Madrid is not just Spain’s capital—it’s a vibrant fusion of history, art, gastronomy, and modern energy. Stroll through its regal avenues and you’ll sense its heritage effortlessly woven together – awe-inspiring museums, neoclassical architecture, and elegant public squares.
Yet beneath that grandeur lies an distinct liveliness. From eating a €2.50 tortilla and sipping on a tinto de verano at Pez, to discovering street art in Malasaña, the urban pulse that spills through the city and its leafy parks like El Retiro is unmistakable. Add in a buzzing nightlife that stretches from rooftop cocktails to late‑night tapas crawls, shopping ranging from the boutique charm of Salamanca to the cinematic streets of Gran Vía, and easy access to sun‑lit day trips beyond the city—it’s clear why Madrid remains one of Europe’s most irresistible destinations.
An easy city to walk, or zip around, whether its via the well-connected Metro or taxis, all of Madrid’s charm becomes utterly effortless. Come spring or autumn, the city is bathed in pleasant weather—ideal for discovering its al fresco life. Summer heats up, while winter’s crisp clear days make for cosy café and festive market escapes.
Madrid invites a traveller’s curiosity—and rewards you at every turn. Here’s our hotlist of where to stay, to what to do and see, and of course, what to shop on your getaway to Madrid.
STAY HERE Hotel Único
In the heart of Madrid’s celebrated Milla de Oro, Hotel Único unfolds like a hidden couture atelier—its 19th-century palace façade whispers aristocratic chic. Tucked amid the sophisticated boutiques of the Salamanca district, where streets like Calle de Serrano host luxury flagships and design-forward galleries line the way, Único strikes a fine balance of prestige with exclusivity. Inside, designer María Santos translates that sensibility into every detail: muted tones, bespoke furnishings, marble bathrooms and high ceilings filtered with serene natural light. Outside, the private urban garden offers a runway-like retreat, soft with jasmine and ivy, and leads to El Patio de Claudio, a fashionably fresh bistro that pairs simplicity with sartorial elegance. For the well-heeled traveler who adores being steps from the city’s most coveted designers yet craves sanctuary, Hotel Único is a design-focused hideaway that feels like a personal fashion residence in the capital.
TREAT YOURSELF TO THIS Brach Madrid Spa
Hidden beneath the buzz of Brach Madrid, La Capsule Spa is anything but your traditional hotel spa. Gleaming white tiles and golden accents give it an almost other worldly feeling, which is the perfect complement to the facilities on offer; all are designed specifically to ensure you’ll emerge not only relaxed but actually rejuvenated. At its heart lies a dramatic 20-metre marble pool for both leisurely lengths and gentle bobbing, from which you can drift between the steam rooms and an icy bath plunge. Yet, it is the treatments that really set it apart. A place where tradition meets tech: you can try Tui Na massage, cupping or even hypnosis, then hop into a cryotherapy session, infrared sauna, or flotation tank, followed by a spot of yoga too. In fact, the spa has the only hyperbaric oxygen chamber in a Madrid hotel, instantly making a visit really feel like a step ahead of all the rest. Becki Murray
DINE HERE VelascoAbellà
Wife/ husband duo Óscar Velasco and Montse Abellà are names familiar amongst Madrid’s most avid foodies, having helped redesign the city’s culinary scene over the past twenty years. As the previous head chefs of restaurants across the city, the duo have won Michelin stars and national awards, and have left this behind to start a more personal project that goes by the name of VelascoAbellà. A fusion of the pair’s surnames, this restaurant is a medley of the culinary excellence that Spain as a country and Madrid as a city has to offer, as well as the kitchen prowess of the chefs at its helm. The restaurant starts with high-quality market-focussed produce that is both local and seasonal, which is cleverly crafted into modern plates of Cocote of sea and sea tripe with veal and cod, and roasted tomato salad. As a result, the spot picked up a well-deserved Michelin star earlier this year. The restaurant also has a private dining space (El Apartamento) available to book. Ella Mansell
SHOP HERE Malababa
Madrid’s fashion scene is booming, not only rapidly building its own leading reputation but you could say stealing some of the thunder from Barcelona. On Calle Serrano, find Malababa’s flagship, a retail concept as well as a meditative offering merging fashion and craftsmanship. The interiors beam of bohemian luxury: walls shaped from Galician clay and Almería marble powder radiating warm, earthy tones, with a stage for the brand’s artisanal leather bags and shoes. The space unfolds across two floors, with modular limestone and aged-brass fixtures that flex like couture pieces, while agate crystals—which mirror the clasps on their Minihontas and Nanohontas bags—embed themselves into the architecture as subtle gems of design. It’s a seasonal wardrobe sanctuary with curated fashion. In summer, think airy tones and breezy sandals nestled among pale, sunlit interiors; in autumn, deeper leathers and rich textures. For the fashion-minded visitor, it’s a must-shop destination to bring a piece of Madrid’s fashion spirit home with you.
VISIT THIS Reina Sofia National Art Museum
Plenty of Europe’s twentieth century art masters have come from Spain, from Dali to Picasso to Miro to Gris, and many more. And the Reina Sofia National Art Museum is where to head to see them all. The museum opened in 1990 to commemorate an important century (the twentieth) for modern art – both across Spain and wider Europe. The gallery is housed in an expansive neoclassical building that was once a hospital, designed by Spanish architect Francisco Sabatini with a light-flooded central auditorium, long hallways, and glass elevator towers that were later added to modernise the property. In the permanent collection, you’ll find incredible, but lesser known, painters and photographers strung alongside the famous names of Spain’s greatest artists as well as an excellent selection of temporary exhibitions, including the relationship between the urban environment and the worker (Something’s Going on Around Redor) on at the moment. With a vast list of extracurricular programmes, the gallery has its finger on the cultural pulse of Madrid, regularly hosting educational activities, evening events, and video and audiovisual exhibits. Ella Mansell
SEE THIS Cardamomo
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