Hidden gems, exciting non touristy things to do in Madrid
Hidden gems, exciting non touristy things to do
Since it’s my home town, no other place makes me feel so at home and at the same time continues to excite and surprise me like Madrid. From urban architecture, street art, and modern cool cafes and restaurants to old town streets, historical buildings, and authentic food experiences, Madrid has it all.
So if you can’t just stay with the usual bucket list of visiting the Royal Palace and Puerta del Sol, here are some fresh alternatives for this fantastic city.
A market in a museum, an arthouse cinema, great eateries, rooftop bars, a hidden spa, and even a bilingual pub quiz. There's lots of great ways to enjoy Madrid like a local.
I had always dreamt of getting one of this kind of guides in every place I’ve travelled to... discovering the true local vibe... So, here we are!!!
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Lavapiés
A market in a museum, an arthouse cinema, great eateries, rooftop bars, a hidden spa, and even a bilingual pub quiz. There's lots of great ways to enjoy Madrid like a local.
I had always dreamt of getting one of this kind of guides in every place I’ve travelled to... discovering the true local vibe... So, here we are!!!
Gaudeamus Café
You wouldn't realise this restaurant, hidden in the Lavapiés neighbourhood, was here unless someone tipped you off. The Gaudeamus Café is on top of the Escuelas Pías, an old university. It's beautiful and quirky and offers amazing views over the city. The restaurant is on the fourth floor, but don't use the lift or you'll miss the building – it's full of history.
Calle Tribulete 14, Edificio Escuelas Pías, +34 915 282594, gaucafe.com
Calle de Tribulete, 14
14 Calle de TribuleteGaudeamus Café
You wouldn't realise this restaurant, hidden in the Lavapiés neighbourhood, was here unless someone tipped you off. The Gaudeamus Café is on top of the Escuelas Pías, an old university. It's beautiful and quirky and offers amazing views over the city. The restaurant is on the fourth floor, but don't use the lift or you'll miss the building – it's full of history.
Calle Tribulete 14, Edificio Escuelas Pías, +34 915 282594, gaucafe.com
Galería Javier López is a 20-minute bus ride from downtown Madrid in the elegant neighbourhood of La Florida. The modernist building houses an eclectic collection of contemporary artists, ranging from Alex Katz to Hiroshi Sugimoto. Despite the quality of art on display, the gallery is only really frequented by well-informed Madrileños and it offers a rare moment of quiet reflection away from the city's busy centre.
Free, Guecho 12B, galeriajavierlopez.com
Galeria Javier Lopez & Fer Frances (Centro)
40 Calle del General ArrandoGalería Javier López is a 20-minute bus ride from downtown Madrid in the elegant neighbourhood of La Florida. The modernist building houses an eclectic collection of contemporary artists, ranging from Alex Katz to Hiroshi Sugimoto. Despite the quality of art on display, the gallery is only really frequented by well-informed Madrileños and it offers a rare moment of quiet reflection away from the city's busy centre.
Free, Guecho 12B, galeriajavierlopez.com
Cine Doré, Filmoteca Española
In this beautiful 1920s art deco cinema, the main screening room preserves all the atmosphere from the golden days of cinema. Check out the starry sky of tiny lights on a dark blue ceiling just after the lights go down. It's less than 10 euros to get in and the programme changes every month, with great film seasons, world cinema and occasionally silent films accompanied by live piano music.
Calle de Santa Isabel 3, +34 913 691125, mcu.es/cine/MC/FE,
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Cine Doré
3 C. de Sta. IsabelCine Doré, Filmoteca Española
In this beautiful 1920s art deco cinema, the main screening room preserves all the atmosphere from the golden days of cinema. Check out the starry sky of tiny lights on a dark blue ceiling just after the lights go down. It's less than 10 euros to get in and the programme changes every month, with great film seasons, world cinema and occasionally silent films accompanied by live piano music.
Calle de Santa Isabel 3, +34 913 691125, mcu.es/cine/MC/FE,
The Mercado de Motores is a food, clothing, jewellery and homewares market, held on the second weekend of every month in the Museo del Ferrocarril (railway museum) by Delicias metro stop. You can also look at the old trains with their wonderful interiors, or enjoy the sunshine in the large area at the back of the museum, where there is seating and refreshments, including a barbecue.
Paseo de las Delicias 61, museodelferrocarril.org
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Mótoramarkaðurinn
61 Paseo de las DeliciasThe Mercado de Motores is a food, clothing, jewellery and homewares market, held on the second weekend of every month in the Museo del Ferrocarril (railway museum) by Delicias metro stop. You can also look at the old trains with their wonderful interiors, or enjoy the sunshine in the large area at the back of the museum, where there is seating and refreshments, including a barbecue.
Paseo de las Delicias 61, museodelferrocarril.org
Círculo de Bellas Artes roof terrace!
Enjoy panoramic views of the capital from the roof terrace of the Círculo de Bellas Artes cultural centre. You can see all the landmarks, with the snowy peaks of the Sierra de Guadarrama in the distance, and the roofs and terraces of the Barrio de las Letras below. There's a bar and loungers for siesta seekers.
Calle de Alcalá 42, +34 913 605400, circulobellasartes.com
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Hringur fagra listanna
42 C. de AlcaláCírculo de Bellas Artes roof terrace!
Enjoy panoramic views of the capital from the roof terrace of the Círculo de Bellas Artes cultural centre. You can see all the landmarks, with the snowy peaks of the Sierra de Guadarrama in the distance, and the roofs and terraces of the Barrio de las Letras below. There's a bar and loungers for siesta seekers.
Calle de Alcalá 42, +34 913 605400, circulobellasartes.com
Hammam Al Ándalus baths.
The beauty of this place is it's still a bit of a secret. There's a circuit of cold, warm and hot baths and a hammam, all decorated in Arabic style and complemented by aromatherapy scents, the playing of gentle Arabic music and the taking of herbal teas.
From €30pp. Calle de Atocha 14, madrid.hammamalandalus.com
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Hammam Al-Andalus Madrid
14 C. de AtochaHammam Al Ándalus baths.
The beauty of this place is it's still a bit of a secret. There's a circuit of cold, warm and hot baths and a hammam, all decorated in Arabic style and complemented by aromatherapy scents, the playing of gentle Arabic music and the taking of herbal teas.
From €30pp. Calle de Atocha 14, madrid.hammamalandalus.com
Beerlingual at La Morena Cantina!
This bar is worth a visit at any time for its tapas and 40 tequilas but on Thursday evenings it hosts "Beerlingual", a free bilingual pub quiz. The quizmasters compile teams from willing participants, so it's a fun way to make friends, enjoy a drink and fail at general knowledge in two languages.
Calle del Humilladero 28, facebook.com/morenacantina
C. del Humilladero, 28
28 Calle del HumilladeroBeerlingual at La Morena Cantina!
This bar is worth a visit at any time for its tapas and 40 tequilas but on Thursday evenings it hosts "Beerlingual", a free bilingual pub quiz. The quizmasters compile teams from willing participants, so it's a fun way to make friends, enjoy a drink and fail at general knowledge in two languages.
Calle del Humilladero 28, facebook.com/morenacantina
C/Montera's secret Eden.
Among the flood of tourists, prostitutes and gold buyers in this central Madrid street is a small urban oasis where you can unwind from the bustle of the city. A tea room straight out of a fairy tale greets you on the top floor of the Salvador Bachiller shop, where you can grab a coffee for breakfast, something light for lunch, and relax with a drink in the evening. Open year-round.
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Garden of Salvador Bachiller
37 C. de la MonteraC/Montera's secret Eden.
Among the flood of tourists, prostitutes and gold buyers in this central Madrid street is a small urban oasis where you can unwind from the bustle of the city. A tea room straight out of a fairy tale greets you on the top floor of the Salvador Bachiller shop, where you can grab a coffee for breakfast, something light for lunch, and relax with a drink in the evening. Open year-round.
Fleeting natural beauty.
Toward the end of C/Alcalá is a hidden park that plenty of locals and tourists have no idea is there. La Quinta de los Molinos would be just another park in the Spanish capital if it weren't for the fact that inside are 6,000 almond trees that create quite the spectacle for the senses when they're in bloom. Shades of pink and white paint the garden, and the intoxicating aromas float over walls and around the park during the months of February and March.
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La Quinta de los Molinos Park
527 C. de AlcaláFleeting natural beauty.
Toward the end of C/Alcalá is a hidden park that plenty of locals and tourists have no idea is there. La Quinta de los Molinos would be just another park in the Spanish capital if it weren't for the fact that inside are 6,000 almond trees that create quite the spectacle for the senses when they're in bloom. Shades of pink and white paint the garden, and the intoxicating aromas float over walls and around the park during the months of February and March.
Rock is ageless!
Ángeles Rodríguez Hidalgo was a granny in Madrid's Vallecas barrio who discovered her love for heavy metal when she was already getting on in years. She immediately won the affection of fans, audiences and the general public when she was seen rocking out at AC/DC concerts and frequenting spots that were anything but nursing homes. She even managed to get her own section in 'Heavy Rock' magazine. Following her death in 1993, a bronze statue was erected in her honour at C/Peña Gorbea, 22, and there she stands with her hand held high in the shape of horns typical of metalheads. Today the statue is missing the index and little finger, so unfortunately she kind of looks more like a Communist grandma than a veteran rocker.
La Abuela Rockera - Ángeles Rodríguez Hidalgo
22 C. Peña GorbeaRock is ageless!
Ángeles Rodríguez Hidalgo was a granny in Madrid's Vallecas barrio who discovered her love for heavy metal when she was already getting on in years. She immediately won the affection of fans, audiences and the general public when she was seen rocking out at AC/DC concerts and frequenting spots that were anything but nursing homes. She even managed to get her own section in 'Heavy Rock' magazine. Following her death in 1993, a bronze statue was erected in her honour at C/Peña Gorbea, 22, and there she stands with her hand held high in the shape of horns typical of metalheads. Today the statue is missing the index and little finger, so unfortunately she kind of looks more like a Communist grandma than a veteran rocker.
Sunset among the dahlias...
Next to the Basílica de San Francisco el Grande, in La Latina, lies this small park, divided into several beds of dahlias. Overshadowed by the majesty of the adjacent church, this viewpoint is one of the best and quietest places in Madrid to take in a beautiful sunset. The 'San Isidro' group of sculptures, designed by Santiago Costa, presides over the area. An ideal spot for a romantic rendezvous.
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Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great
1 Calle San BuenaventuraSunset among the dahlias...
Next to the Basílica de San Francisco el Grande, in La Latina, lies this small park, divided into several beds of dahlias. Overshadowed by the majesty of the adjacent church, this viewpoint is one of the best and quietest places in Madrid to take in a beautiful sunset. The 'San Isidro' group of sculptures, designed by Santiago Costa, presides over the area. An ideal spot for a romantic rendezvous.
Gin & tonics & art.
When you're strolling through Malasaña you'll come across plenty of galleries, but none like Kikekeller, a place where everyday objects merge with art to surprise you with unique pieces. But the real secret of this space reveals itself when the lights go out and night falls. In the back room is one of Madrid's trendiest secret bars, where the city's most modern and hip meet for a few G&Ts.
When the lights of the wonderful décor shop Kikekeller are turned off, others are turned on – those of their secret bar. After you've marvelled at the gorgeous furniture such as roller-skate magazine racks, ingenuous teapots and eclectic lamps, you can discuss it all with your friends over a glass of wine, a cocktail or a refreshing beer. Just make sure that your mates are as hip as the surroundings. When you feel like calling it a night, you can take the bar with you: everything they sell can be bought to take away as well.
Just bear in mind that exclusivity doesn't come cheap.
Corre. Baja de San Pablo, 17
17 Corredera Baja de San PabloGin & tonics & art.
When you're strolling through Malasaña you'll come across plenty of galleries, but none like Kikekeller, a place where everyday objects merge with art to surprise you with unique pieces. But the real secret of this space reveals itself when the lights go out and night falls. In the back room is one of Madrid's trendiest secret bars, where the city's most modern and hip meet for a few G&Ts.
When the lights of the wonderful décor shop Kikekeller are turned off, others are turned on – those of their secret bar. After you've marvelled at the gorgeous furniture such as roller-skate magazine racks, ingenuous teapots and eclectic lamps, you can discuss it all with your friends over a glass of wine, a cocktail or a refreshing beer. Just make sure that your mates are as hip as the surroundings. When you feel like calling it a night, you can take the bar with you: everything they sell can be bought to take away as well.
Just bear in mind that exclusivity doesn't come cheap.
The most romantic garden.
Hidden away in an enclosed garden is this lovely café and tearoom, where you can get home-made cakes and pastries – perfect for breakfast or a snack. The garden café is in the Museo del Romanticismo. If the works of Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, Goethe, Lord Byron or Rosalia de Castro touch your heart, you'll definitely want to visit this museum that shows how people lived in the Romantic era in Spain, during the 19th century. The Romanticism Museum contains a charming collection of over 1,600 pieces including furniture, paintings, china, pianos, and more, that's on display to the public after major refurbishing kept it closed for eight years until its reopening in 2009. Be sure to grab a cup of coffee at the Café del Jardín (Garden Café), one of the best kept secrets in the capital.
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Romantískt safn
13 C. de San MateoThe most romantic garden.
Hidden away in an enclosed garden is this lovely café and tearoom, where you can get home-made cakes and pastries – perfect for breakfast or a snack. The garden café is in the Museo del Romanticismo. If the works of Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, Goethe, Lord Byron or Rosalia de Castro touch your heart, you'll definitely want to visit this museum that shows how people lived in the Romantic era in Spain, during the 19th century. The Romanticism Museum contains a charming collection of over 1,600 pieces including furniture, paintings, china, pianos, and more, that's on display to the public after major refurbishing kept it closed for eight years until its reopening in 2009. Be sure to grab a cup of coffee at the Café del Jardín (Garden Café), one of the best kept secrets in the capital.
More than plant life.
The Bosque Encantado ('Enchanted Forest') is a botanical garden that deserves more than one visit. Its originality doesn't lie in the more than 500 plant species from around the world that it houses, but in the sculptures of impossible sizes that they've managed to create with the greenery. From elephants, giraffes and dragons to horse-drawn carriages, locomotives and a rock band, dozens of green statues seem to be about to come to life throughout this magical park located in San Martín de Valdeiglesias, 75km from the centre of Madrid.
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Töfrastaðurinn
217 Camino de MarañonesMore than plant life.
The Bosque Encantado ('Enchanted Forest') is a botanical garden that deserves more than one visit. Its originality doesn't lie in the more than 500 plant species from around the world that it houses, but in the sculptures of impossible sizes that they've managed to create with the greenery. From elephants, giraffes and dragons to horse-drawn carriages, locomotives and a rock band, dozens of green statues seem to be about to come to life throughout this magical park located in San Martín de Valdeiglesias, 75km from the centre of Madrid.
University pioneer.
Madrid is full of statues that, if you don't look closely, can appear to be sweeping the floor in Plaza Jacinto Benavente or taking a stroll near Plaza de San Ildefonso. But of all of them, the one with the best backstory is the statue of Julia, a young student who you'll find leaning against the stone wall of the Palacio Bauer (C/Pez, 42, at the corner of San Bernardo), in Malasaña. The bronze sculpture that shows a young woman in a skirt and blouse standing barefoot and holding schoolwork is a tribute by Antonio Santín to the first woman who, despite the ban of the time, disguised herself as a man to attend the University of Madrid in 1848.
C. del Pez, 42
42 Calle del PezUniversity pioneer.
Madrid is full of statues that, if you don't look closely, can appear to be sweeping the floor in Plaza Jacinto Benavente or taking a stroll near Plaza de San Ildefonso. But of all of them, the one with the best backstory is the statue of Julia, a young student who you'll find leaning against the stone wall of the Palacio Bauer (C/Pez, 42, at the corner of San Bernardo), in Malasaña. The bronze sculpture that shows a young woman in a skirt and blouse standing barefoot and holding schoolwork is a tribute by Antonio Santín to the first woman who, despite the ban of the time, disguised herself as a man to attend the University of Madrid in 1848.