Kirsten's Guide to Madrid

Sarah:A favorite bar of mine! Sort of grungy (as is the vibe in Malasaña where the bar is). Usually once it's late they open the downstairs up for fun music and dancing. Bar upstairs, too!

Sarah:One of my absolute favorite places for a coffee or glass of wine in Madrid. The interior is so beautiful and it's a bit of a hidden gem. They have books throughout the whole cafe, vintage finds, and the most beautiful candles. The hours are really odd so definitely be sure to check online if they are open. The cafe sits in La Latina right on the border of a park called "Las Vistillas" which is also home to one of the biggest celebrations in Madrid (called San Isidro--happens in April usually); they usually have concerts here and everyone sits in the park and drinks during this dia de fiesta. yay!

Sarah:An awesome bar. Best first date spot!!! Really funky vibes, good prices, in a nice neighborhood. Closest metro stop is Anton Martin. Def check out Huertas/ Barrio de las Letras neighborhood--nice shops with handmade things, awesome bookstores, really cute area.

Sarah:My friends and I used to like to go here when we were out in Malasaña to get a drink called a "yayo." It's like a mix of vermouth, soda, and who knows what... The bar is really old school and the guy who owns it is awesome.

Sarah:Right in the heart of the center (near Sol, Callao, Sevilla metro stops, it has an amazing rooftop with probably the best views of Madrid. It's 5 euros to go on the rooftop (so cheap) and fun cocktails. It's a fun place to take people who might visit you or for a drink out with friends.

Sarah:One of the few bars in Madrid where they have tons of craft beers from around the world. (Another place you could go for this is called "Los Grifos") Cool vibe, right in Lavapies.

Sarah:Ok. This place is seriously hidden. I walked by it like 4 times before I realized where it was. Look at the signage carefully and then go inside and walk downstairs to the basement. This was easily one of my fav Madrid places for a drink late at night. There's like a tiny piano in the corner of the place where usually an elderly man is playing. He's awesome and the combo of music plus good wine makes the vibe awesome here. Don't tell too many people about it or it will lose its charm! Near Sol.

Sarah:Definitely the most famous park in Madrid. Sort of like Central Park is to NYC. Lots of awesome parts to check out--get to the little lake in the center, and check out the glass house, too. Perfect place for a picnic.

Sarah:Really cool park in Madrid that not as many people know about. Randomly, tons of peacocks walking around here! There are some beautiful gardens and hidden parts with benches connected to gigantic trees. Def worth exploring. It's right near the royal palace (palacio real.)

Sarah:Even bigger than Retiro but not quite as glam. There are tons of things to see and do here. One of my favorite public pools called " Piscina Lago" is here (named after the lake right nearby). There are some places to eat in the park and it's also a fun place to bike around. Casa de Campo has it's own metro stop but you can get off in several different spots depending on where in the park you're trying to go.

Sarah:Found this park right before I left and wished I had found it sooner. Cool sculptures throughout the park, and a beautiful botanical garden is just down the road. The park is vast and beautiful! A little further outside of the city, near the airport.

Sarah:La Cebada is an indoor marketplace but everyone sits outside in the little enclosed plaza like place. In Spain if you drink outside its called a "botellon" and everyone does that here. It's legal. Usually people just hang out here but sometimes there are informal events, concerts, etc. Def a fun place to have a beer on a weekend or drink before going out. Great scene and people watching. La Latina is an awesome neighborhood, too.

Sarah:Good street for tapas/ Bars in la Latina. One of my fav bars is on this street--its called Baja 5 la playa. Downstairs is like a beach (the floor is covered in sand and they have a nice bar that serves really good mojitos (and whatever other drink you want. but get the mojito!)

Sarah:El Matadero is a big open art space near Legazpi metro stop. Right next tp the river (fun to take a walk there after.) They always have awesome exhibits, cool markets on the weekend, movies, workshops, and a nice cafe. It's an indoor/outdoor space--used to be an old slaughterhouse. You wouldn't think that being there, though. I used to spend a lot of time here!

Sarah:Salva took me here and it was a ton of fun. You pay to see a few mini theater productions (like 20 mins long, and you choose how many rooms you go to.) There are probably only about 15 audience members in each room watching. Good date idea/ way to practice listening in Spanish!

Sarah:Bilingual bookstore run by my friend's friend! A nice British guy. They have awesome events there. A really good way to meet people from all over and a great scene.

Sarah:Nice plaza in heart of Malsaña. Good bars/restaurants in and around the plaza. Pinta Malsaña which is a fun festival in the neighborhood usually has a lot going on in the plaza.

Sarah:Not sure even how to categorize Tabacalera. Sort of like Matadero, it's a big art space where they hold mostly music related events but they also have markets and stuff. Really cool grungy vibe. Went to some cool concerts there. Def explore--they have these tunnels with beautiful graffiti art that wind throughout the whole building and some spaces that lead outside, too.

Sarah:Awesome building in Lavapies that is sort of the heart of all things culturally Madrileño. They have concerts, workshops, etc. and the rooftop is awesome.

Sarah:Nice, luxe craft beer store my friends and I liked to stop by if we were picking up some fancy beers for a picnic. In Huertas neighborhood. Check these streets out near here--lots of cute shops. Loved a few jewelry stores around here, too.

Sarah:Long street that stretches from Callao (center) to Malsaña. Usually the street I took when walking to go out at night if I was going out in Malasaña. They have big brand name shops and some other small ones. Really nice street.

Sarah:This place is awesome. It's an ancient Egyptian temple that was transported to Madrid. It and the park around it are really nice. Def recommend going for sunset! Right near Plaza de España stop. Not far from Malasaña.