Introduction
With a healthy work ethic and lots of places to spend your weekends, Madrid's greatest asset is its quality of life. Nestled in the middle of the Iberian peninsula, temperatures may soar in summer but thankfully there are plenty of ways to seek refuge from the heat, such as enjoying mouth-watering dishes in the city's restaurants or taking in a few of the jaw-dropping art collections in the capital's galleries.
More from Madrid PDF VersionEssentials
- Stray an extra 10 minutes from centre points Sol and Gran Via and you will discover some of the city’s best secrets.
- Avoid the traffic and take the world-class metro.
- The capital may be in central Spain but the seafood is some of the best in the country.
- Sample tapas and local wines in the revamped markets. The Mercado de San Antón and Mercado de San Miguel are open well into the night.
- Madrid hosts some of the best classical guitar and dance shows in Spain.
- Lunch is between 13.30 and 16.30, Dinner at 20.30 to 23.30. An abundance of tapas bars will help you along the way in case of emergency.
Two-hour tour
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Real Jardin Botanico — A great place to rest your museum-weary feet, the 20 acres of the city's botanic garden contain plenty of beds to gawp at, and tall trees to enjoy some shade under.
2 plaza de Murillo,
+ 34 91 420 3017
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Parque del Retiro — Combine lush greenery, period architecture, and a stunning lake with some market stalls, live music, and the occasional tapas hut and you have the perfect inner-city retreat. The main entrance is on Plaza de la Independencia.
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Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza — The broad appeal of the permanent and temporary collections make this gallery a local favourite.
8 Paseo del Prado
+34 902 760 511
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La Latina — The iconic streets of La Latina are home to the city's best food, bars, bustling plazas, and an outdoor Sunday market - all of which seem to best define the unique Madrileña way of life. The best starting point is Metro La Latina.
Hotels
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De Las Letras
11 Gran Vía
+34 915 237 980
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AC Palacio del Retiro
14 Calle Alfonso XII
+34 915 237 460
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Villa Magna
22 Paseo de la Castellana
+34 915 871 234
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Dining
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Harina
10 Plaza de la Independencia
+34 915 228 785
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Mamá Framboise
23 Calle Fernando de VI
+34 913 914 364
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Ølsen
15 Calle del Prado
+34 914 293 659
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Ramón Freixa Madrid
67 Calle de Claudio Coello
+34 917 818 262
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Magasand
16 Calle Travesía de San Mateo
+34 913 196 825
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La Cocina de mi Vecina
15 Corredera Alto de San Pablo
+34 915 210 624
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El Pescador
75 Calle Jose Ortega y Gasset
+34 914 021 290
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Kabuki Wellington
8 Calle Velázquez
+34 915 777 877
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La Candelita
30 Calle Barquillo
+34 915 238 553
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Santceloni
57 Paseo de la Castellana
+34 912 108 840
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Charada
13 Calle de la Bola
+34 915 249 856
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La Pecera - El café del Círculo de Bellas Artes
42 Calle Alcalá
+34 913 605 400
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La Turba
3 Calle del Conde de Xiquena
+34 915 221 813
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Toni 2
9 Calle Almirante
+34 915 320 011
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Reading
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Tipos Infames
3 Calle San Joaquín
+34 915 228 939
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Shopping
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La Boulette — Foie gras and cured ham from La Boulette
Calle de Jaen, 35, Madrid
+ 34 91 431 7725
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El Corte Inglés
3 Calle de Preciados
+34 913 798 000
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Casa Hernanz — Tailor-made espadrilles at Casa Hernanz
18 Calle Toledo
+34 913 665 450
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Jamonería López Pascual
13 Calle de la Corredera Baja de San Pablo
+34 915 228 512
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Lobo Feliz
28 Calle San Mateo
+34 913 914 250
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Isolée
55 Calle Claudio Coello
+34 902 876 136
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Transport
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Buy a pass — A 10-trip pass to use on the Metro and bus routes costs from €12.20 and is available from any Metro station or "estanco" (tobacconist).
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Trixi — Rent a bike
12 Calle de los Jardines
+34 915 231 547
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Limousine/car
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Aero City
34 Calle Marzo
+ 34 917 477 570
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Fitness
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Palacio Santa Ana
6 Plaza del Ángel
+34 915 239 206
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Madrid Rio — This 10km-long park runs along the banks of the Manzanares River; the best Metro stop to use is Legazpi.
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