Five essential Madrid experiences

By Annie Bennett

December 20, 2022

Get the most from your Madrid must-do list, with our insider’s guide

Charismatic Madrid has an energy all of its own. Its art collections are the envy of the world, as is its gastronomic scene, encompassing tiled, traditional tapas bars and Michelin-starred newcomers. From grand monuments to foot-stamping flamenco, there’s a lot to see and do – which means you’ll need to pace yourself and slot into the rhythm of the city. Madrilenians love nothing more than whiling away a few hours on a pavement terrace, so follow their example and take your time over an iced café con hielo.

See outstanding art

Staying at Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid, you’re perfectly placed for the big three museums of the Golden Triangle. As the Prado is right next door, you could concentrate on the Velázquez, El Greco and Goya paintings on one visit, then return another day to see the Italian and Flemish collections.

Across the road from the hotel, meanwhile, is the Thyssen-Bornemisza museum, whose masterpieces run from Rembrandt’s self-portrait to Dalí’s fantastical dreamscapes. Stroll down the Paseo del Prado to the Museo Reina Sofía, home to Picasso’s searing Guernica.

Hit the shops

The Spanish capital is seriously underrated when it comes to shopping. The best streets are in and around the Salamanca neighbourhood, a short walk from the hotel. Pop into Loewe and Manolo Blahnik on Calle Serrano, then browse the designer boutiques on Calle José Ortega y Gasset, where wine emporium Lavinia has a noteworthy tapas bar upstairs.

Pick up gourmet gifts at Mantequerías Bravo on Calle Ayalá, before taking a break at Platea, a former cinema that’s now a cavernous food court, with weekend shows and DJs. In the Las Letras quarter, meanwhile, Real Fábrica is the place for souvenirs. Sourced from artisan makers and traditional workshops, its cliché-free pieces run from speckled ceramics to beautifully-boxed colognes.

See historic Madrid come to life

To explore the oldest part of the city, Madrid de los Austrias, start at Plaza Mayor: a 400-year-old arcaded square, framed by spire-topped, red-brick buildings. Next, head to the adjacent Mercado de San Miguel, a handsome food market, in situ since 1916.

Pick up some slivers of Ibérico ham and a glass of a Madrilenian vermouth, then claim one of the stand-up tables around the market’s edge. Afterwards, stroll to Plaza de la Villa, the city’s most important square in medieval times, for dinner at Casa Ciriaco. It’s one of the city’s most traditional restaurants, and one of the few places you’ll find gallina en pepitoria – a comforting chicken stew, in a rich, saffron-spiked sauce.

Relax in the Retiro

No matter how much you love the big-city buzz, sometimes you just need greenery. Up the hill from Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid, get an instant nature fix at Retiro Park. A UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, it spans 350 acres in the centre of the city.

Catch an exhibition at the Cristal or Velázquez pavilions, then stop for coffee or ice cream at a terrace table by the lake. In summer, if you fancy hiring a rowing boat, go in the morning before the heat – and crowds – get too intense.

Experience flamenco

To really get a handle on all things flamenco, book an evening tour with Yolanda Martín, which takes you to a dance school, guitar workshop and tavern before seeing a show.

Otherwise, the best flamenco dancers, singers and musicians perform at the Corral de la Morería, close to the Royal Palace (the largest in Europe, incidentally, and well worth a visit). Its Michelin-starred dining is a bonus; book ahead to sample chef David García’s polished, Basque-grounded tasting menus, which might run from scallop carpaccio to roasted Iberian pork shoulder.

About the Author

Annie Bennett

Madrid-based travel writer Annie has authored guidebooks for National Geographic Traveller, and has written for The Independent, Sunday Times Travel Magazine and The Telegraph.