36 Hours
36 Hours in Madrid
Madrid has little to prove as a premier art destination. Its central “golden triangle of art”(anchored by the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza museums) makes for a dazzling art lovers’ pilgrimage, and the city is bolstered by cutting-edge cultural foundations like Espacio Solo and Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary. In 2023, Madrid is commemorating the 50th anniversary of Pablo Picasso’s death and the 100th anniversary of Joaquín Sorolla’s with a series of exhibitions dedicated to each artist. Also, few cities have seen such a flurry of hotel openings since the pandemic’s onset — including the Edition, the Four Seasons, the Mandarin Oriental and the Hard Rock. One thing that hasn’t changed is the city’s warm embrace of anyone wanting to join the fun. Since so few Madrileños are actually from Madrid, everyone is welcome.
Recommendations
- Corral de la Morería is a traditional flamenco tablao with one untraditional factor — an eight-seat Michelin-starred restaurant.
- Museo Sorolla is the former home and studio of the artist Joaquín Sorolla.
- Reina Sofía is Spain’s national museum of modern and contemporary art.
- Ecoalf is a fashion label and a store that upcycles plastic bottles and fishing nets to make luxury garments.
- Golda is a cheery cafe with Middle Eastern-accented breakfast fare.
- Frida offers family-friendly breakfast options and outdoor seating.
- The Omar is a brunch spot with the air of a classic European coffeehouse.
- El Jardín de Arzábal is a restaurant in the Reina Sofía Museum with a lush, jungly terrace.
- Kappo serves traditional omakase at a 12-seat counter or in a six-table dining room.
- Urso Hotel sets the vibe with live piano music in its lobby cocktail bar.
- La Vaquería Montañesa has a candlelit ambience and simple yet superb dishes in the Chamberí neighborhood.
- Jack’s Library pours craft cocktails from a hidden spot behind what appears to be a flower shop.
- Lula Club is a nightspot where you can dance, and maybe spot a celebrity.
- Kluster beckons with pulsating music and a dance floor full of shirtless men.
- Plaza de España, which underwent a major renovation, now has tree-shaded promenades and pedestrian paths linking it to Madrid’s biggest attractions.
- The Royal Palace, among Europe’s grandest, is still in use today for state events.
- Santa Bárbara is a grand Baroque church in the Salesas neighborhood.
- Monastery of the Royal Barefoot Nuns offers guided tours to see its treasures, including famous tapestries.
- Museo Geominero offers four stories of mineral and fossil exhibits to delight both children and adults.
- Travesía Cuatro is a commercial art gallery featuring international contemporary artists with an emphasis on Latin American art.
- Alzueta Gallery is a contemporary space with outposts in Barcelona and Madrid.
- Albarrán Bourdais is a commercial art gallery featuring contemporary artists from Spain, Mexico, France and beyond.
- Oteyza sells exquisitely tailored men’s clothing, from handmade sneakers to bespoke suits.
- La Duquesita is a beautiful Art Nouveau pastry shop that is more than a century old.
- Real Fábrica and Cocol are two stores in the historic city center selling regional crafts like mohair blankets and ceramics.
- WOW Concept is a store artfully showcasing international design and fashion.
- Rosewood Villa Magna, newly renovated, is among the city’s most luxurious addresses and near the major art museums and high-end shops of the upscale Barrio de Salamanca. Its three roaring fireplaces in the lobby and bar make it ideal for a cozy winter stay. Doubles from €850, or $908.
- CoolRooms Palacio de Atocha, in an 1850s palace in the historic city center, has some of the most spacious rooms in Madrid, not to mention top-floor suites with large decks and hot tubs. Doubles from about €250.
- Bastardo, a hipster hostel in trendy Chueca, has a buzzing lobby and a variety of room options — from singles to shared rooms to family rooms that sleep six. Doubles from about €90.
- For short-term rentals, the pretty Almagro neighborhood offers quiet streets lined with boutiques, galleries and small restaurants, all within walking distance of many major museums and attractions.
- Madrid is a very walkable city, and streets are surprisingly safe, even in the early hours of the morning. In addition to the city’s fleet of white taxis, ride-hailing apps like Uber, Bolt and Cabify are popular. The city’s metro and buses are reliable, clean and air-conditioned.
Itinerary
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