Winning tip: Plaza de Santa Ana
If you want to avoid the tourist-heavy Plaza Major and eat with the locals instead, Plaza Santa Ana is a great place to spend a lazy Madrid day. With fantastic bars and restaurants all around, including excellent tapas spots (Lateral and Naturbier especially) and Cafe Central, a jazz bar just around the corner, Plaza Santa Ana is a great spot to enjoy the real Madrid.
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Parque El Capricho
El Capricho is a stunning park hidden in the suburbs of the city. It was the garden and place of entertainment for the Dukes of Osuna, a family of nobles of Madrid that lived in the small palace there. There is a dovecote, a reservoir, and many statues among the maze of vegetation. Some weekends it hosts concerts, theatre or dance. The admission is free and in autumn, it is outstanding.
Paseo de la Alameda de Osuna
ck6789
La Venencia Sherry Bar
Sherry might be the drink of Andalucía, but in Madrid it found its home in this Santa Ana mainstay. Only sherry is served here, and it can be sampled in all its denominations, from the driest to the teeth-coatingly sweet. Perfect with the simple tapas such as mojama (dried tuna), olives and almonds. As you sip your way through the sherries, keep an eye on your orders as they’re chalked up on the bar in front of you.
Calle de Echegaray 7
Sandracirera
Casa de Campo park
This park is a lovely wide open space with a lake at its centre. It was formerly a royal hunting ground but now it’s where many Madrid families go at the weekends. Cycling is popular within the grounds and it’s a good place to appreciate the local flora and fauna. There is also an amusement park and the City Zoo, including a large aquarium and a dolphin tank.
Paseo Puerta del Angel 1, madridtourist.info
suzieo
Teleferico (Cable Car)
For a breather from the noise and madness of Madrid try a ride on the teleferico (cable car), which takes you out to the middle of the enormous Casa de Campo park(see above). Buy a single ticket starting at Rosales (4€). At the top enjoy a beer and the stunning skyline of Europe’s highest capital city. Take a gentle walk down to Lago and enjoy tapas by the lake. “From Madrid to the sky,” as the Madrileños say.
Paseo del Pintor Rosales, teleferico.com
leshowl
Atocha station
No trip to Madrid could be complete without a visit to see the red-eared terrapins in the giant greenhouse that is Atocha station. Leave your luggage here and walk past the impressive street sculpture to visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, Reina Sophia modern art galley, Museo National del Prado or Anthropological museum – all within a stone’s throw of the station.
Vestíbulo del Ave
Lizzy Stroud
Madrid’s rooftop eateries
The best way to see Madrid is from above and there are a few great rooftop cafes and restaurants for doing just that. Gourmet Experience has just opened in the heart of Madrid. Reach it from the Callao department store by taking the escalator right to the top. They serve fresh oysters and some of the best tapas in Madrid. The Casa Granada in a Tirso de Molina residential building has a more intimate atmosphere where you can pack in with the locals whilst drinking cana and watch the sun set over the city.
Gourmet Experience, Plaza de Callao 1-3, elcorteingles.es; Casa Granada, Calle del Doctor Cortezo 17, no website
benatech
Temple of Debod and Entrevinos
After visiting Templo de Debod, an ancient Egyptian temple situated in the very best place to see the spectacular sunsets of Madrid, go to Entrevinos to taste the best wines by the glass or bottle with excellent tapas or raciones. Friendly people, reasonable prices, and a nice atmosphere.
Calle Ferraz 1, madridtourist.info
viajesdreamberry
Cafe Melo’s
Located in the trendy Lavapies district, Melo’s opens at 8.30pm and it fills up quickly with a typically boisterous Spanish vibe. The menu consisted of croquetas, empandas, morcilla, padron peppers and a zapatillas. For around 10 euros a head you can fill up on great food as well as having a few beers too in a place with a very Spanish vibe.
Calle Ave María 44, open 9pm-2am Tuesday-Saturday, no website
desteban88
Los Pescaitos
Madrid, although the furthest point from any coast in Spain boasts some of the freshest fish. A particular favourite is Los Pescaitos in Pozuelo de Alarcon. With music from Andalucia, decoration based on a seafaring theme and excellent ‘free tapas’ this is outstanding value. Based in a vibrant street full of bars and resturants, I would recommend anyone to visit.
Avenida de Europe 16, lospescaitos.com
John Alford
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