Luxury things to do in Madrid
DSTAgE, Coque, OSA, and afternoons at Mercado de San Antón
Three days built around the kind of tables that take planning to get into, with mornings calm enough to deserve them. This is Madrid for someone who wants the full range of the city's ambition, from a churro at San Ginés to a tasting menu that will take hours to finish.
Day 1: Chueca: markets, DSTAgE, Angelita
A morning in Chueca's squares and market, a lunch at the chef's counter at Kuoco, and DSTAgE to close the night properly.
- 9:30 AM
Gran Café Gijón
Literary café on Paseo de Recoletos since 1888; coffee and a pastry in the old wood-panelled room.
Map - 10:15 AM
Plaza de Chueca
Stroll the handsome central square of Chueca, the neighbourhood's elegant social heart.
Map - 11:00 AM
Mercado de San Antón
Mercado de San Antón: Madrid's sleekest covered market, browse luxury deli stalls before lunch.
Map - 12:30 PM
- 8:30 PM
DSTAgE
Diego Guerrero's tasting menu in a raw-brick Justicia space, mixing Spanish, Mexican and Japanese ideas.
Map - 11:15 PM
Angelita Madrid
Wine bar with a huge list by the glass and a cocktail bar downstairs; ask them to pour something Spanish.
Map
Day 2: Almagro: culture and Coque
An unhurried start in Malasaña, a stroll through a genuinely grand 18th-century complex, a sharp modern lunch at La Lloreria, and an evening at Coque, one of the finest tables in the country.
- 9:30 AM
Café Federal
Bright, well-loved Malasaña café, solid espresso and a proper brunch start before the day kicks off.
Map - 10:30 AM
Centro de Cultura Contemporánea Conde Duque
Grand 18th-century military complex turned contemporary culture centre, free to wander and genuinely impressive architecture.
Map - 12:30 PM
La Lloreria
Acclaimed modern cuisine, one of the most talked-about lunch rooms in the neighbourhood right now.
Map - 2:30 PM
Mercado de Barceló
Mercado de Barceló, a beautifully renovated market hall ideal for a post-lunch browse through local produce and craft stalls.
Map - 8:30 PM
Coque
The Sandoval brothers' menu moves you from bar to kitchen to cellar before you sit; give it the whole night.
Map
Day 3: La Latina: Plaza Mayor and OSA
Churros at San Ginés, Plaza Mayor, lunch at Los Galayos, the Descalzas Reales convent, then OSA and a last drink at Casa Labra.
- 9:30 AM
Chocolatería San Ginés
Madrid's most iconic churros-and-chocolate institution, the perfect boujee-casual opener steps from Plaza Mayor.
Map - 10:15 AM
Plaza Mayor
The grandest square in Madrid, walk the arcades, soak in the frescoed facades; the city's most famous landmark.
Map - 12:30 PM
Restaurante Los Galayos
Old family restaurant at the corner of Plaza Mayor since 1894; order the roast suckling lamb or cochinillo.
Map - 4:00 PM
Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales
Guided visits only: a royal convent hung with Rubens tapestries and Titian; book a slot and skip Mondays.
Map - 8:30 PM
OSA
A modern Spanish tasting menu in a small room in Argüelles; take a taxi from La Latina and book well ahead.
Map - 9:30 PM
Casa Labra
Historic bar beloved by locals, a classic nightcap stop to end the evening without running past 22:30.
Map
Where to stay
Four Seasons Hotel Madrid
The only Four Seasons in Madrid, sitting right on the edge of La Latina and the financial district, with a lobby bar that earns its place on any boujee itinerary.
URSO Hotel & Spa
URSO is a boutique luxury address in Justicia, a short walk from DSTAgE, Kuoco and Angelita, which makes the first two days feel entirely effortless.
Make Madrid your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
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Book ahead
- Museo del Prado: weeks ahead
- Museo Reina Sofía: weeks ahead
- Royal Palace of Madrid: weeks ahead
- Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum: weeks ahead
- Corral de la Morería: weeks ahead
- Santiago Bernabéu: a few days ahead
Skip these
- Mercado de San Miguel is a beautiful glass market but not a working market and prices show it, have one vermouth then crawl elsewhere.
- Plaza Mayor terrace restaurants where you pay for the view not the food.
- Paella for one ready in five minutes on picture menus, and flamenco dinner packages sold by street touts.
The full Madrid travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around