Things to do in Madrid, splurging
DSTAgE, EMi, Corral de la Morería Gastronómico, and Angelita in between
Madrid at a level where the cooking is serious and the evenings run late. These three days move between Chueca, Malasaña and La Latina with enough breathing room to appreciate what each neighbourhood does best, then sit down to dinners that reward the decision to spend.
Day 1: Chueca, Justicia, and DSTAgE
The day opens gently in Chueca with coffee, a market lap and a Peruvian lunch, then builds to the big meal of the trip at DSTAgE and a late glass at Angelita.
- 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
Mercado de San Antón
Mercado de San Antón: a stylish covered market one block away, great for a bougie browse through gourmet stalls and local produce.
Map - 12:30 PM
TAMPU
TAMPU: acclaimed Peruvian a short walk from Chueca, sharp ceviche and creative cooking at a price that doesn't blow the night's budget.
Map - 2:30 PM
Instituto Cervantes
The old Banco Central of 1918, caryatids on the facade; drop in for its free exhibitions on Spanish culture.
Map - 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: Malasaña, then dinner at EMi
Flat whites and a modern market set up a serious lunch at La Lloreria, an afternoon at Conde Duque and a tasting menu at EMi, then a house-infused nightcap at Macera.
- 9:30 AM
Café Federal
Top-rated brunch café in Malasaña, solid flat whites and a stylish crowd to start the day right.
Map - 10:30 AM
Mercado de Barceló
Mercado de Barceló is a beautifully renovated covered market, great for a boujee browse.
Map - 1:30 PM
- 2:30 PM
Centro de Cultura Contemporánea Conde Duque
Centro de Cultura Contemporánea Conde Duque, a grand landmark cultural centre worth an afternoon wander.
Map - 8:30 PM
- 11:15 PM
Macera
Macera is a celebrated house-infused cocktail bar, ideal for a polished nightcap without going too late.
Map
Day 3: La Latina, Palacio and live flamenco
Churros at San Ginés, a lap of Plaza Mayor and a royal convent full of Titians lead into lunch at Trèsde and dinner with flamenco at Corral de la Morería.
- 9:30 AM
Chocolatería San Ginés
Historic chocolatería steps from Plaza Mayor, churros con chocolate is the only correct Madrid morning move.
Map - 10:30 AM
Plaza Mayor
Stroll the grand arcaded square and take in the Casa de la Panadería frescoes, the monumental heart of Habsburg Madrid.
Map - 12:30 PM
- 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 - 7:30 PM
Corral de la Morería Gastronómico
A small tasting-menu room inside the old flamenco tablao; book the menu with show seats for after.
Map - 9:30 PM
Where to stay
Four Seasons Hotel Madrid
The Four Seasons sits at the dead centre of all three days and is the only address in Madrid that matches the calibre of the dinners around it.
The Madrid EDITION
The Madrid EDITION puts a rooftop bar on Plaza de Celenque, a few minutes from Sol and the day 3 sights.
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.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
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