Madrid in the Summer: 3 Things You Need to Do in Madrid
So, Why Madrid?
When one thinks of Spain, two things might come to mind: Flamenco and warm weather. Although the latter is true even in winter, the former is usually found in the south, and what’s more, is that those two are only the tip of this iceberg, or paella, depending on cultural preference.
Madrid has a box of surprises to offer, from an incredible indoor and outdoor dining scene full of flavor, worth a breadbasket to clean your plate with, to summer nightlife brewing with energy and sound in every overcrowded side street bar, and there are a ton of those.
Madrid isn’t the capital just for its size; it’s the capital because of what it possesses—and that’s plenty.
Whether you’re on a flight to Madrid Barajas for the warmth the Spanish people exude or just in search of a European weekend escape from a neighboring country, we’re here to offer you a brochure of what we’d go for if we were in your shoes, free of charge and full of leg work.
#1: Where Should You Eat
Well, we’ve mentioned how Madrid is packed with energy, but have we mentioned what you need to match that energy? It’s food; you can’t run a steamtrain without steam, right?
Needless to say, Madrid has as much diversity in its food as it has sunlight; that’s more than you can bear to eat, and that’s why we’ve made this list.
When it comes to the best food in Madrid, and a must-visit part of the city, Vallehermoso Market, a staple of Madrid Street food, is more than an open market; this food court-like site offers everything a grocery store might have with one elementary difference: you have experimental recipes every week, with the ability to sample everything before you eat it. It’s what we call “A bargain.”
And, of course, for those who suffer from a malicious sweet tooth, Tatel Madrid can easily put you at ease with one of the best, if not the best, cheesecakes you’ll try this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Considered on the pricier side of Madrid, Tatel is worth every penny invested in tasting this lactose treat.
But you can’t come to Madrid and not try some tapas, a must-try food in Madrid, can you now?
La Bodega de la Ardosa is another staple in the Madrid food scene, built 127 years ago, there’s more than cobwebs inside this establishment; there’s clout, flavor, and character.
Just make sure to get there before 7 pm if you want to find yourself a seat.
#2: Where Should You Spend Your Evenings
With a rich menu full of cocktails with ample flavor and a view of Madrid worth a movie title, el.la Sky bar has won a landmark award in Madrid’s nightlife scene. Located on the 1oth floor of one of the most centric buildings and avenues [Gran Via] Madrid has in its pocket, el.la Sky bar has an amazing view of Madrid’s skyline, and what’s more, it pairs it with a fusion of different cuisines, coupled with a mouthwatering cocktail (or mocktail, depending on the time).
But not everything in Madrid needs to be on the 10th floor or a skyscraper, some attractions are horizontal and require walking: Malasaña and Chueca.
Malasaña and Chueca are said attractions; An incredibly lively duet of neighborhoods in central Madrid, acting as flagships to where fun and culture begins in Madrid. They offer a great atmosphere for locals and international crowds alike, which explains the amalgamation of people you’ll find there: literally from every corner of the world.
Replete with every type and size of bar/restaurant you might encounter in a lifestyle magazine, these two have more than enough to dazzle you with their ambiance and culture.
#3: Places You Can’t Neglect
Aside from flavors and side streets, Madrid has some things that require more time to appreciate. Platform O, Chamberi, is exactly that: One of the original 8 stations Madrid had but decommissioned more than 40 years ago, this Parisian-styled metro station has the ability to pull you back to the good old days of Madrid with rust and cobwebs on the surrounding walls. It’s a time machine without any moving parts and important member of Madrid’s main attractions.
And a little bit above ground with this one, but an important Madrid attraction: Mirador de la Cornisa is a different view of what the city has. From an elevation of 92m, Mirador de la Cornisa is the perfect way to view the entire city from corner to corner. Unable to promise amazing weather year-long, we can promise you a great view and walk through history every day.
Bonus Segment: a Special Recommendation
As told by a true Madrileña [A girl/woman from Madrid], there are a few extra places you need on your tourist map, and she’s rarely wrong about such things.
Worry not; they’re all in the same vicinity, making getting lost a hard and easily avoidable task.
So, if experiencing the true meaning of what it means to be a Spanish local in the capital, then both La Castela and Castelados should be a priority on your list. Regardless of them offering an affordable dining and drinking option for Madrid natives, these two have more to offer than lowered prices and good wine, which is an undiluted side of Spanish Madrid.
From there on, allow us to pamper you, just a little bit, by sending you to our friend Eugenio in La Monteria, a traditional restaurant that gives traditional meals a different definition in the dictionary —just delicious!
To top this night off with something along the lines of “locally international,” head to La Latina, a neighborhood full of bars and Spanish tavernas that acts as a hub for international and local crowds alike. And when is the ideal time to do all that, you might ask? Sundays. El Rastro in La Latina is teeming with people from every corner of the world; it’s really nothing short of an adventure.
Closing Thoughts
Despite everything and every place we’ve mentioned in this article, it is still very hard to encompass under one umbrella every little detail or attraction that makes Madrid the city it is today.
Nonetheless, Madrid has something around every corner; whether in search of museums, nightlife, culture, or just a warm conversation with the locals, Madrid never fails to deliver on that. It is a city where we can easily say that no two days are the same; there’s something new going on here daily.
And if we haven’t covered everything you were looking for, make sure to check our website for further articles and new recommendations; like Madrid, we never seem to disappoint you.