In this post, I will share with you some unique cool things to do in Madrid – whether you only have a few hours as you are only passing through, or have more time in the city. They are not the ONLY things to do in Madrid but, at least, they are a little off-the-beaten-path.
A veteran of Madrid
I have visited Spain’s capital city, Madrid, several times over the last 25 years and, while it may not have the charm of Paris or Venice, it is a town meant to be lived, not visited.
And I don’t mean “lived” as in “live there” but a place “to live life.” Sure, other cities are beautiful and glamorous but I find cities where life is lived to the fullest the best. And such is Madrid.
Many cool things to do in Madrid
I am going to share with you six unique things to do in Spain’s capital. Clearly, I will not rattle off the best known places. Those are well documented in guidebooks as “must see” places.
For example, the Retiro Park (awesome to stroll or jog), the great art museums (ruled by the Prado but also the Reina Sofía Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum), the Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral, the Puerta de Alcalá, the Bernabéu Stadium, etc.. Also, there are easy day trips from Madrid which I will cover another time.
Clearly, Madrid has a lot to offer anyone wishing to explore this great European capital, loaded with something for everyone be it architecture, food, art, relaxation, partying, shopping, etc.
#1 Drinks at the Westin Palace
The Westin Palace is an extremely well-situated hotel in the best part of Madrid (close the Prado Museum, the Retiro Park, etc.). It has incredible architectural charm – and a great lobby lounge with separate areas to sit, depending on your mood. My favorite spot was right under the colorful and bright cupola.
If you don’t get to stay at the hotel, at minimum, go and treat yourself to a glass of wine or a cocktail (a favorite activity of mine while traveling, like in Rome’s Campo Fiore…). Definitely a place to sit back, soak in, and watch the hotel’s clientele. (We saw a band member of an 80s American group enjoying a cocktail not far from us.)
It is a place to rest and recover from exploring the streets, museums, and eateries of Madrid – re-charging is important to keep up with the energy of Madrid!
#2 Tapas and drinks at Plaza Santa Ana
Plaza Santa Ana is at the heart of Madrid in the renowned the Barrio de las Letras (“neighborhood of the letters” as many Spanish writers of the classical literature era lived in the streets of the area, including Don Quijote‘s Miguel de Cervantes himself). Sure, there are many other plazas with their own charm. Such is the Plaza Mayor, which must officially be “THE” plaza of Madrid. While I like the architecture that surrounds it, I don’t take to it…
But, Plaza Santa Ana (near the Puerta del Sol) is medium-sized, manageable and a great spot to sit and watch life. In addition, you get to enjoy beautiful buildings (like the 17th century Teatro Español) while enjoying some tapas and beer/wine.
And the great thing is that you can do it from the plaza itself (versus from inside a locale) – or from up high at the trendy and cool bar at the roof terrace of the Reina Victoria Hotel. There is a charge to go up but it applies to a drink. As long as you have a drink, entrance is free. The views of the Plaza at night are awesome.
#3 Tapas crawl
The centrally located Plaza Santa Ana is one of my favorite spots to hang out. But Madrid is full of neighborhood plazas and other areas where you can find great spots to have a delicious tapa and a cold caña (short beer). Madrileños on a typical night out move from tapas bar to tapas bar prior to going somewhere for dinner.
A favorite spot of mine for tapas is near the Calle Cervantes (in the Barrio de las Letras) where the are several good “classic” tapa establishments. Taberna La Daniela, Cervecería Cervantes and Taberna de la Dolores are all different in how they feel inside and are great spots to eat, sip, walk, and repeat!
My local friends actually referred me to these places so I knew they were good before I went. These places are actually right by the side street behind the Westin Palace where I stayed. Convenient! Try anything on display, play a little, explore. You never know what discovery you will make!
#4 The Mercado San Miguel
I could not believe that I had never visited the Mercado San Miguel in Madrid during prior visits. Until I learned that it had been closed for years to open finally again in 2009. It is a feast for the eyes. And probably all the other senses too, most especially the palate!
The structure itself is about one hundred years old with a style reminiscent of Paris metro entrances.
But the main attraction is, of course, the food. You can not only have a quick tapa, a piece of jamon iberico, a glass of wine, but you can also buy fruits, vegetables, etc. as locals do. It is a real functioning market. And it is a spot where the locals meet up or just run into each other if they are from the neighborhood.
Stop there for a bite or a meal – and a glass of wine, ¡por supuesto!
#5 Drinks with a rooftop (“azotea”) view
Thanks to my local friends, I “discovered” the Azotea, or rooftop, at the Círculo de Bellas Artes building (built in 1919) on the Calle de Alcalá corner with the Gran Vía, arguably Madrid’s grand boulevard. The Azotea offers not only a bar but all sorts of comfy spaces to just lounge around with friends. It must be spectacular at night.
But it is also great at sunset or just during the daytime to admire the views of the Spanish capital. I am a big fan of going up high and view cities from above. And what a better way than if the rooftop comes with a nice place to eat or enjoy a drink.
#6 And just walking around
Walking about, aimlessly, sometimes can yield the best experiences in getting to see a city, to experience it, to feel it. Madrid is no different, and perhaps one of the best cities in terms of “walkable exploration”. Walking around aimlessly is indeed one of my favorite things to do in Madrid.
My Madrid friends friends over the years have shown me around districts I did not know with small plazas and great places to enjoy food and drinks. Often, these walks meant that after enjoy a bite and a drink, we would get up and walk to yet another plaza. Whether as part of a drink/tapa crawl or just during the day to sightsee, this is the best way to get the vibe of a place. You can stroll through parks like the famous El Retiro, grand avenues or tiny old “anonymous” streets.
Madrid is a phenomenal town to see monuments and buildings old and new so if you like architecture, walk away, I say! And be leisurely and random about where you walk.
Walking unknowingly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we happened upon the presentation of credentials by foreign ambassadors who crossed the Plaza Mayor (I assume coming from the royal palace) and dropped/picked up the dignitaries in colorful carriages. So one never knows what one will find! (I had to ask a random person watching what was going on.)
Hope you enjoy these unique, cool things to do in Madrid! Have you been? Any places you’d recommend??
P.S. – I receive no compensation, discount, special privileges or anything else in return for mentioning the Westin Palace or the eateries and bars mentioned in this writeup. I paid every penny (or euro cent) it cost. I truly enjoyed all these places and that’s the only reasons I write about them here!
Add Madrid to your travel board!!
