Weekend in Madrid, two days between visits, culture and gastronomy

2021-05-28T23:50:56.868Z

CITY GUIDE - The Spanish capital frees itself from the yoke of Covid-19 and shines with its charm and energy. Between museums, historic alleys and shaded terraces, stopover in a city of contagious vitality.

Tasty, generous, Madrid is one of those European capitals whose evolution has taken place smoothly and with authenticity.

A breath of discreet modernity that allows its visitors to follow in the footsteps of Cervantes, Hemingway or Pablo Neruda whose texts and poems have celebrated its beauty and its effervescence.

While museums are a must-see during a weekend, one cannot feel the vibrations of Madrid life without tasting the terraces of the bars and restaurants.

An obvious getaway to find what we have missed so much lately.

To discover

Spain stay |
8 days |
The authentic Andalusian treasures

The arrival

From Madrid Barajas airport, it only takes around 20 minutes to reach the center of Madrid.

Count 30 € whatever the distance and the number of passengers, it is now a fixed cost.

For 2.60 € you can also opt for the train to Chamartin, Principio or Atocha for around 27 minutes of journey, from terminal 4. Another option the metro for 3 € and 22 minutes of journey, located at terminals 2 and 4 which leads to Goya station with a change.

MORE INFORMATIONS

Official website of Tourism of Madrid;

Spanish Tourist Office.

What to see and do right now

TO HAVE

Reunion at Prado

The Prado paintings, moved and rearranged, evoke the museography that existed at the time when the museum opened its doors two centuries ago.

Marie Létang / Le Figaro

Reencuentro

, the exhibition of the moment.

Since its reopening, the museum has presented a new scenography to highlight the masterpieces of the place.

Selected by the curators, 249 canvases were brought together in the central gallery and the adjacent rooms, thus revealed by natural light.

The Annunciation

by Fra Angelico, the

Descent from the Cross

by Rogier van der Weyden,

Saturn

by Rubens and

el Dos de Mayo

by Goya now come together in a new museography, close to that imagined at the beginning of the museum two centuries ago. .

Prado Museum, calle de Ruiz de Alarçon 23, 28014 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

: + 34 913 30 28 00. Until July 25.

Adult ticket € 15, free for children under 12.

THE RIGHT TABLE

Circo de las Tapas

Direction Circo de las Tapas, for a pleasant holiday atmosphere by the sea. Press photo

The restaurant of young chef Antonio de Santiago is always full and for good reason: its tapas served on small wooden planks are among the best in the city.

Mediterranean flavors declined in “tostas”, but also “empanadillas” and the famous “salmorejo” which celebrate Spain with creativity and refinement.

Small tables with checkered tablecloths for a pleasant seaside holiday atmosphere. Count between € 5 and € 6 for “tostas”, dishes between € 5 and € 14.

Circo de las Tapas, Corredera Baja de San Pablo, 21, 28004 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

: + 34 911 88 60 14.

THE RIGHT SPOT

Sala Equis

A confidential and retro address hidden behind an uninviting facade that is worth the detour.

The last erotic cinema in Madrid, Sala Equis has become a vast cultural space where an eclectic population meets around a post-industrial bar illuminated by vintage neon lights.

Between two screenings of Almodóvar classics or indie nuggets, we taste

perritos

(mini-hot dogs) and

croquetas

on deckchairs and wooden benches.

Here he blows an air of movida.

Sala Equis, Calle del Duque de Alba, 4, 28012 Madrid.

DAY 1: THE TRIANGLE OF ART

Morning

The Flamenco Hall of the Palacio de Liria.

AFP PHOTO / CASA DE ALBA FOUNDATION

Madrid is a royal city, as evidenced by the

Palacio Real

, former residence of the family and whose visit is strongly recommended. If you are short of time, prefer a unique discovery, that of the house of one of the greatest families in Spain, now open to the public. North of the Plaza de España is the

Palacio de Liria,

whose high black railings reveal the house of Cayetana Fitz James-Suart, eighteenth Duchess of Alba, who died in 2014. In small groups on a guided tour, we enter in this 18th century neoclassical palace before moving through fourteen rooms decorated with paintings by Titian, Rubens, Velazquez, Murillo or Goya.

Then you have to take the small alleys for about 20 minutes walk to the

Plaza Mayor

, ideal for a coffee break on one of the sunny terraces.

The center of Madrid is very easy to navigate a foot and taxis are extremely plentiful if you go a little further.

The most greedy will take the opportunity to taste the churros of the

Chocolatería San Ginés,

whose decoration of earthenware tiles is the same as when it opened in 1894.

Lunch break

Lunch break around a counter (here the Morris stand, specializing in fish and seafood) in the San Miguel covered market.

Mercado San Miguel / Photo press

If the restaurants abound around the Plaza Mayor, it is better to move away a little to go and taste the “bocadillos de calamares” at

El Brillante

(€ 6.50 for

bocadillos

We also take the opportunity to stroll between the stalls of the

San Miguel

covered market

, both for the place but also to taste around the counters different traditional or more modern tapas, revisited in a chic street-food way.

Afternoon

The Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid, right in the city center, presents more than 5,000 species of living plants.

Adobe Stock

Then walk to the famous Golden Triangle of Art which brings together the most famous museums in Madrid. From Italian primitives to expressionism, Thyssen-Bornemisza presents all the currents of painting since the Middle Ages. A little further on is the

Reina Sofia

museum

dedicated to contemporary art, which exhibits the works of modernists, such as Juan Gris, Miro, Braques or Picabia. We then go back in time and the paseo to finally enter the

Prado museum

. After this long visit, a walk in the

Retiro

garden

, the city's true lung, allows you to cool off, especially in summer when the mercury climbs to 40 degrees. The highlight is the

Jardin Botanico

(entry € 4, free for children under 18) offers an exotic stroll and a real break in peace, with a must-see through the tearoom shop.

Aperitif and dinner

The terrace of the Numa Pompilio restaurant.

Press photo

Madrid nights are festive and whatever the neighborhood, bars and restaurants remain lively until late at night. For a drink at the end of the day, meet at

the Mandarin Oriental - Ritz Madrid hotel, a

stone's throw from the Prado. After three years of work, it has just reopened its doors and its pleasant garden is the ideal haven of coolness in summer. For dinner, you can stay in Retiro Park and reserve a table at

Florida

(dishes between € 18 and € 20), whose terrace is particularly popular and allows drinks until midnight. Another option for refined Italian flavors, go up to calle Velazquez and discover the hidden garden of the

Numa Pompilio

restaurant

(dishes between 18 and 30 €).

The evening inevitably continues in a bar, such as the

Museo Chicote

, a cocktail bar with a

fifties

atmosphere

or at the

Terrazza Fortuny

for a lounge spirit on the terrace of a private mansion.

DAY 2: WALK AND SHOPPING, FROM COURT TO SALAMANCA

Morning

The main staircase of the Palacio de la Longoria, with a circular perimeter inspired, like the rest of the ornamentation, by French modernist architecture.

OT Madrid / Press photo

Start the day with the

Chueca

district

. If historically it is the most lively “barrio” in the city, with its many bars lining each alley, the district now attracts trendy hotels and boutiques. For a healthy brunch or breakfast stop by

Roots

, the

hottest

place in the neighborhood. A paradise for sportsmen, the

Lab Lamarca concept store

adjacent to the restaurant is devoted to sports fashion and well-being. The colorful buildings unroll the thread of the walk, which continues to the

Palacio de la Longoria

, an astonishing work of modernist architecture. It is also the district of vintage, associating as well antique dealers as thrift stores. Chic version, the

Vintalogy

boutique

allows you to find pretty fashion pearls but also collector's sneakers and some decoration finds.

A little further

El Moderno

is a very nice shop, perfect for gifts: an artist's drawing, an original poster from Madrid and many handcrafted creations.

Lunch break

To escape the perennial “patatas bravas”, stop at

Raw Coco

for a healthy break with a menu of sweet or savory bowl toast, DIY wraps and salads, and energizing fresh juices.

Lovers of pizza and Italian cuisine can sit down on calle Velazquez at

Bel Mondo

, 900m2 of exuberant and cheerful decoration and a fabulous flower-filled terrace.

Afternoon

Place of tranquility, the patio of the Sorolla museum, inspired by the Alcazar and the Alhambra.

Marie Létang / Le Figaro

Stroll through the chic

Salamanca district

, where the luxury stores are concentrated in the small tree-lined streets lined with 19th-century buildings.

The charm operates and one takes to stroll without getting lost in this district of Madrid with the perfect grid.

Enter

the neo-Byzantine church of San Manuel y San Benito

, built by architect Ferdinando Arbos y Tremanti between 1902 and 1910 as a mausoleum for a businessman.

Monumental with its copper dome, it houses splendid mosaic frescoes.

North of Salamanca it is the

Sorolla Museum

which summons the oriental spirit, former home of the painter Joaquín Sorolla whose patio is inspired by the Alcazar and the Alhambra.

To taste it, we stop at the

La Mallorca

pastry

shop

to taste the famous “Napoletana”, small breads filled with apples, chocolate or cream.

Ice cream cravings are rewarded at

Mistura,

whose flavors are made in an artisanal way with fresh milk.

Evening

Don't leave Madrid without gaining a little height.

The list of rooftops continues to grow, but one of the most beautiful terraces to enjoy the sunset is that of

Azotea

, placed on the roof of the Circulo de Bellas Artes cultural space.

A magical and warm place, where you choose to sit down or bask on the "daybeds".

Order a mojito or a glass of sangria while tasting slightly revisited Spanish specialties (dishes between € 18 and € 39, cocktails € 10).

Address Book

GOOD TABLES

Roots Lamarca, the trendiest place in the Chueca district.

Roost / Press photo

Bar El Brillante, Plaza del Emperador Carlos V, 8, 28012 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

: +34 915 28 26 30.

Roots Lamarca, calle de Fernando VI, 10, Local 4, 28004 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

: +34 914 42 12 29.

Numa Pompilio, calle de Velazquez 18, 28001 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

: + 34 916 85 97 19.

Bel Mondo, calle de Velazquez 39, 28001 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

+ 34 910 44 72 03.

Rawcoco Madrid, Salamanca, Calle del Gral.

Pardiñas, 21, 28001 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

+ 34 914 49 50 17.

Florida Retiro, paseo de la Republica Dominicana, 28009 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

+ 34 918 27 52 75.

GOING OUT AND DRINKING A GLASS

Museo Chicote, Gran Via 12, 28013 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

: + 34 915 32 67 37.

Fortuny Restaurant & Club

, calle de Fortuny 34, 28010 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

+ 34 913 19 05 88.

Mandarin Oriental Ritz, plaza de las Lealtad, 5, 28014 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

: + 34 917 01 67 67.

Azotea del Círculo, Calle del Marqués de Casa Riera, 2, 28004 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

: +34 915 30 17 61.

SWEET SWEETS

Pastelería Mallorca, calle de Serrano 6, 28001 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

: + 34 915 77 59 86.

Chocolatería San Ginés, paradiso de San Gines 5, 28013 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

: + 34 915 65 65 46.

Mistura Ice Cream, calle de Goya 50, 28001 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

: + 34 910 51 28 26.

OR SLEEP

Hotel Barcelo Torre

Located on the Spanish Steps, Barceló Torre de Madrid is perfectly located for discovering Madrid.

Barcelo / Press photo

In the first floors of this tower which dominates Plaza de España, a stone's throw from the Conde Duque district, this beautiful hotel plays wonderfully with the codes of casual chic, which in no way detracts from the quality of service, impeccable.

He set up a great service with ambassadors to discover the city from the side you want: shopping, music, outings, sport and… Discovery of the Conde Duque and Malasaña neighborhoods (from € 60).

The night from 140 €.

Barcelo Torre de Madrid, Plaza de España, 18, 28008 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

: +34 915 24 23 99.

Only You Boutique

Ideally located in the Chueca district, this former mansion was designed by designer Lazaro Rosa-Violan.

A refined and intimate atmosphere for these 125 rooms, whose lofts with sloping ceilings with wooden beams give the impression of being in the countryside.

From € 120 per double room.

Only YOU Boutique Hotel, Calle del Barquillo, 21, 28004 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

+ 34 910 05 22 22.

SHOPPING

Vintalogy, C. de Barceló, 13, 28004 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

: + 34 672 31 95 82.

El Moderno Concept Store, Corredera Baja de San Pablo, 19, 28004 Madrid, Spain.

Phone.

+ 34 913 48 39 94.

TO DO