There’s a lot to love about the Santo Mauro, a Luxury Collection Hotel: its gardens, its beautiful rooms decorated by Lorenzo Castillo, and its location—Chamberí is not just my neighborhood, it’s my favorite part of Madrid. And then there’s the Four Seasons Madrid: The club sandwich, the cocktail bar, the spa… they’ve managed to keep the Four Seasons level of luxury while maintaining an immensely Madrid vibe. When I’m meeting a friend, the most sophisticated spot, at any hour, is the Rosewood Villa Magna. I love falling into its lively atmosphere. If you’re after an incredibly charming, Madrid-style stay, Hotel Urso is one of my go-tos. My favorite thing about it? The cuisine at its restaurant, Casa Felisa, gets my top marks.
There are plenty of buzzy properties, but Madrid does rest and relaxation, too. The inner garden at CoolRooms Palacio de Atocha is the definition of peaceful, but the entire property exudes tranquility. A similar vibe unfolds at Casa de las Artes, The Meliá Collection. There’s a serious commitment to culture here, from the intimate cinema to the library—it’s a true ode to artistic Madrid.
Day 1: Long Walks and Plenty of Small Plates
Breakfast spot: Pastries at Alma Nomad Bakery
Morning activity: Walk through Los Rosales
Lunch spot: Local favorites at El Pedrusco
Afternoon activity: Shop through Contemporánea Condeduque
Dinner: Small plates at Amis
Evening activity: Two vibes, multiple cocktails
Day 2: The Classic Sights
Breakfast spot: A sweet start at La Duquesita
Morning activity: Embrace the chaos at El Rastro
El Rastro
I love visiting the antique shops at El Rastro on Saturdays (the crowds are more manageable than they are on Sundays). Fewer people means you can spend more time wandering around the shops before going out for tapas. If you like snails, you simply must pop into the Casa Amadeo bar and sit out on its sunny terrace. It doesn’t get more Madrid than this.
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Lunch spot: Market-fresh fare at La Tasquita de Enfrente
Afternoon activity: Soak in the vibes of Gran Vía
Dinner: More small plates at La Llorería
Evening activity: An exploration of Salesas Chueca
Day 3: A Hearty Dose of Culture
Breakfast spot: Pastries at Estela Hojaldre
Morning activity: Soak in some culture at Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Both its temporary exhibitions and its collection make it one of the best museums in the world. And don’t forget to visit its shop, it’s fantastic. Another selling point: This museum is opposite the Prado Museum, which I haven’t recommended because I’m assuming you’ll be visiting it.
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Lunch spot: Paella at El Jardín del Ritz
Afternoon activity: Go gallery hopping
Dinner: A show at El Corral de la Morería
Corral de la Morería
This is a total trifecta: the best sherry cellar in the world, a Michelin-starred menu, and unforgettable flamenco performances. All the celebrities have been here… both to perform and to watch the show.
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Evening activity: Experience Spanish Broadway
Teatro Real
Madrid is said to be the Spanish Broadway, and yes, there are countless musicals on the bill. But if you want to improve your Spanish, I recommend going to the Teatro Español, a beautiful place that always has an excellent program of classics from Spanish literature.
