A Guide To Madrid, From Where To Stay, To What To Eat, Drink And Do
While Madrid is the capital, it’s perhaps a less obvious choice for a Spanish getaway when competing with the likes of Barcelona and Ibiza, however, it is a city with so much to offer. Whether you already have a date in the diary for your visit, or are looking to book a last-minute trip, consider this your official guide to Madrid.
Where to stay
Hotel Unico
Tucked away in the upscale Salamanca neighbourhood, Hotel Único feels like a chic private home right in the middle of Madrid’s high-end shopping district. Housed in a beautifully restored nineteenth-century palace, the property wraps you in quiet luxury with high ceilings, a grand marble staircase, and an unbelievable secret courtyard garden. You can easily spend your morning browsing designer shops along Calle Serrano or strolling through nearby Retiro Park, then retreat back here to sip cocktails under the trees.
Where: C. de Claudio Coello, 67, Salamanca, 28001 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.hotelunico.com
Urso Hotel and Spa
Nestled right where the trendy Salesas and Chueca neighbourhoods meet, Urso Hotel and Spa captures the easygoing elegance of a refined city residence. It sits inside a stunning early twentieth-century building that still holds onto vintage details like stained glass, ornate woodwork, and an original marble elevator.
The vibe inside is bright and relaxing, complete with a soothing subterranean spa that makes escaping the city heat effortless. Step out the front door, and you are instantly surrounded by indie boutiques, lively tapas bars, and charming local bakeries.
Where: C. de Mejía Lequerica, 8, Centro, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.ursohotel.com
Hotel Orfila
Hotel Orfila feels remarkably like stepping into a nineteenth-century aristocratic mansion. Think antiques, classic marble details, and period furniture in every room, giving the entire place the warm atmosphere of a private art gallery.
You can spend your afternoon wandering just minutes away to the nearby Prado Museum, then return to unwind in the leafy courtyard garden. It is an utterly charming and peaceful hideaway that offers a wonderfully traditional taste of Madrid.
Where: C. de Orfila, 6, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.hotelorfila.com
You can spend your afternoon wandering just minutes away to the nearby Prado Museum, then return to unwind in the leafy courtyard garden.
What to eat
Olea
Set in the vibrant Chamberí neighbourhood, Olea feels like a warm and inviting local bistro centred around modern Mediterranean sharing plates. The minimalist interior creates an effortless backdrop for enjoying creative small dishes and freshly baked focaccia. You can easily spend an evening sampling inventive takes on seasonal vegetables and homemade pastas while exploring their well-curated wine list.
Where: C. del Castillo, 19, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.olea.com
Indomable
For a relaxed evening fuelled by plenty of tacos, head to Indomable.
Located on Calle Nieremberg, Indomable brings a vibrant, unpretentious energy to Madrid with its bold taco bar concept. Built around a relaxed de amigos para amigos ethos, the laid-back spot pairs inventive tacos with refreshing drinks and good music. The menu fuses Mexican street food classics with playful twists, like tuna tostadas and seasonal taco specials packed with flavour. It is the perfect venue for catching up with friends over casual bites without any unnecessary fluff.
Where: C. de Nieremberg, 23, Chamartín, 28002 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.indomable.com
Sala de Despiece
For a chef’s counter experience like no other, make sure to book Sala de Despiece.
Situated along the vibrant streets of Chamberí and Salamanca, it reimagines the traditional tapas bar into a butcher shop-inspired dining venue. White tiled walls, metal hooks, and industrial counters give the space a slick market hall feel where dishes are prepped right in front of you. The menu focuses on top-quality Spanish ingredients presented in ultra-creative, interactive ways. Expect a theatrical experience that feels thoroughly modern, chaotic in the best way, and genuinely unique.
Where: C. de Alonso Cano, 28, Chamberí, 28003 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.SaladeDespiece.com
Bocado
Situated on Calle Santa Teresa in the trendy Salesas neighbourhood, Bocado delivers a brilliant dual concept that transitions seamlessly from day to night. By day, it functions as a stylish, intimate cantina serving vibrant sharing dishes like roasted carrots over labneh, whipped burrata, and standout grilled cheese sandwiches. As evening rolls in, the kitchen leans into indulgent comfort food, dishing out juicy smash burgers alongside golden milanesas and sweet chocotorta. It is a wonderfully relaxed spot that manages to feel like both a chic neighbourhood bistro and your favourite late-night bite joint.
It is a wonderfully relaxed spot that manages to feel like both a chic neighbourhood bistro and your favourite late-night bite joint.
Where: Calle de Sta. Teresa, 1, Centro, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.bocado.com
Sardö
For a wine bar that’s hard to beat, Sardö is the perfect billing. Located on Calle de Carranza in Chamberí, it blends the spirit of a classic neighbourhood tavern with a sleek, contemporary wine bar.
It is designed as an effortless spot to grab an aperitivo, linger over a long meal, or ease into the night with late drinks and good music. The kitchen serves up refined tapas and Mediterranean small plates, ranging from inventive gildas and truffle tortillas to squid brioches and pastrami bikinis. With a curated list of over 40 wines, it’s a must-visit.
Where: C. de Carranza, 10, Chamberí, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.sardo.com
Llama Inn
Llama Inn is a must-visit spot that effortlessly brings the electric energy of Brooklyn’s modern Peruvian scene straight to Madrid.
The vibrant, mid-century-inspired space sets a stylish backdrop for sipping inventive pisco cocktails alongside bold sharing plates. Expect a menu packed with creative twists on classic ceviches, anticuchos, and wood-fired meats that lean heavily on punchy flavours. It is a wildly fun venue that effortlessly bridges the gap between a high-end dinner spot and a lively night out.
Where: C. del Conde de Xiquena, 2, Centro, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.llamainn.com
Heladería Mamá Elba
Of course, no trip to Spain would be complete without consuming copious amounts of ice cream. After asking The Handbook team, this spot came out on top as the best the city has to offer.
Make sure to make a quick pitstop at Heladería Mamá Elba, while perusing the city!
Where: C. de la Ruda, 15, Centro, 28005 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.mamelba.com
What do drink
Gota
Another wine bar well worth paying a visit, Gota Wine oozes effortless, cool vibes
Set in the heart of the Salesas district, it operates as a natural wine bar and listening lounge, complete with low-intervention wines alongside a vinyl soundtrack spinning soft tracks.
The food menu focuses on elevated seasonal plates, pairing sourdough breads and small-batch cheeses with inventive vegetable and seafood dishes designed for sharing.
Where: C. de Prim, 5, Centro, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.gota.com
Corchito
Corchito is an intimate wine bar centred around simple pleasures. The space feels warm and unpretentious, making it easy to drop in for a quick glass of natural wine or linger through the evening. Their tight, rotating menu focuses on thoughtful small plates, pairing artisanal cheeses and charcuterie with seasonal tapas designed for sharing. It is a fantastic little hideaway for anyone looking to sip great pours alongside a fun, laid-back crowd.
Where: C. del Salitre, 2, Centro, 28012 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.corchito.com
Gaston
Right on Calle de Pelayo in Salesas, Gaston Wine Bar nails that cosy Parisian bistro energy without feeling stuffy. It’s small, low-lit, and usually buzzing, making it the kind of place where a quick glass after work easily turns into staying for half the bottle.
The counter stays stocked with a dreamy lineup of natural and low-intervention wines, paired with raw bar oysters and clever seasonal small plates. Pop in for a pre-dinner glass or claim a table for the night – it works either way brilliantly.
Where: Calle de Lagasca, 11, Salamanca, 28001 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.gaston.com
Maison Matcha
Madrid also has plenty of coffee and matcha spots to offer. Our top pick goes to Maison Matcha. Founded by influencer Violeta Mangriñán, the bright, minimalist space draws a cool crowd looking for meticulously whisked ceremonial-grade teas and inventive matcha lattes.
Beyond the signature drinks, the counter stays stocked with speciality coffees and a daily selection of pastries and light bites.
Where: C. del Monte Esquinza, 33, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.maisonmatcha.com
Things to do
El Retiro Park
Spanning over three hundred acres right in the heart of Madrid, El Retiro Park is where the city comes to slow down and breathe. You can easily spend an entire afternoon wandering down tree-lined avenues, renting a glass-bottom rowboat on the central lake, or stepping inside the stunning, light-filled Crystal Palace.
The grounds are packed with quiet marble fountains, shaded benches, and hidden rose gardens that feel a world away from the surrounding traffic. It is an absolute must-visit spot that gives you a front-row seat to local Madrileño life at its most relaxed.
Where: Retiro, 28009 Madrid, Spain
The Rose Garden in El Parque del Retiro (and the entire park as a whole) was my fave place I went to when I visited. It was a secluded and dreamy place, perfect for an escape from the busy streets and overall noise of any city.
Nicole, Senior Graphic Designer
Prado Museum
Anchoring the eastern edge of the city along the tree-lined Paseo del Prado, the Prado Museum holds one of the most astonishing painting collections on the planet.
Walking through its grand neoclassical halls feels less like browsing a standard gallery and more like stepping straight into centuries of Spanish royal taste. You can easily spend hours getting lost in front of Velázquez’s iconic Las Meninas, Goya’s haunting Black Paintings, and Hieronymus Bosch’s wildly bizarre Garden of Earthly Delights. It is a world-class stop that somehow manages to feel deeply personal, leaving you thoroughly awestruck regardless of whether you are an art fanatic or just passing through.
Where: Retiro, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Royal Palace of Madrid
Standing proudly above the Manzanares riverbanks near Ópera metro station, the Royal Palace of Madrid delivers sheer scale with over three thousand opulent rooms.
Climbing Sabatini’s grand marble staircase immediately sets the tone, sweeping you past gilded ceilings, Stradivarius violins, and the velvet-lined Throne Room. You can wander through state apartments packed with porcelain walls and royal armour before taking in sweeping views over the Sabatini Gardens from the outdoor plaza. It offers a fascinating, up-close look at the dazzling theatricality of Spanish royalty throughout the centuries.
Where: Centro, 28071 Madrid, Spain
