Illustrated map of Madrid, with the most emblematic places highlighted.

#SmilingCities
Madrid

CIt is very difficult to describe Madrid because it is a city made up of the emotion and experiences of millions of people from all corners of the planet. Therein lies its charm. And in the fact that, every day, at any time, it has something interesting to offer.

As we too find it hard to define such a complex city, we have designed this tour so that you are the one who discovers the city on foot and then defines it for us.

Google Map of Madrid

Illustrated map of Madrid with 2 tourists walking.

Eating and drinking

Plaza España, 3 - Gil de Santivañes, 6

We are going to tell you the story of Gingko in two chapters. The first focuses on the spectacular Sky Bar that overlooks the Plaza de España, offering indoor and outdoor spaces to escape from the city upwards. They open in the morning and close late, so lunch, brunch, dinner, a drink or a cocktail are great ideas.

The second episode of Gingko is its Garden, an island of tranquility in the form of a restaurant next to the Calle Serrano. International cuisine that starts in Spain, travels through the East and takes us on a journey around the world. Go crazy with the desserts and make sure to order one of the cocktails, which are also outstanding.

https://www.ginkgoskybarmadrid.com/

Image of the views from the terrace of the Sky Bar Ginkgo

Illustration of a man in front of the Brutalist restaurant entrance.

Juan Álvarez de Mendizábal, 34

Chef Pablo López started his cooking career a little late, at least on a professional level. But what a run he has had since then! He worked at iconic Madrid restaurants such as Nakeima and Tripea until, not long ago, he decided to go it alone.

Brutalista is López's personal project and an ode to escabeche, a type of food preserving and cooking. It opens on Sundays so that restaurant workers have a good place to go, and those same workers have returned their verdict on Brutalista: a big yes.

https://brutalista.es/

Montesa, 9

Madrid operates in waves, although the sea is far away. One of these waves has materialized in a large number of projects in which traditionally-inspired cuisine, based on market produce, embraces a twist that makes it entirely new.

Tres por Cuatro is one of the most interesting restaurants of this kind. If you drop by the Salamanca neighborhood on your walks through Madrid, you must give it a try.

http://tresporcuatromadrid.com/

Illustration of the exterior of the Ciento Treinta Grados bakery.

Fernando el Católico, 17

There is a competition for the best loaf of bread in Spain. In 2020, the first prize went to Cientotreintagrados, a bakery that, however, offers much more than bread.

The brothers Guido and Alberto Miragoli and Cristina Custodio are devoted to creating happiness through coffee (with their own roaster), sweets and, of course, bread. What could bring greater happiness to people?

https://cientotreintagrados.com/

Photograph of a woman sitting with a coffee in the window of the Ciento Treinta Grados bakery.

Mercado de Vallehermoso

Kitchen began as a bar in a market stall in Vallehermoso, and has become a philosophy, a faith, almost a cult.

A place where everything is spicy: the menu, the staff, the music that emanates from inside the kitchen. There may be better places in which to understand how to merge Eastern cuisine with a cañí atmosphere and keep things authentic. We can't think of any.

https://kitchen154.com/

Santa Isabel 40

A stone's throw from the Reina Sofía Museum, on the very lavish street of Santa Isabel, we find another challenge for those who think that traditional cuisine is for the elderly. First thing: not true. Second thing: older people know more than you and I.

The yellow gazpacho with red tuna tartare and the mussels with tripe sauce and mini torreznos are just two reasons to ask the chef, Raúl Saldaña, to marry you.

https://www.laburlona.com/ Illustration of a woman at the entrance of the tapas bar “La Burlona”.

Regueros, 8

Image of a man sitting at one of the tables in the restaurant.

Illustration of a plate of food and a glass of wine.

When Diego Guerrero left the Club Allard, in search of freedom, it was a matter of time before the Michelin stars began to arrive. In a very short time he has been awarded two stars.

Each Guerrero proposal is a challenge in itself, for himself as a creator and for the diner enjoying the meal. Flavors, plating, and textures with a very personal signature that have placed Diego Guerrero at the forefront of Madrid’s gastronomy, although he never forgets his Vitorian origins.

https://dstageconcept.com/

Illustration of two cocktails with musical notes.

Echegaray, 21

One of the best cocktail bars in the world. It’s not just us saying it. Well, we are saying it, but we know what we are talking about. And The World's 50 Best Bars, the body that selects the best bars in the world, agrees. The legend around Diego Cabrera, the barman who leads the project, grows every day.

https://salmonguru.es/

Plaza Descubridor Diego de Ordás, 4

The promoters of Mad Café, one of the leading burger joints in Madrid, took another step in American cuisine about six years ago. At Jimbo, they dive into the charm of Texas barbecue, mastering the magic of smoke and embers. Spices, seasonings, and macerations full of flavor for the most demanding meat lovers.

https://jimbosmokehouse.com/ Illustration of a tray with assorted food.

Illustration of the entrance of the restaurant “Los Tiernos” full of people.

Toledo, 73

If you want to go to La Latina on Sundays, you have several reasons. The Rastro, a drink of vermouth and Los Tiernos. If you want to go any other day, there is no Rastro, but you can still enjoy a vermouth and Los Tiernos. It offers a modern atmosphere, a tavern menu with small plates and wines, and a window to the outside to watch life go by. One day. And another. And another.

https://lostiernosmadrid.com/

Image of a pair of Pikolinos shoes with the Madrid slaughterhouse building in the background.

Mercado de Antón Martín

Chef Samy Ali earnt a Michelin star while at La Candela Restó, his previous restaurant in the Ópera area. He realized that he was not happy and decided to start a new adventure, where he was able to have fun cooking without so much pressure.

This is how Doppelganger was born, a small (great) stall in the Antón Martín market where Ali combines intense flavors, a lovingly chosen drinks menu and a fun and efficient team.

https://doppelgangerbar.com/

Image of the restaurant bar with people.

Illustration of a charcuterie and cheese board.

Espíritu Santo, 19

We walk to the heart of Malasaña. Here, we find this suggestive fusion of wine bar, pub, and grocery store. La Colmada offers small portions of Spanish cuisine with a few extras, deluxe preserves, and an atmosphere, that is, of course, very malasañero.

http://lacolmada.com/

Strolling

Illustration of a woman in the river of Madrid.

What was once a horrible ring road — today underground in that section — is now a wonderful linear park that embraces the Manzanares River. Life has returned to the river and its surroundings, which is now a bustle of children playing, families strolling, people riding bikes or coming to enjoy cultural events in the nearby Matadero Madrid. It is worth the walk.

Image of 2 pairs of Pikolinos shoes on wooden stairs.

Image of 2 pairs of Pikolinos shoes leaning on a rock by the river in Madrid.

There are many Madrids within Madrid. One of them is the one that swirls around the Golden Mile of Calle Serrano. Class, luxury, and all the major fashion and jewelry stores are the setting for this sociological safari.

Paseo Pintor Rosales s/n

The cable car is just an excuse. An excuse to discover the wonderful Parque del Oeste, with its Templo de Debod and legendary sunsets. An excuse to look at Madrid from above. And an excuse to visit the Casa de Campo, a very lively natural space just a stone's throw from the city center.

https://teleferico.emtmadrid.es/

Image of a pair of Pikolinos shoes with monuments in the background.

Image of some Pikolinos shoes with the cable car poster in the background.

The history of the city is materialized in this park, one of the largest in any European city. If your aim is to discover places on foot, the Retiro has all kinds of greenery, French-style gardens, rose gardens, palaces containing art and even a charming library. Allow yourself to get carried away.

https://www.esmadrid.com/informacion-turistica/parque-del-retiro

Experimenting

Image of a pair of Pikolinos shoes in the middle of the field.

Illustration of the viewpoint of Cerro del Tío Pío.

Ramón López de Ayala, 12

Every city has its best sunset. The one that appears in all the guides, the one that all tourists visit and the real one. The real one, in Madrid, is to be seen at the Parque del Cerro del Tío Pío, popularly known as Parque de las Siete Botas because of the seven hills that make it up. It is, furthermore, a perfect excuse to defend the value of the periphery, of working class neighborhoods and the authentic Madrid. Go for a walk and bring a snack.

https://www.esmadrid.com/informacion-turistica/parque-cerro-tio-pio

1. Image of 2 pairs of Pikolinos mens shoes resting on some stone stairs in the countryside.

Illustration of Pikolinos sandals on a stand.

Fuencarral, 17 / Preciados, 17 / Centro Comercial Plaza Río 2

Image of some Pikolinos shoes on a stand where you can also see a bag and different purses.

Image of a pair of Pikolinos men's shoes on a sofa.

Image of the Pikolinos Stand in the Pikolinos stores in Madrid.

Illustration of a woman in the museum of illusions.

Doctor Cortezo, 8

The best way to learn about science is to question your senses. Magic at the service of knowledge. The Museo de las Ilusiones offers a good number of interactive experiences that will leave you speechless. Emotions and education for people aged 0 to 99.

https://museumofillusions.es/

Illustration of the entrance of the Galeria le mur.

Amaniel, 20

You know the feeling. You walk around the city, discovering its hidden spaces, and, suddenly, you enter a place where everything is beautiful, where your heartbeat slows, you see things that excite you, and everything falls into place for lovers of creativity. Books, photographic exhibitions, and a wonderful collection of beautiful things that are well worth a visit.

https://lemurgallery.com/

Illustration of a monument of a modern art doll.

Plaza de la Independencia, 5

We know that you are familiar with the Prado and the Reina Sofía museums, so we are going to tell you about your next favorite museum. The SOLO Collection is a private art collection on display, free of charge, in a spectacular space in the heart of Puerta de Alcalá. Young artists, digital proposals and graphic creators from urban art make up one of the most exciting creative experiences in the city.

https://coleccionsolo.com/

Image of the interior of the “Espacio solo” museum.

Serrano, 61

Very colorful illustration of a theme room.

This sweet cocktail of interactivity, art, and visual challenge is perfect for the Instagram generation. Its thematic rooms, created by some of the country's leading designers, make up such an original proposal that it is worth making sure you have enough memory space in your mobile phone, because you’ll be taking photos non-stop.

https://www.sweetspace.com/

Image of a room with round lamps at different heights.

Sleeping

Illustration of 2 girls drinking red wine on a terrace at night.

Agustín de Foxá, 32

A stone's throw from the Chamartín train station, the Barceló Imagine is an oasis in which the architectural, the relaxing and the gastronomic collide in a highly suggestive way. We are showing you a photo of the pool—it is scandalously wonderful. But you should also know that on Sundays the hotel offers Brunch Sessions, enveloped by the music of John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, and Joao Gilberto.

Eggs Benedict, puff pastry croissants with butter and cereals, charcuterie and cheese boards or a fluffy homemade sponge cake that has just made us have to stop writing due to excessive salivation.

https://www.barcelo.com/es-ww/barcelo-imagine/

Gran Vía, 84

Riu rescued one of the historic buildings in the no less historic Plaza de España to turn it into one of the best hotels in the city. As we want to recommend hotels that offer something else, this one is a must.

The 360 rooftop Sky Bar offers views of the entire city. In all directions. North, south, east, and west. With a gastrobar, fine cocktails and dozens of places to get the best photos you've ever taken from a 27th floor.

https://www.riu.com/es/hotel/espana/madrid/hotel-riu-plaza-espana/

Illustration of the Hotel Riu Plaza España building.

Image of the transparent bridge of the Hotel.

Image of the views from the Hotel to the Plaza de España.

Illustration of a plate of food and a drink.

Gran Vía, 22

In the middle of Madrid's Gran Vía, that is, in the center of the center. The H10 Boutique Villa de Madrid is one of those hotels set in a historic building and offering guests exquisite taste in every detail, as well as levels of comfort that you will miss the moment you check out. You deserve places like this.

https://www.h10hotels.com/es/hoteles-madrid/h10-villa-de-la-reina

Image of a pair of Pikolinos women's shoes and a covered bridge with illustrations in the background.

#SmilingCities Madrid

Eating and drinking

Strolling

Experimenting

Sleeping

#SmilingCities
Madrid