Expect the unexpected

Its not so much about the best things to do in Madrid but more about how you go about it and with whom. Just this past Sunday I had made plans to meet some friends for coffee in a great terrace near Conde Duque.  It was to be a quiet day, say hi, have some coffee and return home. But I should know better, if I have learned anything at all during my twelve years here is that Madrid is the kind of city in which you never know where your day will take you, not matter your intentions or how well you plan.

It was a gorgeous day, crisp blue sky and 23º C so I thought best to bring my camera and leave early incase I see something I want to shoot before my coffee date. I had not been in the neighborhood in a while so I thought I would walk around to see whats new.  Walking down Calle Noviciado I saw a place I had not noticed before called The Place with a great big open window and of course a group brunching at a prime table.  Looking closer at the group, I thought, I know these people!  So I stopped in to say hello. These were some of the people I was to meet later at another spot.  Once they finished up we all got up to go meet the rest of our group around the corner at Cafe Federal in Plaza Comendadoras.  I got to meet new people, got some good sun and learned something new.  New market at the Ferrocarril Museum called El Mercado de Motores.

Round Two. During my iced coffee a friend, who I have been meaning to see for a long time, sent a message saying she was on the Madrid Rio at a cafe and that we should meet up. I said my farewells and started my way down to the river to meet Beatriz. (Thats one of the best things about Madrid, you can walk almost everywhere) Before I even got there plans changed again. “Meet me at my place, we will have drinks on the terrace.”  “Just coffee” has now turned into drinks, and honestly, it could not have been a better evening for it.  Beatriz has a fantastic apartment right in the center with a terrace on a tower that has privileged  360º views of Madrid, jacuzzi included. So it began, we managed to get caught up over a glass of wine before her friends showed up.  Chill out music playing, sun setting, more drinks all around.

Round three. During impromptu sunset drinks, hunger started setting in and as La Latina and some of my favorite tapas bars were only a five minute walk away a few of us decided to head out to eat.  La Latina is notorious for its Sunday market “El Rastro” in the morning but also for its many tapas bars. One of my favorites is a little place, over a hundred years old called Almacen de Viños (Casa Gerardo) They have some of the best wines by the glass and you will never find a group of tourist there.

In the end I it turned out to be a great afternoon/evening, I did not quite stumble home around 10:30.  I got off lightly considering I started at 5:00pm on a Sunday.  A full day would have included starting at a museum like the Sorolla followed by brunch with a walk in the park.  Or, had it been a Friday or Saturday(and several years ago) it could have gone on all night long eventually making many more stops, adding more people to the group and making my way home at 7am. Luckily I stuck to “just for coffee.”

So if you are staying in Madrid for more than “just coffee” and really want to experience the vibe of the city here are my some of my favorite things to do in Madrid

Top Five things to do in Madrid

1.)Visit a museum

There are many to choose from. You have the Prado, Thyssen, Reina Sofia, Sorolla, Cerralbo, Romantic Museum, Museum of Americas just to name a few. If you are short on time and want to go to the Prado I suggest a two hour visit.  They have an “Essentials” self guided tour where you see all the most important works.

2.)Enjoy drinks on a terrace

Madrid is now packed with beautiful terraces to enjoy a tall cold beverage, whether on a roof top, in a plaza or in a park.  These are my favorites. Azotea atop the Circulo de Bellas Artes, Atenas in Parque Atenas (great music, in the middle of the park and a great mix of locals), terrace at the Thyssen Museum (the Sangria is the best in town)

3.)Pick a park any park

Madrid is one of the greenest capitals in europe.  Casa de Campo, Retiro, Madrid RIo, Parque Oeste, Campo del Moro, El Caprichio, Príncipe de Anglona Garden

4.)Try three tapas bars (at least)

Almacen de Vinos – authentic “bar de barrio” great for excellent wine by the glass, best cheese and pate selection.

Taberna Tempranillo – in the heart of La Latina, great wine by the glass and you can not go wrong with the tapas

Casa González – near plaza Santa Ana, a great wine selection and always a tapas to go with your drink

La Venencia Sherry Bar – another hundred year old bar, classic for sherry, great cecina, prepare yourself as the staff are not the friendliest but you will experience the true character of the neighborhood.

Taberna Laredo – on the far side of Retiro, fantastic tapas, more contemporary take and filled with Madrileños

Arzabal– if you go to Laredos you should stop here too.  Great food with a more modern twist.

5.)Go to the market

Mercado San Miguel-lots of tourists but its a great restoration. Have a glass of wine and some civiche

Mercado San Anton-in chueca, not so many tourists, and you can buy your food and take up to the restaurant and they will cook it up for you!

El Rastro(Every Sunday)-long time Sunday tradition, rain or shine, just about anything you are looking for you will find here.  Fantastic antique shops but if you are going to buy best to go during the week.

El Mercado de Motores– in the Ferrocarril Museum in Delicias. About as close to Spittlefields as you are going to get on the Iberian Peninsula.

Camara Agraria (first saturday of the month) All ecological products from produce to meats and wine.  You can buy a glass for two euro at the entrance and go from stand to stand trying local wines from Madrid