Madrid, a city pulsating with life, beckons you to dive into its vibrant social scene. Whether you're new to Madrid still settling in, an experienced expat seeking new adventures or a bored local who wants to rediscover the charm of your city, this guide is your key to unlocking the best of Madrid's social tapestry.
We know that the goal is to go unnoticed among the locals and discover other types of plans. But... you have to know that we locals sometimes love to take a voltio (walk in Madrid slang) around the emblematic places of our city! Besides, it never hurts to take a few selfies for Instagram with the most famous places in Madrid.
Puerta de Alcalá. Apart from the beauty of the monument itself, the area in which it is located is very cool and there you will find many of Madrid's most elegant and fancy restaurants. However, we want to give you a heads up! They are not cheap.
Templo de Debod. If you are passionate about sunsets, this is probably one of the best and most Instagrammable in the city. And best of all... it's free.
Palacio de Cristal. In the heart of the Parque del Retiro you will find this jewel. In addition, if you are an art lover, you will be interested to know that from time to time exhibitions are held inside the palace.
Jardines del Campo del Moro. There you can enjoy a relaxed stroll without many people contemplating the majesty of the Palacio Real, as they are not so well known. Magical in autumn.
Madrid de los Austrias. We don't want to tell you about this part of the city, you should discover it without any preconceptions... Just immerse yourself there as a citizen of the 16th century.
Parque de las Siete Tetas. Perfect for enjoying the sunrise or sunset of the city in a place away from the crowds.
Madrid is a lively city, full of culture, where you can make the most of it thanks to a wide variety of museums, theatres, musicals...
Museos. In Madrid you can find a wide variety of museums. For us, the must-see museums are: El Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen-Bornemisza, Archaeological, Cerralbo, Naval, Sorolla, and Lázaro Galdiano. However, depending on your artistic tastes, take a look at the catalogue of museums in Madrid on the internet.
Teatros, musicales, cine y monólogos. A quieter weekend idea might be to go out to dinner and see a good play, watch a new film, or go to see your favourite comedian. (Take a look at the plans available in our events section on the website).
Visita al Palacio Real. Spend a morning visiting the inside of the beautiful Royal Palace, it's well worth it!
Even if you have only tried Madrid's nightlife, you should know that the city has a lot of green areas where you can do sport and a multitude of sports plans, gyms, classes... Here are some of our favourite suggestions.
Correr por el Retiro. If you like walking and running, we recommend you to do it in El Retiro. In addition, there are groups to meet people while you practice sport! If you are interested in these meetings do not hesitate to contact us!
Correr por la Casa de Campo. If you like to run in a more remote place with more nature this place is perfect! You can also have a picnic at the lake, only if you have reached your target kilometres. And if the weather is nice, you can enjoy a swim in the pool of the Casa de Campo.
Deporte en Madrid Río. In the long Ribera del Manzanares you will find many people practicing their favorite sport.
CrossFit. In Madrid it has become very popular in the last few years and it is very common to meet up with Crossfit colleagues!
Torneos de pádel. What's better than a few beers in the sun after playing padel? If you still don't have a partner to sign up for a tournament, don't worry! There are tournaments where you can sign up alone and they will assign you a partner.
If there is one thing that characterises Madrid, it is the multitude of restaurants and the gastronomic variety that we have. Don't miss the coolest gastronomic plans!
Chinatown en Usera. If you are passionate about Chinese culture, this is definitely your neighborhood! Here you will find a wide variety of Chinese restaurants and shops where you can try their fabulous food.
Cañas y tapas por La Latina. The perfect Sunday plan is undoubtedly to go for a walk through El Rastro and buy some vintage pants and a painting from the last century and finish the tour with some tapas in this lively neighborhood.
Tomar el vermú. One of the star plans of a Madrilenian is to have a vermouth accompanied by olives and chips at noon in a tavern.
Ruta de comida típica madrileña. Don't hesitate to go to one of the most legendary restaurants or taverns in the city to try cocido, tortilla de patata, callos or oreja, among many other delicious dishes typical of Madrid's cuisine.
Dulces castizos. If you have a sweet tooth, you will have already tried, or at least heard of, the famous churros con chocolate. However, there are other typical Madrid sweets such as barquillos, which if you're lucky you might find a chulapo selling them on the street. Other well-known sweets are the rosquillas, of which there are many types and you can try them in San Isidro (15th of May).
As the sun sets, Madrid transforms into a nocturnal playground. From trendy rooftop bars to historic taverns, Madrid offers a diverse array of nightlife options to suit every taste. We recommend some of the liveliest areas of the city with the most lively nightlife!
Barrio de Las Letras - Huertas. El Barrio de Las Letras never sleeps a day of the week. Here you will find your plan, whatever your age, your favourite style of music or your favourite leisure activity.
Malasaña. No matter what time it is, Malasaña always seems to be lively. It can be a quiet place to start the night or the last bastion for those who dance until dawn. A variety of bars, pubs and discos of all kinds open their doors to anyone who wants to party all night long.
Chueca. The neighbourhood is one of the most vibrant for a night out in Madrid. Legendary clubs and nightclubs still stand side by side in an LGTBIQA+ area that is always open to fun and respect.
Austrias. If you are a lover of live music, this is the place for you. You can enjoy live music of all styles and the possibility of dancing until the early hours of the morning.
Salamanca. El Barrio de Salamanca dazzles at night and offers a sophisticated atmosphere in which to let yourself be carried away by elegance.
Castellana. Afterworks, discos and pubs transform Madrid's financial area into another option for nightlife.
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