Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a must-to-visit city in Europe. With an unique “movida”, these cosmopolitan destiny offers an extraordinary variety of things to see and experience. The amazing architecture, it´s cultural and artistic offer, the gastronomy, everything in Madrid seems to be attached to a single binomio: cosmopolitism/spanish heritage. The spanish capital is also known for its high-end offer. Being the city of the spanish royal familiy, Madrid is a perfect destination to whom is looking to experience all the best life has to offer. Here we present some top hotels to stay, restaurants to eat, galleries to visit, among other places.
Top 5 hotels:
1-Silken Puerta
The Silken Puerta Madrid is an establishment with stunning architecture and design as well as quality service and a strategic location. A hotel with modern lines, where all details have been carefully thought out for guests to feel they are in an exclusive setting.
Calle Juan Rizi, 528027, Madrid, Spain
T: +34 917 438 300
F: +34 917 438 30
2-Intercontinental
An 18th-century palace was the inspiration for this emblematic hotel in Madrid, situated on one of the city’s most famed thoroughfares at the upscale area of Castellana Boulevard. Ideally located in the cultural and business district, the hotel is minutes from the Prado Museum, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Real Madrid Museum and elegant Serrano shopping district. Culinary delights include El Jardin with a beautiful terrace and an exquisite menu overseen by renowned head Chef José Luque.
Paseo de La Castellana 49
T: +34-91-700730
3- Hotel Orfila
This boutique design Hotel is a splendorous place to stay. The hotel has 32 rooms, 12 of which are suites, where the best amenities may be enjoyed in one of the best hotels in Madrid. It is the only hotel in Madrid where every room is different with regards to its architecture and decoration.
Orfila, 6 28010 Madrid
+34 91 702 77 70
+34 91 702 77 72
4- Hotel Ritz
Built in 1910 according to the wishes of King Alfonso XIII, this iconic landmark established Madrid as one of the truly great European cities. Ever since, it has welcomed visiting aristocracy and dignitaries with inimitable style and luxury. A lively gathering place for Spanish high society, the hotel’s restaurants and bars are a constant buzz of activity. Its leafy outdoor terrace is especially popular for a traditional summer Sunday brunch following a stroll in the adjacent Retiro Park.
Plaza de la Lealtad 5, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Tel: +34 91 701 67 67
Email: reservations@ritz.es
Reservations: 34 94 91 701 67 67
5- Gran Melia Fenix
Centrally located to all the great sites and neighborhoods in Madrid, and with a knowledgeable, patient and helpful staff (who spoke really good English), this is a perfect place to establish base camp for one of the great cities of the world.
Calle de Hermosilla, 2
Madrid 28001
EsTel: (34) 91 4316700
Fax: (34) 91 576066
Top 5 Restaurants
1- La Terraza del Casino
Style / Ambiance: Gastronomic consultant at La Terraza is Ferran Adrià, head chef of the world renowned and three Michelin starred restaurant El Bulli, who is the most influential chef in Spain. Style/Ambiance: Sergi Arola Gastro is a joint venture between Arola and his wife Sara Fort, who is also the restaurant manager. Style/Ambiance: Sergi Arola Gastro is a joint venture between Arola and his wife Sara Fort, who is also the restaurant manager.
Alcalá, 15, 28014,
+34 91 521 8700
2- Sergi Arola Castro
Sergi Arola Gastro is a joint venture between Arola and his wife Sara Fort, who is also the restaurant manager.
Calle Zurbano, 31, 28010
+34 91 310 2169
3- Indice Restaurant at AC Palacio del Retiro
Style / Ambiance: With beautiful views over the luscious gardens of the Retiro Park, Indice is located in an area of unmatched elegance.
+34 91 523 7460
Alfonso XII, 14, 28014
4- Viridiana
Style / Ambiance: Viridiana takes its name from a legendary Luis Buñuel film that was banned in Spain for sixteen years during Franco’s regime. Owned by Chef Abraham Garcia, the restaurant serves hearty, flavorful cuisine, including Spanish classics such as gazpacho with Sardinian bread, and fillet of beef with chili sauce.
+34 91 531 1039
Juan de Mena Street, 14, 28014
5- La broche at Hotel Miguel Angel
Style / Ambiance: Light and space define the interior of La Broche as large pane-glass windows allow natural light to flow into the room, coming to rest on pure white furnishings.
+34 91 399 3437
Calle Miguel Ángel, 29-31, 28010
Top 5 Stores
1- El Jardin de Serrano
El Jardín de Serrano is a high-quality shopping gallery located in two restored 19th century palaces in the heart of Salamanca’s shopping district. For more than 20 years, the store has been offering nationally and internationally recognized brands. It also offers exclusive and elegant fashion, jewelry, gifts and accessories. All this in a welcoming atmosphere to shop, stroll, have a cup of coffee or eat dinner.
Calle Goya, 6-8 Madrid 28001
T: +34.915.770.012
2- Fuencarral Market
Created as an alternative to the traditional department stores, Fuencarral Market is primarily reserved for the eccentric and avante-garde. Its interior is colorful and psychedelic, metal combines with soft furry fabrics and the shops form a maze of unique treasures. The market houses some of Madrid’s most skilled craftsmen and women, up-and-coming designers and small traders from all over the globe. The products are so unique and original, you’re not even allowed to take photos
Calle Fuencarral, 45 Madrid 28004
3- Isolée
Located in the district of Chueca, one of Madrid’s shopping districts, is Isolée, a one-stop shop for the most fashionable and style conscience. Here, lifestyles emerge, and style is found in everything from a great jacket, to gourmet olive oil or a fabulous coffee table book by Taschen. This multi-faceted store has exclusive spaces featuring, Comme DES Garcons, Constume National, Tuscan Optics, Taschen, Aesop, Samsung, and Moet & Chandon, just to name a few.
Calle de Las Infantas, 19, 28004
4- The Golden Mile
Shopping spree in the Salamanca neighborhood is the privilege of a fortunate few, ideal for those looking to give themselves a truly special treat. Even if you have no intention of buying, it is well worth visiting Serrano to look, compare, learn, enjoy, or even to envy. The most luxurious boutiques are found in the streets such as Serrano, Castelló, Goya, Velázquez, Jorge Juan, Príncipe de Vergara and Ortega y Gasset.
Barrio de Salamanca Madrid, 28006
5- Las Salesas
Las Salesas is home to a plethora of art galleries, international retail shops, charming little boutiques, gourmet bakeries, and above all, fashion houses. The area has turned its two main streets, Piamonte and Almirante, into genuine catwalks setting the latest trends.
Calles Piamonte & Almirante
Madrid 28001
Top 5 Art Galleries
1- Museo Lázaro Galdiano, an unjustifiably little-known museum, holds the extraordinarily eclectic collection of 15,000 paintings and objets d’art, covering 24 centuries, that was accumulated over 70 years by the financier and bibliophile José Lázaro Galdiano (1862-1947).
Calle de Serrano 122, Madrid
T: 91 561 60 84
2- La Casa Encendida
An art gallery and cultural center La Casa Encendida is an art gallery which is actually as much about cultural exchange as it is art exhibition. The center is focused on presenting the works of emerging artists, as well as activities for children and music programs too.The center offers a fair-trade shop, a library, and classrooms for courses in many artistic disciplines. There are video presentations and musical exhibitions as well as other artistic genres on show here too.
Calle Ronda Valencia, 2, Madrid
T: 902 43 03 22
3-Fundación Juan March
Contemporary Spanish art and performances, Fundación Juan March, the cultural foundation set up by the wealthy financier Juan March in 1955, is one of the most important in Europe. Each year, a couple of major exhibitions are held at Fundación Juan March, and a decent selection of the foundation’s 1,300 works of contemporary Spanish art is also on permanent display. Free concerts, held at noon, are also worth checking out.
Calle de Castelló, 77, 28006 Madrid, Spain
+34 914 35 42 40
4- Museo Reina Sofia
The third star on the Paseo del Arte, The Reina Sofía is the third jewel in Madrid’s artistic crown and the first wow factor is the building itself. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, its soaring metallic roof and bold glass and steel form takes the breath away.The Reina Sofía gallery contains many works by the greats of Spanish contemporary art – Dalí, Tàpies Miró, González – but it’s worth visiting just to see Picasso’s Guernica, the undisputed star of the show.
C/Santa Isabel 52, Madrid
T: +34917741000
5- CaixaForum
The CaixaForum is a post-modern art gallery in the city’s center. Sponsored by the Catalan bank la Caixa, it was built by the Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron from 2001 to 2007. Though the building’s design is notable, it is the artwork inside which makes it one of the city’s most popular.
Paseo del Prado, 36, Madrid
T: 91 330 73 00
Top 5 Night Life
1- Moma 56
Moma 56 is the place to be for young professionals and 20-somethings looking to get glamorous and let loose on the dance floor. The interior is the epitome of sleek nightlife and boasts modern steel walls and pillars as well as an authentic marble floor; but don’t be deceived, although the place might have the feel of a “pinkies up” establishment, Moma 56 is known for its wild (and beautiful) patrons. This is the perfect venue to hit around 3 a.m. as a last stop on a late night out because the crowd is always animated and down for a good time, meaning you’ll leave feeling exhausted and gratified.
C/Jose Abascal 56, Madrid 913
2- Vanila
Anyone in need of a night of dancing and rubbing elbows with Madrid’s hottest socialites, models, actors and the occasional athlete should head straight to Vanila. This nightclub offers patrons the best of both worlds, with the option of dancing themselves silly on a jam-packed, L-shaped dance floor, or relaxing into plush velvet chairs set on a raised platform right in the middle of all the action. Energetic pink and blue lights add excitement to the chic patrons who have come to take part in the see and be seen festivities.
C/Castellana
3- Kapital
Kapital one of the most popular clubs in Madrid clubs in Madrid is a seven-level tower of pandemonium. The main floor attracts those who want to disappear into a fog machine on the venue’s largest dance floor or grab a drink at one of the three bars. The second floor is for people who want to get their vocals on in the karaoke room while the various other floors all feature DJs playing different styles of music. The top two levels of the club are reserved as chilling out space; patrons can chat into the wee hours of the morning on the sixth floor or continue boozing at the bar on the seventh.
Calle de Atocha, 125 28012, Madrid Spain
4- Marvel
This small bar is a perfect place to relax and to have a drink with some close friends. The ambiance is soft and it is perfect to a friday night hang out.
Calle de Joaquin Costa, 27
28002 Madrid
Spain
5- Gorila
Located in the trendy Malasana Madrid, this place is perfect because of it´s localization. The musical choice is always indie, and it serves some amazing chopitos and daiquiris.
Corredera Baja de San Pablo 47, 28004, Madrid Spain
1-Cervantes Week
Cervantes Week takes place around the writer’s date of birth (9 October 1547) and includes all kinds of events, lectures, theatrical performances, concerts, etc. Two of the highlights are the Gastronomic Week and the Baroque Market. The former attracts the participation of nearly 20 restaurants in the city, which offer menus inspired by the cuisine mentioned in “Don Quixote”. Meanwhile, the latter event is held at the heart of the historic quarter and represents a typical market from the 16th and 17th centuries (Spain’s Golden Age).
Alcalá de Henares, Madrid
2-Mercedes Benz Fashion Week
Happening every year at Madrid, normally at September, this glamourous event is the highlight of the spanish fashion industry.
3- Arco International Contemporary Art Fair
ARCOmadrid 2014 is a fair both for contemporary art professionals and art-lovers and the general public, with initiatives to suit their different interests. The first two days, February 19 and 20, are devoted to collectors, curators, and directors of museums, biennials and art centres, when the Fair is the best meeting point and space for sharing projects.
Feria de Madrid
Apdo. de Correos 67.067
28042 Madrid
4- Architecture Week
This event is organised by the Official Architects’ Association Foundation (COAM), and features numerous bodies, companies and institutions that have combined to offer a wide-ranging programme of activities related to architecture; everything from visits to buildings and guided routes, through to exhibitions, courses and lectures. There are also children’s workshops to enable younger visitors to learn more about the world of architecture in an entertaining way.
COAM-LaSede
c/ Hortaleza, 63
28004. Madrid
5- Madrid Mutua Open
Between the 2nd and 11th of May, as well as hosting the best ATP and WTA tennis in the world, the Mutua Madrid Open will offer a wide variety of entertainment for spectators of all ages that visit the Caja Mágica.
Music, fun, entertainment and activities for people from all walks of life will share the stage with ten days of the best tennis in the world (below you will find information about all this year’s concerts). Anyone who visits to the Madrid tournament will be able to have a great time thanks to Tennistainment.
Park Manzanares
[…] See Also: BEST DESIGN GUIDES | MADRID […]