreds of years. And starting in the 20th century, when literary icons from Ernest Hemingway to Federico García Lorca began depicting it in their works, […]
Madrid in July: Best Things to See & Do
During the scorching summer months, Madrid is full of life. Festivals pop up throughout the city, celebrations fill the streets, and people take to the bars for beer and tapas. The weather may be sweltering, but who says that’s going to stop madrileños from having fun? Visiting Madrid in July is hot—we’ll just say it […]