Travel
24 Hours In… Madrid
introWith long, laid-back days that stretch into famously late evenings, Madrid is Europe’s answer to the city that never sleeps (except for the occasional midday siesta, of course). Its wide, sweeping avenues and hidden, undiscovered corners all hold a plethora of sights, sounds and flavours worth exploring. Lauren Aloise shows us how to make the most of 24 hours in one of Europe’s most passionate and colourful capitals, where we explore grandiose historical icons, hip new locales and everything in between.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Madrid.
tostada9:30am, Start With A Tostada – Start your day in Madrid off on a delicious note at Plenti, a cute and cosy cafe tucked into the backstreets of the city’s picturesque Literary Quarter. Do as the madrileños do and order a tostada on their delicious sourdough bread, topped with grated fresh tomato and plenty of Spanish liquid gold (extra virgin olive oil, that is). Wash it all down with a perfect cup of café con leche or a freshly squeezed juice.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Madrid.
letras10:30am, Wander The Literary Quarter – Despite Madrid’s status as a cosmopolitan European capital, most locals tend to go about their day in a laid-back, unhurried way. Adapt to that mindset as you take a leisurely stroll through the Literary Quarter (Barrio de las Letras), filled with picturesque streets and the former homes of Spain’s literary elite (Cervantes and Lope de Vega’s homes included). Stop at Motteau for a freshly baked pastry, or pop into any of the eye-catching boutiques on Calle León for a special made-in-Madrid souvenir. [Photo:Triplecaña/Wikimedia Commons]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Madrid.
prado11:30am, Midday Museum Break – Make your way down the hill to the imposing Prado Museum. As part of Madrid’s renowned “Golden Triangle” of world-class art galleries, this iconic museum is a must-see, but can be overwhelming to first-time visitors due to its sheer size. Use the museum’s handy guide to make sure you check all of the most important masterpieces off your list.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Madrid.
retiro1:30pm, Retire To Retiro Park – After spending a few hours in the museum, head outside and cross the street to enjoy some fresh air at Madrid’s most beloved park, Parque del Retiro. The Crystal Palace will take your breath away as the light filters in through the glass windows. If in season, the beautiful rose gardens are absolutely worth a visit as well.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Madrid.
lunch2:30pm, Tuck Into A Tapas Lunch – Time to eat! Spaniards are famous for their late mealtimes, and you won’t see most madrileños digging into lunch until 2pm – at the absolute earliest. Make your way east of Retiro Park into the posh Ibiza neighborhood, home to some of the city’s best local tapas bars. A few favourites: La Montería, La Catapa, Kulto and La Castela. For the complete local experience, stand at the bar and order a caña (a small local draft beer) and tapa before moving on to the next place – a true moveable feast! [Photo: La Castela]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Madrid.
Historic Centre4:30pm, Explore The Historic Centre – Walk off your lunch by making your way to the city centre, taking in the sights and sounds of the old town as you go. Stand at the geographic center of Spain at Kilometre 0 in Puerta del Sol and take the obligatory picture of the oso y madroño statue. Then, treat yourself to a pastry at La Mallorquina and make your way to Plaza Mayor before finally heading down to the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral. While you’re on this side of town, don’t miss the Temple of Debod – an authentic ancient Egyptian temple gifted to Spain and relocated to Madrid brick by brick. (How many other European cities can brag about having an actual temple from Egypt?)
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Travel
24 Hours In… Madrid.
shop6pm, Shop Like A Local – Madrid is one of Europe’s best cities for shopping, so be sure to build in some time to explore the city’s dozens of charming boutiques. Trendy Malasaña and welcoming Chueca are two of the best neighbourhoods for shopping like a local. Pick up a stylish new outfit at Sin Clon Ni Son, or browse the outstanding selection of cookbooks at A Punto. There’s a whole world of treasures just waiting to be discovered. [Photo: Alberto Cabello/Wikimedia Commons]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Madrid.
Angelita8pm, Aperitif O’Clock – While you’re in Chueca, grab a pre-dinner drink (called an aperitivo) at Angelita. As one of Madrid’s best wine bars, this gorgeous contemporary locale draws a trendy and fashionable crowd. The family-run spot places a generous emphasis on small wine producers and hand-selected products of the highest quality. Enjoy one of their 25 excellent wines available by the glass, or order a bottle and a cheese plate to share among friends. [Photo: Angelita]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Madrid.
Dinner9pm, A Taste Of The Town – Do as the locals do and wait until late evening for dinner. Stick around in trendy Chueca to enjoy a vibrant and authentic local atmosphere full of great dining options. Taberna La Carmencita offers fabulous farm-to-table Spanish classics and claims to be the second-oldest tavern in the city. Another wonderful option is Kuoco 360, a stylish international fusion spot with flavours you won’t find anywhere else. [Photo: La Carmencita]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Madrid.
Bar11pm, A Glam Dram – Evenings here in Madrid are long, as post-dinner conversations linger over the table well after the last bite has been taken. Keep the night going by enjoying after-dinner cocktails or fancy gin and tonics like the locals. 1862 Dry Bar serves up excellent craft cocktails in an intimate setting with a retro-glam feel. [Photo: 1862 Dry Bar]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Madrid.
ReadRead Before You Go – Understanding Spain’s tumultuous past will help provide greater context for your visit, as well as an appreciation for how far the country has come in just a few short decades. Giles Tremlett’s Ghosts of Spain provides a fascinating and sometimes heartbreaking look at the poignant events that have written Spain’s story.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Madrid.
LaurenOriginally from the US, Lauren Aloise fell in love with Spanish cuisine while living in southern Spain. Fascinated by the incredible diversity found in Spanish cooking, she founded the award-winning food tour company Devour Tours, connecting curious travellers with local cuisines and traditions. She currently attends culinary school in Barcelona while running a food and travel blog called Spanish Sabores. Lauren is based in Madrid, but travels the country as much as possible in search of the stories behind the recipes.
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