Five better places in Madrid

Miguel Martorell is one of those History teachers you would describe as being “artistic”. For this reason we have asked him to tell us five places in Madrid that a visitor with a minimum interest in culture/life cannot miss.

1.Lavapiés. One of the oldest and most popular neighbourhoods in Madrid, has kept its original medieval structure. Much of the neighbourhood has been restored recently and it is nice to walk along its streets, most of them exclusively for pedestrians. In recent years, this area has welcomed an important influx of migrants, as a result of which you can find here the best Indian or Maghrebian restaurants in Madrid, while at the same time wonderfully traditional Spanish places like Taberna de Antonio Sánchez (Mesón de Paredes, 13), opened in 1830, the oldest tavern in Madrid. In Mesón de Paredes street, number 68, it is worth the while to stop for a little coffee at the bar located on the terrace floor of the UNED (Spain’s Open University), on top of a church which has been transformed into a library.

2. The European "artistic mile". The Prado and Recoletos walks, between Cibeles and Atocha squares, concentrate the highest number of museums and exhibition galleries in Europe. In a relatively short stretch of street you can find the Prado Museum (classical painting), the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (you cannot miss its excellent collection of impressionist paintings), the Royal Botanical Gardens (a peaceful garden of the XIX century, a perfect option to take a break), the Caixaforum (an old building recovered as an exhibition gallery and covered with a gorgeous vertical garden on the outside) and the Reina Sofía Museum (showing a collection of modern art in the frame of a XVIII century hospital refurbished by Jean Nouvel).

3. Gran Vía. Right until the mid last century, Madrid had been a relatively small city. The Gran Vía, which celebrates its first hundred years this year, was the first big artery in town. Built between 1910 and the end of the civil war, the best option is to walk it slowly and admire the details of its buildings, some of them impressive and showing the influence of the main European architectural currents in vogue during the first decades of last century. For example, the Carrión or Capitol building (at number 41) gets its inspiration from the German Expressionist architecture of the twenties. All along Gran Vía you will find a vast array of fast food restaurants, and in the intersections of the streets you can discover rather traditional restaurants. An absolue must-see: having a cocktail at Bar Chicote (number 12).

4. Puerta del Sol-Plaza de Oriente. The Puerta del Sol is the geographical centre and the heart of Madrid. Its surroundings are swarming with tiny traditional bars and taverns. The speciality of Casa Labra (Calle Tetuán 12), for example, is cod, either breaded or in croquettes. From the Sol area you can walk along Arenal street to Palacio de Oriente, which is the old Royal Palace, passing by the Teatro Real, today’s Opera theatre. From the immense terrace of the Palacio Real, overlooking the famous Campo del Moro gardens, you can admire the most beautiful sunsets in town.

5-Plaza Mayor-Madrid of the Austrian dynasty. The structure of the Plaza Mayor dates back to the XVII century. It is one of the most beautiful squares in Madrid and it is a clear example of the Castillian model of a porched square. Close to the Plaza Mayor you will find the old market of San Miguel. It has been rehabilitated and it has become an excellent place to have a tapa and a glass of wine. Walk down the street from the Plaza Mayor towards Mayor street and you will get to the Plaza de Villa, the former headquarters of the townhall and a taste of what the small village of Madrid could have been like several centuries ago… Opposite Plaza de la Villa you can enjoy a wonderful meal at Casa Ciriaco, a traditional and slightly expensive restaurant of Madrid, but also one of the best.

Miguel Martorell
History Teacher

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