Student Guide 2019

F REE
2019/2021
EDITION
MADRID
STUDENT GUIDE!
The insider’s guide to experiencing the city

Secret city / Young designers / Best of the barrios / Top 10 artwork / Beautiful getaways /
¡PLUS!
20 great things to do in the city / Where to taste ‘tortilla de patata’...
Time Out Madrid Student Guide 2019/21 2
Contents
Plaza Mayor is popular with both locals and visitors, p18
Football is so much more than a game in this city, p69 Madrid has live music 365 days a year, p82 A classic Madrid dish, p96
Features Regulars
04. The best of the city 26. The best of the barrios 42. Shopping & Style
From a calendar of unmissable events to A practical guide with key information 47. Get the max
activities that won’t cost a thing, and more! about the city’s main neighbourhoods. out of Madrid
69. Things to Do
12. Madrid secrets 32. ABC MAD! 77. Cinema
Little-known corners of the city, from parks A list of the most popular slang expressions
and cafés to underground bunkers. and words to help you get the hang of them.
79. Theatre
82. Music TALK TO US!
18. 20 great things to do 36. Who’s who? 86. Clubs
Our selection of what you need to do A brief introduction to some of the city’s facebook.com/
87. LGTBI timeoutmadrid
in Madrid at least once in your life. most famous names.
89. Art
@TimeOutMAD
22. Garden city 40. Dating sites 92. Books
94. Food & Drink @timeoutmadrid
From waterfalls to peacocks, We pick the most romantic Madrid spots
the city’s most surprising green spaces. to take that special someone. 105. Escapes
3 Time Out Madrid Student Guide 2019/21

Here
& now
MORE INFO AT:
timeout.com/madrid
Welcome
to Madrid
WELCOME TO THE CITY where, in one way or another,
everyone’s from somewhere else. Welcome to a city
that greets all arrivals with open arms, where making
friends is just a matter of having a night out, or heading
down to buy bread each day from the local market.
Welcome to the city of fresh air, city parks with ponds
and statues you’ll find nowhere else, with cycle lanes
that criss-cross the neighbourhoods, and outdoor
terraces where you can enjoy a drink with friends in any
season. Welcome to the good-weather city, where the
sun shines almost 365 days a year and umbrellas live
at the back of the wardrobe. Welcome to a city packed
with art and culture from all over the country, with
impressive museums and charming galleries,
DANIEL MOYANO
open-air music festivals and markets. Welcome to
the city of delicious food such as squid baguettes and
cocido stew. Welcome to Madrid! ■
THREE TOP TIPS Excellent ideas for expert city living
Eat! Freak out! Watch!
The grill and fryer don’t stop for a moment at From the creators of Medias Puri and Uñas Madrid’s last porn cinema has been
Melo’s, turning out huge sandwiches of lacón Chung Lee, immersive theatre spectacular cleaned up to become trendy new culture
and melted cheese, vast plates of small green Tacones Manoli takes place in an old hotspot Sala Equis. Enjoy film screenings
Padrón peppers and XL croquettes. palace in the city centre. and beers in a neon-lit space with swings.
Ave María, 44. M: Lavapiés. Bolsa, 12. M: Sol. Duque de Alba, 4. M: Tirso de Molina.

tember
Sep
MAD Music
Dcodea/drid’s most importan
t festivals
Calendar
The events you mustn’t miss
One of M
ct u re W
Architoeps, talks, guided visit
t
eek /sAanrd more!
Worksh
/ Art
e Madrid
(Dates to be confirmed)
n H o u s
Ope ings ope
uild
n
Unique b to the public
doors
their
October
Madrid Stude n t W elcome Day / S
r students
Welcome party
fo
ocial
November
d JAZZMAD
Tapapiés /ouFndothoe Lavapiés neighbourhood Internation RID / Mus
al jazz festiv ic
Tapas route ar al with conce
rts in dozen
irada /Arte Madrid en s of venues
Madrid OtrovaerM
the city’s heritag The best of Danza/ Da
Spanish an nce
Events to disc d internatio
nal dance
mber
Dece a l Januar y
a s / Festiv
m
Chrisfotr holidays, lights
Cabalgata/ Festival
Time
esents ana The Three Kings parade through Madrid
and pr
e stre Vallec
lv
San Soi r t ear
Fitur/ Tourism
p
/ S road race of the y The most important
international tourism fair
A last mber 31 to
e
on Dec 019
see ou
t2 Gastrofestival
/ Food
Huge foodie fest with
loads of activities
February
Madrid Design / Art
Design festival
ARCO Madrid / Art

Contemporary art fair
Ellas C
March
JustMAD / Art Exhibit rean / F
Fair showcasing emerging art io
of crea n supporting
estiva
tive wo the tale l
men nts
Carnival / Festival
Fancy dress costumes take over the city streets
The best of MAD
April
Easter / Festival
Processions and national holidays May
The Night of Books / Literature
unts
Mutua Ma
drid Open
Evening literary events and bookshop disco Spain’s on
ly tennis M / Spor t
asters 100
0 event
Rock ‘n’ Roll Madrid Su rge Madrid
Marathon / Sport The big frin / The atre
ge theatre fe
One of the biggest sporting stival
events in Spain Docum
/ Film entaMadrid
Mulafest / Urban art Documenta
ry film festi
Festival of trends, tattoos val
and urban art San Isidro
/ Festiva
Join the fe
stivities ce l
Madrid’s p leb
atron sain rating
t on May 1
5
June
Mira Madrid
/A
Explore the ci
ty
rt May
PHotoEspañ
a / Art nce
The city’s mos
photography
t important Madrid / Derane
Flamencortu w flamenco
festival nity to discov
A unique oppo tre
án Gómez Thea
talent at the Fern
Paraíso /Mu ro / Literaetu re
Electronic an sic
d experimen
Feria del Lisband books in th Re
tiro park
music festiv tal Writers, reader
al
usic
Tomavistasl in/aM
pretty park
Eclectic festiva
August
July Local fiest
The San Ca as / Festiv
yetano, Sa als
and Verben n Lorenzo
a de la Palo
festivals fil ma
e la Villa l the streets
Veranousrde fun and tra
ditions
with
/ Cult music, dance, art and film
Open-air ng
summer lo
events all
e / Soctsia l
LGTBI Prid to
ven
d cultural e
Parade an
diversity
celebrate
Festival
Mad Cool
/ Music music festival
ig
Madrid’s b

The best of MAD
MARTA BAC
FIGHT! DAVID FARRAN
Bike lanes or sharing the road?

We debate the best ways for cyclists to move round the city
Bikes should go on the road, Dedicated lanes

like any another vehicle provide better
Bicycles have been experiencing protection and safety
a surge in popularity over the Now boasting more than
last few years with more and 300km of cycle lanes, Madrid
more Madrileños using them to is becoming a city more and
get round the city. Whether it’s more open to getting around by
for going to work or enjoying a bike every year. The restoration
weekend ride, bike lovers are of the bicycle as a means of
using this sustainable and healthy transport forms part of the
mode of transport every day. And plans to improve the quality of
even though it’s possible that life and even the very idea of
more locals have been encouraged the city promoted by Madrid’s
to take up pedalling by the institutions. A large part of its
expansion of the city’s network of success is down to the dozens of
dedicated cycle paths, there are kilometres of dedicated
roads where a lack of space or the cycle lanes that have been,
street layout makes it impossible and continue to be, created
to add bike lanes. That’s why across the whole city, which
the place for bicycles, like any allow cyclists to feel safe and
other vehicle, is on the road. protected on their journeys.
Cycling on the street – in lanes What’s more, the city’s many
with special speed restrictions in hills are no longer an excuse not
place for traffic – allows you to get to adopt this environmentally
anywhere in the city. It also saves friendly and healthy way of
the authorities money, getting about, given that the
because rather than having to BiciMAD public rental service’s
create special bike lanes, bikes have small electric motors
they just have to paint that help you get up the steeper
the 30km/h speed limit on the slopes. There are also other
tarmac. In that way, it raises rental services that
awareness that cyclists are road allow you to leave their bikes
users just like any other, too. parked on any street.
It’s not easy to get a good idea of what it’s like to
SUMMED UP live in a city and enjoy its culture when you’ve only
just arrived. So why not try examining it from a
mathematical perspective? If there’s one thing
Madrid’s not short of, it’s statistics and figures. Such
as, for example, 232, the number of cinemas in the
city. Or 249, the number of metres high the tallest
Curious
building in Spain, La Torre de Cristal, stands in Paseo
de la Castellana. Even 0 is significant, as kilometre
city stats
0 in Puerta del Sol is the point from which all of
Spain’s roads are measured. On top of that, you have
6 theme parks in and around Madrid and 67 theatres
distributed throughout its neighbourhoods,
which you can reach from its 301 metro stations.
Best of all, though, are the city’s 2,710 hours of
sunshine each year, which you can use to wring
every last drop out of living here. ■ Marta Bac

PASSION
I CAME, FOR
I SAW,
I STAYED MADRID
Celebrities who
fell for the charms
of our city
Jessica
Escobar, 21. James Rhodes
Guatemala.
International The famous pianist
relations moved to Madrid in
graduate 2017 and since then
hasn’t missed
a chance to say how
much he loves
living here
Amy Jo Doherty
The sister of Pete
Doherty, lead singer
of The Libertines and
ex-boyfriend
‘In Madrid you of Kate Moss, lives
can discover what here to escape her
brother’s fame
makes you happy’
Oona Chaplin
How did you end up living here? Charlie Chaplin’s
In 2014 I went to a university in Boston and they
chose me along with 30 other high-performing granddaughter –
students to study abroad for a year. That six you’ll know her from
months marked my life, not just because it What are the best and worst things ‘Game of Thrones’ –
was the first time I had been in Europe, but about the city?
also because those months in Madrid helped The Iberian ham is the best. Strolling around
is a big fan of the
foster my passion for a career in international the Retiro park in autumn, walking along city of her birth
relations and diplomacy. Finally, the semester Gran Vía when it’s lit up at night, getting lost
turned into two years as I decided to extend my in Malasaña’s colourful streets, picnicking at
stay, and I ended up remaining. Templo de Debod... Not to forget the EMT bus Viggo Mortensen
service – which for me is the
Would you recommend best public transport system in
The actor came to
Madrid to your friends? ‘It has the Europe. The worst thing about Madrid for love – his
To my friends and to the seven billion
inhabitants of the planet! Madrid has
best public Madrid? I don’t think there’s
anything bad to say. Well, the
partner is Spanish
actress Ariadna Gil,
everything. I would tell those who transport heat in July and August.
and they live together
think New York is the city that never
sleeps that they haven’t experienced
in Europe’ What do you do at the weekend? in a luxury apartment
everything Madrid has to offer those I love exercising along Madrid near Gran Vía
who visit it. It’s a city that can help Río and going out for tapas. Also
you find yourself and discover what going early to the Rastro and even
makes you happy in life. doing a language exchange.■

FREE MAD
Enjoy the city without spending a euro
CULTURE DON’T
MISS
Matadero Madrid
A mini city of culture that’s
perfect for exploring. You
can access it from Madrid
Río and then visit its
exhibitions, enjoy its
communal spaces such
as the Design Centre, or
watch an avant-garde play.
àPaseo de la Chopera, 14. M: Legazpi.
CULTURAL PASS
JOBO
If you’re between 16
and 26 and want to
get the maximum out
of the city’s culture,
you need to get your
hands on the JOBO
card, the Madrid City
Council cultural pass
that from Monday to
Friday gives you free
access to everything entry to its permanent workshops, see an centre offers free
that’s on at Matadero, exhibitions from 6pm exhibition, check out courses and workshops.
Teatro Español, to 8pm Monday to the graffiti works and get àValencia, 2. M: Lavapiés.
Fernán Gómez-Centro Saturday and from 5pm to know the alternative
Cultural de la Villa, to 7pm on Sundays. The underground vibe at this A BIT OF EVERYTHING
Conde Duque, Teatro temporary shows are former tobacco factory. Conde Duque
Circo Price and the also half price during àEmbajadores, 53. This former army
Cineteca. those times. M: Embajadores. barracks is now a
àwww.madridcultura.es/jobo àPaseo del Prado, s/n. cultural centre that
M: Estación del Arte. WORKSHOPS hosts exhibitions,
ART La Casa Encendida conferences and other
Prado Museum UNDERGROUND As well as avant-garde free activities.
Spain’s largest art Tabacalera exhibitions, this àConde Duque, 11.
centre offers free Join one of the social multidisciplinary M: Noviciado.
City Manager Nacho Alonso | Editor Marta Bac, Josep Lambies | Writers Gorka Elorrieta, Noelia Santos, David Farrán de Mora | Translator Nick Funnell | Art Director Judith Rial
Advertising Laura Latorre, Sara Marco | Advertising Coordinator Yolanda de la Fuente | Publisher Time Out Spain Media SL. All rights reserved | Chairman Julio Bruno
Executive Chairman Eduard Voltas | Business Manager Mabel Mas | Finance and Operations Manager Judit Sans | Digital Strategy Fanny Campeny | Marketing and Ecommerce
Manager Aroa Cervantes | Creative Solutions and PR Director Carlota Falcó | Branded Content Coordinator Begoña García Carteron.
Time Out Spain Media is a Time Out Group company | CEO, Time Out Digital Christine Petersen | CEO, Time Out Group Julio Bruno.
Calle Orense, 16, 1º A
28020 Madrid
91 603 99 88
Printer Jomagar | Legal deposit B-17373-2017 | ISSN 2565 - 1072 | Time Out Digital ISSN 2462-3385 | Free copy, not for retail sale. No part of this publication may be reproduced
redaccion@timeout.es without the prior permission of the owner. Neither may it be transmitted by any means or method, be it electronic, mechanical or otherwise.

Madrid
secrets
There are many books that tell you how to best explore
the city in a day or a weekend. But a place as full of life as
the Spanish capital hides many corners that you won’t
find in any guide. We reveal some of them here – because
sometimes what’s most essential is often invisible
The beach in Malasaña The secret garden The Montera oasis

à San Andrés, 1. à Sacramento, 7. In the à Montera, 37.
Right in the middle of the No. 7 Calle Sacramento hides Among the swarm of tourists
Malasaña neighbourhood there’s one of the most closely guarded middle of and gold-buyers on this central
a beach – with sand, a bar and
everything – where you can hide
treasures in the centre of Madrid
– perhaps because it remained
Malasaña Madrid street, you’ll find a small
oasis where you can escape the
out from the cold in winter and a secret until 1972. That was is a beach, hubbub of the city. Climb up
chill out in summer. Opened in
2004 and remodelled in 2014,
when the high walls around
the Bernardas convent that
with sand, to the top floor of the Salvador
Bachiller store and you’ll step
the Ojalá restaurant’s basement had protected the Huerto de a bar and straight into a fairy-tale tearoom
is a makeshift Ibiza-style space las Monjas were demolished to where you can enjoy coffee or
where you can enjoy a few beers construct some housing blocks. everything breakfast, munch on a lunch-
with friends and relax at the By luck, the garden, which was time snack, or sip a mojito after
low tables with comfortable originally devoted to growing a hard day’s studying. Open
cushions and dimmed lighting. vegetables by the nuns, remained in winter and summer, it’s the
Both homely and exotic at the intact and since then has been perfect place to sample a great
same time, it even features a open to anyone who wants selection of cheeses, Iberian
hanging garden and fluorescent to visit it to enjoy a few minutes hams, gyozas, tacos, salads
tables. And the food is delicious, of peace and quiet amid the and other delicious fare. Its
especially the weekend brunch. hustle and bustle of Madrid. brunch is also in high demand.

The only sound you’ll
hear is birdsong in
this peaceful oasis
A door to
the sixteenth
century
àCervantes, 11.
“Que mi jardín, más breve
que cometa / Tiene solo
dos árboles, diez flores /
Dos parras, un naranjo, una
mosqueta”. (“That my garden,
more fleeting than a comet /
Has only two trees, ten flowers
/ Two vines, an orange tree
and rose hips”.) Four hundred
years later, the birdsong and
the scent of blossom and
roses in poet and playwright
Lope de Vega’s garden in the
Casa Museo Lope de Vega
in the Barrio de las Letras
remain almost as they were.
The garden is now the stage
for recitals, summer film
screenings and concerts at
sundown – all of them free,
all of them intimate.

Sold in
little
boxes,
they’re
ideal gifts
Flowery
treats
à Plaza Canalejas, 6.
Madrid’s most traditional dish might
be its hearty cocido stew, but these
violet candies are the sweeter side
of its culinary identity. They’re made
with violet essence and served with
petals and there’s only one place
in the capital where you can buy
the real thing: La Violeta, a modest
wooden-fronted shop that has been
selling them since 1915. They’re so
good, so the story goes, that King
Alfonso XIII gave them as presents
to both his wife and his mistresses.
Drinks at
the art gallery
à Corredera Baja de San Pablo, 17.
You’ll find plenty of art shops and
galleries in the city centre, but
none quite like Kikekeller, a space
where everyday objects and art
merge. But the premises doesn’t
reveal its real secret until the
store lights go off for the night and
one of the city’s trendiest little
bars comes to life in its backroom,
where Madrid’s in-crowd meets
up to sip expensive tipples in an
exclusive atmosphere.
Enjoy
a drink
in the
relaxed,
trendy
ambience

The underground bunker
Paseo Alameda de Osuna, 25.
This was one of Madrid’s best-
kept secrets until it opened to
the public in May 2016. Given
the code name ‘Posición Jaca’,
this subterranean bunker in the
The statue is Antonio
Parque de El Capricho housed Santín’s tribute to Madrid’s
the military HQ of the Central first female student
Republican Army during the
Spanish Civil War. For 80 years
it remained a silent witness to
the conflict, but now visitors can
head 15m below ground and
discover what was once one of the
city’s most important Republican
command posts. Measuring
2,000m2 and able to withstand
bombs of up to 100kg, the well-
preserved development is a
unique slice of history and
tickets to see it sell out fast.
The empty pedestal

Parque del Retiro.
Along the Paseo de la Argentina,
popularly known as the ‘paseo
de las estatuas’ (statues’ walk), in
the Retiro park stands a series of
sculptures dedicated to the kings
and queens of Spain of various
eras. There were originally due
to be placed on the cornice of the
Royal Palace but they ultimately
ended up here. There are a total of
14 pedestals, but just 13 statues
– one of the pedestals remains
empty. The missing monarch
could be Alfonso VII, whose figure
may have become so deteriorated
from being moved around that
it couldn’t be put on show. One
other secret few know about is that
of the 13 remaining statues, two
are of the same king: Sancho IV,
nicknamed the ‘Brave’.
El cementerio
de los ingleses The first
Comandante Fontanes, 7.
This graveyard may not be well female student
known in Madrid, but there’s a àPez, 42, corner San Bernardo.
lot of history among its tombs. Madrid is so full of statues that if
The English cemetery was built you’re not careful you can mistake
in Carabanchel to bury non- them for people sweeping the
Catholics and its first occupant street in Jacinto Benavente
was Arthur Thorold, a young or taking a walk in Plaza San
British man whose tombstone Ildefonso. But the one with the
is shaped like the legendary best story is that of Julia, a young
sword Excalibur. Other names student leaning against the stone
found here include Emilio wall by the Palacio Bauer. The
Huguenin Lhardy, founder of the bronze statue of a barefoot girl in
eponymous Madrid restaurant; a skirt and blouse and carrying
three members of the Loewe her notes is artist Antonio
family, who started the luxury Santín’s tribute to the first woman
fashion label; Rita Garrido, to attend the University of Madrid,
the first actress of the Teatro in 1848, who eluded the ban on
La Latina, as well as several female students at the time by
members of the Bauer clan, one disguising herself as a man.
of the most powerful families in
nineteenth-century Madrid.

The oldest florist shop
à Huertas, 2.
Located on the site of the old San
Sebastián church cemetery is
one of the best-kept secrets of the
Barrio de las Letras: El Jardín del
Ángel, a garden centre and florist
founded in 1889 that claims
never to have closed, even when a
bomb almost destroyed the place
of worship next door. To enter
you pass under a sign bearing
the slogan ‘No dejes de soñar’
(‘Never stop dreaming’), and you
soon realise there’s something
special about this place, even if
you’re not a plant lover. As well
as selling beautiful flowers, it’s a
magical spot where you can relax
admiring one of the century-and-
a-half-old olive trees.
Byzantine strongholds
à Gran Vía de Hortaleza, 48.
The streets of Madrid are full of
surprises that can make even
locals feel as though they’re
thousands of kilometres from
home. One such example is the
commanding golden cupolas
atop the Church of Santa María
Magdalena, a slice of Russia
in the middle of the Hortaleza
neighbourhood. Built in the
Byzantine style, the temple
opened in 2013, becoming only
the second orthodox church in
Madrid after the Greek Orthodox
Cathedral of Santos Andrés and
Demetrio (whose interior is also
well worth a look). The same
style of architecture can be seen
in other buildings such as the
German Friedenskirche (church
A secret of peace), a ‘clandestine’ church

that combines Romanesque and
Madrid’s Sistine Chapel among the Byzantine styles.
The prince’s hideout

à Puebla, 22.
Entirely covered in frescos,
the interior of the Church of
almond trees à Plaza de la Paja, 6.
In a corner of Plaza de la Paja in
San Antonio de los Alemanes à Alcalá, 502. La Latina, a brick wall guards a
is well worth a visit. Painted by Almost at the end of Calle Alcalá, you hidden garden, the best-kept
Juan Carreño de Miranda and can find a park that few Madrileños secret of the Palacio del Príncipe
Luca Giordano, among others, or tourists ever visit. La Quinta de los de Anglona. The prince lived in
the scenes tell the stories of the Molinos would just be another green the building in the nineteenth
life and miracles o f St Anthony space in the city if it weren’t for its century, and loved walking
of Padua. The temple is part more than 6,000 almond trees, which round among the plants. Several
of the hospital that Philip III are a delight for all five senses when stone paths lead to a small stone
created in the seventeenth in bloom throughout February and fountain at its centre, and there’s
century to attend the sick and March. The pink-and-white blossom an iron shelter and a pergola
Portuguese pilgrims, which is takes over the gardens and their that’s covered in roses in the
why it was previously known as heady scent wafts over the walls into spring. The whole place is shaded
San Antonio de los Portugueses the surrounding area. by large trees, while one of its
before it became the hospital for corners provides good views of
Madrid’s German community. the neighbourhood.

DISCOVER MADRID
20 great
things to do
Here’s our guide to the city’s
essentials – a score of must-do
activities including partying,
exploring, eating and more!
05.
01. Explore Gran Vía
Running from the famous
Try the traditional Metrópolis building to
Madrid cocido Plaza de España, this
A hearty stew of pasta, wide street is the main
chickpeas, assorted tourist route through the
cuts of meat and broth, city. Lined with shops, bars
cocido is Madrid’s most and even a casino, it’s
popular traditional over 1km long and has
dish. Served in many recently been remodelled.
of the city’s restaurants,
this is a speciality
everybody should try
03. It’s worth taking a moment
to look up and admire its
magnificent buildings and
and will probably love. Scoff chocolate con rooftop statues.
churros in San Ginés
02. This chocolatería first opened

over a hundred years ago in a
narrow street between Puerta del
Take in a show Sol and Plaza de Ópera. Today
It’s no surprise that Gran it’s Madrid’s most famous café
Vía is known as the ‘Spanish for hot chocolate and churros –
Broadway’. Most of the delicious deep-fried strands of
musicals that come to the dough perfect for dunking – and
city play on its grand stages, a meeting point for all sorts
from ‘The Lion King’ to ‘Dirty of partygoers trying to summon
Dancing’. So let the magic of the strength to get to bed at the
theatre carry you away… end of a long night out.
04.
Go shopping
It doesn’t matter what your
budget is, Madrid has a
shopping experience for
everyone. From the cheap high-
street stores on Gran Vía to the
alternative shops in Malasaña
and the exclusive boutiques
on the Golden Mile, this city is
perfect for retail therapy.

09.
Revel in the green zones
From city-centre parks such as
the Retiro and the Casa de Campo
to the surrounding woods and
mountains such as the Sierra de
Guadarrama, Madrid is full of
natural treasures. What’s more,
it caters for every type of activity,
from hiking in La Pedriza, skiing
in Navacerrada or touring
El Pardo, to name but a few.
10.
Take a selfie by
El Oso y el Madroño
This statue of a tree-climbing
bear is a well-known symbol of
Madrid, and a meeting point
for lost tourists and friends.
Designed by Antonio Navarro
Santafé, the sculpture is
4m tall, weighs 20 tonnes
and sits in the Puerta del Sol.
06. 07.
See the skyscrapers
Madrid isn’t a city of Go to a concert (or two)
skyscrapers like New The city’s music scene is a perfect
York, but it is home to an fusion of concerts by big-name
impressive quartet of international groups playing to
vertigo-inducing towers. audiences of 15,000 at the WiZink
The Cuatro Torres (Four Center and gigs performed by
Towers) are: Espacio, alternative, underground and
PwC, Cepsa and the Torre jazz musicians at intimate venues
de Cristal, which at 249m to just a handful of faithful fans.
is Spain’s tallest building. There’s live music every day of the
A fifth tower is now under year so nobody has to miss out,
construction and is due to whatever their tastes.
open at the end of 2020.
08.
Sample a squid baguette
This seafood sandwich is another
traditional dish, though nobody
quite knows why, given that the
city is 300km away from the
nearest coastline. But typical it is,
and no self-respecting Madrileño
(or visitor) goes long without
eating un bocata de calamares
somewhere around Plaza Mayor.

13.
See the city’s most
famous buildings
From rationalism to
neoclassicism, Madrid’s
architecture is a living story
of the city’s evolution over the
centuries. Some unmissable
examples are the beautiful
Palacio de Longoria, the cupola
of the Basílica de San Francisco
el Grande and the impressive
Palacio de Cibeles.
14.
Discover the Chueca
neighbourhood
Madrid is a very gay-friendly
city, but if there’s an area that
most embraces diversity,
it’s Chueca, where there are many
shops, bars, restaurants and
clubs aimed specifically at
the LGBTI community. Madrid’s
annual Gay Pride festival is also
centred on this area.
15.
Have a beer!
If Madrileños have a
favourite way to spend
an evening, it’s enjoying
a drink and a bite to eat
11. with friends, which is

perhaps why the range
of food in the city’s bars
Enjoy a bird’s-eye view and restaurant is so
The Madrid skyline is one wide. The weather is
of the most beautiful in good enough for terraces
Spain, and the perfect to be open practically
place to appreciate it is all year round and, from
the roof of the Círculo La Latina to Chamberí,
de Bellas Artes in Calle there are always plenty
Alcalá. From there, you of groups enjoying
can survey the whole city, lively conversations
its great avenues, famous over coffees, beers or
monuments and lush parks. something stronger.
12.
Celebrate the local fiestas
Every summer, the celebrations
dovetail into each other as the
city’s neighbourhoods mark
the feast days of their local
saints. From San Cayetano to the
Verbena de la Paloma, concerts,
dancing and fun are what it’s all
about. And don’t forget the main
fiesta for Madrid’s own patron
saint, San Isidro, on May 15.

16.
Admire the art
A wander along the
famous Paseo del Arte is
a compulsory part of any
visit to Madrid. The Prado,
Reina Sofía and Thyssen-
Bornemisza galleries are
the three epicentres of
art and three of the most
important museums in
Spain. But don’t miss out
on the plethora of small
galleries in the Barrio de
las Letras and Salamanca
districts, either.
17. 19.
Cycle along Madrid Río Shop in the Rastro
The relocation underground Madrid’s oldest and most famous
of part of Madrid’s main ring flea market is a must-see for
road has given way to a large visitors. Every Sunday in and
10km-long park along the around Calle Ribera de Curtidores
Manzanares river. It’s a pleasure in Embajadores, dozens of stalls
to ride or walk along its banks, set up to sell second-hand clothes,
where you can see children vinyl, jewellery and just about
playing in its playgrounds and, if anything you can imagine. Once
you fancy, stop for a break at one done, head to a nearby bar to
of the cafés on the way. peruse your buys.
18. 20.
Step on to kilometre 0 Escape the centre
A small, easy-to-miss plaque just Stroll around the gardens
opposite the Real Casa de Correos at Monte del Pardo, visit
in Puerta del Sol marks the spot the immense El Escorial
where all Spain’s roads begin, monastery, or explore
known locally as kilometre 0. the Palacio Real de Aranjuez
Many locals have a photo and its famous World Heritage
of this small square of pavement gardens... There are numerous
with feet walking across it places worth seeing outside
in an album somewhere, so the city centre but still within
make sure you get yours, too. the Madrid region.

Quinta de la Fuente del Berro
A magical idyll where the water burbles over the falls, and
the smell of freshly cut grass hangs everywhere. Two moss-
covered stone staircases are obscured by the creepers on each
side of the stream, and looking out over the lake, you feel as if
a court of nymphs with flower crowns round their hair were
singing in your ear. It’s just a few steps from the M-30 and right
next to the Torrespaña, but you’d never know it. M: Manuel Becerra.
Garden
city Waterfalls, olive groves,
Tyrolean houses and peacocks –
Madridis full of incredible
green spaces to explore

The pond in the
Museo Sorolla
garden is
dominated by
the Fountain
of Secrets
Olivar de Castillejo Museo Sorolla

A wild garden where sandy paths disappear among the blue- Since he started painting gardens in 1906, Spanish
grey tops of the olive trees and the breeze tastes of eucalyptus. artist Joaquín Sorolla always wanted to create
Napoleon camped here when this plot of cultivated land was one of his own. And when he got the chance, he
on the outskirts of the city and it later became a favourite of designed this splendid example divided into three
intellectuals such as the poet Dámaso Alonso. These days it’s spaces inspired by the Garden of Troy in Sevillle’s
only open to the public in summer, when there are concerts Alcázar, the Alhambra’s Generalife and a final one
and open-air film screenings. M: Cuzco. centred on a pond. M: Gregorio Marañón.

Jardines del
Campo del Moro
Seven centuries before
Habsburg Queen Maria
Christina began missing
her Austrian childhood and
ordered the construction of
the gardens’ Tyrolean-style
house, Emir Ali ibn Yusuf
had set up camp here in an
ill-fated attempt to reconquer
the city. Now you have to
escape the straight-lined
order of the fountains and
flowerbeds, and venture
into the undergrowth, far
from the tourists, to awaken
the memory of that event,
as peacocks stroll tranquilly
among the trees and paths. A
unique space right next to the
Royal Palace.
Jardines del Campo del Moro.
M: Príncipe Pío.
The Tyrolean-
style house in
the Campo del
Moro looks
straight out of
a fairy tale
PHOTOS: ALFREDO ARIAS
Jardín del Marqués

de Casa Riera
So the legend goes, at the end of the nineteenth
century, a man turned up dead next to the corpse
of a woman. It was on that spot that the house of
the Marquis of the Casa Riera was built, a luxurious
mansion that would never be inhabited – just as, in
turn, the house of his heir put up afterwards never
would be, either. The spooky events earned the site
a privileged chapter in the history of Madrid’s cursed
places. These days it has been turned into an office building
with a small landscaped garden, pond and boxed hedges. No
doubt you’ve passed by it a thousand times and not even noticed
– it’s situated just in front of the Círculo de Bellas Artes, hidden
behind railings. M: Banco de España.

The best of
the barrios
Here’s a brief guide to our favourite parts of Madrid’s
neighbourhoods, with everything from fiestas to
history and monuments, plus how to get to each one

Lavapiés
This neighbourhood is a melting
pot and symbolic of the fusion
of ethnic identities and cultures
that has happened in Madrid in
the last few years. It’s always been
an unassuming place, inhabited,
until the 1980s, by older people
who lived in corralas – the
corridor-style housing so typical
of old Madrid. Nowadays, thanks
to rents that are slightly more
accessible than in other areas
of the city and its multicultural
character, it attracts a lot of
young people who share it with
neighbours of up to 88 different
nationalities. Indian restaurants gather in front of its clock tower
stand next to Arab barber shops to see in the new year. This
and classic Madrid taverns. This square hosts a famous statue
neighbourhood is also famous of a bear and a strawberry tree
for the San Lorenzo fiesta, which that appears on the city’s coat of
takes place every August, and for arms. It is also here that many of
events like Tapapiés, a tapas route Madrid’s most important streets
that is held in October, mainly begin, including Calles Mayor
in the bars and on the terraces of and Arenal and Carrera de San
Calle Argumosa, one of the area’s Jerónimo. Nearby lies one of the
liveliest streets. Lavapiés also has city’s major shopping areas, Calle
cultural hotspots like Tabacalera, Preciados, which converges with
a place for collective cultural Gran Vía, an icon of the city since
© FEDERICO JORD
expressions, and Teatro its construction in 1910. It’s home

Valle-Inclán, which to cinemas, theatres, department
is managed by the Spanish stores and some of the city’s
National Drama Centre. most exclusive shops, as well as a
M: Tirso de Molina, Lavapiés, Embajadores. number of striking buildings
such as the Metrópolis and Chamberí is a La Latina
Sol-Gran Vía the Carrión, and Madrid’s first
skyscrapers, the Telefónica
fashionable Fun and tradition are the defining
characteristics of this city centre
Although it isn’t a neighbourhood building and Torre de Madrid. neighbourhood neighbourhood. La Latina is part of
in the official sense, Sol is the true old Madrid, blessed with winding
centre of Madrid, and Puerta del
M: Sol, Gran Vía.
for dining out, medieval streets that are broken up
Sol is the starting point for the
whole Spanish road network. It’s
a meeting place for locals and
Chamberí
From hunting grounds to
thanks to the
buzzing Calle
by small squares like Plaza de la Paja,
Plaza de San Andrés and Plaza del
Humilladero. You’ll find the remains
tourists alike, due to its location
and the fact that it’s a transport
aristocratic residences, Chamberí
has always been a neighbourhood
Ponzano and of the city’s ancient walls along
with churches both large and small
hub. The oldest building in the in constant evolution. A its traditional dotted haphazardly along its streets,
area is the former Post Office, traditionally stately suburb, with as well as the Segovia viaduct and
known as Casa de Correos, which its wide streets and expensive taverns Puerta de Toledo, which mark the
is now the headquarters of the apartments set away from the boundaries of the neighbourhood.
Presidency of the Autonomous tourist crush of the city centre, in Mercado de la Cebada, one of
Community of Madrid. On recent years Chamberí has become Madrid’s largest markets, is the
December 31 hundreds of people one of the city’s most popular areas perfect combination of tradition and
for eating out. And that’s not only modernity. La Latina is a favourite
thanks to the revitalisation of Calle place for a few beers at the weekend,
Ponzano – a must for all gourmet or heading down streets like Cava
fans – but also due to the survival Alta and Cava Baja for a vermouth
of the neighbourhood’s traditional and some huevos estrellados, a
restaurants and taverns. Its delicious combination of lightly
architecture is also worth fried eggs and crispy chips, at Casa
mentioning, embodied in squares Lucio. In addition to iconic spots
like Plaza Olavide and Plaza like the Basilica of San Francisco
Chamberí, as well as in cultural el Grande, the Teatro de la Latina,
venues like the Teatros del Jardines de las Vistillas and Campo
Canal, the Museo Sorolla, de Cebada, La Latina is famous
the Geominero and Andén for the Verbena de la Paloma, a
Cero, and its attractive shopping traditional fiesta that’s celebrated
streets like Calle Zurbano. in August with music, chotis
M: Quevedo, Ríos Rosas, Canal, dances and much more.
Iglesia, Islas Filipinas. M: La Latina, Puerta de Toledo.

Las Letras (the Museum of Romanticism),
impressive buildings (the
Once home to some of the Palacio de Longoria and the
great writers of the Golden Age headquarters of the COAM
of Spanish literature such as architects’ association), trendy
Cervantes and Quevedo, the and gay-oriented stores (Berkana
Barrio de las Letras also hosts bookshop), and gourmet markets
interesting galleries and antiques where you can eat tapas (Mercado
shops, and part of the famous Art de San Antón). During the day it’s
Walk that takes in the Thyssen- perfect for a stroll and popping
Bornemisza, the Reina Sofía and into the shops on Calle Barquillo
Prado museums as well as the and Calle Hortaleza. At night,
CaixaForum cultural centre with you can dine in one of the area’s
its spectacular vertical garden. numerous restaurants, which
The neighbourhood’s main cater for all tastes and budgets.
thoroughfare is Calle Huertas, Afterwards, sample the Chueca
and on its pavements you can nightlife, which is among the
read quotations from great works liveliest in Madrid, with plenty
of Spanish literature. It’s home of gay bars that are also hetero-
to tapas bars and party venues friendly, including Delirio,
where young people gather at Fraggel Pop, Why Not, the rooftop
weekends for drinks with friends. at the Óscar Room Mate hotel, and
Plaza de Santa Ana, with its the famous Studio 54.
large terraces next to the Teatro M: Chueca/Gran Vía.
Español, and Spain’s Congress
building are other iconic spots.
One of the major events to be held
here is DecorAcción (in June),
Malasaña
Next to Chueca, Malasaña owes
an enormous interior design fair its name to Manuela Malasaña,
in which the neighbourhood’s the heroine of the May 2, 1808
shops set up street stalls selling uprising against the French
decorative objects and antiques. forces then occupying Madrid.
M: Antón Martín, Atocha, Sevilla. Led by Luís Daoíz and Pedro
Velarde, the event is important in
Chueca
It’s Madrid’s main LGBTI
the neighbourhood because its
focal point was the old Parque de
Artillería de Monteleón, located
neighbourhood and is known where the Plaza del Dos de Mayo
throughout the world for its now stands. In the square, you
tolerant and diverse atmosphere. can see an arch from the old
What only 20 years ago was a military barracks, as well as a
decidedly marginal area has now monument paying tribute to the
been completely transformed, two captains. What was once the
home to all types of bars, famous neighbourhood of La Movida, the
squares (Plaza de Chueca and cultural and social revolution that
Plaza de Pedro Zerolo), terraces, emerged in Madrid in the 1980s,
art galleries, cultural venues is now the city’s trendy hipster
area par excellence. It’s a paradise
for foodies and fans of organic Caminos, Castillejos, Almenara,
produce, and full of modern
businesses such as cool barbers,
Malasaña is Valdeacederas and Berruguete,
and is divided into two very
cupcake stores, and vintage cafés one of the city’s distinct parts by Calle Bravo
that sit alongside traditional bars
and markets such as the Mercado
trendiest areas, Murillo, one of Madrid’s most
important shopping streets.
de Barceló, which now boasts a new a paradise for The area bordering Paseo de la
modern building and an attractive Castellana includes the Azca
terrace. Strolling around Malasaña, foodies and business complex, one of Madrid’s
and especially along its famous
shopping street, Calle Fuencarral,
hipsters major financial centres and home
to several skyscrapers, including
is to experience a young, the Torre Picasso. Here you’ll also
cosmopolitan neighbourhood full find expensive apartments, the
of life and a party atmosphere. It’s Moda Shopping Centre and the
also a good place for a night out, Calle Orense shopping street,
home to legendary venues such as alongside the Nuevos Ministerios
Penta and Tupperware. metro and train station, and the
M: Tribunal, Noviciado, Bilbao. world’s biggest Zara clothes store.
The other part of the district,
Tetuán
Tetuán is made up of six different
which lies on the opposite side of
Calle Bravo Murillo, is known as
the Little Caribbean because of
areas: Bellas Vistas, Cuatro the large number of Dominican

Emerging artists
have chosen
Carabanchel as
the place to set up
their workshops
and organise
cultural activities
immigrants who’ve made their

home there, opening cybercafés,
hairdressers, supermarkets and the Marquis of Salamanca as
restaurants, all buzzing to the a residential area for the city’s
sounds of reggaeton, bachata aristocratic and bourgeois classes.
and trap. This is a decidedly Nowadays, it’s also the focus of
ungentrified area with more business and commercial activity.
affordable housing and smaller, This is where you’ll find Madrid’s
cheaper shops and businesses. so-called Golden Mile, where
M: Cuatro Caminos, Alvarado, streets like Calle Serrano, Calle
Estrecho, Tetuán, Valdeacederas. Goya, Calle Ortega y Gasset, Calle
Claudio Coello and Callejón de
Carabanchel
This area began as one of the
Jorge Juan are home to luxury
fashion, accessory and jewellery
brands. Among its biggest
city’s most traditional working- attractions are the National
class districts, although it’s Archaeological Museum, the Juan
recently evolved into a trendy March Foundation, the Carlos
neighbourhood where alternative de Amberes Foundation, and
and emerging artists have set the Lázaro Galdiano Museum, as
up their workshops near Calle well as leading art galleries and,
Urgel and Calle Oporto and
organise cultural activities such Moncloa The Usera
of course the WiZink Center, the
city’s biggest venue for concerts
as Artbanchel each May. It’s an Moncloa is a stately and shows. It’s also home to some
area that offers some real treats neighbourhood where family neighbourhood of the best restaurants in Madrid,
for visitors, including the
Palacio de Vistalegre and
houses sit alongside halls of
residence for Complutense
is a must-visit, including Zalacaín, Ramón Freixa
and Kabuki Wellington.
La Finca de Vistalegre, an old University students. It’s a nice especially M: Serrano, Velázquez, Goya, Lista.
recreation ground that in its area to walk around, especially
during the
period of greatest splendour
boasted two palaces, a navigable
river, fountains and peacocks. It’s
along Paseo de Pintor Rosales, the
Templo de Debod and the Parque
del Oeste, which is linked to Casa
colourful Usera
This neighbourhood in the south
also a favourite haunt of heavy de Campo via the Teleférico cable Chinese of Madrid was, until barely a
metal and hard rock fans, who
head to clubs such as Grotto 77
car. It begins at Plaza de España,
where you can see the Edificio
New Year decade ago, just one of the city’s
many working-class districts.
and Sala Live, and there’s a wide España and the Torre de Madrid celebrations But in recent years there has been
variety of eating options, too, skyscrapers, and finishes at the an influx of Chinese immigrants
from fried chicken to Peruvian famous Faro de Moncloa, one of who have transformed it into
and Colombian specialities the city’s best-known viewpoints. Madrid’s own Chinatown. Shops
served up in the restaurants The neighbourhood is a perfect of all kinds with signs in Chinese
opened by members of the blend of residential and student have replaced the traditional
neighbourhood’s immigrant life, with shops, hotels, parks, haberdasheries and markets,
communities. It’s another of monuments and an active and even the area’s older bars
the city’s emerging areas, as it’s university social scene, especially now employ Chinese waiters.
located near the centre, bordered in the Argüelles area. The Museo That makes it the best place in
by Madrid Río and Casa de del Traje, the Museo de América the city to try authentic oriental
Campo, but still offers affordable and the Museo Cerralbo are also to food at the plentiful restaurants
housing. Finally, don’t forget that be found in this appealing area. with menus in Chinese offering
it’s also home to both the Pradera M: Plaza de España, Moncloa, Argüelles. specialities from little-known
and the Ermita de San Isidro, regions; happily, the high quality
the epicentre of the festivities
honouring Madrid’s patron saint
each May 15.
Salamanca
This is Madrid’s most exclusive
of the dishes is not reflected in the
prices. It’s a must-visit, especially
during the colourful Chinese New
M: Marqués de Vadillo, Urgel, Oporto, neighbourhood. It was built Year celebrations.
Carabanchel, Vistalegre. in the nineteenth century by M: Usera.

Austrias
In its monuments, churches and
palaces Madrid’s most historic
neighbourhood hides the
secrets of the former monarchs
who once inhabited them. Its
name dates from the days when
the Habsburg dynasty ruled
Spain and Charles I ordered the
construction of squares and
monumental buildings in the
city. Later on, under Philip II,
work began to remodel the old
Plaza Arrabal, which became the
present-day Plaza Mayor. From
the Almudena Cathedral to the
Plaza de la Villa and the Teatro
Real, the architectural beauty of
this area attracts a large number the old Matadero de Madrid
of tourists who gaze in wonder slaughterhouse in Legazpi, which
at the work of the ancestors of is now one of the city’s leading
today’s city residents. The area’s cultural centres, and the Museo
restaurants serve traditional del Ferrocarril, which holds the
cocido madrileño, though there monthly Mercado de Motores
are also more modern places, flea market. Other recommended
such as the remodelled Mercado spots include Madrid Río,
de San Miguel, while the with its green spaces, iconic
Jardines de Sabatini provide a bridges and kids’ playgrounds,
haven for tired sightseers and the Parque de Enrique
who can rest on the shaded Tierno Galván, which is home
benches beside its fountains. to the Madrid Planetarium and
M: Sol, La Latina, Puerta de Toledo. some of the city’s best music
festivals such as Tomavistas
Vallecas
Vallecas is another working-
and Brunch-in The Park.
M: Delicias, Legazpi, Arganzuela-Planetario.
class neighbourhood that is

emerging as an alternative area Conde Duque
to visit, thanks to its rich mix of This central residential
different cultures. It’s located neighbourhood has been lent
a short journey from Atocha by a new lease of life thanks to the
public transport and its main activity generated by its main
thoroughfare stretches from attraction: the Conde Duque
Puente de Vallecas to the Avenida Cultural Centre. This former
de la Albufera, a street lined with barracks has been transformed
small, cheap shops that ends at here, from traditional taverns to into a base for the area’s most
the Cerro del Tío Pío (or ‘seven tits
park’, to give it its rather vulgar
Ecuadorian and Chinese cuisine.
The neighbourhood has grown
The Conde important cultural activities:
it’s a summer cinema, an
local nickname), which affords so much that, as well as Puente Duque Cultural exhibition space, a theatre, a
some spectacular views of the de Vallecas, the Villa de Vallecas show hall and more. Like other
city. At night, Vallecas is Madrid’s old town also now has its own new Centre has neighbourhoods in downtown
heavy metal capital with a large
number of bars and clubs playing
housing development. One of the
area’s most popular celebrations
revitalised this Madrid, its older establishments
now compete with newly opened
hard rock. In terms of food, consists of the simulation of a neighbourhood businesses. But they all share
you’ll find a bit of everything naval battle, which sees people
take to the streets with water
close to Malasaña similar characteristics: friendly
service, artisanal products a long
pistols and balloons. It’s also a big way from those you find in the
footballing area, home to Rayo big high-street chains (there’s
Vallecano’s ground. no Zara here) and thoughtful
M: Villa de Vallecas, Congosto. decoration. You’ll find bars,
restaurants and shops you’ll be
Arganzuela hankering to go back to, even

before you leave them, as well
This district is made up of the as everything from vinyl and
Acacias, Paseo Imperial, Legazpi, menswear to gourmet food
Palos de Moguer, Delicias and stores and art galleries. The best
Atocha neighbourhoods. Its thing to do is surrender to its
historic buildings are almost all streets and discover everything
in the rationalist, neo-Mudéjar the area has to offer.
and industrial styles, including M: Noviciado, San Bernardo, Plaza España.

A practical
glossary of
typical words
and expressions
from Madrid
Daily life in Madrid means learning its language and forms

of expression. The city is famous for its colloquialisms
and very peculiar slang that set it apart from other Spanish
towns, and knowing some of these words will help you
feel part of the city, and give the locals a happy surprise
Molar Mazo A pachas

Molar is something that’s said a
lot, especially by young people.
If mola is ‘I like it’, mazo is
‘a lot’. So to say you ‘like
Guay In Madrid a pachas is used
when you share something with
This means ‘cool’,
It means that something pleases something a lot’, it’s mola and it’s used when someone else or several other
you greatly, and is more informal mazo – one of the most Madrileños like or people. For instance, when you’re
than the normal Spanish verb common local colloquial are impressed by eating out with a group of people
gustar. For example, if you see expressions. The word mazo something. It’s a and the time comes to pay the
something nice, that surprises has several meanings, though, word that’s been bill, you might hear someone say
you or makes you smile, the so you need to be careful. It’s used by several ‘pagamos a pachas’, which means
thing to say is ¡cómo mola!, ¡me also a mallet, and can mean a generations ‘let’s split it (equally) between
mola!, or ¡mola mucho!, instead disappointment or a negative of locals but us’. You can also make a bet a
of ¡cómo me gusta!, which action. Dar un mazazo is to continues to be pachas, which means sharing
sounds less natural. It can be disappoint or upset somebody, popular and very any winnings. Or when you go for
used for almost anything, and or cause them a problem. But common. drinks, you can use a pachas to
a simple mola is all you need to the most common slang use of mean you’re splitting the price of
express that something is cool. mazo is to mean ‘much’ or ‘a lot’. the rounds among everyone.

Bocata
The typical Madrid
sandwich is made with
a small baguette; ask
for one by saying Un
bocata, por favor. A key
expression for ordering
tapas in the city
Tío/tía
No, in this case it’s not your Flipar
aunt or uncle. Among young Also common is flipar,
people, the words tío and or flipar en colores. A
tía can be used at random synonym of alucinar,
at the end of almost every it expresses (huge)
sentence, in the same way amazement.
you might say ‘mate’, ‘man’,
or ‘love’. Tío is directed at
men and tía at women, and
phrases like ¿Qué pasa tío?
and Joé, tía are common
parts of the everyday
informal conversations you
hear on the street.
Pasar No te rayes Chulapo

You don’t always use the verb
pasar when you’re talking about
No te rayes is a phrase that has
nothing to do with lines (rayes),
Currar You might not hear this word every
day, but you should know it. The term
Ir a currar is a
throwing a ball to someone or but is instead used to tell less formal way of chulapo comes from the Spanish
entering a room. If you hear someone not to get annoyed, saying ir a trabajar zarzuela light operas of the late
a Madrileño say yo paso in upset or stressed by something. – ‘to go to work’. nineteenth and early twentieth
a conversation, it probably If a friend has a problem, you El curro means el centuries, particularly the well-
means they don’t fancy doing can use the expression to try trabajo in Spain, known ‘La Verbena de la Paloma’.
whatever’s being talked about to make them feel better or but watch out, It’s the name of the typical suit worn
– they’re passing on it. It’s the to play down the situation. If because ‘Curro’ is at some of Madrid’s most popular
most informal way to decline an someone’s worried about an also a shortened festivals, but it’s also used to describe
invitation or say you don’t want exam, for example, you could form of the name an archetypal Madrileño – a bit
to join in with something. It’s say, tío, no te rayes, to calm Francisco. arrogant and brazen, but amusing
also used in card games: to pass them down and cheer them and polite. You will see chulapos
on the betting for the round if up. But no te rayes if you take a and chulapas at the celebrations for
your hand isn’t good. while to get the hang of it! Madrid’s patron saint, San Isidro.

Terraceo
Terraceo is one of
Madrileños’ favourite
activities in spring and
summer, when bars and
restaurants set out their
tables and chairs in the
street and people meet
up for beers in the open
air. Terraceo means
ir de terrazas – that is,
to visit different bars
and areas to enjoy
a few alfresco drinks.
How to ask
for beer:
Caña
This is the most common
way of serving beer: in a
glass of around 200ml,
well poured from
the tap and frothy.
Doble
A doble in Madrid is a caña
in a bigger glass, also on
Tapas
draught and very cold.
The term tapas covers a Botellín

wide variety of appetisers This is the smallest
and snacks in Spanish of the bottled beers,
cuisine, which are served formerly known as
in most bars or restaurants a botijo or quinto.
with a drink. The practice of
sampling them on the move
(bar, eat and drink, new bar)
Tercio
A tercio is a 330ml
is called a tapeo or
bottle of beer.
ir de tapas. You’re always
sure to find a group of
friends ready to find that Clara
bar that serves up the A clara is the Spanish
tapas for free. version of a shandy,
a caña of beer mixed
with lemonade.
It’s a very typical
drink on the terraces
of Madrid in summer.
Castizo Liarla parda
According to the dictionary,
castizo describes people or things
Movida Whenever there’s a fight, heated
argument, serious swindle or
Mini
A mini is a big (plastic) cup
This word became of draught beer that holds
that accurately represent the famous thanks something outrageous happens,
almost a litre of drink.
characteristics of their race, country, to the Movida you’ll hear the phrase liarla parda
It’s normally shared and
city and so on. Anything castizo is madrileña, (‘to mess up’) to refer to something
served at local festivals.
the most typical, the most rooted of the city’s ’80s that someone has done that has
a city’s customs or culture. Madrid countercultural caused serious harm to a third
is the source of this expression, as its movement. Movida party. For example, if you leave Jarra
traditions have lasted over the years. refers to a mess, the tap running in your flat and Draught beer in a half-litre
Chotis (traditional Madrid dance), confusion or ruckus, cause a flood that collapses the chilled glass. It must be
cocido madrileño (stew), callos and ¡Qué movida! whole block, then you have liado served very cold.
(tripe), la verbena de San Isidro means the same parda (‘messed up badly’) because
and la virgen de La Paloma as Vaya lío of your absent-mindedness. It’s
(local festivities), churros con (‘what a mess!’). much better if you never have to
chocolate (fritters with chocolate) use this expression, but you
are all truly castizo traditions. should know it. Just in case.

Time Out for The Style Outlets
WHAT IS IT...
More than 200 stores
distributed between
Getafe, Las Rozas and
San Sebastián de los
Reyes offering discounts
of up to 70 percent.
WHY GO...
Because we all like the
With
best brands. And because
Guess, Desigual, Camper, Levi’s, Bimba there are few feelings
y Lola, Hugo Boss, Samsonite… What are comparable to finding
you looking for? Whatever it is, you’ll find the same thing at a
it here, available at the most tempting (much) lower price.
a lot of
discounts all year round.
Attractive prices
You won’t find lower prices than the ones
style
on offer at The Style Outlets’ stores: all the
items are for sale at unbeatable reductions
of between 30 and 70 percent off the regular
price. And – get this – if you’re a tourist,
whether from Spain or abroad, you get an
additional 15 percent off! The Style Outlets
At The Style Outlets you’ll also provide a tax-free service for customers
find the best fashion at from outside the European Union.
irresistible prices
Enjoy in complete comfort
Got a difficult schedule? No problem!
THE MOST EXCLUSIVE and stylish labels on The Style Outlets are open from Monday
the planet, available to suit every pocket. to Sunday, 10am to 10pm. You’ll be able
With three locations in Madrid (Getafe, to enjoy your shopping whenever you
San Sebastián de los Reyes and Las Rozas want, with all facilities available,
– which had the honour of being the first including free Wi-Fi and parking.
shopping outlet in Spain when it opened
in 1996), The Style Outlets have become Clothes... and a lot more!
a must-visit for all those looking for the At The Style Outlets you’ll also find home
best brands, but who don’t want to give accessories, travel items, sunglasses,
up on saving. They’re a place for buying watches… And if you fancy stopping to take
the latest clothes and accessories but, a break, you can enjoy a coffee in Starbucks
above all, for experiencing fashion at first or a delicious bite to eat. An ideal setting to
hand and always at a unique price. Nike, relax and enjoy your free time. ■
The North Face, Adidas, Under Armour, thestyleoutlets.es

Who’s
who?
Madrid is a cosmopolitan city that welcomes people from
all over the world. It’s the perfect melting pot where those
from different backgrounds live together and consider
themselves de facto Madrileños whether they were born here
or not. These are a few of the city’s most renowned residents
Pedro
Almodóvar
has won two
Oscars, but
his films
Dabiz Muñoz Pedro Almodóvar remain Blanca Portillo
Chef
In 2007 he opened DiverXO, a
Film director
The idol of the Movida madrileña
intimately Actress
The 56-year-old Madrileña is one
restaurant that has broken both movement of the 1980s, Almodóvar linked with of Spain’s most respected actresses.
culinary and aesthetic barriers. achieved the success he now enjoys She’s worked with Pedro Almodóvar
His ability to maintain his at his 60-plus years with films such Madrid on two occasions, in Volver (which
Michelin stars – he’s had three as High Heels. He’s won two Oscars – earned her a prize at Cannes) and
since 2013 – is recognition of an for best original screenplay for Talk in Broken Embraces, and has won
iconoclast who has raised the to Her and best foreign-language prestigious awards such as the
profile of the Madrid restaurant film for All About My Mother – and National Theatre Prize and the
scene in record time. David despite his success in Hollywood, Silver Shell at the San Sebastián
Muñoz, known as Dabiz Muñoz, is, his filmography remains intimately Film Festival. She’s also one of the
in short, a chef with his feet on the linked with Madrid, turning the biggest names in today’s theatre,
ground who makes you touch the city into another one of his movie as both an actress and as a director,
sky. You can also try his food in the characters. His last movie, Pain and and has even headed up the Mérida
more casual setting of StreetXO. glory, is a masterpiece. Classic Theatre Festival.

Penélope Cruz
Actress
One Oscar, three Goyas,
a Bafta and a David di
Donatello. The number
of awards won by Spain’s
best-known actress is
incredible. Bigas Luna
put her on the map with
Jamón, jamón and from
then on it’s been success
all the way. The partner
of another great Spanish
actor, Javier Bardem,
Cruz has worked with
top directors from both
Spain and the US,
from Almodóvar to
Woody Allen, and has
even played Donatella
Versace in a series.

WE TALK WITH...
La Bien
Querida
Ana Fernández-Villaverde,
AKA La Bien Querida,
is one of the most
persuasive voices in
Spanish music; her last
record, Brujería (Witchcraft),
cast a powerful spell on us.
Here she talks about her
passion for Madrid.
Could you describe the

feeling of falling for Madrid
when you first arrived?
I loved Madrid from the first
moment I set foot in it. I
came from Bilbao for a year
and I stayed. I’ve now spent
more years living here
than in my home city.
In what corner of Madrid

have you spent the most
ALFREDO ARIAS
time partying till dawn?
My house is where
I’ve spent the most time
partying late. I like my
Boa Mistura Urban art collective friends to come round.
These urban artists have a gift: they can listen to the city’s heartbeats and paint What are you favourite
them on every wall. Their first murals are in Calle San Dimas, which they painted concert venues?
in 2010 after moving from Alameda de Osuna. But their biggest work is in Mercado I like El Sol, Ochoymedio and
de la Cebada. They’re also behind the decoration of the zebra crossings in the city Joy Eslava a lot. All of the
with verses of poetry written by locals for the initiative ‘Versos al paso’. concerts where I launched
my records have been
parties. Madrid audiences
are the best. I always say it.
If you get lost any time,

where might we go
looking for you?
I like the centre. The Barrio
de Las Letras, Plaza Mayor,
Ópera… I don’t go very far.
Alejandro Amenábar Luz Casal Carmen Machi

Film director Singer Actress
Amenábar was born in Santiago Having sold more than five million Sitcom Aída transformed her into
de Chile, but his family moved records, Luz Casal is one of Spain’s one of the best-loved actresses on
to Madrid in 1973, when he most revered singers, both inside Spanish television, but this Madrid
was barely one year old. He’s and outside of its borders, and actress has shown she is capable
a leading figure in raising especially in France, where she of not only making us laugh – in
the visibility of the LGBTI was awarded the city of Paris’s top films, too, such as Ocho apellidos
community, having leapt to medal in 2010. With songs such vascos – but also of conquering the
national fame with the film as Piensa en mí and No me importa stage in dramas such as Antígona
Tesis, which won seven Goya nada, she has conquered a whole and Cronología de las bestias. Three
awards. International success generation extending into the Max prizes and one Valle Inclán
came later with The Sea Inside, present day and has featured theatre award pay testament to her
which earned him a best foreign- on the soundtracks of films by constant presence on the capital’s
language film Oscar, and The Almodóvar and Amenábar, stages and her receipt of the city of
Others, starring Nicole Kidman. among other moviemakers. Madrid’s Gold Medal.

Javier Marías
Writer
Aged 66, Javier Marías is one
of the most prolific Madrid
writers of his generation.
A member of the Spanish
Royal Academy, Marías
sets many of his novels in
his native city, including
his most recent work, Berta
Isla. Every year his name
appears in the running as a
potential Nobel Literature
Prize candidate. He’s also
the author of numerous
essays, as well as columns
for newspaper El País.
Irene Escolar
Actress Los Javis
A furious performer on Directors, writers and actors
stage but sweetness Javier Calvo (left), 28, and
personified in real life, Javier Ambrossi, 35, are the
Irene Escolar is one of duo of the moment – mentors,
Spain’s most promising almost, to a generation of
young actresses. She won youngsters. They started out
the Goya film award for as actors but soon tried their
best new actress in 2016 hand at directing with stage
for her role in Un otoño musical hit La llamada. The
sin Berlín and has been work had started out on the
nominated at the Max fringe but went on to become a
theatre awards for her benchmark of Madrid theatre,
performance in Federico even being turned into a
García Lorca’s El Público. film. The pair’s most recent
After that came Blackbird creation, the series Paquita
and Hermanas, the plays Salas, is very funny, while
that have taken her to their performance classes in
ALFREDO ARIAS
new heights. Operación Triunfo were the

best thing about the return of
the TV talent show in 2017.

I’ve pulled!
The best Madrid places to enjoy a memorable
meet-up with someone special
JARDINES DE SAN FRANCISCO

In La Latina, right next to the
Basílica de San Francisco el
Grande, lies this park and
viewpoint dedicated to growing
and showing roses. It’s located
on the site of the former San
Francisco convent, which fell into day of the week so you can always woods, gardens, buildings made
ruins and was demolished in the enjoy a romantic date lasting The extraordinarily to look like temples, and hidden
mid-twentieth century. The land long into the night. Who can corners. The park’s construction
remained unused until 2007, but resist dinner and cocktails well-preserved began in 1780 for the Duke and
has now been transformed into a
pretty and still relatively unknown
under the stars accompanied
by a panorama of the city? If
Parque de Duchess of Osuna, the most
cultured Spanish aristocratic
spot, where you can share a you’re more of a daytime person, El Capricho is couple of the day, who promoted
romantic moment sat on a bench
among the flowers.
don’t leave without trying
the full brunch on Sundays –
a voyage back to Enlightenment ideas and
sponsored numerous artists.
à Gran Vía de San Francisco, 29. it’s ideal for sharing. the eighteenth à Paseo de la Alameda de Osuna, s/n.
M: Puerta de Toledo. àME Madrid Reina Victoria.
Plaza de Santa Ana, 14. M: Antón Martín. century M: El Capricho.
RADIO ME VINOTECA MORATÍN

A laid-back atmosphere (there PARQUE DE EL CAPRICHO The wine list at this cosy bar
are lively themed nights with A gem of Romanticism in is extensive and well selected,
different DJs) and international the Barajas district, the so you may need some time to
cuisine are the main draws at extraordinarily well-preserved choose. Food-wise, the small but
this restaurant in the centrally eighteenth-century Parque de appealing and carefully crafted
located Hotel ME. The bar, which El Capricho de la Alameda de menu will provide fewer doubts.
features views over Plaza Santa, Osuna is a 14-hectare space If you’re looking for a quiet end
is open into the small hours every hosting an artificial river, lakes, to a date, there’s a tasteful and

ARAB BATHS
BESIDE SOL
Soak in the thermal waters,
enjoy a massage and
leave completely relaxed.
This Moorish-inspired corner
is perfect for a peaceful
date right in the heart
of the city
IVAN MORENO
A DATE AMONG
THE ROSES
At the viewpoint
by Basílica de San
Francisco el Grande
PALACIO
DE CRISTAL
intimate area (all plants and del Prado, this green and leafy
Built in 1887, this sent, stone by stone, in 1968
wooden fittings) that’s perfect space with more than 30,000
sublime glass and by the Egyptian government
for whispering sweet nothings. plants from all over the world
iron building stands in gratitude for Spain’s help in
à Moratín, 11. M: Estación del Arte. makes it easy to imagine that
in the Retiro park saving the heritage threatened
life in the city has been put on by the construction of
HAMMAM AL ÁNDALUS hold and love is floating in the
WHY TO VISIT? the Aswan High Dam.
This oasis of calm is located just air. The gardens were created
For its beautiful à Ferraz, 1 . M: Plaza de España.
a few minutes from busy Puerta in 1781 for King Carlos III by
lake with swans,
del Sol. With thermal baths at Juan de Villanueva and botanist
and because it’s a GARRA BAR
different temperatures, the Gómez Ortega.
branch of the Reina This light-filled space is
relaxing atmosphere and peace àPlaza de Murillo, 2. M: Estación del Arte.
Sofía Museum that centred on an impressive
envelope you as soon as you walk
hosts fascinating bar adorned with mirrors,
through the door. The ceilings, TEMPLO DE DEBOD exhibitions. velvet and lots and lots of gold.
à Palacio de Cristal.
walls and murals are inspired by As well as one of the most The menu features champagne,
Parque del Retiro.
Moorish design, and you recognisable postcard images cocktails, mocktails and all the
M: Retiro.
can complete the experience of Madrid, the Debod Temple is usual spirits, as well as delicious
with a massage for two. a favourite spot for lovebirds. If tapas, while the posh hotel
à Atocha, 14. M: Sol. you’ve never seen it, close your ambience is sure to have
eyes and imagine three portals just the right effect on your date.
REAL JARDÍN BOTÁNICO surrounded by water under an à Hotel Barceló Torre de Madrid.
Right next to the bustle of Paseo orange sky. The temple was Plaza de España, 18. M: Plaza de España.

Shopping
www.timeout.com/madrid/shopping
High fashion,
low cost
The best Madrid stores for picking
up unique designer clothes and
homeware without breaking the bank
La Intrusa
If you’re into retro style and designs inspired
by bygone eras, be sure to pay a visit to La
Intrusa’s two stores in Malasaña and Barrio de
las Letras. Its dresses have a certain romantic
air, as do its accessories, with many designed
by young Madrid creators and entrepreneurs.
La Oficial
àCorredera Alta de San Pablo, 33. M: Tribunal. It’s hard to resist Peseta
the items in this The fabrics determine the creations that
Dooc come out of this small workshop full of prints,
Dooc is one of those shops that won’t leave La Latina store – patchwork items and buttons in the Conde
you indifferent. Typical items include its colourful china Duque neighbourhood. Everything here has
origami animal heads, ready for hanging plates, bowls and passed through the hands of its creator, a lover
on the wall like ecological hunting trophies; of handicrafts capable of designing clothes,
ceramic pieces resembling pigs; zebra urns
dishes all hand- accessories and all kinds of home decorations
and Italian firm Seletti’s famous monkey and painted in Portugal using fabrics from around the globe. There’s
mouse lamps. This menagerie of designs sits and regularly another shop in Barrio de las Letras.
alongside illustrations by Galician artist Lara
brought in by its à San Vicente Ferrer, 8. M: Tribunal.
Lars and the in-house-created neon lights.
à Atocha, 73. M: Antón Martín. two owners. From Dear Tee
there, they’ve If there’s one item of clothing that
Luciolé also imported the will never go out of fashion and that
Though it looks like a sweet shop, this store (almost) everybody loves, it’s t-shirts. This
has nothing to do with confectionery. tradition of selling international firm, which set up shop in
It sells DIY cotton fibre lamps: choose their wares by Madrid in 2017, knows that well, which is
the size and colour you want – there are weight, just like in why it’s specialised in this wardrobe basic
more than 50 different types – as well with the aim of creating a hit. It’s main thing
as the kind of cable and support, and even
the old days. is brilliant prints with edgy messages and
the bulb. The result? Informal and àRuda, 9. La Latina you’ll find it hard not to find at least one here
colourful lamps with a minimalist air. to suit your taste, whatever your interest.
à Hortaleza, 106. M: Alonso Martínez. à Colón, 11. M: Chueca.

TOP 3
The best vintage clothing
and accessory stores
JUAN DAVID FUERTES

 Vintalogy
This is the biggest vintage and secondhand clothing store
in Europe. Here you can find everything from the lurex
skirts so much loved in the 1970s, to designer denim,
discontinued footwear and military coats...
à www.vintalogy.es
 Williamsburg
Sarah Jessica Parker was blown away when she visited
El Moderno this teeny-weeny Malasaña store. Its 1920s dresses
This Malasaña concept store are staples – thought not all are for sale – and many
provides a perfect, affordable of the items come from the United States.
à www.facebook.com/williamsburgvintageclothes
initiation into the world of decoration
and design accessories. Because
if there’s one thing it can brag about,
it’s having a great selection
of functional furniture, unique
homeware and all manner of jewellery.
You can’t buy objects like these
everywhere, and certainly not
without spending a fortune.
à Corredera Baja de San Pablo, 19. M: Gran Vía.
Walk With Me
These guys’ illustrated maps of different
Madrid and Barcelona neighbourhoods
might ring a bell, but we’re recommending
them here because they’ve now opened
 Aramayo Vintage
a store in the Barrio de las Letras with a
collection of accessories – backpacks, This shop is a treasure trove of memories. All of its items have a
wallets and functionally designed bags – story to tell, from the Sukajan jackets – from the Second World
all handmade from recycled leather. War – to the Japanese kimonos and 1920s Polish fishing hats.
àwww.aramayo.es
à León, 30. M: Antón Martín.

The Rastro
DON’T MISS
Weekend
markets
Madrid has markets of all
types, selling everything
from antiques to
contemporary design
and organic produce.
Take a stroll round
some of the best
Productores
M. Diseño
The Rastro
It’s the city’s oldest
market and always full of
Madrileños and tourists.
Held in the morning on
Sundays and holidays, its
stalls sell everything from
handicrafts and clothes
to kitchenware, vinyl and
secondhand magazines.
Round off your visit with a drink
in one of the local bars.
à Ribera de Curtidores. M: La Latina.
Nómada
Mercado de Motores
Madrid’s most famous vintage
market is held on the second M. Motores
weekend of the month on
the platforms of the Railway
Museum. On its stalls you’ll find fashion, jewellery, decoration,
everything from clothes and accessories, handicrafts and
decorative objects to ecological more come together at this
products for children. temporary market held in both
à Museo del Ferrocarril. M: Delicias. the Westin Palace hotel and Los
do-it-yourself philosophy and Santa Ana Street Market Ejércitos Cultural Centre.
Mercado de Diseño designers with their own style, On the first Saturday of the à Various venues.
Almost a hundred emerging Nómada Market is held at the month this La Latina street
designers come together at this start of each season and also transforms into an open-air Las Salesas Village
pop-up market held over one features activities for children. market in which the owners The La Salesas neighbourhood’s
weekend every few months. à Mercado de la Cebada. M: La Latina. of the neighbourhood’s most most representative stores,
Jewellery, illustrations, fashion, charming stores cross their brands and businesses bring
decoration… there’s a place Mercado de Productores thresholds to set their products out
for everything here, normally The largest exhibition, sale and up stall on the on to the street on the
accompanied by an open-air
food-truck zone and free concerts
sampling space for organic and
home-grown produce in
pavement.
à Santa Ana. M: La Latina.
Calle first Saturday
of each month.
throughout the day.
à Matadero Madrid. M: Legazpi.
Madrid. It’s held on the third
Sunday of every month along Mercadillo
Santa Ana You’ll find fashion,
gifts, cosmetics,
Avenida del Planetario and on del Gato transforms food, music,
Nómada Market the last weekend of each More than
into a street art and more!
Created with the aim of month at the Matadero. 60 exhibitors à Barrio de las Salesas.
supporting local production, a à Various venues. showcasing market M: Alonso Martínez.

2
My
GOOD AS GOLD
Pakita Clamores
style
The beach, old-school tattoos
and a nautical aesthetic
provide the inspiration for
this designer. The result?
T-shirts and sweatshirts
made with ‘amor del
bueno’ (love of the good
kind) in gold letters.
1
à 39 €. Rughara (Corredera Alta
de San Pablo, 1).
MADE FROM CHINA

Julieta Álvarez
If you love unique items of jewellery and feel like
treating yourself, make a note of this workshop in
Chueca. Its delicate ceramic earrings, shaped and
glazed by hand and baked at low temperatures,
sell out fast. à180 €. Julieta Álvarez (Pelayo, 78).
4
3 POSITIVE THINKING
Árbol Studio
5
Contemporary design
DREAM WEAVER Toino Abel doesn’t have to be at
It’s just what it looks like: a rustic-style bag odds with the need to
that’s perfect for the city. Each one is 100 express and shout positive
percent handcrafted in Portugal by a firm messages – much less if it’s PERFECT COMBO
that’s dedicated to turning the traditional combined with a healthy Tumi
into the hottest new trends. touch of irreverence. Brands like this exist to convince
à79 €. González y González (Pelayo, 68). à29 €. Árbol Life Store (Barquillo, 7). us that travelling doesn’t have to be
uncomfortable. The key? Its light
suitcases and handbags that you can
combine with each other.
à165-465 €. Tumi (Claudio Coello, 54).
Fuencarral SHOPPING STREETS

à M: Gran Vía, Tribunal.
This pedestrianised
street has been
a fashion Ruda León Conde Duque
hotspot in à M: La Latina. à M: Antón Martín. àM: Noviciado.
Madrid since the Head out of the The Barrio de las This neighbourhood
1990s. Many Rastro flea market Letras has a unique next to Malasaña
top-name brands area and you’ll reach ecosystem, with has become
have set up here, this street. There’s a everything from an essential
from clothing and shop selling ceramics interior design shopping stop.
decoration to by the kilo and the stores to spaces Charming stores
cosmetics Molar bookstore. It selling traditional owned by young
firms, making also hosts an street products from towns designers rub
it a genuine market on the first across Spain. Calle shoulders with
shoppers’ Saturday of each León is one of its bakeries and
paradise. month. busiest streets. gourmet food shops.

Shopping
SHOPS
A selection for all styles
àAv. de Monforte de Lemos, chain’s enormous cute designs.

SHOPPING 36. M: Barrio del Pilar. landmark store àwww.miin-cosmetics.com
CENTRES has revolutionised
La Gavia Gran Vía, selling all Mac
Plaza Río 2 This shopping kinds of clothes and Professional-quality
As well as enjoying a complex in Ensache accessories at very cosmetics and a vast
day’s shopping de Vallecas also good prices. range of colours and
and a good lunch has a hypermarket àGran Vía, 32. M: Gran Vía. tones. You can also
in its food court, and an Ikea. get an on-the-spot
you also get àAdolfo Bioy Casares, 2. Zara makeover.
incredible views M: Las Suertes. Undoubtedly Spain’s àwww.maccosmetics.es
across Madrid Río
from this new Príncipe Pío
most important
clothing brand. The AMEN Lush
centre’s viewpoint.
àAv del Manzanares, 210.
M: Legazpi.
The nearest shopping
centre to the Ciudad
Universitaria.
Nuevos Ministerios-
area store is its biggest
in the world.
Concept Store Soaps, shampoos
and creams free of
chemical products
àPaseo de la Florida, 2. àPaseo de la Castellana, 79. The nearest there is to the and not tested on
La Vaguada M: Príncipe Pío. M: Nuevos Ministerios.
Parisian Colette in Madrid. animals.
Madrid’s first ever àwww.es.lush.com
shopping complex, Decathlon Japanese sweets, fashion,
designed by César
CLOTHES If you’re looking for jewellery, bags, art...
Manrique, is an sportswear, this is
CONCEPT
a million exquisite gift ideas STORES
architectural Primark the place. It occupies
landmark. The low-cost fashion the space that once in this Malasaña shop.
housed the à www.amenmadrid.com Lamarca
Fuencarral Market. This hip space
àFuencarral, 45. M: Tribunal. features a multi-brand
shop, an ecological
ACCESSORIES more so if they’re made Swinton & Grant café-restaurant and
in Madrid. A bookshop, café and two fitness centres.
àLagasca, 68. M: Serrano. art gallery specialising à Fernando VI, 10. M: Chueca.
Gafa Vintage in urban and avant-
If you love glasses,
CULTURE garde art. El Moderno
head to this store. àMiguel Servet, 21. M: A cutting-edge
Brand-new models Embajadores. design store with
sit alongside those La Metralleta a good selection of
from every past era One of the few record Casa del Libro homeware, stationery,
you can imagine. shops left in Madrid, it This chain sells every illustrations, jewellery
àSantiago, 9. M: Ópera. buys and sells vintage kind of volume you and more...
vinyl and even CDs. might need, including à Corredera Baja de San
Muroexe àPostigo de San Martín, 1. university textbooks. Pablo, 19. M: Tribunal.
You’ll find practical M: Ópera. àGran Vía, 29.
trainers by Madrid M: Gran Vía.
designers in this Pantha Rei
Malasaña store. This specialised
àFuencarral, 67. M: Tribunal. bookshop sells
COSMETICS
volumes on
Malababa photography, urban Miin
Investing in a decent art, graphic design, Miin selects the best
handbag in always fashion and more. Korean cosmetics –
a good move – even àHernán Cortés, 7. Tribunal. excellent quality and

Time Out for Madrid Destino
All the information you need

about accommodation,
transport, facilities and the
Madrid Student Welcome Day
GET THE
MAX OUT OF
MADRID

10 reasons
to study in Madrid
01.
The climate
Forget your umbrella, bring
your sleeveless T-shirts for
summer, and a good coat and
scarf for winter. That’s how
we’d sum up the weather in
Madrid, which is located
655m above sea level. In
general, it’s a dry climate,
with little rain throughout
the year, very warm
summers and cold winters.
Spring and autumn pass
almost unnoticed.
02. 03.
The culture The Madrid character
Madrid is one of the richest In reality the city is home
cities in Europe for art and to few authentic ‘gatos’
culture. As well as home to – Madrileños with three
Spain’s most important art generations of parents and
gallery (the Prado) and one of grandparents all born the city.
the world’s most-visited modern Instead almost everyone here
art museums (the Reina Sofía), has a family home town where
its also has an endless line-up of they can escape to in summer.
quality theatre, concerts of all That’s why Madrileños have
genres every night of the year, an open and welcoming
and outstanding film seasons character. Always ready to
devoted to both mainstream help you out, they help make
and arthouse cinema. you feel right at home.
04. 05. 06.

The language Shopping Food
Why not learn to speak a language From international fashion It’s no secret that Spanish cuisine
used by over 500 million people? labels to artisan workshops, is one of the best in the world.
Spanish is a Romance language the city has a wide range And Madrid is the perfect place
that comes from spoken Latin of shops where you can to sample it. Here you’ll find
and isn’t difficult to learn, even buy anything you need. everything from establishments
more so if you’re going to be What’s more, in contrast with three Michelin stars
using it in your day-to-day life. to many European cities, (DiverXO) to the oldest restaurant
Although you shouldn’t have too in Madrid you can shop in in the world (Casa Botín), as well
many problems communicating the supermarkets or other as a wide variety of places to try
in English in Madrid, we stores until 9pm or even typical Madrid dishes such as
recommend daring to express later. The department stores cocido (a chickpea and meat
yourself in Spanish. You’re bound open from 10am to 10pm, stew), discover fusion
to get the hang of it right away! including on Sundays. cuisine and enjoy tapas.

08.
Leisure
If you wanted, you could find
a different activity to suit your
interests and budget every day of
the week in Madrid. From going
out for drinks to learning how to
dance salsa or taking a guided bike
tour through the city, the choice
is vast. And that’s to say nothing
of the popular festivals, fairs and
markets held every weekend in
the city, especially during the
warmer months.
09.
Prices
Life in Madrid is not excessively
expensive compared with other
European capitals. Transport and
accommodation are well-priced in
relation to places such as London,
Berlin or Paris. What’s more,
prices are lower in the outlying
neighbourhoods than in the city
centre. In tourist areas, though,
they tend to be much higher.
10.
Safety
Madrid is ‘an extraordinarily
safe city’, according to the
authorities. The crime rate
in the capital has dropped in
recent years and more and more
police officers from the local,
national and Civil Guard forces
are watching over our safety.
Common sense is really all
that’s needed to enjoy the city
without running into trouble.
07.
Transport
Madrid has a wide public
transport network, which is the
best way of getting around the
city. The metro, bus and local
Cercanías train service are the
means that locals use the most
to get from A to B. Those who
opt to go by car will have to
learn how to negotiate the main
M-30 ring road around the city
centre. Cycling is also becoming
an increasingly popular way of
moving around.

Madrid
Student
What is it?
The Madrid Student
Welcome Day (MSWD) Welcome
Day!
is the city’s official
welcome event for all
students who have
chosen the city as the
best place for their
education. The aim is to
inform students in one
single event about all
the advantages Madrid
has to offer them so that
they can get the
most out of their
¡PRdsIoZf EpriSze!s will

stay here.
All kin d off during

be raffle t, including
the even ll tickets
footba ips
and tr

What will I
find there?
Every year, between
26,000 and 30,000
foreign students and
around 45,000 Spanish
students from outside
Madrid arrive in the
city. That’s why a meet-
up event like this is so
necessary. In one single
place on one single day,
you’ll be able to easily
access all the information
you need, as well as take
part in all sorts of diverse
¡FRe aEcEtiv!ities
activities. Don’t miss it!
All th ng the
held duri are
MS W D
ly free
complete
Where
and when?
The Galería de Cristal at the Palacio de
Cibeles, home of Madrid City Council, is
the location of this meet-up for students
who’ve just arrived in the capital. The 2019
event takes place on October 12 from
11am to 10pm (the 2020 date is yet to be
confirmed). Although entry is free, you need
to sign up beforehand on the event website:
studentwelcomeday.com. The nearest
metro station is Banco de España.
It’s the
ideal
occasion
to meet
new people

Accommodation
Finding the perfect place to live while you’re studying
INTERVIEW
‘There are
lots of
in Madrid is one of the most important things you’ll accommodation
have to do. We offer a few words of advice and a
selection of available flats, halls of residence and more! options’
Adrian Lawlor, 22, moved from

Ireland to study at the ICADE
faculty of the Universidad
Pontificia de Comillas,
a centre he chose ‘for its
reputation’. Adrian had
been studying Spanish back
home and continued improving
his language skills during
his stay in Madrid.
How did you find

accommodation in the city?
The truth is that it was easier
than I thought because
the Citylife Madrid office in
Gran Vía helped me a lot.
Where did you live during

your stay? A shared flat,
a hall of residence...?
I lived in a flat share with other
Five tips
students and it was really great,
FIRST, YOU NEED to be I had no problem at all.
sure about where in the You need
city you want to live. Every
neighbourhood is different
to be sure How would you rate
the accommodation
Before deciding on and that’s why you should about the available in Madrid?
where to live, there are do your research. You need
to be sure about the type of
type of In Madrid there are many
options, the range is quite
some important factors accommodation you want to place you wide... so in that respect
to bear in mind live in during your stay in the I’d rate it highly. What’s
city. Do you want to share a flat want to more, I’m from Dublin and,
or live in a hall of residence?
You also need to be clear about
live in and compared to the prices there,
rents are much lower here.
how much you’re prepared to who you’re
pay according to the facilities
you want. Fourth, you need to
sharing What advice would you give to a
student coming to live here?
know where to start looking – with I would tell them that it is best
there’s a wide range of websites to live with other students,
and accommodation agencies. either from Spain or abroad,
And, finally, it’s important to to learn about different
look over your rental contract cultures, other languages
thoroughly before you sign it. and different customs. ■

Alcor
UNIVERSITY Affiliated to the
HALLS OF Universidad
RESIDENCE Complutense.
àGral. Ampudia, 7.
M: Vicente Aleixandre.
Tfno.: 91 533 92 08.
Antonio
de Nebrija Aquinas
This is one of the Located in the
halls of residence Ciudad Universitaria,
directly managed it belongs to the
by the Universidad Dominican Order.
Complutense. àLeonardo Prieto Castro, 6.
àAv. Séneca, 8. M: Moncloa. M: Vicente Aleixandre.
Tfno.: 91 550 43 00. Tfno.: 91 543 88 00.
Fernando Argentino
de los Ríos Nuestra Señora
Located in Getafe, de Luján
it’s part of the Argentinian hall of
Universidad Carlos III. residence with
àAv. de las Ciudades, 1 unique architecture.
M: Los Espartales. àMartín Fierro, 3.
Tfno.: 91 771 27 00. M: Moncloa.
Tfno.: 91 181 20 50.
Diego de
Covarrubias Barberán
Also managed by Houses almost 200
the Universidad students from
Complutense, and
located very close to Accommodation outside Madrid.
àAv. Séneca, 16. M: Moncloa.
the faculties.
àAv. Séneca, 10.
agencies Tfno.: 91 602 03 00.
M: Moncloa. Tfno: 91 394 11 57. Casa do Brasil

When looking for a flat you can always Attached to the
Santa María turn to estate agencies that specialise in Universidad
de Europa renting. The advantage is you will get a Complutense, it
This is another of the aims to promote
halls of residence reliable service and you can always contact the cultures of other
directly managed them if you have a problem during your countries.
by the Universidad stay. Among the most recommended àAv. de la Memoria, 3.
Complutense. Has M: Moncloa.
good sports facilities. are Aluni, HelpMadrid, Mi Casa Inn, Oh Tfno.: 91 455 15 60.
àCea Bermúdez, 17. my room!, Living Atmosphere and PyR
M: Canal. Tfno.: 91 533 62 00. Solutions. You can also try websites such Chaminade
Opened in 1966,
Fernando Abril as Idealista, Fotocasa and Easypiso. it belongs to
Martorell the Fundación
Affiliated to the Universitaria
Universidad Carlos Guillermo José
III in Leganés, it has Chaminade.
good transport links. Gregorio and managed by the Ximénez OTHER HALLS OF àPaseo de Juan XXIII, 9.
àPalmera, 12. M: San Peces-Barba Universidad Autónoma. de Cisneros RESIDENCE M: Vicente Aleixandre.
Nicasio. Tfno.: 91 771 10 00. Houses students and àMarbella, 60. M: Paco de Attached to the Tfno.: 91 554 54 00.
teachers from the Lucía. Tfno.: 91 735 50 31. Complutense.
Juan Luis Vives Universidad Carlos III. àAv. Séneca, 8. M: Moncloa. Elías Ahúja
Close to Paseo de la àAv. Federica de Montseny, 1. Teresa de Jesús Tfno.: 91 394 10 04. Male hall of
Castellana, it’s part M: Los Espartales. Mixed hall of Alcalá residence affiliated
of the Universidad Tfno.: 91 771 27 00. residence that’s part Somosierra It has 174 individual to the Universidad
Autónoma. of the Universidad Affiliated to the rooms with bathrooms. Complutense.
àFrancisco Suárez, 7. Santillana Complutense. Universidad Autónoma. àDon Ramón Menéndez Pidal, 2. àRector Royo-Villanova, 4.
M: Plaza de Castilla. Located in a quiet area, àAv. Séneca, 10. M: Moncloa. àPablo Vidal, 6. M: Arturo M: Vicente Aleixandre. M: Vicente Aleixandre.
Tfno.: 91 497 99 00. away from the centre, Tfno.: 91 394 10 07. Soria. Tfno.: 91 413 60 11. Tfno.: 91 553 30 04. Tfno.: 91 533 77 00.

Jaime del Amo Zurbarán Universitario Vicálvaro
Affiliated to the àhis female hall and belonging
Universidad of residence is a to the Universidad
Complutense de corporate project by Rey Juan Carlos.
Madrid. Owned the Prelature of Opus àAv. de Daroca, 321.
by the Claretian Dei and attached to the M: Vicálvaro.
Missionaries. Complutense. Tfno.: 91 775 30 42.
àAv. de Gregorio del Amo, 5. àVíctor de la Serna, 13.
M: Vicente Aleixandre. M: Colombia. Vallehermoso
Tfno.: 91 554 08 04. Tfno.: 91 519 74 25. Having been
refurbished, this
Jorge Juan residence is one of
Created for the children UNIVERSITY the most comfortable
of navy members. RESIDENCES in the city. Located in
àAv. Séneca, 14. Chamberí, it has an
M: Ciudad Universitaria. outdoor pool, dining
Tfno.: 91 550 71 00. room and gym.
Erasmo àMelquíades Álvarez, 21.
Juan XXIII The only residence M: Guzmán el Bueno.
Roncalli on the Universidad Tfno.: 91 788 22 00.
Female hall of Autónoma de Madrid
residence with 165 campus. Comprises San Ildefonso
places and over 56 Berrospe studios equipped with Located in the Colegio
nationalities attached
to the Complutense. Other Female hall of
residence attached
kitchen, also has a
dining room/cafeteria.
de San Ildefonso, in the
historic centre of Alcalá
àRamiro de Maeztu, 3.
Tfno.: 91 533 94 09.
services to the Universidad
Pontificia.
àAv. Moncloa, 9.
Houses over 700
students.
àErasmo de Rotterdam, 5-7.
de Henares.
àPlaza San Diego s/n.
T: Alcalá de Henares.
The Madrid regional M: Vicente Aleixandre. T: Cantoblanco-Universidad. Tfno.: 91 878 81 46.
Loyola government’s Vivienda Tfno.: 91 533 59 00. Tfno.: 91 131 21 00.
Hall of residence of Cardenal
the Society of Jesus Virtual service helps San Agustín Gómez Pardo Cisneros
attached to the you find shared rooms, Attached to the Over 40 years old, Mixed residence
Complutense. accommodation with Universidad this central university on the Campus
àPaseo de Juan XXIII, 17. Complutense and run residence in Chamberí Universitario Cardenal
families and flats to rent. by the Augustinians. has good transport Cisneros, with large
Tfno.: 91 534 04 04. àTravesía Antonio Nebrija, 4. links and a great green and sports
M: Moncloa. atmosphere. areas and close to the
Marqués de Tfno.: 91 550 50 00. àCristóbal Bordiú, 30 bis. Universidad de Alcalá
la Ensenada M: Ríos Rosas. de Henares.
Mixed hall of M: Vicente Aleixandre. to the Universidad San Pablo Tfno.: 91 441 79 21. àAv. de los Jesuitas, 34.
residence fully Tfno.: 91 533 85 00. Complutense. Founded by the T: Alcalá de Henares.
refurbished in 2009. àIsaac Peral, 60. Asociación Santa María Tfno.: 91 882 98 26.
àAv. Séneca, 18. M: Moncloa. Nuestra Señora M: Vicente Aleixandre. Católica de del Estudiante
Tfno.: 91 549 71 00. de África Tfno.: 91 456 25 89. Propagandistas Designer Giner de los Ríos
Male and female hall and attached to the accommodation, with Studios equipped with
Mendel of residence with 160 Pío XII Universidad swimming pool and kitchen, bathroom, air-
Male hall of single rooms. Male hall of residence CEU San Pablo. sports court, located in con and free WiFi on the
residence attached àRamiro de Maeztu, 8. with good sports àIsaac Peral, 58. M: Islas a central area. All the Campus Externo of the
to the Universidad M: Vicente Aleixandre. facilities. Filipinas. Tfno.: 91 598 96 00. rooms look out to the Universidad de Alcalá.
Complutense and Tfno.: 91 554 01 04. àPaseo de Juan XXIII, 3. street, are furnished àCarretera Madrid-
managed by the Order M: Vicente Aleixandre. Vedruna and have free WiFi. Barcelona, Km 33,600.
of St Augustine. Nuestra Señora Tfno.: 91 514 17 00. Named after a woman, àPaseo Juan XXIII, 13. Tfno.: 91 181 81 00.
àRector Royo-Villanova, 6. de Guadalupe Joaquina Vedruna, M: Vicente Aleixandre.
M: Guzmán el Bueno. With four floors, it’s Santa María this female hall of Tfno.: 91 213 42 00. Residencia de
Tfno.: 91 534 07 00. linked to the Escuela de del Pino residence attached to Estudiantes
Organización Industrial. Female hall of the Complutense aims José Pérez For researchers,
Moncloa àAv. Séneca, 4. M: Moncloa. residence that hosts for the full education of de Vargas post-grads, artists
Founded in 1943, Tfno.: 91 543 52 00. a variety of cultural all students living there. àmodern building, and creatives from
managed by Opus Dei activities. àGlorieta Pdte. opened in the different fields.
and attached to the Padre Poveda àPaseo de S. Fco. de Sales, 13. García Moreno, 2. academic year à Pinar, 21-23.
Complutense. Female hall of M: Islas Filipinas. M: Vicente Aleixandre. 2012/2013, located M: Nuevos Ministerios.
àAv. Moncloa, 3. residence attached Tfno.: 91 549 51 50. Tfno.: 91 534 45 00. on the Campus Tfno.: 91 563 64 11.

Education
The city offers a wide range of educational services, from
INTERVIEW
‘Prices
are quite
public and private universities that compare favourably
with those elsewhere in Europe, to language centres affordable’
‘What I liked most about living

in Madrid for a time was the
safety and tranquillity I felt.’
Twenty-nine-year-old Losvelys
Phipps has no doubt about
what she would highlight about
the city. She came to Madrid
from the Dominican Republic to
study a master’s degree at the
prestigious Next International
Business School.
Why did you decide

on private education?
What most pushed me
to make the final decision was
that I got a full grant for my
studies here in Madrid.
How do you think

education in Madrid
compares with that
of other cities?
Quality
I haven’t studied in other
A CITY AS cosmopolitan European cities apart from
and open as Madrid could Madrid has here, so it’s hard to compare,
not be anything less in terms
six public but in general I think Spanish
line-up
of its educational services. education, and specifically
With six public universities, and eight education in Madrid, is good.
the city offers quality higher In terms of the prices of
education comparable to private degrees, courses and other
that in other European cities.
Throughout the year, these
universities qualifications, I think they’re
quite affordable.
Madrid has a large and centres provide foreign students offering
varied range of educational with special courses to help
students What advice would you give
facilities adapted to all them learn Spanish, which are to someone coming to study
students, whether they’re
complemented by interesting all manner in Madrid next year?
cultural activities – though I would tell them to try to find
from Spain or elsewhere these aren’t the only option for of degrees a university or study centre
studying the language. On top of highly specialised in the
that, Madrid also has eight private area that interests them.
universities, where fees are higher That way, the education will
than in the public centres, which always be more suited to what
offer students all manner of they are looking for and they
degrees and diplomas. will get more out of it.

PUBLIC faculties of health

sciences and legal
UNIVERSITIES
sciences, with centres
on all campuses.
àInfantas, 55. Aranjuez.
T: Aranjuez.
COMPLUTENSE Tfno.: 91 488 44 21.
Moncloa
Campus REY JUAN CARLOS
This campus of Móstoles
the Universidad Campus
Complutense de This campus stands
Madrid is in Ciudad out for its teaching in
Universitaria and computer engineering,
is home to the experimental sciences
faculties of pharmacy, and technology, and
veterinary medicine, legal sciences.
and medicine, àTulipán, s/n. M: Móstoles
among others. Central. Tfno.: 91 665 50 60.
àAvda. de Séneca, 2.
M: Ciudad Universitaria. ALCALÁ
Tfno.: 91 452 04 00. Alcalá de
Henares Campus
COMPLUTENSE The Universidad de
Somosaguas Alcalá is one of the
Campus oldest in Europe
This campus of and offers 38
the Universidad different degrees.
Complutense àPlaza de San Diego, s/n.
houses the faculties
of psychology, Grants T: Alcalá de Henares.
Tfno.: 91 885 40 00.
economics, political
science, sociology If you’re coming to study in Madrid, CARLOS III
and social work. you can apply for grants awarded Getafe
àCampus de Somosaguas,
by various Spanish institutions, Campus
s/n. Autobuses: 561A, 563. This campus houses
Tfno.: 91 394 29 99. including the Spanish Agency for the Universidad
International Development Carlos III de
AUTÓNOMA Cooperation, the Fundación Carolina Madrid’s faculties
Cantoblanco and banks such as Santander.
of social sciences
The Universidad and humanities,
Autónoma de Madrid Check out the Universia website communication and
is in Cantoblanco so as not to miss out on documentation.
and is one of the best
centres for studying
any opportunities. àMadrid, 126. M: Juan de la
Cierva. Tfno.: 91 624 95 00.
biology, nursing, à www.becas.universia.net.
medicine and physics. CARLOS III
àCiudad Universitaria Leganés
de Cantoblanco. Campus
T: Cantoblanco-Universidad. This campus is
Tfno.: 91 497 50 00. home to the Higher
engineering disciplines Universidad Rey REY JUAN CARLOS is dedicated to Polytechnic School
POLITÉCNICA such as aeronautics, Juan Carlos houses Alcorcón Campus information sciences, of the Universidad
Ciudad industrial design and the faculties of This campus is home to telecommunications Carlos III and features
Universitaria architecture. legal sciences and the health sciences and engineering and laboratories for
Campus àRamiro de Maeztu, 7. communication, legal sciences faculties. legal sciences. experimental classes
Although it has M: Metropolitano. and the schools of àAv. Atenas, s/n. M: Alcorcón àCamino del Molino, s/n. in bioengineering,
several centres, Tfno.: 91 336 60 00. experimental sciences Central. Tfno.: 91 488 93 93. M: Hospital de Fuenlabrada. mechanics,
the main campus and computer Tfno.: 91 488 84 01. robotics, computing,
of the Universidad REY JUAN CARLOS engineering. REY JUAN CARLOS aerospace and more.
Politécnica is in the Madrid àPaseo de los Artilleros, s/n. Fuenlabrada REY JUAN CARLOS àAv. Universidad, 30.
Ciudad Universitaria. Campus M: Vicálvaro. Campus Aranjuez Campus M: Leganés Central.
It specialises in This campus of the Tfno.: 91 488 78 00. This public campus Here you’ll find the Tfno.: 91 624 95 00.

PRIVATE education, health, Inhispania
law-management Courses for all levels
UNIVERSITIES and architecture- throughout the year.
technology. àMarqués del Valdeiglesias,
àCastillo de Alarcón, 49. 3. M: Banco de España.
Villanueva de la Cañada. Tfno.: 91 521 22 31.
ALFONSO X EL SABIO Tfno.: 91 815 31 31.
Villanueva Academia
de la Cañada CEU SAN PABLO Madrid Plus
Campus Moncloa Campus As well as classes, it
It offers 45 degrees This centre is home offers extracurricular
and double degrees, to the faculties of activities.
as well as 35 humanities and àArenal, 21, 6ºdcha. M:
postgraduate degrees information sciences, Ópera. Tfno.: 91 548 11 16.
and diplomas. law, and economic
It also has its own sciences. Eureka School
health centres. àJulián Romea, 18. of Spanish
àAv. Universidad, 1. M: Metropolitano. Instituto Cervantes-
Autobuses: 581, 627. Tfno.: 91 514 04 04. accredited centre in
Tfno.: 91 810 92 00. the heart of Madrid.
CEU SAN PABLO àArenal, 26. M: Ópera.
NEBRIJA Montepríncipe Tfno.: 91 548 86 40.
Madrid-Princesa Campus
Campus Enforex Academia
This historic building
Located in Alcorcón,
this houses pharmacy, Instituto Language courses and Contacto
houses the faculties
of information
sciences and arts
medicine and the
Polytechnic School.
àUrb. Montepríncipe.
Cervantes summer camps.
àBaltasar Gracián 4. M: San
Bernardo. Tfno.: 91 547 48 52.
Small groups, dynamic
classes and qualified
native teachers.
and humanities, Autobuses: 571, 573, 574. Created to promote àRaimundo Lulio, 7.
among others. Tfno.: 91 372 47 00.
and teach Spanish, the
International M: Iglesia. Tfno.: 91 364 24 54.
àSanta Cruz de Marcenado, 27. House
M: Argüelles. EUROPEA DE institute awards diplomas Madrid SPANISH
Tfno.: 91 452 11 03. MADRID in Spanish as a foreign Its teaching systems
LANGUAGE
Villaviciosa language. Each of its have always been
NEBRIJA Campus at the forefront of INSTITUTIONS
La Berzosa Covering 14,000 m2, accredited centres bears its education.
Campus this is one of the best characteristic red logo. àZurbano, 8. M: Alonso
La Berzosa Campus private universities. àwww.cervantes.es Martínez. Tfno.: 91 319 72 24. FEDELE
is located in an àTajo, s/n. Autobús: 518. The Federación
exceptional setting Tfno.: 902 23 23 50. Don Quijote Española de
next to Torrelodones. Madrid Asociaciones de
àHoyo de Manzanares. EUROPEA àCarretera de Pozuelo a This school has 38 Escuelas de Español
Autobús: 611. DE MADRID Majadahonda, Km. 1.800.
SPANISH classrooms spread para Extranjeros
Tfno.: 91 452 11 01. Alcobendas Tfno.: 91 351 03 03. LANGUAGE across the three floors promotes quality in
Campus CENTRES of its historic building. Spanish language
NEBRIJA As well as two PONTIFICIA àDuque de Liria, 6. M: Plaza de teaching.
La Dehesa de la campuses, the COMILLAS España. Tfno.: 91 360 41 33. àwww.fedele.org.
Villa Campus Universidad Madrid Campus AIL Madrid
Houses the Higher Europea has a Catholic university for This is the Academia Tándem UNIVERSIDAD.ES
Polytechnic School dental clinic and a the study of law and Internacional Madrid It promotes the
and the school of university polyclinic. economic sciences de Lenguas International training educational work
architecture. àAv. Fernando Alonso, 8. (ICADE). de Madrid. school that also offers of Spanish
àPirineos, 55. Autobuses: 159, 827. àAlberto Aguilera, 23. M: San àO’Donnell 27. classes for teachers. universities abroad.
M: Francos Rodríguez. Tfno.: 902 23 23 50. Bernardo. Tfno.: 91 542 28 00. M: Príncipe de Vergara. Tfno.: àMarqués de Cubas 8. M: àwww.internacionalizacion.
Tfno.: 91 452 11 00. 91 435 48 01. Sevilla. Tfno.: 91 319 72 24. sepie.es
FRANCISCO Universidad a
CAMILO JOSÉ CELA DE VITORIA Distancia Paraninfo Estudio Turespaña
Madrid- Pozuelo Campus Spain’s distance- This was the first Sampere This is the public
Villafranca With a single campus learning university centre to be Quality courses with body responsible for
Campus that includes a hall offers courses in accredited by the an average of six marketing Spain as
This campus houses of residence, this social sciences, Instituto Cervantes. students per class. a tourist destination
all five faculties: university is run by the economics and more. àPrincesa, 70, 1ºizq. M: àDon Ramón de la Cruz, 83. around the world.
communication, Legion of Christ. àwww.udima.es Argüelles. Tfno.: 91 543 31 39. M: Lista. Tfno.: 91 431 43 66. àwww.tourspain.es.

Facilities
INTERVIEW
With numerous libraries, sports centres and swimming

‘The library was
pools, Madrid has facilities to match those of any big open 24 hours
metropolis – and they’re open to locals and visitors alike at exam time’
Javier Escudero Sahuquillo

moved from La Roda, Albacete
province (Castilla-La Mancha),
to study the degree he wanted.
This 30-year-old radio presenter
chose the Getafe campus of the
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
for his university course.
Did you use any libraries

during your time in Madrid?
Yes. As I was studying in Getafe,
I almost always used the
university library, but sometimes
I went to the Biblioteca Pedro
Salinas in Puerta de Toledo,
because it was open 24 hours
during exam times.
What do you think of the range

of public libraries?
There are a lot to choose from and
For
almost all have a metro station
IN MADRID WE can’t complain nearby. And although there are
about facilities. For starters, The periods when they fill up, you can
there’s Madrid City Council’s usually find both the book you’re
Municipal
everyone
Municipal Public Libraries looking for and a good spot.
Network, which is made up of
32 neighbourhood libraries.
Public Did you use the city
Then there are also specialised Libraries sports facilities?
The city’s libraries,
libraries with valuable
collections, the Bibliometro
Network I joined the university
gym for a few months.
sports centres and train-station libraries and other is made And I also sometimes went with
institutions such as the Spanish my friends to the swimming pool
other facilities are up of 32
National Library (pictured). On in Puerta de Hierro, which quite
open to all, regardless
of how much they
top of that, the municipal sports
centres offer top-class facilities,
centres impressed me because I had
never seen such a big pool.
have or where they live from sports courts to gyms,
classes and more. You can get What did you think
good-value monthly passes and about the prices?
they’re open until past 8pm. And As I was part of the university
if all that weren’t enough, the network, I got good discounts,
city is also home to a number of but generally things
big swimming pools. weren’t very expensive.

MUNICIPAL skating at these

SPORTS well-equipped
facilities. Don’t
CENTRES hesitate to sign up
for one of its pilates,
yoga, aerobics or
Francisco other classes.
Fernández àJosé del Hierro, 5.
Ochoa M: Concepción.
Located in Tfno.: 91 403 90 20.
Carabanchel, it has a
seven-a-side football Chamartín
pitch, basketball, This place features
tennis and handball a sports hall, indoor
courts, and a spa swimming pool,
area, among other weights room, spa
facilities. area and a wide
àCatorce Olivas, 1. range of classes.
M: La Peseta. àPío XII, 2. M: Pío XII.
Tfno.: 91 125 00 51. Tfno.: 91 359 33 39.
Arganzuela MUNICIPAL
In this sports
LIBRARIES
centre you can
play badminton,
basketball, indoor
football, tennis, padel
tennis and volleyball. María
àAlicante, 14. M: Legazpi. Lejárraga
Tfno.: 91 528 88 79.
Running Recently opened
in the Sanchinarro
Fernando Martín neighbourhood,
Close to La Dehesa If you like running, there are many this library
de la Villa, this centre areas available to you in Madrid, is home to 30,000
has a badminton including Madrid Río, the Retiro volumes and
court, indoor football an impressive
pitch, tennis court park – which fills with runners collection of
and weights room. every afternoon – and the Parque de audiobooks.
àAv. Santo Ángel
Santander, which has a basic athletics àPrincesa de Éboli, 29.
de la Guarda, 6. M: Blasco Ibáñez.
M: Francos Rodríguez. track. If you’re after something more Tfno.: 91 513 33 83.
Tfno.: 91 450 73 44. challenging, try the slopes of Dehesa
de la Villa or the Parque del Oeste – Histórica
Antiguo only if you’re feeling brave, though!
Municipal
Canódromo Created in 1876,
If you like football, this municipal
you can play on this library received its
centre’s artificial ‘historic’ designation
grass pitch and in 1990. It aims to
prepare for your next protect and promote
match in its weights the written word.
and physiotherapy do aerobics, fitness basketball and handball indoor swimming pool basketball court and àConde Duque, 9.
rooms. and pilates classes. It courts, indoor football in Madrid, and also swimming pool, this M: San Bernardo.
àVia Carpetana, 57. also offers children’s pitch and more, this the busiest. Located at place is also worth Tfno.: 91 588 57 37.
Autobuses: 17, 25, 119. rhythmic gymnastics. sports centre has almost the top of a building, visiting for its beautiful
Tfno.: 685 534 621. àAntonio Machado, 12. everything, including it offers great views architecture. Aluche
M: Antonio Machado. classes for all tastes. across the city. àPlaza Daoiz y Velarde, 5. Aluche’s library is
Ciudad de Tfno.: 91 373 27 39. àJoaquín Dicenta, 1. àFarmacia, 13. M: Chueca. M: Pacífico. located on the first
los Poetas M: Ventilla. Tfno.: 91 314 54 37. Tfno.: 91 828 90 06. Tfno.: 91 433 87 70. floor of the Centro
In this small sports Antonio Cultural Fernando de
centre you can play Díaz Miguel Escuelas de Daoíz y Velarde I Concepción los Ríos.
basketball and With a sports hall, San Antón Along with its indoor You can do everything àCamarena, 10. M: Laguna.
indoor football and swimming pool, This is the most central football pitch, from athletics to figure Tfno.: 91 719 89 96.

Ana María Meseta de Orcasur, PISCINAS
Matute which opened in
EXTERIORES
Named after the 1983, it opened in
famous Spanish writer, its current location
this centre replaced in 1987 and was
the old Biblioteca remodelled in 2014,
Pública Municipal when the name was Casa de
de Carabanchel and changed to Gabriel Campo
was opened by García Márquez. Also known as
Matute herself. àPlaza Pueblo, 2. the Lago pool
àComuneros de Castilla, 30. M: San Fermín-Orcasur. because of its
M: Marqués de Vadillo. Tfno.: 91 318 86 91. proximity to the metro
Tfno.: 91 588 08 30. station, this has indoor
María and outdoor Olympic-
Buenavista Zambrano size pools. Popular
Located in the arts SOpened inside among the LGBTI
centre of the same the Centro community.
name, it occupies one Cultural Eduardo àPaseo Puerta del Ángel, 7.
of the pavilions that Úrculo in October M: Lago. Tfno.: 91 463 00 50.
housed the swimming 2010, this was
pool and changing created out of the Francos
rooms of a Second need to enlarge the Rodríguez
Spanish Republic-era Juan Carlos I. Biblioteca de Tetuán, As well as swimming
bathhouse. à Av. Logroño, 179. which was housed in the open air, you
àAv. Toreros, 5. M: Diego de
León. Tfno.: 91 724 08 04.
Escuelas Pías M: Alameda de Osuna.
Tfno.: 91 312 02 58.
in the old municipal
council building.
can also play beach
volleyball here.
Canillejas de San Fernando José

àPlaza Donozo, 5.
M: Ventilla.
àNumancia, 11. M: Francos
Rodríguez. Tfno: 91 459 98 71.
Located in the heart Saramago Tfno.: 91 733 90 43.
of Canillejas’ main An oasis of peace in Opened in November Vicente del
shopping district, it the middle of a restored 1990 under the name Miguel Bosque
shares a building with ruined church, this library Biblioteca de La Delibes With the Cuatro Torres
the Centro Cultural Vaguada, it was later This library was skyscrapers in the
Buero Vallejo.
attached to the Universidad upgraded to address originally situated background, these
àBoltaña, 23. M: Canillejas. Nacional de Educación the lack of space and inside the Parque facilities have two 50m
Tfno.: 91 741 11 34. a Distancia is well improve its location by Darwin, but the swimming pools, plus a
worth a visit. placing it next to the development of children’s pool.
Ciudad Lineal La Vaguada shopping the area led to the àAv. Monforte de Lemos, 13.
Located inside the àSombrerete, 15. M: Lavapiés. centre. Its name was construction of a new M: Barrio del Pilar, Begoña.
Centro Cultural changed to the current 2,012m2 space set Tfno.: 91 314 79 43.
Príncipe de Asturias, one in 2011. over four floors. It was
this was built to àAv. Monforte de Lemos, 38. given the name of the La Elipa
serve the area and to M: Barrio del Pilar. writer in 2010. This large 50m open-
replace the previous àPaseo Fernán Núñez, 24. belonged to one of the Tfno.: 91 588 68 91. àArroyo Belincoso, 11. air pool is one of
library, which had been M: Ibiza. Tfno.: 91 480 48 38. city’s most ancient M: Vinateros. Madrid’s busiest in
situated in a unit of a families, the Vargas. Manuel Tfno.: 91 328 73 00. summer.
housing block.. Francisco Ibáñez àSan Justo, 5. M: Sol, Latina. Vázquez àAlcalde Garrido Juaristi, 17.
àAv. Institución Libre de Located in the Centro Tfno.: 91 758 62 11. Montalbán Ángel M: Estrella.
Enseñanza, 14. M: Ciudad Cultural Mantuano, Opened to the González Tfno.: 91 430 35 11.
Lineal. Tfno.: 91 588 75 66. this emerged out of Gloria public in 2006, the Although this
the old Biblioteca de Fuertes building, designed by place is right next Vallecas
Eugenio Trías. Chamartín, opened From the big windows architect Isabel Huete to the main A5 road, With a swimming
Casa de Fieras in 1983. It changed of this first- and Chugunowa, houses the silence inside is pool for adults
de El Retiro its name after it was second-floor library, both the library and a absolute thanks of just over 30 metres
Opened in 2013, refurbished in 2015. you can see the music school. to the work of architect and a children’s
the building that àMantuano, 54. M: Concha remains of the àFrancos Rodríguez, 67. Carlos de Riaño. pool, these sports
houses this library Espina. Tfno.: 91 510 37 56. reconstructed Castillo M: Francos Rodríguez. Concrete and facilities help keep
was originally part of de los Zapata, Tfno.: 91 398 07 23. glass dominate and the residents of
the Casa de Fieras’ Iván de Vargas the only castle still there are also big Vallecas cool
installations in the Located in the heart standing within Gabriel García outdoor areas. each summer.
Retiro park, built of old Madrid, this the city limits, plus a Márquez àGranja de Torrehermosa, 1. àArroyo del Olivar, 5.
during the reign of library occupies a big large olive grove at the Heir to the former M: Campamento. M: Portazgo.
Fernando VII. old house that once edge of the Parque Biblioteca de la Tfno.: 91 512 35 42. Tfno.: 91 303 06 08.

Transport
Getting around Madrid is easy. The city has a
large public transport network that includes
the metro, buses, regional trains and e-bikes,
along with a great taxi service
ONCE YOU KNOW how to get their frequency varies according

to the centre from the airport, to the time of day – anything
moving round the city is between every three and every
easy. The best connections 15 minutes. A single ticket costs
with Adolfo Suárez Madrid- between €1.50 and €2 depending
Barajas Airport are: metro on the number of stations you
line 8 (Nuevos Ministerios- pass through, while a ten-trip
Aeropuerto T4); the C-1 pass costs €12.20 and the airport
Cercanías regional train,
which takes you to Atocha or
supplement is €3. There are also
monthly season tickets available
Night
Príncipe Pío; and buses such by zone, as well as tourist passes. buses are
as Bus Exprés, which runs 24
hours. But, beyond that, how
Download the network’s mobile
app to stay up to date about times,
known off around 11.45pm. A single
else can you get around? delays, routes and so on. as búhos ticket costs €1.50. To visit towns
near the capital, you can catch
BY METRO BY BUS (‘owls’) one of the intercity buses. Night
The Metro de Madrid is the Madrid has a fleet of over 2,000 buses are known as búhos (‘owls’)
quickest way to get around the buses that serve more than and follow different routes from
city. Madrid has 12 metro lines 10,000 stops on 200 different the regular buses, leaving from
and 238 stations, along with routes, including the regular, Plaza de Cibeles. Frequency
three light metro routes that university and night services, and varies depending on whether it’s
operate like trams. Trains run an express line to the airport. The a weekday or holiday. The EMT
from 6am to 2am (although the first bus on each route normally app is useful for checking times.
last one departs the first station leaves at around 6.30am (7am at There’s also the Madrid City Tour
of each line at 1.30am) and weekend) and the last one sets Bus, a double-decker tourist bus

TICKETS
We explain three of the city’s
most popular travel passes
 Tarjeta Multi
You can buy this card from metro ticket machines
and some tobacconists (estancos). It can be topped
up to cover whatever journey you need, from a single
trip to a ten-ticket pass. Not linked to any particular
user, it’s valid for ten years, is contactless and
replaces the old ‘metrobús’ card and single tickets.
You can also add up to three types of ticket on to it.
that covers the city’s main points via mobile apps such as Free
of interest and major streets. Now. Minimum fares have been
You can buy tickets for one simplified and now there are
or two days, and you can hop just two: from Monday to Friday
on and off it as much as you like during the day (6am to 9pm) the
along the route. minimum is €2.40 and at night,
weekends and on holidays it’s
BY TRAIN €2.90. There’s also a flat rate of
Cercanías de Renfe regional €30 for any journey between the
 Tarjeta Transporte Público Personal trains link the centre of Madrid airport and the city centre within
This multi-journey ticket is linked to your name with the outlying towns and the M-30 ring road. The price per
and is valid for 30 days from the day of purchase are also a good alternative way kilometre depends on the zone
(not necessarily a particular calendar of getting around the capital. and the time, but it usually ranges
month). The Joven pass gives you free access Nuevos Ministerios, Atocha, between €1.05 and €1.25.
to the Prado, Thyssen and Reina Sofía Chamartín, Sol, Méndez
Álvaro and Príncipe Pío are BY BIKE
the main hubs. Trains on the The BiciMAD e-bike rental
network’s ten lines run from 5am service is becoming an
to midnight, though this varies increasingly popular way of
according to the station. The getting around. A sustainable
same goes for their frequency, and fun mode of transport, it
which is between every five and comprises over 2,028 bikes
every 30 minutes. Fares depend at more than 165 stations
on the number of zones you cross: throughout Madrid.
a ticket for zones 1 and 2 costs Buy an annual pass or a one-,
€1.65, while one from zone 1 to three- or five-day card and you
7 is €5.40. Tickets must be used can take a bike from any station
within two hours of purchase. and leave it at another station
within two hours for 0.50€ to 1€
 Abono turístico BY TAXI for 30 minutes.
This tourist card gives you unlimited travel on all Madrid You can pick up a taxi 24 hours You can also rent your bike from
regional public transport during the period of validity a day from one of the ranks various agencies around Madrid,
(one, two, three, five or seven days) and for two zones (A located throughout the city, including Mobeo in Matadero and
and T). You can buy it at the airport and at metro stations. by hailing one in the street or the bike rental point in Parque

Safety advice
Watch your Plan your route
belongings If you’re not sure where
Although Madrid is you’re going, it’s best
a very safe city, it’s to ask. There’s always
sensible to keep an bound to be someone
eye on your belongings willing to provide
when you’re on public directions so you don’t
transport or out in the have to spend half
street, especially at an hour studying the
night. Look after your metro map in a station
personal possessions or peering at Google
and don’t let them out Maps on your phone.
of your sight in the
metro, in bars and on Always charge
terraces. That said, your mobile
there’s no need to Before leaving home,
panic: there are more make sure your mobile
than 8,400 cameras has enough battery
watching over your power so you can use it
safety across the in case of emergency.
metro network, You can also take your
plus security guards charger with you and
in every station. connect it to the charge
points you’ll find in
Don’t carry some metro carriages
too much cash (mainly on line 6)
These days you can pay and EMT buses.
by card in almost any
Madrid bar, restaurant Foreign Tourist
or shop. So only carry Assistance
the cash you need for Service
small transactions. If you need police
assistance, head to
Make copies of the station located
your personal near Plaza de España
documents at Calle Leganitos,
It’s always worth being 19, which has a
prepared, so make sure specialised service for
you have photocopies helping foreigners.
Juan Carlos I. A good cycling BY CAR-SHARING of your most important
route to follow is the ‘Anillo In recent years services personal documents, If you have a
Verde’, a 64km lane around such as Car To Go, Emov such as your passport problem, call
Madrid city centre. and Zity that rent e-cars or ID card, and carry Emergencias
by the minute have appeared them around with you Madrid
BY UBER AND CABIFY in Madrid. As well as being instead of the originals. In case of emergency,
Online services Uber and environmentally friendly, That way, if you’re call 112, the number
Cabify are transforming the their vehicles have the unlucky enough to get to help you with any
way we get around, allowing advantage that they can robbed or lose them, situation involving
their users to book private cars be left on the street without everything will be much danger, risk or threat
driven by licensed owners. having to pay parking fees. easier to sort out. to your person.
You can visit the respective There are also e-motorbike
websites and download services available such as
the apps on to your smartphone eCooltra and Muving. You’ll find
to get started booking journeys all the information you need
and checking prices. on their respective apps.

Getting around by metro
It’s one of the fastest, most comfortable and economical ways of getting around the city. That’s why
it’s essential to have a good, up-to-date metro map like this to hand to stop yourself getting lost

Good
practice
Madrid’s going to be your home for a while
and we’re very happy to welcome you. But if
you want to enjoy the city as much as us, we
recommend you follow a few basic guidelines
IN MADRID EVERYONE always

gets a warm welcome and
our aim is that you feel just
like any other Madrileño,
1 Keep it clean
Use the litter bins distributed
around the city to be able to
enjoy clean and attractive streets.
In summer
you can
4 Use public toliets
Spacious, accessible and
clean, the city’s public
conveniences have recently been
forming part of the daily
always cool refurbished to meet your needs.
life of our neighbourhoods.
Strolling round Madrid
doesn’t just allow you to
discover buildings and
2 Don’t smoke
But if you do, don’t throw
your cigarette butts on the
floor! All the bins in the city are
off in the
fountains 5 Don’t jump into
the fountains
In summer you can
monuments and parks and
gardens, but also to get a
fitted with ashtrays. For the health
of all, you’re not allowed to smoke
of the always cool off in the water jets
on the Madrid Río beach.
deep feel for our customs. For inside any public space. Madrid Río There are also many public
that reason, we hope you’ll
beach and private swimming
be happy to respect a few
basic rules of coexistence,
tolerance and respect during
your stay. Looking after
what’s immediately around
3 Respect and recycle
Benches, street lamps,
litter bins, bus shelters…
it’s everybody’s responsibility
to help keep the city’s street
pools for taking a dip.
6 Don’t drink
on the street
The streets are not the
us is the best way of making furniture in good condition. place to consume alcohol.
sure our city continues to At the same time, Madrid has The city has plenty of amazing
be an example of friendly containers for every type of terraces where you can enjoy a
togetherness. Enjoy it! waste, so make sure you recycle! few drinks in the open air.

7 Keep the noise down
Although you might have
a lot to celebrate, noise
annoys your neighbours. Be
respectful! Follow the rules of
civility where you live.
8 Use public transport

Tourist passes are available
that make getting around
easier, so use public transport.
Almost all the buses run by
the city’s EMT service are low
emissions.
9 Take a bike
You’ll find stations for the
city’s BiciMAD bike rental
service across Madrid.
10 Watch your
belongings
Madrid is a safe city,
but be careful with your personal
possessions – above all in the
most crowded areas. If you do run
into any trouble, the local police
are there to help you.
11 Stay in legal
accommodation
This is vital for
preserving the properties in
which Madrileños live and
ensuring the city doesn’t
lose its essence.
Get to know
all of Madrid’s
12 Don’t waste water
Madrid has some of
the best tap water in
the world, but don’t waste it. It’s
a scarce resource and looking
barrios – don’t
just stay in
the centre!
after it will help improve the
environment. have lived and continue local festivities and incredible
to live. Discover them and activities. Tetuán, Carabanchel,
13 Buy local
Madrid’s gastronomy
and produce are top-
you will find new sensibilities
and perspectives that will
enrich your life.
Usera, Hortaleza... grab a map
and use it to get to know them all.
quality. Contribute to balanced

and sustainable development by
consuming local products.
15 Get to know the
neighbourhoods
Madrid is a big city
16 Be tolerant
We Madrileños like
to live in a diverse
and tolerant society. People
14 Discover
the city’s
creators
Madrid is a creative and
innovative city. It’s a place where
that has taken shape over several
centuries. Don’t just stay in
the centre! We invite you to
get to know it, from the most
central and traditional places
of different races, sexual
orientations, lifestyles and
religious beliefs all live
together in the city. Respect
them. And remember:
great artists, artisans, musicians to other neighbourhoods that being tolerant of others is the
and writers hide genuine artistic treasures, best form of good manners.

STUDENT Plaza Mayor

CARDS Tourist
Information
Center
àPlaza Mayor, 27.
M: Sol, Ópera. Daily
International 9.30am-9.30pm.
Student
Identity Card Callao
(ISIC) àPlaza de Callao.
The best-known M: Callao.
international student Daily. 9.30am-8.30pm.
card. With discounts
on accommodation, Paseo del Prado
leisure and transport, àPlaza de Neptuno,
it’s recognised opposite the Prado Museum.
by Unesco and M: Banco de España, Atocha.
has no age limit. Daily 9.30am-8.30pm
àwww.isic.org
Reina Sofía
European àRonda de Atocha,
Youth Card s/n, next to the Reina Sofía
Major discounts on Museum. M: Atocha, Atocha
culture, leisure and Renfe. Daily 9.30am-8.30pm
shopping.
For under-30s. Santiago
àwww.injuve.es Bernabéu
àPaseo de la Castellana,
International 138. Next to the Santiago
Youth Travel Card Bernabéu Stadium.
Gives access to M: Santiago Bernabéu.
discounts on travel,
shops, restaurants JOBO Daily 9.30am-8.30pm.
and cultural activities. CentroCentro

For under-25s. If you’re between 16 and 26, this card àPalacio de Cibeles.
àwww.injuve.es operated by the city council lets you Plaza de Cibeles, 1.
M: Banco de España, Colón.
gorge yourself on Madrid culture. Sign Tue-Sun 10am-8pm. Jan 5
CITY
up and from Monday to Friday you get 10am-2pm. Closed Jan 1, 6;
COUNCIL
free access to shows and performances at May 1; Dec 24, 25, 31
SERVICES
the Naves de Matadero-Centro de Artes Adolfo Suárez
Vivas, Teatro Español, Fernán Gómez- Madrid-Barajas
esMADRID Centro Cultural de la Villa, Conde Airport
The official tourism Duque, Teatro Circo Price and Cineteca. àT4, hall 10, arrivals.
website of Madrid City T2, halls 5 and 6, arrivals.
Council, it offers all Regístrate en madridcultura.es/jobo M: Aeropuerto T1 T2 T3 T4.
kinds of information, Daily 9am-8pm.
from an agenda of
cultural events to SATE
maps, guides and àForeign Tourist
practical details. Assistance Service
àwww.esmadrid.com (for non-Spanish speakers).
culture in the city. Teléfono 010 the city council’s TOURIST Comisaría de PN. Leganitos,
esMADRID It’s free and you If you have any citizen assistance
INFORMATION
19. M: Santo Domingo.
magazine can download it from question about the number. It’s 24 hours Daily 9am-midnight.
As well as its website, the website or city – whether you and also operates in OFFICES
the city council also pick up a copy need to find out some English and French
publishes a monthly at one of the tourist practical information from 8am to 10pm Information MORE AT
magazine featuring information points or how to complete Monday to Saturday àT: 91 454 44 10.
lots of information around Madrid. an administrative and from 10am to turismo@esmadrid.com. www. ESMADRID.COM
about leisure and àwww.esmadrid.com procedure – dial 010, 9pm on Sundays. esmadrid.com.

Things
to do www.timeout.com/madrid
The city is
home to two
of the biggest
football clubs
in Europe
From Cibeles
to Neptuno
The city is home to both Real Madrid and Atlético de
Madrid, two of the biggest football clubs in Europe
WITH THE HEIGHTS it’s reached, back over both clubs’ histories,
no one can doubt Madrid’s where they celebrate their
footballing prowess. The city is victories, and how to best visit
home to two of Europe’s biggest their stadiums.
football clubs, Real Madrid and
Atlético de Madrid – eternal Real Madrid
rivals that compete against each The club with the most Uefa
other both inside Spain in La Champions League wins in history
Santiago Bernabéu Liga and outside Spain in the (13, plus 33 Spanish league
Champions League. Their recent titles, four Club World Cups and
clashes in the final of Europe’s 19 domestic cups, among other
top club competition, in Lisbon in trophies) needs little introduction.
2014 and in Milan in 2016, were Real’s fans number in their
unforgettable. Here we take a look hundreds of thousands around

the world, they celebrate their
victories at the Cibeles fountain in
the middle of Paseo del Prado, and
they have the city’s most centrally
situated ground. Luis Aragones, 4. M: Estadio
A world footballing landmark, Metropolitano), which can seat
the Santiago Bernabéu stadium 67,703 fans and was the first
(Av. de Concha Espina, 1. M: in the world to be lit entirely by
Santiago Bernabéu) is about LED technology, among other
to be remodelled to include a technological advances.
retractable roof and a restaurant Wanda Metropolitano As at the Bernabéu, the best
overseen by ten-Michelin-starred way to discover the secrets of
chef Martín Berasategui. Opened Since the this brand-new stadium is on the
in 1947, it seats 81,044 fans and
the best way to get to know it is to
home-grown heroes such as Iker
Casillas and Sergio Ramos.
2017-2018 Wanda Metropolitano Tour, which
takes in the player interview area,
book the Bernabéu Tour, which season, their the trophy, press and dressing
gives you the chance to see its Atlético de Madrid rooms, and more.
trophies and dressing rooms up Better than any club, Atlético home has been Atleti’s trophy cabinet may
close and even sit in the dugout.
Small wonder it’s one of Madrid’s
represent the capacity to improve.
They’re now experiencing the most
the Wanda not be quite as full as Real’s, but
they’ve still achieved some major
most-visited tourist sites. successful period in their history Metropolitan triumphs since their founding in
Since its founding in 1902, some
of the most brilliant names in the
‘one game at a time’ – the motto
that’s defined them since the arrival
stadium 1903: ten league titles, ten Spanish
cups, three Europa League wins
history of the game have played of manager Diego ‘Cholo’ Simeone. and three Europe Supercups.
for the club, from Alfredo Di Since the 2017-2018 season, Their women’s team, meanwhile,
Stéfano, David Beckham, Zinedine their home has been the Wanda has won four league titles and one
Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo to Metropolitano stadium (Av. de Spanish cup.
MADRID’S OTHER CLUBS

MIGUEL MARTÍN DEL RÍO
MIGUELAZO 84
Estadio de Vallecas Coliseum Alfonso Pérez Butarque
1 Rayo Vallecano
Puente de Vallecas is the home of this
football club, which enjoys a strong
following in its neighbourhood. Founded in
1924, they’ve spent recent seasons moving
2 Getafe CF
The outlying town of Getafe
has had a team in the top flight
of Spanish football since 2004.
Their ground is named in honour
3 Club Deportivo Leganés
Leganés are the most recent Madrid
arrivals in the First Division. Having won
promotion in 2016, they’ve successfully remain
there every season since. The club was founded
back and forth between the first and second of Alfonso Pérez, who despite never in 1928 and its fans are known as ‘pepineros’
divisions. Their women’s team is also very playing for the club remains the most owing to the fact that the ground was situated
well known and has won three league titles. famous player born in the area. next to an area of cucumber (pepino) fields.
àPayaso Fofó, s/n. M: Buenos Aires. àAv. Teresa de Calcuta, s/n. M: Los Espartales. àArquitectura, s/n. M: Julián Besteiro.

Things to Do
EVENING VIEWS THE CITY’S

BEST PARKS
The best AND GARDENS
sunsets 7 Parque
de Berlín
This parks is 6 Parque
del Oeste
Next to 5 Jardines
de Sabatini
The Neoclassical
in Madrid home to a little piece

of Germany in the
Spanish capital:
the university
campus, this
pretty park covers
gardens designed by
Francesco Sabatini
are a popular spot
three blocks from 100 hectares with visitors owing to
the Berlin Wall that and is home to an their location next to
form the centrepiece impressive rose the Royal Palace, their
of the fountain. garden. history and their views.
à Avda. Ramón y Cajal, 2. àPaseo Moret, 2. àBailén, 2 .
4 La Quinta de
los Molinos
This historic
21.5-hectare park
features a wide
3 Parque
Juan Carlos I
Madrid’s
Madrid’s second-
biggest park is a
2 Casa
de Campo
Covering
over 1,722 hectares,
this is Spain’s
variety of plant perfect spot for a bike largest green
species, but the real ride or a row on its park and
stars are the almond artificial waterways features a lake,
trees when they’re and lakes. It also has a zoo, theme
in bloom each cold greenhouse with park and lots of
February. exotic species. cycle paths.
à Alcalá, 502. à Glorieta Juan de Borbón, 5. à Paseo Puerta del Ángel, 1.
TWILIGHT
IN VALLECAS
Built in the 1980s
on a former rubbish
tip, the imaginatively
nicknamed
DEHESA DE LA VILLA. This park ‘Seven Tits Park’
and viewpoint is home to up offers impressive
to 70 species of birds. views across the city
Dehesa de la Villa, 1. from its seven hills.
CÍRCULO DE BELLAS ARTES. The
roof terrace of this arts centre is
1
the best known in Madrid and
features a bar and restaurant.
Alcalá, 42.
GOURMET EXPERIENCE CALLAO.

A perfect foodie haven from which
to watch the sun set over Gran Vía.
àEl Corte Inglés. Plaza de Callao, 2.
THE RETIRO
TEMPLO DE DEBOD. This Egyptian The 125 hectares that make up Madrid’s
temple just next to Plaza de España most famous park are home to some real
also offers one of the best vistas. marvels, from its large boating lake
Ferraz, 1.
to the Palacio de Cristal and beautiful
LAS VISTILLAS Enjoy one of the best fountains such as the Fallen Angel.
sunset views from these gardens à Parque de El Retiro. Plaza de la Independencia, s/n.
next to the Segovia viaduct.
Jardín de Las Vistillas.

Time Out for Las Rozas Village
DON’T MISS
Great taste
If you fancy a quick bite, brunch or a good sit-down
lunch in between stores, you’ll find a great
selection of cafés, food trucks and restaurants
at Las Rozas Village, including the gourmet food
stand recently opened by chef Cristina Oria.
Enjoy the fresh air or a cocktail while you soak up
the best sunset in Madrid from the scenic terrace.
Shopping
getaway
Just 30 minutes from the centre
of Madrid, Las Rozas Village is a
paradise for lovers of designer stores
WHO DOESN’T LIKE a trip out Spanish designers such as

to a charming village? And if Bimba y Lola and El Ganso, Inside, it’s home
that village also happens to be
a fashion paradise, you’re in
and big international labels
like CK Jeans, Hackett, Levi’s,
to more than
for an even more glamorous Maje, Sandro and Vans, not to 100 boutiques about getting here, either.
and stylish getaway. Set against mention beauty spaces such The Shopping Express®
the backdrop of the nearby as Clarins’ open-spa. And offering coach connects Madrid city
Madrid sierra, Las Rozas
Village is designed to look like
there’s no shortage of top-line
accessories, either, including
discounts centre with Las Rozas Village
several times a day. And once
a traditional mountain town, bags by Coach and Michael of up to 60 you’ve arrived, you’ll love
with wide streets lined with
trees, light-coloured terracotta
Kors, and TOUS jewellery,
among others.
percent off the its hospitality and exclusive
services: from free Wi-Fi, to
walls and elegant buildings. But the most surprising thing is original price tourist information points,
Inside, it’s home to more than that throughout the whole year multilingual staff and even
100 boutiques, open from the stores offer discounts of up personal shoppers who’ll
10am to 9pm every day except to 60 percent off the original accompany you round to turn
Saturdays – when they’re price. This is designer shopping your shopping day into an
open till 10pm. Highlights that anyone can enjoy! unbeatable experience. ■
include stores devoted to You don’t have to worry lasrozasvillage.com

Things to do
TAKE NOTE
Student
volunteering
in Madrid
VOLUNFAIR
Organised by a group of WHAT IT’S ABOUT
students, this event is Taking a bit of time
completely devoted to to help those in
introducing university-goers need. Just a little
to over 50 charities, with the can go a long way.
aim of making young people
more aware of social problems, WHY YOU
facilitating their access to social SHOULD DO IT
assistance organisations, and Charity works
encouraging them to take part helps all of us give
in voluntary activities both in back to society.
Spain and abroad. In short, the and would like to use it to help COOPERACIÓN INTERNACIONAL
fair’s goal is to get university MORE INFO others, organisations such as Another option for those
students interested in the world à www.volunfair.com Cáritas Universitaria can point interested in making a
of charity work and give them àwww.ciong.org you in the right direction and contribution is Cooperación
the chance to help those less àdpumadrid.com/caritas- give you ideas about how to Internacional, which manages
fortunate than themselves universitaria-madrid go about it. It organises meet- over 120 projects in 30
through a wide range of non- ups, debates and chats about countries. Every year the
profit associations. volunteering and other activities organisation gets more than
in which you can lend a hand. 4,500 young people involved in
CÁRITAS UNIVERSITARIA A great way to meet people and its volunteer projects, which aim
If you have some spare time make new friends. to help improve society.
TOP 3
Viewpoints
Faro de Moncloa Alfonso XII Monument

This 110m lighthouse is The most famous group of
one of the city’s best-known Mirador Madrid monuments in the Retiro park has
viewpoints, offering great If you climb to the top of the Palacio de recently opened a hidden viewpoint
vistas of the Sierra de Cibeles, situated in the plaza of the same 20m up inside the equestrian
Guadarrama and Madrid’s name, you’ll discover one of the most statue of King Alfonso XII next to the
most famous buildings. incredible 360° views of the city centre. Entry boating lake. Booking is essential.
àAvenida de la Memoria, 2. is free on the first Wednesday of every month. àEl Retiro. Plaza de la Independencia, s/n.
M: Moncloa. 3€ àPlaza de Cibeles, 1. M: Banco de España. 3 €. M: Retiro. Free. reservaspatrimonio.es

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Things to do
YOUR
PERFECT Saturday
WEEKEND
BURGERS
Don Oso
Big, tasty and cheap
burgers. If your
hangover from
the night before
Friday
permits, Saturday
is the perfect day to
enjoy lunch at this
legendary Moncloa
burger joint. Madrid Río
à Donoso Cortés, 90.
There’s no better place to
CLUBBING make the most of Saturday
Ochoymedio
Saturday night is than along the banks of the
party night, and River Manzanares.
Ochoymedio in With plenty of places to
Malasaña is the indie
club par excellence. explore on foot or by bike,
DJ sessions, gigs and this is one of Madrileños’
a great atmosphere favourite places to relax
lure partygoers from
all over the city.
at the weekend.
à Barceló, 11. à Puente de Segovia, s/n.
à
Copérnico
Close to Moncloa and the main
Madrid halls of residence,
this club is a favourite with
Sunday BRUNCH
students. It’s perfect for Mür Café
dancing, having a laugh This welcoming
café near Plaza de
and enjoying a few drinks España has a serious
on a Friday night. brunch menu,
à Fernández de los Ríos, 67. including a full
English breakfast
and veggie options.
à Plaza Cristino Martos, 22.
The Rastro
TAPAS CAMBIO DE LOOK PLAY
El Respiro Corta Cabeza Fox in a Box
This bar in Chueca If you fancy You’ll need lots
is just what you sprucing yourself up The most traditional way to of adrenalin and
need to fuel up before the weekend spend a Sunday morning in teamwork to
before a big night starts, this modern Madrid is to visit this street solve the clues
out. Always hair salon in market. Wander round and puzzles of
packed, it serves Malasaña will help the stalls before enjoying this escape room
good beer and you find the perfect some tapas in La Latina. experience within
generous portions new hairstyle or your allotted hour.
à Plaza de Cascorro and the area around it.
of free tapas. make-up look. Good luck!
à Infantas, 34. àPez, 11. àSanto Domingo, 24.

WHAT Great activities around the city
TO DO
await in this essential top-notch food. new people and
FOOD festival for lovers of àwww.madridexquisito.com practising your
urban food. At the English at this
end of September, the session featuring the
Tapapiés festival invites you to
FESTIVALS best international
This ‘Multicultural spend a weekend in the music. Bargain
Tapas and Music Museo del Ferrocarril. Año Nuevo Chino prices, a student
Route’ is held every With cold beers and Madrid’s Chinese atmosphere and lots
October in Lavapiés free entry as two other community is of fun. Don’t miss it!
and offers more
than a hundred
big draws, you won’t
want to miss it.
centred in Usera,
where it holds an Gastrofestival àwww.citylifemadrid.com
different tapas to annual giant party to

taste, plus music, Madrid Exquisito see in the New Year. This annual celebration ART & FASHION
theatre, dancing and Over almost ten days, brings the best in national
circus acts in the some of Madrid’s top August fiestas and international
neighbourhood’s restaurants offer a Summer in Madrid Open House
streets and squares. special menu for just is all about its local gastronomy to the city from An architecture
àwww.tapapies.com €25 in order to give festivals, which take January until the middle of festival held at the end
customers a taste of place in the first February. As well as good of September
Mahou Urban their best dishes made half of August. First that allows you to
Food Festival with seasonal produce. comes the traditional food, it runs film, fashion, visit over 100 unique
DJs, workshops and Another affordable and high-spirited San street activities, workshops buildings and places
culinary delights way to enjoy Cayetano festivities, and loads of other events in the city for free.
held around the àwww.openhousemadrid.org
Plaza de Cascorro
in restaurants, cultural
and Embajadores centres and more. Madrid
neighbourhood. à www.gastrofestivalmadrid.com Otra Mirada
They’re followed A weekend (October
by the San Lorenzo 18-20) of guided tours,
festival, where conferences and
there’s no shortage everybody. Picnic Sessions exhibitions that aim to
of concerts and The city’s most Every Thursday from help you discover the
dances, and the smell traditional June until the city’s heritage from a
of typical gallinejas festivities. middle of July, the different perspective
(fried lamb’s àwww.sanisidromadrid.com terrace of the àwww.madridotramirada.es
intestines) wafts 2 de Mayo Arts Centre
through the air. Last, Meet & Dance in Móstoles Vogue Fashion
come the La Paloma Salsa, bachata, becomes a hub for Night Out
fiestas, which fill the merengue... you’re a programme of Vogue magazine
streets of La Latina certain to become a activities mixing organises this
with a magnificent Latin dance expert food and music septemeber event
celebration around at this meet-up for with education, for the city’s
August 15. young people of all participation and fashionistas in some
nationalities. From fun. of Madrid’s most
San Isidro 10pm every Monday àwww.ca2m.org/es/ exclusive stores,
From May 12 to 15, you can get to know picnic-sessions especially those along
Madrid celebrates people from all the Golden Mile.
its patron saint, around the world, Fuckin’ Monday Chanel, Dior, Gucci
San Isidro, make new friends Every Monday and others open their
with music, shows and learn the best at Sala Cool you can doors for the evening
and a plethora dance moves. party hard while with DJs, food, gifts,
of activities for àwww.citylifemadrid.com getting to know surprises and more.

Things to do
brand and designer Caja Mágica. The best-known athletics

decorates a different event features major event, the San
space to demonstrate games between the Silvestre Vallecana,
their personal style. 64 top players on where sport and fun
àwww.casadecor.es the ATP circuit and come together in a
the 25 best WTA 10km-run that
Madrid players, with the sees participants
Gallery Weekend likes of Rafael Nadal, dress up and
opening Novak Djokovic and run through
Every September Garbiñe Muguruza artificial snow.
Madrid’s trendiest the galleries that usually present. The race has two
night of the year. make up the Arte_ à www.madrid-open.com parts, one for
àwww.vogue.es/ Madrid association professionals and
kick off the new one for the general
fashionsnightout
season with a joint
SPORT public; the route,
Semana de opening of their which runs between
la Arquitectura exhibitions and a Bowling Night in costume partying Carrera Real Madrid and
The epicentre of this varied programme of If you enjoy bowling in the New Year. If de la Mujer Rayo Vallecano’s
october week are free activities. and meeting new you prefer to spend Held in various football stadiums,
the activities held àwww.artemadrid.com people, don’t miss the last moments of Spanish cities in is fairly easy, given
at the COAM centre, this fun evening the year away from May, this road race that almost 8km
which organises Mercedes-Benz where you can do just the crowds, you can is the biggest all- of it are downhill.
a large number Fashion Week that. And best of all, always head to the women’s sporting àwww.sansilvestrevallecana.
of architecture Twice a year the city it’s free. Just sign up ‘pre-grapes’ (pre- event in Europe. com
and urban design is transformed into online and show up at uvas) celebrations Known as the ‘pink
events, including a giant catwalk to Bowling Chamartín at midnight the tide’, the Madrid
exhibitions, showcase the ready to roll. night before on edition attracts over
conferences and coveted creations àwww.citylifemadrid.com December 30. 30,000 runners,
round tables. of the world’s most with a course that
àwww.coam.org cutting-edge and La Noche covers the main
visionary designers. de los Teatros SPORT streets of the city
DecorAcción àwww.mbfashionweek.com For one March to raise money and
This annual date night every year, awareness for
(June) with design, The Festival drama comes to the Mutua breast cancer.
art and interiors is One of Madrid’s most streets of Madrid, Madrid Open àwww.carreradelamujer.com
Spain’s biggest city- up-and-coming with dance, theatre, The elite of the
centre decoration neighbourhoods, Las improvisation and tennis world will San Silvestre
event. It’s held in the Salesas holds this dramatised readings come together in Vallecana
streets of the Letras occasional street taking place on May to dispute Every December 31 EDP Rock ‘n’ Roll
neighbourhood, market, where the corners and in plazas this Masters 1000 since 1964 Madrid Madrid Maratón
which are area’s pretty shops throughout the city. tournament at the has hosted its & 1/2
transformed into show off their best The aim is to promote This event is part
a chic open-air creations, alongside the dramatic arts of the Rock ‘n’ Roll
market with all the food and activities across the region. Marathon Series,
local antique shops for kids. àwww.madrid.org/ the biggest running
displaying their top àwww.salesasvillage.com lanochedelosteatros/ tour in the world,
treasures. There are and features live
workshops, too, and Nochevieja en music on over
the area’s balconies NIGHTLIFE la Puerta del Sol 20 stages along
look more stylish It’s New Year’s Eve the race route. It’s
than ever. tradition in Madrid to a festival of music
àwww.decoraccion.nuevo- La Noche de eat the last 12 grapes and running that
estilo.es/ los Museos of the year as the 12 includes parallel
What better way to chimes of midnight half marathon and
Casa Decor discover Madrid’s ring out from the huge 10km races, turning
For just a few weeks many museums than clock in Puerta del Sol. the city into a
between February on a nighttime visit? The square is always sports party for
and March each For one day during packed and you’ll need serious and fun
year this landmark May every year to show up several runners alike. The
building becomes the city’s main art hours in advance to 2019 edition takes
a space dedicated galleries open their get a good spot, but it’s place on April 26.
to interior design. doors to offer dozens a fun experience that àwww.runrocknroll.com/
Each participating of free activities. sees groups of friends es/madrid/

Film
www.timeout.com/madrid/cinema
Film festivals
Madrid hosts several of Spain’s most cutting-edge
and interesting film festivals
Filmadrid LesGaiCineMad Nocturna

The Madrid International Film Festival This is the biggest LGBTI film festival in the Nocturna has consolidated itself as an
showcases the most contemporary and Spanish-speaking world, both in terms of unmissable event for the city’s fantasy film
innovative cinema, featuring a programme audience figures and the number of films fans, with a festival programme dedicated
of more than 100 arthouse works by directors involved. There are feature- to revisiting classics and
from around the world, from leading names length and short films, fiction and premiering the genre’s latest
to new talents. With venues in different documentary works, and video Nocturna has releases. There are also round
alternative cinemas around the city, art, all inspired by lesbian, gay, tables and other activities.
it also runs parallel experimental video bisexual, transgender, intersexual become an à www.nocturnamadrid.com
sections and seminars. or queer themes. unmissable
à www.filmadrid.com à www.lesgaicinemad.com Madrid
event for the Surf Film
DocumentaMadrid Festival de Cine de Madrid city’s fantasy You’ll find more than 20
This festival aims to support and encourage The oldest film competition in the documentaries and films
documentary cinema, especially works by city was set up in 1991 as a showcase film fans related to the art of conquering
Spanish filmmakers. It’s also become an ideal to bring together and promote the waves at this festival
place for directors to present and discuss their emerging productions. It features entirely devoted to surfing
work and where the public can discover the a top selection of the many diverse and its various artistic
creators behind the best new contemporary Spanish films that are unable to representations, which include
nonfiction cinema. secure a domestic release. concerts, DJ sets and more.
à www.documentamadrid.com àwww.festivalcinepnr.com à www.madridsurffilmfestival.com

Cinema
MADRID’S BEST CINEMAS FOR

ORIGINAL VERSION
AND INDEPENDENT FILMS
VOSE
screenwriter Luis
García Berlanga, this
Sala Equis cinema is part of the
Opened in a mansion SGAE Foundation,
building that was which supports and
previously home to promotes artists and
Madrid’s last porn authors. It organises
cinema, Sala Equis film seasons and
is the place to be. specialist festivals,
As well as catching screens short films
an original-version and documentaries,
movie here, you and is also a venue for
can enjoy a beer exhibitions, concerts
in the bar, which and theatre.
features deckchairs, à Andrés Mellado, 53.
neon lights and M: Moncloa.
even swings.
à Duque de Alba, 4. Filmoteca
M: Tirso de Molina. Located in the
beautiful Doré
Renoir cinema, this is a place
With locations in of pilgrimage for all
Plaza de España, Madrid film lovers,
Princesa and Retiro, screening classics
the Renoir cinemas and organising
are the classic
place to catch both
Autocine with new releases, dedicated exclusively
seasons devoted to
key Spanish directors
blockbuster and
independent films in
Madrid independent films,
documentaries,
to documentary
film. Here you
such as Pedro
Almodóvar.
their original version auteur cinema, can see nonfiction à Magdalena, 10.
in Madrid. Join the ‘Grease’ has nothing on re-releases, classics, cinema from all M: Antón Martín.
group’s Club Renoir us. Madrid’s very own short films, corners of the world,
to get discounts and drive-in is the biggest themed seasons, with a focus on Cine Estudio
special offers. presentations, independent Bellas Artes
à Martín de los Heros, 12.
in Europe, covering cultural events and and alternative film Opened in 1999
M: Plaza de España. 25,000m2 and with small stage shows. screenings and part of the
room for 350 cars. It specialises in and seasons. Círculo de Bellas
Verdi limited distribution à Plaza de Legazpi, 8. Artes, this cinema
Verdi is one of the à Isla de Java, 2. cinema, film cultural M: Legazpi. offer a high-quality
most recent cinemas Cercanías: Fuente de la Mora. M: Bambú. management and programme of
to start showing audiovisual services Pequeño original-version
original-version films for professionals. Cine Estudio films.
in the capital, but it à Cigarreras, 6. M: Acacias. The ‘Small Film à Marqués de Casa Riera, 4.
has already earned movies from outside the heart of the Studio’ opened in M: Banco de España.
place of honour with the mainstream city, the Ideal was Cineteca 1977 as an ‘art and
its vibrant mix of most likely to find refurbished in 2017 Located in the rehearsal’ space as
children’s, foreign- an audience. Its and shows a quality Matadero, this is well as the city’s
language, Spanish, efforts have fostered line-up of original- the first and only first ‘mini cinema’,
independent and and educated a version mainstream cinema in Spain screening films in
mainstream movies. whole generation movies. It also runs their original version.
à Bravo Murillo, 28. M: Canal. of film fans who late-night showings, It’s been a cult
look beyond the while its membership hub for film fans
Golem blockbusters. card gives access to ever since.
Arguably Madrid’s à Martín de los Heros, 14. discounted tickets. à Magallanes, 1. M: Quevedo.
best original-version M: Plaza de España. à Dr Cortezo, 6. M: Sol.
cinema, it’s always Sala Berlanga MORE AT
been at the forefront Ideal Artistic Metropol especializados,
of independent film, Another legendary Madrid’s first multi- Named after ESMADRID.COM
premiering those Madrid cinema in purpose cinema, Spanish director and

Theatre
& Dance www.timeout.com/madrid/arts-theatre
WE TALK TO...
María
Folguera
The director of the Teatro
Circo Price has fostered
an innovative idea
of performance that
aims to challenge
audience prejudices
THE WORD ‘CIRCUS’ is

synonymous with innovation
and risk. So says María Folguera,
“The challenge
director of the Teatro Circo is to promote
Price, a unique performance
space that has hosted some of
an idea of the
the greatest circus troupes in circus that just like any other diverse important international centres
the world. On the programme, performance art, with different such as Tohu in Montreal and La
she’s bet on new formats and the gets away trends, formats and theatrics. Grainerie in Toulouse.
surprise effect, and her work to
lure in new audiences continues
from the What kind of circus are we Who goes to the circus
to bear fruit. stereotype” talking about? nowadays?
The circus is everything that Thanks to the JOBO cultural pass
What challenges did you reflects on risk. It is a very we’ve welcomed an audience
face when you started as direct and accessible language that connects with the circus in a
director at the Price? that is spoken with the body, special way. They’re young people,
The first challenge is always experimenting with all its who have immediate reactions,
to promote an idea of the possibilities. It is very important no historical prejudices, and are
circus that gets away from the to us to be fun and entertaining fascinated by what we put on.
stereotype. The very word has and that every time someone And, of course, we also have our
strong connotations, linked to comes to the Price, they enjoy a devoted regulars who never miss
an imaginary classical concept special experience in a spectacular our Christmas show. ■
that belongs to a bygone age. circular space unique both in the à Teatro Circo Price. Ronda de Atocha, 35.
We want to define the circus city and in Spain. We have links to M: Embajadores.

Theatre & Dance
TOP 5
The
best
musicals
MATTHEW MURPHY
1 4
Gran Vía is Madrid’s

Broadway. Here
we recommend the
best shows to sing
and dance along
to in its stalls
2 5
1 The Lion King

The Lion King is one of the most
universal shows around and more
than 80 million people have already seen it
worldwide. Its surprising staging, moving
4 Anastasia
Anastasia was the youngest daughter
of the Romanovs who, according
to Russian legend, escaped the Bolshevik
revolution and travelled from St Petersburg to
figures and evocative and well-known Paris to find her true identity, after years of not
music have made it one of Madrid’s best knowing who she really was. This passionate
productions, transporting audiences to adventure looks poised to become the musical
the African savannah. A host of world- of the year. Madrid is the first European city to
renowned names in music (Elton John, premiere this mega production, which
Tim Rice, Lebo M, Hans Zimmer) triumphed on Broadway, where it received
and acting (Julie Taymor) have come great reviews and hung up ‘sold out’ signs
together to create a spectacle that fuses 3 every night. Tony Award-winner Darko
sophisticated disciplines from African, Tresnjak’s direction and a book by four-time
Asian and Western dramatic arts. Tony winner Terrence McNally means its
A must for all musical lovers.
à Teatro Lope de Vega. Gran Vía, 57. M: Callao.
3 La llamada
“La llamada is like a first love, which
never dies”, say Javi Ambrossi and
success is more than guaranteed.
à Teatro Coliseum. Gran Vía, 78. M: Plaza de España.
2 Billy Elliot
Following 11 years of success in
London’s West End and six on
Broadway, Billy Elliot is now taking
Madrid by storm. Seen by over 10 million
Javi Calvo, best known as Los Javis. This
young Madrid theatre duo, popular thanks
to Netflix series Paquita Salas, made their
name with this musical, which opened in
2013. Irreverent and disruptive, it’s set in a
5 La jaula de las locas
After triumphing in Barcelona, this
hilarious musical comedy, chock-full of
feathers, sequins and vaudevillian camp, has
landed in Madrid flaunting all the ingredients
people to date, the story tells the struggle Catholic summer camp where two girls fall to become a hit. Directed by Àngel Llàcer
of an 11-year-old boy to become a in love: one with God, the other with a nun. and Manu Guix, the Spanish version of Jerry
professional dancer. The soundtrack was The cast may change every season, but the Herman and Harvey Fierstein’s Broadway
composed by Elton John and the original staging’s carefree spirit hasn’t lost an ounce of musical La Cage aux Folles is a flamboyant
choreography is by Peter Darling. its original flair. work with lively choreography.
à Nuevo Teatro Alcalá. Jorge Juan, 62. M: Príncipe de Vergara. à Teatro Lara. Corredera Baja de San Pablo, 15. M: Callao. à Teatro Rialto. Gran Vía, 54. M: Santo Domingo.

MUST-VISIT
THEATRES
IN MADRID
Teatro Español musicals.

Right in Plaza de Santa à Gran Vía, 66.
Ana, this is the oldest M: Plaza de España.
still-operating theatre
in Europe and hosts
some of the city’s best FRINGE
productions.
à Príncipe, 25. M: Sevilla.
Microteatro
Teatro de por Dinero
la Comedia Fifteen-minute plays
Opened in 1875, this for 15 people in rooms
theatre (pictured) smaller than 15m2.
has hosted the most à Loreto Prado y Enrique
important premieres Chicote, 9. M: Gran Vía.
of productions from
the Golden Age of Cuarta
Spanish theatre. Pared
It’s the home of the This centre is
National Classic dedicated to theatre
Theatre Company. production, training
à Príncipe, 14. M: Sevilla. and research.
à Ercilla, 17. M: Embajadores.
Teatro
Pradillo
A small centre devoted
to contemporary
performing arts.
à Pradillo, 12. M: Alfonso XIII.
Teatro Teatro Rialto Teatros del Canal the Nuevo Alcalá,
Teatro Real Calderón Inspired by the New Modern theatre and hosting musicals and Nave 73
Madrid’s opera house Opened in 1918 York music halls of contemporary dance concerts. This multidisciplinary
is considered one of and completely the 1930s, it hosts are the foundations à Jorge Juan, 62. M: Principe cultural space also
the most important refurbished, it’s one plays, musicals and of its eclectic de Vergara. offers theatre for
in Europe. It sits of the city’s biggest concerts. programme. young people and
in the Plaza de theatres with over à Gran Vía, 54. M: Callao. à Cea Bermúdez, 1. M: Canal. Fernán Gómez. children.
Oriente, opposite the 1,000 seats. Centro Cultural à Palos de la Frontera, 5.
Royal Palace. à Atocha, 18. Teatro de la Abadía de la Villa M: Palos de la Frontera.
à Plaza de Isabel II, s/n. M: Tirso de Molina. A centre for theatre A cultural centre and
M: Ópera. studies and creation, theatre with over 40 Teatro
the Abadía is housed years of history and a del Barrio
Teatro La Latina inside a former varied programme. A cultural cooperative
Late Spanish church. à Plaza de Colón, 4. M: Colón. that makes its political
comic actress Lina à Fernández de los Ríos, 42. voice heard through
Morgan’s famous M: Quevedo. Teatro theatre.
theatre continues Valle-Inclán à Zurita, 20. M: Lavapiés.
at full throttle with El Pavón The former Sala
a programme of Teatro Kamikaze Teatro Lara Olimpia in Lavapiés Sala Mirador
quality mainstream High-quality theatre A multidisciplinary is now a home for This venue focuses
productions. for all in Madrid’s venue in Malasaña avant-garde and on social theatre, set
à Plaza de la Cebada, 2. famous Pavón with plays every day contemporary right on the street and
M: La Latina. Teatro Nuevo Apolo building. of the week. theatre. grounded in reality.
The former Teatro à Embajadores, 9. M: La Latina. à Corredera Baja de San à Valencia, 1. M: Lavapiés. à Dr. Fourquet, 31.
Teatro Circo Price Progreso is one Pablo, 15. M: Callao. M: Lavapiés.
One of Europe’s only of Madrid’s most Teatro Coliseum Teatro EDP
permanent circuses, charming places to A classic three-tier Nuevo Teatro Gran Vía
it also hosts concerts catch a musical or hall that specialises in Alcalá Reconverted back MORE AT
and magic shows. concert. musicals. the Alcalá Palace into a theatre hosting
à Ronda de Atocha, 35. à Plaza Tirso de Molina,1. à Gran Vía, 78. M: Plaza and, after being major productions, ESMADRID.COM
M: Lavapiés. M: Tirso de Molina. de España. refurbished, is now many of them

Music
Mad Cool
www.timeout.com/madrid/music-nightlife
Music
festivals
for all
Madrid is one of the Spanish cities
with the most music events, home to
fests covering a wide range of different
genres and prices. Mad Cool, Mulafest,
Brunch -In the Park and Dcode are
among those you won’t want to miss
Mulafest
DCODE April, concerts, tattoos, urban of Pearl Jam, Depeche Mode,

Dcode is still going strong as
one of the city’s biggest festivals
sports, street food and much
more invade Madrid’s Ifema
The city’s Jack White, Tame Impala and
Kasabian perform.
organised by and for students. convention centre for Mulafest. main open- www.madcoolfestival.es
It started in 2011 and since
then each September many
An unmissable date in the
city’s festival calendar if you’re
air festivals TOMAVISTAS
top names in indie, rock, dance into any form of urban culture, are held This festival showcases the
and other genres have graced its it even has its own island, newest and most creative music
stage – located in a leafy area of complete with sandy beach. from May scenes, styles and innovations
the Complutense University’s
Faculty of Information
www.mulafest.com
to October from Spain and around the world.
Held in May, it’s not one for
Sciences – including The MAD COOL mainstream audiences, but fans
Killers, Suede, Foals, Crystal This was the macro-festival of bands such as Goldfrapp, The
Fighters and Jake Bugg. that Madrid needed and it’s Horrors or Temples will love it.
www.dcodefest.com held mid-July in the Mad Cool-  www.tomavistasfestival.com
Valdebebas space. Previous
MULAFEST editions have drawn 80,000 BRUNCH -IN THE PARK
Over the last three days of people a day to watch the likes Every year Brunch -In the Park

Tomavistas
JAVIER ROSA
Dcode
Pearl Jam and Tame

Impala have performed
on Mad Cool’s stages
Brunch -In the Park
features a special combination date for rock and heavy of concerts takes place from
of music, food trucks and OTHER metal fans. Legends of the the end of June until the end
children’s activities that FESTIVALS genre such as Guns n’ Roses, of July and past editions have
provides a crossover between As well as these big Marilyn Manson, Linkin featured everyone from Patti
fun and culture that’s aimed dates, Madrid hosts Park and System of a Smith to Wilco and Seal.
not just at adults, but at kids, many other major Down, among others, have www.nochesdelbotanico.com
too. The perfect place to dance musical events, all graced its Caja Mágica
away a Sunday in September or including the Black stage. Held at the start of FESTIMAD
October to the rhythm of the is Back Weekend, July, it attracts more than Over the years, Festimad
best electronic music around, it Madrid es Negro, 100,000 revellers. has been the first Spanish
features DJs from across Spain Sound Isidro, and www.downloadfestival.es festival stage for acts
and beyond, all in the Enrique Getafe’s Cultura such as Radiohead, Rage
Tierno Galván park. Inquieta. NOCHES DEL BOTÁNICO Against the Machine and
madrid.brunch-in.com àwww.timeout.com/ Madrid’s botanical gardens The Smashing Pumpkins.
madrid/music-nightlife beneath a summer’s night sky It’s held in various venues
DOWNLOAD – it’s hard to imagine a better around the city over several
It only began some years ago backdrop for a music festival. weeks in April and May.
but it’s already an unmissable This spectacular programme www.festimad.es

Music
TOP 5
Local
bands
MARIANO REGIDOR
We introduce you to
1 the five most successful 4
bands in Madrid right
now. Some of their tracks
have already become
timeless anthems
RICARDO RONCERO
NELYA LHOSHYNA
2 5
1 Hinds
Comprising four young Madrileñas aged
between 22 and 27, this indie rock band
(with a few garage pop, surf and lo-fi touches)
released their first album in 2016. They’ve
4 Carolina Durante
This four-piece took to the stage in 2017
and although complete newcomers,
word of mouth transformed them into an
immediate phenomenon. Most people
since played festivals on four continents, discovered them through their most popular
appeared in magazines such as Rolling Stone hit, Cayetano, though they were already
and NME, and become the first Spanish group showing promise when they launched first EP
to perform on US late-night TV. Top tracks Necromántico. Insultingly young, Carolina
such as Garden and Bamboo now rack up Durante have an energy that explodes at every
more than four million plays on Spotify and live show. The tracks they’ve released to date
ALFREDO ARIAS
all their gigs are total carnage. They’ve found drip with irony, just like those of Los Punsetes
big-time success, and we urge you not to let 3 y Los Nikis, to whom they’re endlessly
them out of your sight. compared. They’re here to stay.
2 Los Punsetes
It seems like only yesterday, but it’s
12 years since Los Punsetes burst on
to the Spanish music scene like a tornado.
Unclassifiable and transgressive, they’re
3 Vetusta Morla
It’s 20 years since these then kids from
Tres Cantos in the north of the city
first met to play together. Today no one can
deny that Vetusta Morla are one of Spain’s
5 Cariño
Two of them were neighbours in the
same apartment block who got to know
each other through Tinder. The other they
saw play one night in Malasaña and after the
halfway between pop and punk, with most leading indie bands. They’ve released concert chased her down Calle Pez with a
recent record, ¡Viva!, greeted as a cause for several hugely successful albums and sell out demo and headphones. Since starting in the
celebration. Influenced by ’80s acts such as wherever they play, even 38,000-capacity summer of 2018, Cariño have set the scene
Kaka de Luxe and ’90s indie-pop bands like venues. Their tour in support of latest album, alight, paying tribute to the colourful so-called
Los Planetas, but with a more modern image Mismo sitio, distinto lugar, spread a lot of tontipop of ’90s bands such as Meteosat and
and some very bizarre lyrics, Los Punsetes magic, with beautiful songs such as 23 de gifting us catchy generational anthems such
are one of Madrid’s best alternative bands junio and Deséame suerte. The name, as Canción de pop de amor and Mierda seca.
and no self-respecting modern music lover by the way, comes from the giant tortoise As their name (‘affection’) suggests, they’re a
would disagree. in The Neverending Story. warm and cheerful live act.

LIVE
The coolest concert venues
Palacio de bands in the 1980s. Manzanares river. while enjoying a

Vistalegre These days you can àPaseo Bajo de la Virgen del beer. There are
The remodelling of catch concerts by Puerto, s/n. M: Pta. del Ángel. performances
the old Vistalegre alternative pop and every night and
bullring turned this rock groups during Sala But the tickets are
space into an ideal the week, before it This leading venue reasonably priced.
venue for large turns into a club at is well known for àGalileo, 100.
concerts and events weekends. club nights such as M: Islas Filipinas.
in Madrid. Many big àJardines, 3. M: Sol . Ochoymedio, but it
Gruta 77
WiZink Center
international artists also hosts concerts
have played here La Riviera by emerging A temple to punk,
over the years. With capacity for national and rock, garage and
àUtebo, 1. M: Vista Alegre. over 2,000 people, international bands. With capacity for up to other extreme styles
La Riviera is one of àBarceló, 11. M: Tribunal. in Carabanchel.
El Sol the most important 15,000 people, this is Fanzines, magazines
One of Madrid’s and influential Moby Dick Madrid’s largest concert and independent
legendary concert venues in the city, Next to Paseo de venue, offering the biggest labels have
halls, El Sol was famous for both its la Castellana, this helped make it a
the stage for concerts and club venue’s programme
programme. Its name unique venue.
some of the best nights. Open for over revolves around changes with the sponsor àCuclillo, 6. M: Oporto.
performances by the 50 years, it’s located indie rock, but but Madrileños will
city’s Movida era on the banks of the there’s room for
always know it as the Siroco
metal, pop, folk, soul A legendary club
and jazz, too. Palacio de Deportes. for pop and rock
àAv. de Brasil, 5. M: Cuzco. à Av. Felipe II, s/n. M: Goya. concerts and indie,
techno and electro
Clamores DJ sessions.
Specialising in It also organises
jazz and soul, this film seasons
venue features heavy metal and Costello is a place and exhibitions
eclectic concerts trap all on the bill. where you always related to music.
and sessions, àBernardino Obregón, 18. end up staying for àSan Dimas, 3. M: Tribunal.
transforming into M: Embajadores. a drink after you
an intimate and hear your favourite Café Central
smart club with Wurlitzer group. Its concerts The city’s official
marble tables and Ballroom are always good temple to jazz offers
mirrored walls. This central venue and you might even a carefully curated
àAlburquerque, 14. M: Bilbao. offers gigs by small bump into the odd programme of
alternative Spanish musician in the concerts taking
Sala Caracol groups, making it audience. place every night
This garage- a perfect place to àCaballero de Gracia, 10. of the week.
like venue in discover new music M: Sol. àÁngel, 10. M: Antón Martín .
Embajadores as well as what’s
specialises in gigs happening on the Galileo Galilei
by independent underground scene. With tables and
and alternative àTres Cruces, 12. M: Gran Vía. chairs in its stalls,
musicians, with new this is the perfect
generation punk, Costello venue to see stand-
indie pop, rap, hip A legendary up, a concert or
hop, heavy rock, nightclub, the a magic show

Music
THE BEST
HOUSE
Kapital
A huge club covering
SESSIONS rave. A classic club
situated just outside
the city centre.
Clubs
several floors with à Avenida de la Industria, 82.
different styles of Humanes de Madrid.
music, from Latin to
house to techno. Its INDIE ROCK
VIP areas famously Independance
host some of the best One of the Madrid
parties in Madrid. club nights most
à Atocha, 125. popular with
M: Atocha. students, its chief
attractions are the
MAINSTREAM best mainstream
Mitty indie rock and
A student-friendly low entry prices.
club hosting a mix of The venue also
mainstream music hosts concerts.
and concerts that’s à Sala 0. Plaza del Callao, 4.
perfect for dancing M: Callao.
the night away.
There are decent- UNDERGROUND
priced drinks, too. Ya’sta Club
à Julián Romea, 4. An alternative and
M: Guzmán el Bueno. underground club
that plays rock,
INDIE POP dark electronica,
Ochoymedio techno and gothic
An indie pop at sessions such as
favourite among Kream and Elecktra.
young Madrileños. à Valverde, 10. M: Gran Vía.
As well as pop
concerts by both
Joy Eslava ELECTRO
home-grown and Stardust
international artists, This iconic club is a symbol of Madrid An electro and
it’s also famous nightlife and you can find some big techno night for
for its DJ sessions international celebrities hanging out fans of electropop
and Jägermeister from the 2000s and
shot parties.
at its commercial dance nights. On the latest techno.
à Sala But. Barceló, 11. Thursdays it hosts Fuego, a hardcore Hardcore electronic
M: Tribunal. night that rocks to the sound of sounds for
millennial
TECHNO
reggaeton. It features everything from urban tribes.
Cassette flamenco evenings to occasional editions à Sala Cool. Isabel
Cassette is Madrid’s of queer party Churros con Chocolate. La Católica, 6.
Sunday techno club, àArenal, 11. M: Sol. M: Santo Domingo.
perfect for people
who don’t work FUNK
Mondays or for party Shoko
animals who head The best-known
here to cap off their stars such as Young temple to minimal outrageous outfits, in the genre have club in La Latina,
weekends. Beef and Miss Nina techno in the hands projections on to its played here. where the dance
à Sala Boite. Tetuán, 27. perform and DJ. Its of ex-Zombie Kid tower, cocktails, à Sala Coco. Alcalá, 20. floor shakes
M: Sol, Gran Vía. Instagram rocks, too. Cumhr Jay. There’s food and great M: Sevilla. to everything
à Cedaceros, 7. also a revolving line- views of the city. from the most
TRAP M: Sevilla. up of resident DJs. à ME Madrid Reina Victoria. VINTAGE TECHNO commercial
Cha Chá The CluB à Ballesta, 12. M: Gran Vía. Plaza Santa Ana, 14. M: Sol. Fabrik sounds to funk
You’ll feel like MINIMAL TECHNO Feel the rush of and reggaeton.
you’re at a trendy Ballesta Club ELECTRONICA HOUSE techno and its It also hosts
private club at this Opened recently Radio Dada Mondo Disko pounding beats at occasional
weekly night where in the heart of Hear the best The Madrid techno this venue, which concerts and fun
they play trap, rap, Malasaña, this electronica on night par excellence features old-school themed parties.
electronica and modern club has a hotel rooftop, since 1999. Some sessions and even à Toledo, 86.
reggaeton, and quickly become a complete with of the biggest name acid house and M: La Latina.

LGTBI
www.timeout.com/madrid
Beyond
Chueca
Madrid’s LGTBI scene
has moved out from its
traditional Chueca home,
with La Latina, Malasaña
and Lavapiés now also
featuring great venues for
the community
1 La 80
Walk through the doors of this spot in
Lavapiés and you’re transported back
to the ’80s, not just because of the mix of
home-grown and international pop played
by its DJs, but also because of its décor,
which features mirror balls and brightly
painted walls in pink and blue. This disco-
bar is a really fun place and particularly
popular with young thirtysomething
lesbians. Open from Wednesday to Sunday
until after 3am, it’s nearly always busy.
àSombrerería, 8. M: Chueca.
3 Thick Bar
A fun, fresh, alternative bar that
pushes all the usual LGBTI labels to
neighbourhood par excellence.
àSan Marcos, 16. M: Chueca.
2 El Rincón Guay
The terrace of this major LGBTI-
friendly Lavapiés venue is packed
every evening with people enjoying a drink
and its soundtrack of queer-pop classics.
one side. Open to everyone, it’s a place where
having a good time, rather than posing,
is the most important thing, hosting fun
nights of the kind that took place years ago
in legendary Chueca venues such as Refugio
4 El Atril
On Sunday evenings La Latina turns
into a ‘mini Chueca’, with its own
circuit of LGTBI bars and pubs. One of
the key places in the area (along with the
A hot spot for alternative new generation and Pasapoga. The music is commercial and likes of La Sixta and El Perla) is this
who’ve swapped Chueca for the authenticity uninhibited and even makes the staff dance, fun bar, which embraces the party
and multiculturalism of Lavapiés, it has a and there are occasional wild parties on spirit of the traditional La Paloma
great atmosphere, good vibe, beautiful and Thursday and Sunday evenings that feature festivities, with an emphasis on fun,
likeable people, and lots of flirting. some of Madrid’s best DJs. The bar to be freedom, letting go and having a good time.
à Embajadores, 62. M: Lavapiés. in Chueca, which remains the city’s LGTBI à La Paloma, 9. M: La Latina.

LGBTI
THE BEST
PARTIES
FOR A GREAT TIME
DRLO Live
Stage venue DLRO
Live is the place
to see shows, live
performances,
cabaret, stand- is to offer ‘a pop
up comedy and and fun alternative
photography and where the entire
art exhibitions in a LGTBI public
queer atmosphere. has a place,’ says
Madrid’s best drag co-creator David
queens are regulars Marcos. Enjoy top
and the venue is pop tracks from the
a popular haunt past and present one
for twinks (young, Sunday every month.
boyish gays). à Teatro Barceló. M: Tribunal.
Lots of fun.
à Pelayo, 59. M: Chueca. Factoría Cariño
When the shutters
Churros con came down on club
chocolate Marta, Cariño!, the
Held one Sunday a action moved to
month, this is one Sala Cool, where
of the best themed lovers of Spanish
parties on the a mostly lesbian Club 33 and international
Madrid gay scene, clientele, it organises The old Medea pop now have their
We Party fun club nights,
as well as concerts
nightclub may have
changed its name
and even sporting but its style has
We Party guarantees a contests. stayed the same.
good time, taking Madrid’s à Regueros, 9. M: Chueca. A meeting spot for
gay nightlife by storm party-hard lesbians
with its mix of stage shows, Odarko each weekend, it has
This fetish night has a relaxed and flirty
international house DJs a strict dress code atmosphere.
and good-looking guys. of leather, rubber, à Cabeza, 33. M: Lavapiés.
with gifts, snacks, àLa Riviera. www.wepartyontour.com/es/
straps and lycra, and weekly date in
churros, pop music, a very masculine My Pleasure the form of Baila,
shows and two vibe. On the decks, This night defines Cariño!. The good
rooms bursting with DJ Carranco plays itself as a monthly times and great
fun. Each edition progressive techno- gay ‘electro erotica’ dancing that go on
has a different Haring, Jeff Koons sessions, Kluster house that’s straight party celebrating all there have helped
theme, and guests and Michael Alig. features the biggest out of Berlin’s things fetish. The make it one of
are invited to It’s the creation international DJs on hardcore clubs. DJs play mostly deep the most popular
join in any way of fantastic the gay circuit and a à Sala Strong. Trujillos, 7. house and electro sessions in the city.
they like. Free entry transvestite artist dance floor packed M: Callao. and there are often à Marta, Cariño!
until 11pm. La Prohibida, one with muscly special sessions, too. Santa Engracia, 17.
à Sala Cool. Isabel of the biggest shirtless men. à Sala Pirandello. M: Alonso Martínez.
La Católica, 6. electropop singers à Sala Changó. Covarrubias, Martín de los Heros ,14. à Baila, Cariño! Sala Cool.
M: Santo Domingo. on the Spanish 42. M: Alonso Martínez. M: Plaza de España. Isabel La Católica, 6 .
scene. M: Santo Domingo.
Ultrapop à Sala Boite. Tetuán, 27. Fulanita de Tal TANGA! Party
With its gold and M: Sol. Running for almost a Set up in Barcelona
fluorescent décor, decade, this Chueca in 2015, this party MORE AT
Ultrapop takes it Kluster venue is now a has taken no time
aesthetic cues from One of Saturday Madrid nightlife to establish itself in ESMADRID.COM
the likes of Keith night’s essential club landmark. With Madrid. The idea

Art
www.timeout.com/madrid/arts-theatre
The top 10
Cultural overload threatens at
every turn in Madrid, but these
are the museum artworks you
shouldn’t leave without taking in A CITY FULL
OF ART
As well as the key
works of art listed
here, Madrid’s
1 8
Las Meninas crowning achievement museums and Woman in Bath
A work of art if ever there of a great master. galleries are home A masterpiece by pop
was one, Velázquez’s canvas à Museo del Prado
to major collections artist Roy Lichtenstein,
heralds the birth of modern that are undergoing painted using a rudimentary
4
painting with a composition The Three Graces constant renewal red, blue and yellow primary
that was way ahead of its time. One of the most and attract colour scheme applied in his
Depicting a scene from everyday representative baroque thousands of characteristic Ben-Day dots.
life, it has generated multiple works, this was painted tourists every year. The result looks like a comic
interpretations, both of its by Rubens, one of its best book turned into a work of art.
à www.timeout.com/
political meanings and artistic exponents. The voluptuous à Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
madrid/arts-theatre
and historical aspects. figures of the three women
à Museo del Prado
2 The Garden of Earthly Delights

This triptych is one of
demonstrate the beauty
ideals of the period.
à Museo del Prado 9 The Great Masturbator
A symbol of his sexual
obsessions, Salvador
Dalí’s autobiographical
Bosch’s most enigmatic
pieces. Considered one of the
most fascinating paintings in
art history, it depicts Paradise,
Creation and Hell.
5 Guernica
Picasso created this hard-
hitting and symbolist
work to represent the suffering
caused by the bombing of the
and nervous, unsettled
brushstrokes that follow a wavy,
repetitive rhythm as they depict
this town north of Paris.
à Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
dreamscape was painted
at the end of the summer of
1929 after he’d spent several
days with his future wife, Gala.
à Museo Reina Sofía
Bizkaia town of the title during
7 10
à Museo del Prado
the Spanish Civil War. The Third of May 1808 Hotel Room
3 The Nobleman with

his Hand on his Chest
One of the most famous
portraits by Doménikos
Theotokópoulos, aka El Greco,
A symbol of the horrors of
war, it was shown at the 1937
International Exhibition in
Paris to raise awareness
of the Republican cause.
This painting by Goya
shows the violent
repression carried out by the
occupying French army after
Madrileños rose up against
The loneliness of
modern cities is
one of the central themes of
Edward Hopper’s work, andin
this painting the engrossed
it shows a sixteenth-century à Museo Reina Sofía it on May 2 1808. Another female figure on the bed
nobleman (perhaps the third of the Prado’s key pieces, it’s contrasts with the coldness
marquis of Montemayor) with
his hand on his chest and
looking at the viewer as though
making a deal with them. A
6 Les Vessenots in Auvers
A spectacular piece by
Vincent van Gogh, with
luminous greens and yellows,
one of the Aragonese painter’s
most famous works in his
‘Disasters of War’ series.
à Museo del Prado
of the room, in which clear
lines and brilliant plain
colours predominate.
à Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza

Art
ART IN MADRID
A walk
through art
IF YOU WANT TO SEE ART in
Madrid, you only have to PASEO DEL
walk a few metres around ARTE CARD
one of the most impressive This art pass
concentrations of galleries gives entry to the
in the world – the triangle collections of all
formed by the Prado, three museums,
Thyssen-Bornemisza and and is valid for one
Reina Sofía museums. year. It provides
a 20-percent
THE PRADO MUSEUM discount and
The Prado is the most important is available to
art gallery in Spain, comprising buy in any of the THE THYSSEN-BORNEMISZA THE REINA SOFÍA MUSEUM
the Casón del Buen Retiro and museums. MUSEUM Madrid’s museum of avant-
an extension built in 2007 along The Thyssen houses the collection garde and modern art.
with the main building. On its PASEO DEL of the late Baron Hans-Heinrich It was extended in 2005
walls hang works by some of ARTE APP Thyssen-Bornemisza, made by architect Jean Nouvel
the greatest painters in history, The Paseo del Arte up of priceless works from the and houses one of the jewels
including Titian, Rubens, Imprescindible app English, German, Dutch and of Spanish painting,
Goya, Velázquez, Botticelli, gives you practical primitive Italian schools, Picasso’s Guernica,
Bosch and Caravaggio, info as well as as well as various European along with works by Dalí,
among many others. details about the avant-garde movements. Miró and many others.
à Paseo del Prado, s/n. M: Estación del Arte.
top 24 artworks. à Paseo del Prado, 8. M: Banco de España. à Santa Isabel, 52. M: Estación del Arte.
www.museodelprado.es www.museothyssen.org www.museoreinasofia.es
EL TOP 3
Street art
MADRID STREET ART PROYECT
ANTONIO GUZMÁN
Pure tradition Calle of colour Mural idyll

Artist Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada’s La Misterpiro created this work at the last The Muros Tabacalera project is reclaiming
Chulapa, a Madrileña in traditional dress, C.A.L.L.E. Lavapiés Festival to attract the exterior walls of the Tabacalera courtyard
watches from a chimney in the San Isidro the attention of passers-by from different as art spaces. Italian artist NemO’s painted
neighbourhood. Next to the famed Bar points of view. Look at it from a certain this anguished being alongside works by
Hogar Criado, the mural pays tribute to angle and you’ll see how it floods the artists such as Ampparito, Anna Taratiel and
the local community’s years of struggle. street with colour. the Boa Mistura collective.
àAmalarico, 7. M: Urgel. àArgumosa, 28. M: Lavapiés. àCSA La Tabacalera. M: Embajadores.

OTHER MUST-SEE
MUSEUMS
IN MADRID
Museo Cerralbo building that once

A museum-house housed an electricity
featuring paintings, plant. Highlights
sculptures, ceramics, include its vertical
glassware and garden, which is more
tapestries that give than 20m high and
it a special charm, home to over 250
this chocolate box of plant species.
art also hosts various àPaseo del Prado, 36.
cultural activities. M: Estación del Arte.
àVentura Rodríguez, 17.
M: Plaza de España. Fundación
Juan March
Museo Exhibitions, concert
del Traje seasons and free
Take a trip through seminars of all
the history of types are held in this
clothing, from family institution
archaeological pieces opened in 1955.
to modern haute àwww.march.es
couture.
àAv. Juan de Herrera, 2. Fundación
M: Ciudad Universitaria. Mapfre
There are two venues,
Museo de in Recoletos and
Ciencias Bárbara de Braganza,
Naturales both devoted to
One of Madrid’s photography. It also
oldest museums has a space dedicated
with permanent to works by Miró.
exhibitions
covering areas such
as biodiversity,
GALLERIES àPaseo del General Martínez
Campos, 37. M: Gregorio
nineteenth century,
and includes objects
àwww.fundacionmapfre.org.es
Espacio
minerals and human Marañón. that belonged to great Fundación
evolution. From the Salamanca to the Las Letras literary figures such Telefónica
àJosé Gutiérrez Abascal, 2. neighbourhoods, Madrid boasts a wide Museo del as Mariano José You’ll find
M: Gregorio Marañón. selection of internationally renowned Ferrocarril de Larra. exhibitions,
galleries that host some of the city’s Madrid’s railway àSan Mateo, 13. workshops, meet-
best exhibitions, most of which have museum is home M: Alonso Martínez. ups, talks and other
free entry. Among the best known are to a comprehensive free activities in
the Marlborough (Orfila, 5), which has collection of historic Museo this space located in
centres in other cities such as Barcelona materials from Arqueológico Telefónica’s 6,000m2
and New York, and Juana de Aizpuru Spain’s different Nacional headquarters.
(Barquillo, 44). Also worth a visit are regions. Discover the history àFuencarral, 3. M: Gran Vía.
Ivorypress (Comandante Zorita, 46-48), àPaseo de las Delicias, 61. of the different
which sells artists’ books; Mondo M: Delicias. peoples and cultures Fundación
Palacio de Liria Galería (San Lucas, 9), which specialises of Spain and the Canal
Owned by the House in photography; and La Fábrica (Alameda, Museo de Mediterranean, from The headquarters
of Alba since the 9), a multifunctional space with a gallery, América antiquity to recent of the Fundación
eighteenth century, café, bookstore and shop. A journey through times. Highlights Canal de Isabel II in
this palace hosts one the history of the include the famous Plaza Castilla houses
of the most important continent via more Dama de Elche one of the most
private art collections than 25,000 objects sculpture. interesting exhibition
in the whole world. pleasure to future Museo Sorolla of every type. àSerrano, 13. M: Colón. spaces in the city.
àPrincesa, 20. generations. Its Home to the most àAv. de los Reyes Católicos, 6. àMateo Inurria, 2.
M: Ventura Rodríguez. collection is highly extensive collection M: Moncloa. CULTURAL M: Plaza de Castilla.
valued for of works by the
Museo its diversity, Valencian painter Museo del SPACES
Lázaro Galdiano with ivory, silver in Madrid, this is Romanticismo MORE AT
José Lázaro Galdiano and more. one of the best- This museum CaixaForum ESMADRID.COM
founded this museum àSerrano, 122. preserved artists’ recreates the lifestyle, This cultural centre
to educate and bring M: Gregorio Marañón. houses in Europe. art and customs of the occupies a futurist

Books
Literary
corners OTHERS FAIRS
AND FESTIVALS
If you’re still
CUESTA DE MOYANO hankering for more
On the edge of the Retiro park,
literature, make
this is one of the city’s nerve
a note of these
centres for lovers of secondhand
two events: the
books. The famous Moyano hill FERIA DEL LIBRO different themes, as well as
Feria del Libro
is part of Madrid’s Paseo del The most important date in the children’s activities, workshops
Antiguo y de
Arte and it features original city’s literary calendar takes and plenty more.
Ocasión in Paseo
programming of weekend place each year in the Retiro àwww.ferialibromadrid.com
de Recoletos
cultural events. Organised by park from the end of May to
(April-May and
Territorio Moyano, the project the beginning of June. The LIBROS MUTANTES September-
aims to promote and encourage Madrid Book Fair is a unique La Casa Encendida cultural centre
October), and
reading in the area. The stalls opportunity to discover the hosts this fair for independent
La Noche de los
have been there for years latest publications, attend publishers every April, with
Libros, held in
and make up the city’s only book signings, and meet fanzines, design, free workshops,
various bookshops
permanent book market. authors in person. It features children’s activities and music.
at the end of April.
àwww.cuestamoyano.es over 300 stalls covering àwww.librosmutantes.com
TOP 3
Original bookshops La Casquería
àEmbajadores, 41. M: Lavapiés.
Since 2012 the old María Luisa
Tipos Infames offal and Manoli poultry stalls in
àJoaquín, 3. M: Tribunal. the Mercado de San Fernando have
This bookshop specialises been the home of this stand where
in independent authors and you can buy books by weight. The
publishers, and also has a price is 10€ a kilo and its aim is
corner given over to a café/ to promote free and sustainable
wine bar. It’s a dynamic and culture and local trade.
open cultural space that, as
well as promoting independent
literature, offers other quality
products such as wine and craft Tuuulibreria
beer, not to mention a wide àCovarrubias, 38. M: Bilbao.
range of activities including This is the only bookstore (it has three branches)
book presentations, tastings, where you can choose the price of every book you buy.
exhibitions, workshops and Its philosophy is that everyone should have access to
courses. A highly recommended literature, regardless of their economic resources. It also
alternative space in the donates books to charity and sends them to developing
heart of Malasaña. countries, as well as organising activities and events.

Time Out para La Vaguada
Shopping
in the city
If you like getting out and about in the heart
of Madrid, finding everything for every taste
in one place, and turning a day’s shopping into
an ideal experience, you’ll love La Vaguada
S0ME PLACES SURPRISE you

with their architecture, their
décor or what they offer... But
others do so precisely because
they bring everything together
in one place. That’s the case with
the La Vaguada shopping centre,
right in the heart of Madrid.
Inside this city landmark, you’ll
find some of the most surprising
experiences around.
A perfect experience
The city’s first shopping mall,
La Vaguada transformed the
concept of ‘going shopping’ into
an all-encompassing experience
when it opened
its doors in 1983.
Since then, that
idea has done Whatever
nothing but
evolve, with the
you’re looking
centre expanding for, you’ll find
its range of
possibilities to
it in one of
make you feel at La Vaguada’s
home. Starting
your day with 300 stores brands, alongside myriad
a good brunch, entertainment options.
stocking up on Movie lovers will enjoy the
groceries at its best new releases in its cinema,
traditional market the selection of restaurants will
and enjoying keep the most ardent foodie’s
its restaurants’ culinary curiosity satisfied,
terraces are just while even video-gamers get
some of the things you can do their spot in the form of the
here to turn an ordinary day into La Arena e-sports space.
a special one. But that’s not all, because
throughout the whole year
Unique moments La Vaguada hosts a varied
Sports, home, beauty, music, line-up of cultural activities,
literature… it doesn’t matter including concerts and family
what your passion it! At La shows, that turn it into a
Vaguada everything is possible landmark meeting point for
since it’s home to over 300 stores locals and visitors alike.
and services where you can find Come and discover it: your
almost anything. There, awaiting perfect day is waiting for you!
you are the latest fashion trends à La Vaguada. Av. de Monforte de Lemos.
and accessories from the best M: Barrio del Pilar. enlavaguada.com

Food and
Drink www.timeout.com/madrid/restaurants
Famous
Madrid
dishes
The capital is known for its great food and
there are many typical dishes that define
its delicious culinary culture. These are our
favourites and the best places to try them
EL COCIDO MADRILEÑO on both sides, before serving BACALAO REBOZADO increasingly find them outside
Madrid’s most typical dish them on a delicious bed of fried You have to go to Casa Labra to of that time. There are various
is this stew made from potatoes. Simple presentation try this dish. There cod (bacalao) types: rosquillas tontas are plain,
chickpeas, broth and meat, and classic flavours in a La Latina is the speciality, particularly cod while rosquillas listas are covered
although there are many restaurant where tradition rules. croquettes and tajadas – pieces with icing and the Santa Clara
variations on the basic recipe. à Casa Lucio. Cava Baja, 35. M: La Latina. of fish fried in batter. You can ones are topped with meringue.
The best-known version is either try them right there on Even Madrid’s most creative
undoubtedly that served in PATATAS BRAVAS the premises or take them away bakers adhere strictly to
La Bola in the old city centre – its The patatas bravas served – no bad option, given that the tradition in making them.
secret is to cook each serving at Docamar are famous across restaurant and terrace are almost à La Duquesita. Fernando VI, 2.
in individual clay pots on a bed Madrid. The potatoes are freshly always full and the wait to order M: Alonso Martínez.
of charred holm oak. cooked to perfection, and served can seem eternal.
à Taberna La Bola. Bola, 5. M: Ópera. with just the right amount of spicy à Casa Labra. Tetuán, 12. M: Sol. CROQUETAS
bravas sauce. The bar keeps its Some say it’s the ones their
HUEVOS ESTRELLADOS winning recipe a closely guarded ROSQUILLAS mum makes, others say it’s their
The best version of this egg dish secret and once you’ve tried them These typical Madrid doughnut- granny’s – Spaniards always
is the world-famous one made at you’re sure to be back for more. like pastries are traditionally have trouble agreeing who
Casa Lucio. It roasts, rather than It also sells its tasty bravas sauce made in May during the annual makes the best croquettes. So
fries, its eggs in a pan with a little for you to take home. San Isidro festival celebrating the imagine the impossibility of
oil, cooking the yolk and white à Docamar. Alcalá, 337. M: Quintana. city’s patron saint, but you can doing it in a city where every bar

FOODIE TRADITION
The perfect
squid
baguette
You can find the classic Madrid
bocata de calamares at:
EL BRILLANTE
This beer bar opposite
Atocha station has been
serving its famous squid
baguettes since 1961.
à Pza. Emperador Carlos V, 8.
TABLAFINA
In the hall of the NH hotel, next
to cheeses, meats and tapas,
you have a splendid version.
à Paseo del Prado, 48.
CALLOS PERRO BAR

La Tasquita de This bar fries its squid in olive
Enfrente is famous oil, then serves it in Galician
for its version of bread with an olive sauce.
this traditional offal and restaurant offers their own get one at weekends. Its à El Corte Inglés. Plaza del Callao, 2.
stew. Chef Juanjo version. More runny, less runny; churros are the perfect size
López uses both with Iberian ham or with shrimp and thickness, crunchy BAR POSTAS
special black and and kimchi; coated in classic and hot. A Madrid must-do. Off Plaza Mayor, Postas is
salted varieties breadcrumbs or crunchier à Chocolatería San Ginés. Pasadizo famous for its squid baguettes,
of tripe, washing Japanese panko crumbs… de San Ginés, 5. M: Sol. as well as its marinated fish
each one in cold The choices are endless, and baby squid tapas.
water before though we’re rather partial TORRIJAS à Postas, 13.
cooking them for to the ones at Santerra. La Casa de las Torrijas
almost six hours. à Santerra. General Pardiñas, 56. M: Lista. has been cooking these
à La Tasquita de Enfrente. traditional Easter treats
Ballesta, 6. M: Callao. CHOCOLATE CON CHURROS for years – its versions are
You won’t get your honorary so soft and juicy, they dissolve
Madrid members’ card if you in your mouth. There are two
haven’t tried chocolate and different kinds, those made
churros (deep-fried pastry with milk and those made
fingers) at the Chocolatería with wine, and it serves
San Ginés. This traditional them both all year round.
city-centre café has tables A classic Madrid dessert.
downstairs, but you’ll be lucky to à La Casa de las Torrijas. Paz, 4. M: Sol.

Food and Drink
Tortilla
de patata
The potato omelette is one
of Spain’s tastiest and best-known
dishes. The question is,
though, should it be with
onion or without?
THE TORTILLA IS AN ESSENTIAL LA ARDOSA

part of the national menu, and A classic bar for a pre-lunch TABERNA PEDRAZA
there are as many different or early evening drink with a This bar in the Retiro area puts a great twist
ways of preparing it as there traditional feel and shelves lined on the traditional (onion-free) tortilla. It uses
are people. Really, though, with dusty bottles. It only serves fresh free-range eggs that weigh between 56g
it has only three essential beers in double cañas but they and 60g and come from chickens fed on corn
ingredients: eggs, potatoes go down well with something to make the yolk more yellow. The potatoes,
and olive oil. Even so, put four from the appealing menu – and meanwhile, are a hydroponically grown cross
friends together and no two when you try the tortilla you’ll of the Kennebec and Agria varieties. The
will turn out an omelette that understand why this place result is soft, yellow tortillas (the recipe comes
looks or tastes the same. With is so famous. Duck behind from the renowned O’Pote restaurant in
or without onion (and should it the bar and you’ll find a Betanzos in Galicia) that are beyond compare.
be caramelised)? Thin or four small lounge at the back. One of the best in Madrid.à Ibiza, 38. M: Ibiza.
centimetres thick? Cooked à Colón, 13. M: Tribunal.
through or slightly runny
in the middle? Served sliced SYLKAR
or on cocktail sticks...? No list of the best tortillas in
Here we present some of the Madrid would be complete lunches from ten. Served with to try, so you’re sure to want to
bars and restaurants with without this family establishment. or without onion, in slices to eat keep coming back.
tortillas we’d swear by. At first glance it might seem like at the bar or whole to take away, à Infanta Mercedes, 98. M: Valdeacederas.
a normal café-bar, but it hides not its tortillas, made with crispy
only a wonderful kitchen where potatoes and generous amounts JUANA LA LOCA
everything is home-made using of egg, are worthy examples PINTXOS BAR
traditional recipes, but also a well- of those you’ll find in any This trendy tapas bar isn’t cheap,
stocked wine cellar. Its torrijas – a traditional Madrid bar. but it offers some top-level creative
kind of Spanish bread pudding, à Ayala, 28. M: Serrano. cooking – its pinchos (little
traditionally served at Easter – are combos of ingredients skewered
also to die for. OCAFÚ on to pieces of bread) include
à Espronceda, 17. M: Ríos Rosas. Formerly known as La Penela, ostrich, plum and crunchy bacon,
this restaurant makes tortillas and foie gras with caramelised
CASA DANI the way they make them in the apple. Its tortilla is cooked through
Occupying a small spot in the Galician town of Betanzos, and but still runny, though the main
centre of the Mercado de la they’re considered some of the difference is its inclusion of
Paz, this bar serves breakfasts best in Madrid. There are also caramelised onion. Delicious!
from seven in the morning and other delicious Galician treats à Puerta de Moros, 4. M: La Latina.

Madrid’s best
tapas bars
Enjoying a beer and a few bites to eat is what
the Spanish call tapear. Indulge at one of these
places and you won’t be disappointed
TAPAS & PINCHOS dishes on offer each day either

Taberna Arzábal at the bar or in the dining room.
Arzábal (pictured) offers à Dr. Castelo, 30. M: Ibiza.
traditional tapas bar cooking. With
waiting staff rushing backwards ANDALUSIAN FRIED FISH
and forwards and shelves full of Bocaíto
wine bottles, this is about top- This 50-year-old bar specialises
quality ingredients prepared in toasts with toppings, tapas and
with a minimum of fuss. traditional dishes from the Castile
The croquettes are a must. and Andalucia regions, with
à Menéndez Pelayo, 13. M: Ibiza. fried fish and fresh seafood
from the Cantabrian Sea.
CEVICHES & TIRADITOS à Libertad, 6. M: Chueca.
Barra Eme
An urban bar where you can HAUTE CUISINE TAPAS
explore street food and culture La Raquetista
from around the world – One of the many gastrobars around
FREE TAPAS! particularly Peru – with the Retiro, La Raquetista specialises
ÍNDALO TAPAS great dishes and cocktails. in haute cuisine tapas such as
Cold beer, friendly service and above Chef Omar Malpartida’s menu razor shell ceviche, chickpeas with
all, you can choose a free tapa with features Asian, European and black sausage and foie gras, and its
your drink, just like in Almería. Latin American influences. amazing Russian salad. One of the
à Pérez Galdós, 7. à Libertad, 5. M: Chueca. best bars in the area.
à Dr. Castelo, 19. M: Ibiza.
LA BLANCA PALOMA FRESH MARKET FOOD
Chilled beer in tall glasses with the Mercado de la Reina IN A WINE GLASS
added appeal of free tapas This place serves tapas and larger Taberna del Chato
and cheap spirits. raciones from morning until last Tapas here are served in chatos –
à Espíritu Santo, 21. thing at night, with interesting typical low wine tumblers – and
seasonal variations adding include dishes ranging from
EL TIGRE a touch of the unexpected. salmorejo (a chilled tomato dip
Always packed, it One of the best bars on Gran Vía. like gazpacho) to curried chicken,
serves its beers with à Gran Vía, 12. M: Gran Vía. pickled partridge salad, tuna tartar
generous free tapas with seaweed, and steak teriyaki.
that change with EXQUISITE PINCHOS Each is a little mouthful of pleasure
each round Taberna Laredo and, unsurprisingly, the place is
à Infantas, 30. Traditional Spanish food simply always packed at weekends, so be
prepared using fresh market sure to get there early!
produce. You can enjoy all the à Cruz, 35. M: Sol.

Food and Drink
TOP 5
Cafés
with
Federal Café
charm Cereal Hunters Café
Good coffee, homemade

pastries, attractive
décor – our pick of perfect
places to start your day
with a tasty breakfast
Pum Pum Café La Carmencita
1 Federal Café
The substantial breakfasts here are an
ideal way to inject some energy into your
morning. The menu features everything from
Greek yogurt with cereal, to toast with all kinds
4 Cereal Hunters Café
More than 150 different cereal boxes
greet you at this paradise for lovers
of Cheerios, Frosties, Coco Pops as well as
harder-to-find international imports such as
of toppings, freshly baked croissants and Star Wars, Batman and Flintstones.
scrambled eggs. Its products are all fresh and Syrups, toppings (dried fruit, chocolate
organic, including the flour and eggs, and there cookies, fruit jellies and more) and 20
are gluten-free options, too. The delicious different kinds of milk (some of
cakes are baked by the resident pastry chef vegetable origin) complete the menu
and come in eight different varieties, while the at this Malasaña café that, though small,
coffee is similarly of luxury breakfast standard. still includes a bar and a few tables where
Also offering a great brunch, this is a place Motteau you can enjoy your bowl of cereal in peace.
where you can feel right at home. à Mejía Lequerica, 14. M: Tribunal.
3 5
à Plaza de las Comendadoras, 9. M: Plaza de España.
Motteau Taberna La Carmencita
2 Pum Pum Café

An old butcher’s dating back to 1800
has been converted into this vegetarian
haven where you can munch on delicious
treats while breathing in the smell of its
Inject some Parisian glamour into
your morning coffee at Motteau, an
independent pastry shop where you can
watch the chef preparing delicacies such
as lemon tart, chocolate tart with stout and
Breakfast in one of Madrid’s oldest
taverns (it dates from 1854)
has its charms. Today La Carmencita
can be found serving organic bread made
with stone-ground flour from Zamora,
freshly toasted and ground organic coffee, sponge cake with hazelnut cream. fresh butter from farms in the Sierra de
sourced from a small Madrid producer. The The place is famous for its croissants, Madrid, cheese from San Pedro del Romeral,
breakfast menu features carrot, raspberry cheesecake and tarte tatin, which are partly honey from Patones, jam from Liébana,
and lemon sponge cakes and up to 12 to blame for the wonderful smell of French homemade yogurt, juice from Valencian
different baked items, including brownies, butter that permeates the shop. Whatever oranges, organic milk from free-range
cookies, lemon pie and alfajores de maicena you choose, though, enjoy it with a good cup cows in the Madrid mountains, and freshly
(Argentinian sandwich biscuits). of coffee and the lively atmosphere. toasted fair-trade coffee. Simply marvellous!
à Tribulete, 6. M: La Latina. à San Pedro, 9. M: Antón Martín. à Libertad, 16. M: Chueca.

Drink its main varieties, this place
has a spacious New York-style
taproom where you can pair the
brews with some top-notch food.
à Julián Camarillo, 19. M: Ciudad Lineal.
The craft
EL PEDAL
This small bar in Lavapiés crams
in a good selection of craft beers
beer crawl FABRICA

MARAVILLAS
from both Madrid
and abroad.
Argumosa, 33.
M: Lavapiés.
LA TAPE Not just one of
This gourmet space Madrid’s best LA CASA DE
combines its range of craft breweries, the LA CERVEZA
beers (both bottled and ‘Factory of Wonders’ With over 30 years’
from the barrel) with a range BODEGA SALVAJE which it rotates the is also one of experience, this
of dishes to suit all tastes Windmills and the hypnotising other beers it makes in Malasaña’s first bar features more
designed to match them, face of Spanish film star Sara the town of Alcázar de microbreweries, than 30 beers on
including houmous, Russian Montiel about to sing Bésame San Juan. with a large variety tap and over 150
salad, cheese and cured mucho hang from the walls. à Jaime el Conquistador, 25. M: of high-quality in bottles, ranging
meat boards and croquettes. Glass after glass of La Gorda Legazpi. beers served in its from Madrid
There’s a sizeable selection and La Flaca, its two most attractive brewpub. craft beer to
of Spanish and international accessible brews for newbies, MAD BREWING à Valverde, 29. M: Gran Vía. Belgian and
beers and it can even flies out from the bar. Along As well as allowing German brews. It’s
organise private tastings with those two and a menu of you to see the brewery also a great place
and parties, too. around ten traditional dishes, where the beer is for watching sport.
San Bernardo, 88. M: San Bernardo. you’ll also find six taps on made and sample Luchana, 5. M: Bilbao.
TOP 3
Irish pubs in Madrid
The Irish Rover Finnegans The James Joyce Irish Pub

One of Madrid’s most famous Irish pubs, Finnegans pub in Plaza de las Salesas Right in the city centre, next to Plaza de
this place is known not only for its has its own rugby team, the Madrid Cibeles, this Irish bar offers Guinness
range of beers and its unbeatable location Lions, and shows the major games and Murphy’s on tap, pub grub, chatty Irish
next to the Castellana, but also its frequent on its big screens. At the weekends (and Spanish) waiting staff, and rugby
gigs and music performances. it’s always packed with people who and Premier League matches on its enormous
Offering a typical Irish-bar atmosphere, flock here to enjoy a pint or two screens. Interestingly, the James Joyce
it’s a good spot for meeting up with and the (mostly rock) DJ sessions. used to be the Café Lion, a favourite writers’
friends to watch a match, too. Be sure to try the burgers. haunt in the post-Civil War years.
àAv. de Brasil, 7. M: Santiago Bernabéu. àPlaza de las Salesas, 9. M: Chueca. àAlcalá, 59. M: Banco de España.

Food and Drink
BY THE GLASS COCKTAIL BARS
Beyond beer: from Three G&Ts

wine to vermouth
TABERNA
MUSEO CHICOTE
AVERÍAS
The walls are covered
On Madrid’s coolest
in photos of the bar’s
foodie street, this
famous visitors
bar offers dozens
of wines from key
Alongside beer, Madrid’s bars Spanish regions a Museo Chicote
also have a great selection of wine nd further afield. àGran Vía, 12. M: Gran Vía.
and vermouth – a drink that’s Since it was opened by famous Spanish cocktail waiter
growing increasingly popular. WHY GO? Pedro Chicote in 1931, this bar has been renowned for
We pick a couple of places to For the wide variety its delicious cocktails, fun atmosphere and glamorous
enjoy each one: of wines served international clientele, as well as its exclusive and raucous
by the glass at parties. Almost 90 years on, Chicote is still a unique part
LA CHULA DE CHAMBERÍ is reasonable prices of Madrid’s nightlife, attracting all types of people in search
one of the best examples of the and its young and of a great gin and tonic and a special vibe. There’s also a
new style of Madrid bar, with a trendy atmosphere. menu of snacks to pair with the nearly 50 cocktails on offer,
selection of tempting wines and à Ponzano, 16. which include the mai-tai, the Hemingway and the Alaska.
well-chosen produce prepared M: Alonso Cano.
skilfully and simply. There are
cured meats, stews and toasts
with various toppings, served at a
few high tables and one big table for eight.
Fernando el Santo, 11. M: Alonso Martínez.
LA VIOLETA is a refurbished tavern – now all

marble and painted shelves – in the traditional
Madrid neighbourhood of Chamberí. It sells
over 30 vermouths, which go perfectly with
its smoked or pickled anchovies, cheeses and
other dishes and great atmosphere.
Vallehermoso, 62. M: Canal. Salmon Guru Macera
àEchegaray, 21. M: Gran Vía. àSan Mateo, 21. M: Alonso Martínez.
BODEGAS LA ARDOSA – not to be confused Enjoy cocktail master Diego An industrial-style cocktail bar
with La Ardosa in Malasaña – is a minuscule Cabrera’s most popular and café where barman Narciso
bar with a beautiful tiled exterior and an creations at this chic, modern Bermejo has recovered the original
interior lined with wine bottles. The patatas and beautifully decorated bar. essence of the gin and tonic.
bravas and fried pork belly are very good, There are 25 classic drinks The cocktail menu comprises ten
the beer comes in big glasses, and the to choose from, from G&Ts to classics created using Macera’s
vermouth on tap is delicious. numerous original creations that own in-house-distilled spirits.
Santa Engracia, 70. M: Iglesia. have earned this place its fame. A bar with a difference.

WHERE TO EAT
Essential restaurants for Madrid foodies
high and low tables sourdough starter. people behind the

SANDWICHES and a young and There’s wheat bread, lively KungFu serves
relaxed atmosphere. bread with seeds, up the spicy cuisine
The service is potato, honey and of Yunnan province.
Bao Bar friendly and the tasty onion, rye bread… àLibreros, 18.
Bao buns are still baguettes include all filled with the M: Santo Domingo.
all the rage and at Thai chicken, the freshest ingredients
this place they’re Cubano mi Hermano, to make gourmet Shanghai Mama
delicious, with and the Adoro el creations that are This place’s incredibly
fillings such as
shredded duck,
Pomodoro. There’s
craft beer, too.
all its own.
àConde Duque, 8.
La Casa Tomada tasty ku bak rice with
chicken, seafood and
cucumber, spring àLuchana, 1. M: Bilbao. M: Noviciado. egg is one of the best
onion and hoisin Without doubt, this place sells around. None of its
sauce, or falafel, Crumb John Barrita the most lavish baguettes in range of dumplings is
tahini and salad. This place defines From Javi Estévez of Madrid. Real food porn. And likely to disappoint,
They go great with a itself as Madrid’s La Tasquería (who either – to choose
beer and the prices spot for haute supplies the meat the same goes for the rest of one, the xialongbao
are reasonable. cuisine sandwiches. and more) and John its dishes, including the chilli made from meat
àCorredera Alta de San Pablo, 2. It takes a lot of care Edward Torres of cheese fries – chips topped and black truffles
over the bread, La Panotheca (who is as delicate as it is
M: Callao.
which is kneaded, supplies the organic
with chilli con carne, melted explosive. It would
La Sanducherie shaped and baked bread), this sandwich cheddar, jalapeño peppers, red also be wrong to leave
A well-organised every day with and tapas joint offers onion, a fried egg, coriander without trying its
space with a mix of organic flour and a relaxed style and famous hot and sour
and bacon. Pure greed!
lavishly designed soup and traditional
backdrop. Open à San Lorenzo, 9. M: Chueca. crispy duck with
to all, the space is almond and cherry
all exposed brick sauce. For dessert, the
walls, wood and big come with chips, street food by the fried banana is a good
windows, while the rice or pasta. The imagination and option – and lighter
service is efficient desserts, meanwhile, skill of chef Yong than it looks.
and friendly. are just as Ping Zhang (aka àInfanta Mercedes, 62.
àVallehermoso, 72. M: Canal. homemade as their Julio). The décor is M: Tetuán.
meatballs and tend attractive, while the
El porrón canalla to come in generous ramen is unbeatable
Nina Lafhchenova portions. – a soup of well- PERUVIAN
and May Nocon àConchas, 3. M: Callao. balanced flavours
have set up a lively and a light and
and simple fast- vibrant texture. Tiradito
food joint selling CHINESE àPlaza de los Mostenses, 4. The ceviche and raw
meatballs (beef, M: Callao. fish at this bar are
pork or chicken) something special,
in brioche buns Lamian XiangZili all prepared with
prepared with love, Lamian by Soy The guo qiao mi xian ingredients from
lots of flavour and, Kitchen takes you on (crossing the bridge across Peru’s three
if you dare try the a journey through noodles) served here regions by chef Omar
Fireball, a spicy hit the most traditional would rival Asterix’s Malpartida, a star of
you’ll never forget. specialities from cauldron of magic Peruvian cuisine. It’s
Happily, the duo China, Taiwan, potion for potency also excellent value
have also taken Korea and Japan, and flavour. Looking for money.
vegans into account, all fused together like a speakeasy, this àConde Duque, 13.
and the dishes all into authentic Asian restaurant from the M: San Bernardo.

Food and Drink
La Cevicuchería side of tacos… Forneria Ballaró traditional wood-

With a name derived àDuque de Liria, 9. Featuring a wood- fired one.
from combining two M: Ventura Rodríguez. fired oven, this àAlonso Cano, 37.
of Peruvian cuisine’s place serves up M: Alonso Cano.
most representative Mawey amazing Sicilian
dishes – ceviche and Run by two dishes, including Éccolo
anticuchos – this experienced chefs kebabs made from At the back, in a
place is the creation who make everything porchetta, Segovian bright space with
of chef Miguel Ángel on the premises, suckling pig, rocket extraordinary
Valdiviezo and Melina including the and mayonnaise; windows, a huge
Salas, the pair behind tortillas, this taco bar potato and Sardinian wood-fired oven
Madrid’s first ceviche continues to raise sausage croquettes; absorbs the constant
restaurant, Tampu, classics to new levels rice balls stuffed coming and going
now in Calle Prim. (such as the succulent with ragu, peas of pizzas here. All
Here the space is cochinita pibil and and mozzarella of them are organic,
divided between the impeccable suadero) and, of course, made from select
bar and a dining area and to separate itself spectacular pizzas. ingredients and of a
with low-level tables. from the pack with àSanta Engracia, 90. M: Canal good size – you won’t
àTéllez, 20. unusual recipes – the mesmerised by want to give up even
M: Menéndez Pelayo gobernador tacos chef Mario Payán’s half a slice of one to
are sensational. movements behind PIZZAS leave room for the
Quispe But Mawey best the counter here. piatinni (sbriciolona
This place doesn’t demonstrates its He prepares sushi toscana, caponata,
skimp on the quality uniqueness in the with the harmony, Fratelli Figurato coppa…) or panna
of its produce – form of its constantly firmness and The very sharp and cotta. There’s also
bluefin tuna for the revolving list of precision of exacting Riccardo an enviable range of
tiradito shiso and exquisite fillings, such a martial art. and Vittorio closed craft beers.
Galician beef for as pig’s ear and duck àBretón de los Herreros, 54. the door on their àEmbajadores, 28.
the lomo saltado carnitas. sushi, ramen and M: Gregorio Marañón. former lives to open M: La Latina
(marinated steak àOlid, 6. M: Quevedo. other specialities. this welcoming and
with veg and fried Both its bar and its popular Neapolitan
potatoes). There Mestizo tables are always full. ITALIAN pizzeria. They’ve TRADITIONAL
are also hot and This place does àSanta Isabel, 5. now won over half
cold dishes, nods to nachos, quesadillas M: Antón Martín. the neighbourhood
Peruvian nikkei and with various fillings Don Lisander with their Italian Los Galayos
chifa fusion cuisine and more than ten Miki This trattoria with soundtrack, You’ll find
and a selection of types of taco. But it Don’t expect its delicious thin- their light and praiseworthy
original tapas made also does tamales, fantastically original crust pizzas and alternative doughs quantities of honesty,
from the recipes of nopales and stews creations, makis home-made pasta – everything from diligence and
top chef friends. such as duck in mole loaded with stylistic marks the peak of long fermentation exacting know-how
The décor provides sauce with cherry and flourishes or a menu transalpine cooking to wholemeal, at this place off Plaza
a window on the walnuts. We especially with infinite options in Madrid. Don’t miss multicereal and
country’s acerbic recommend the here – this is no-frills its ‘bruschette’ of eggs seeded – and their
art and culture that molcajete mestizo cooking. A classic with truffle and its heat-resistant
runs parallel to the (there are chicken, Japanese restaurant spectacular tiramisu. stone pizza oven
diversity served up beef, vegetarian and that comes at you àInfanta Mercedes, 92. M: that maintains all
on your plate. prawn versions) – a head on, it’s sure Valdeacederas. the qualities of a
àOrellana, 1. huge stone pot filled to win over those
M: Alonso Martínez. with avocado, chorizo, most devoted
cheese, onion, to this cuisine in its
coriander and salsa. purest form.
MEXICAN àRecoletos, 13. M: Retiro. àDuque de Sevilla, 4. Mayor. The cooking
M: Cruz del Rayo. is based on Castilian
àRecoletos, 13. M: Retiro. traditional and roast
María Bonita JAPANESE Kappo suckling pig is one of
Comfortable, good If it wasn’t because the house specialities.
and cheap, this place you’d come here If you don’t want
is one of those honest Yokaloka to try the food and to venture into the
and homespun taco One of the first the Tasmanian restaurant on your
bars that wants Japanese food stalls trout nigiri you’ve first visit, try one of
nothing more than in the Mercado de just picked up with the dishes at the bar.
for you to spend a Antón Martín, this your fingers is àBotoneras, 5. M: Sol.
fun hour enjoying has become a hotspot providing a tempting
the dishes arrive at for all things Japan introduction to Cruz Blanca
your table – a soup, a in the city centre, his omakase sushi, Its cocido served
prickly-pear salad, a with freshly prepared you could end up in two parts is

famous and has Vega We highly recommend Vietnamese pho soup
received both the This place is bustling the sweetbreads and several legendary
praise of critics and and loud but comfy (addictive), chilli curries, including
numerous rewards. and pleasant. crab (with a sauce gaeng phet from
It takes around Ingredients are locally you’ll want to keep Thailand. There are
15 hours to make, sourced, organic, or spreading and Asian cocktails, too.
carefully adding each fair trade, and the spreading), pig’s ear àBarquillo, 26. M: Chueca.
ingredient – the ham, service is good. (finely sliced and
the bone marrow, the àLuna, 9. M: Santo Domingo with an attractive
beef, the bacon… – glaze) and the dim
step by step. sum of the day.
àCarlos Martín Álvarez, 58. FUSION àPaseo de la Castellana, 115.
M: Portazgo. M: Cuzco.
Botín Kitchen 154 StreetXO

Still standing after If you like spicy The street food
almost 300 years, dishes, Asian street version of chef
the world’s oldest food or eating at lively David Muñoz’s
restaurant is famous bar counters (though three-Michelin- Yakitoro
for its suckling pig and you can also book a starred DiverXO Spanish celeb chef
lamb. Hemingway table), you’ll love this restaurant. You’ll of Madrid’s most rice, breadcrumbs, Alberto Chicote’s
ate here, too. venue in the Mercado be hard pressed to popular burger bars, pork, cheese boards). reinterpretation of a
àCuchilleros, 17. de Vallehermoso. experience such a leaving chains such But there’s also classic Japanese bar.
M: La Latina. Music, flaming woks, vibrant atmosphere as Five Guys and a clever touch àReina, 41:
high-speed kitchen and unusual tastes New York Burger far that lifts each dish. M: Banco de España.
coordination anywhere else. behind with its quality àEspartinas, 5. M: Goya.
VEGETARIAN and more… àSerrano, 52. M: Rubén Darío. meat and low prices.
àVallehermoso, 36. àBilbao, 3. M: Bilbao. El ingrediente HAUTE CUISINE
M: Quevedo. Headed up by two
La Encomienda HAMBURGERS Meat young chefs, David
A large space in Latasia There’s just one Gutiérrez and Miguel Punto MX
Lavapiés with a This venue spans solitary hamburger Ángel López, this is Mixing tradition
bar and dining everywhere from Lima Goiko Grill on the menu here. a small project in a and the avant-garde,
room where almost to Bangkok with a Constantly growing, OK, there are also small space – many this one-Michelin-
everything is gluten- stopover in Singapore. Goiko is now one fries and onion rings of the dishes are starred restaurant
free and with many to go with it, but finished behind the adds a modern touch
good raw food and nothing else. Choose bar, giving birth to classic Mexican
vegan options. how you want the to a new concept: recipes without
There’s also a set ecological meat of a neighbourhood losing a pinch
lunch menu and a your Royale with restaurant with a of their flavour.
brunch is available at cheese cooked and chef’s counter. The àGeneral Pardiñas, 40.
weekends. it’ll serve/wrap it up pair have cut their M: Lista.
àEncomienda, 19. for you in a sheet teeth in various
M: Tirso de Molina. of brown paper big other interesting Dstage
enough to fit all your restaurants in the Chef Diego
Pizzi & Dixie sauces and sides. capital, but here is Guerrero practises
Botanique, the àSanta Teresa, 4. where their careers are his freestyle cooking
vegan eatery in the
Mercado de Antón
New York Burger M: Alonso Martínez. taking off and they’re
putting what they’ve
at this two-Michelin-
starred restaurant
Martín, wasn’t big learnt to the test. crisscrossed by metal
Falta texto en inglésThis
enough for chef GASTRO BARS àAlenza, 5. M: Ríos Rosas. pipes and with the
Nacho Sánchez, hamburger joint boasts a non- kitchen in view
so he went off stop kitchen at weekends and at the back.
to explore new a menu that lets you choose Recreo ASIAN àRegueros, 8. M: Chueca.
horizons. Pizzas Just one look at the
and other Italian between 200g and 400g classic starters (gilda La Cabra
dishes are the pillars versions or special options skewers, stuffed Tuk Tuk With young chef
of his cooking and including salmon and veggie mussels...) is enough Authentic Asian Javier Aranda in
his veganism and to give you an idea of street food is the charge of the
passion for healthy
falafel burgers. Our pick is the the approach at this speciality here, kitchen, this spot
eating are still every Vancouver, which comes in a fresh and glossy place. with the delights is arguably one
much in evidence brioche bun with provolone Everything looks including Indonesian of Madrid’s best
on the menu at his familiar and delicious, rendang, Malaysian and most stylish
cheese, mushrooms, truffle
Malasaña joint. and everything satay kebabs, the restaurants.
àSan Vicente Ferrer, 16. à Carranza, 10. M: Bilbao. is about Spanish Sexy Siao Bao from àFrancisco de Rojas, 2.
M: Tribunal. comfort food (creamy the Philippines, M: Bilbao.

Food and Drink 12 Chiles (M. La Paz)
Foodie
Markets
The typical stalls are
giving way to a vibrant and
diverse culinary showcase
San Miguel
Madrid’s most central market was
also the first to undergo a gourmet
transformation. It’s retained its
early twentieth-century iron
structure but the interior is now
abuzz with revamped stalls.
Although you can still shop
here, most of its visitors, mainly
tourists, come here for a drink,
lunch or dinner. The choice is
almost unlimited.
àPlaza de San Miguel, 3. M: Sol.
Vallehermoso
The quality and quantity of the
cuisines piled up under this
market’s roof have made it one of
the most interesting in the city. goods to cereals of all colours
You have everything from fusion and seaweed.
cooking by top chefs to spicy àSanta Isabel, 5. M: Antón Martín.
delights, Canarian delicacies,
Asturian classics, top-class fried San Ildefonso
pork belly, craft beer to suit all In the heart of Malasaña’s main
tastes and probably the best shopping area, this three-storey
pastrami sandwich you’ll find market is devoted to international
anywhere in Madrid. gastronomy and great
àVallehermoso, 32. M: Quevedo. atmosphere. There are around 20
stalls for ordering a bite to eat, two
The changing
San Antón semi-covered terrace areas and Antón Martín Tripea (M. Vallehermoso)
You’ll always be able to come
here to buy first-class produce –
three bars.
àFuencarral, 57. M: Tribunal.
market now
charcuterie, meat, fish, fruit and features next to the regular stalls
veg – but its roof terrace remains Mostenses that are reinventing themselves
its biggest draw. Even so, you’ll South American and Asian stalls Japanese, at weekends, there are
do well to take the round-the-
world trip offered by its food stalls
come together in this market
where you can try authentic
Italian and those selling natural wine and
Greek, Portuguese, Japanese
before sitting down for a drink. Peruvian cuisine or buy that Mexican joints and Italian food.
àAugusto Figueroa, 24B. M: Chueca. Chinese vegetable you normally
only eat in restaurants.
next to tapas àEmbajadores, 41. M: Lavapiés.
Antón Martín àPlaza de los Mostenses. M: Plaza de España. stalls and more La Paz
Lavapiés is changing at the same Joining the legendary Casa Dani
pace as this market. Japanese, San Fernando at this market, you’ll now find a
Italian and Mexican joints plus a The character of this taco stand, a trattoria and gourmet
couple of places to enjoy a drink neighbourhood market has food stalls serving portions to try
share space with stalls selling changed more slowly than that right there and then.
everything from ecological of some of the others here. Now, àAyala, 28. M: Serrano.

Getaways
A region
worth
seeing
The towns and places
around Madrid are
home to a host of
architectural, natural
and historic wonders
ARANJUEZ
The southernmost town in the CHINCHÓN
Madrid region, Aranjuez is a The fifteenth-
charming place that you can century Plaza
travel to on the local Cercanías Mayor is this small
train network. Its Palacio medieval town’s
Real is worth a visit, as are main attraction. SAN LORENZO DE EL ESCORIAL BUITRAGO DE LOZOYA
the beautiful gardens, It’s surrounded The town’s huge monastery, This town in the Sierra de
which have been declared a by three-storey Felipe II’s pet project and built Guadarrama has one of the best
Unesco World Heritage site. buildings with between 1563 and 1584, preserved walls in the region
www.aranjuez.es
angular galleries has been declared a World – they’re now considered a
and over 230 Heritage site and is the main National Monument.
PATONES DE ARRIBA wooden balconies, reason to visit. If you do, be sure àwww.buitragodelozoya.es
Patones de Arriba is all painted green. to try the Montia restaurant.
best known for its ‘black ww.chinchon.es àwww.elescorial.es ALCALÁ DE HENARES
architecture’, which uses Declared a Unesco World
the abundant local black GUADARRAMA NATIONAL PARK Heritage site in 1998, this
slate. First constructed in the Encompassing 30,000 hectares charming town to the east
sixteenth century, the town and 11 ecosystems, this of Madrid is famous for its
makes the most of each side protected area is one of the university and as the birthplace
of the mountain to create a most-visited natural spaces in of ‘Don Quixote’ author
unique farming village. Madrid and Segovia. Miguel de Cervantes.
àwww.patones.net àwww.parquenacionalsierraguadarrama.es àwww.ayto-alcaladehenares.es

Getaways
Just a stone’s
throw away
Madrid is the
perfect point from
which to visit
other nearby cities
full of fascinating
attractions
and history
1 Toledo
Seventy-two kilometres from Madrid
and just 25 minutes on the AVE high-
speed train lies Toledo, the capital of
Castilla-La Mancha and the old capital of the
Kingdom of Spain. The city sits on the River
Tagus and is famous for its Alcázar, Santa
María cathedral, old Jewish quarter, the San
Juan de los Reyes monastery, the San Martín
bridge and the Puerta Nueva de Bisagra. In
short, it’s not to be missed.
àwww.toledo.es
2 Segovia
Heading to Segovia, just an hour from
Madrid, means visiting its aqueduct,
the most important example of Roman civil
engineering in Spain. It also means trying its 4 Ávila
Ávila is famous for its Romanesque
wall, which was built at the end 6 Burgos
Burgos is home to one of the
country’s most spectacular gothic
famous suckling pig – at Casa Cándido, if you of the eleventh century and surrounds cathedrals, built over 800 years ago
can, to see how they slice up the tender meat the city’s old quarter. It’s also known and the city’s main tourist attraction.
with a plate. It’s well worth taking a relaxed as the resting place of the remains of Barely 15 minutes outside of town, you’ll
stroll round the aqueduct and the old quarter. Santa Teresa de Jesús, a sixteenth- also find the fascinating Atapuerca
A city brimming with charm that’s little more century nun who was born in the town, archeological site, which is a must-visit.
than half an hour from Madrid on the AVE. and for being Spain’s highest provincial In terms of cuisine, the city is famous
àwww.segovia.es capital at 1,131m above sea level. for its morcilla blood sausage –
don’t leave without trying some.
3
àwww.avila.es
Cuenca
5
àwww.burgos.es
Cuenca is famous for its Hanging Salamanca
Houses (Casas Colgadas), of which
you can visit three: the two Casas del Rey,
home to the Museum of Spanish Abstract
Art, and the Casa de la Sirena, which houses
a restaurant. Another unmissable stop just
About two hours’ drive from Madrid,
Salamanca is best-known as a
university town. Its limestone architecture
is unique, and there are many impressive
buildings to see, such as the main
7 Córdoba
Just two hours by train from Madrid,
Córdoba is one of Spain’s richest
historical cities. The Mosque-Cathedral is
a crucible of Arab and Christian cultures.
outside Cuenca is the Ciudad Encantada, university building, with its frog statue A getaway you can round off with a visit
with its spectacular natural rock formations hidden, and the Plaza Mayor. Its historic to the Medina Azahara archaeological
shaped over thousands of centuries. old town is one of the prettiest in Spain. complex, also a World Heritage site.
àwww.cuenca.es àwww.salamanca.es àwww.cordoba.es


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F REE

The insider’s guide to experiencing the city

Plaza Mayor is popular with both locals and visitors, p18

3 Time Out Madrid Student Guide 2019/21

THREE TOP TIPS Excellent ideas for expert city living

Eat! Freak out! Watch!

Time Out Madrid Student Guide 2019/21 4

ARCO Madrid / Art

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Bike lanes or sharing the road?

Bikes should go on the road, Dedicated lanes

It’s not easy to get a good idea of what it’s like to

Time Out Madrid Student Guide 2019/21 8

9 Time Out Madrid Student Guide 2019/21

Time Out Madrid Student Guide 2019/21 10

The beach in Malasaña The secret garden The Montera oasis

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The empty pedestal

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A secret of peace), a ‘clandestine’ church

Madrid’s Sistine Chapel among the Byzantine styles.

The prince’s hideout

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02. This chocolatería first opened

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19 Time Out Madrid Student Guide 2019/21

11. with friends, which is

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21 Time Out Madrid Student Guide 2019/21

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Olivar de Castillejo Museo Sorolla

23 Time Out Madrid Student Guide 2019/21

Jardín del Marqués

Time Out Madrid Student Guide 2019/21 24

Time Out Madrid Student Guide 2019/21 26

expressions, and Teatro its construction in 1910. It’s home

27 Time Out Madrid Student Guide 2019/21

Time Out Madrid Student Guide 2019/21 28

immigrants who’ve made their

29 Time Out Madrid Student Guide 2019/21

class neighbourhood that is

Arganzuela hankering to go back to, even

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Daily life in Madrid means learning its language and forms

Molar Mazo A pachas

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Pasar No te rayes Chulapo

33 Time Out Madrid Student Guide 2019/21

The term tapas covers a Botellín

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Could you describe the

In what corner of Madrid

Boa Mistura Urban art collective friends to come round.