Here's a fun fact - teachers can enter most museums and galleries in Spain for free! Just take some proof of your profession. Don't feel sad if you're not a teacher though - you can visit most bits of the wonderful CaixaForum Madrid for free, and special exhibitions only cost 6€.
I love this space so much. The building is gorgeous, with its living wall and architectural fields of matte aluminium and fountains framing the half-traditional brick, half-modernistic rusty pierced-copper-clad building. The inside features a monumental white stairwell, a cafe on the top floor with views seen through the pierced metal cladding and a really exceptional gift shop on the first floor packed with desirable items.
This centre is a good alternative to the nearby, more touristy Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museums (also free for teachers!) It's beautiful, cool, cheap and well-placed over the road from Madrid's botanical garden. It's also quite small, so if you don't have much time, it's the perfect size.
Find your way with 254 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"La Hummuseria" is a vegetarian restaurant in Madrid made for hummus fans like me! My favourite's the one with mushrooms. Protip: say yes to the egg...
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"Konnichiwa" is a Japanese street food restaurant in Madrid. Their specialty is the ramen with the egg, which they cook with a blowtorch at your table!
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"Quesería Cultivo" is a cheese shop in Madrid where you can find a wide artisanal selection. My protip: do get some bread from two numbers down the street.
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"Sala de Despiece" Madrid defines itself as "a bar with a kitchen and a great tasting of raw materials". Once I was there I understood.
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"Harvey's Cocktail Bar" in Madrid makes me feel as if I've entered an American vintage speakeasy. Unlike new hip retro chains, this one feels authentic...
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"Bodega de la Ardosa" in Madrid is 'castizo' -- pure, genuine. This kind of bar is in danger of extinction, so enjoy it while it's still alive!
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"Bosco de Lobos" in Madrid is 'a bar that serves Italian food in a garden. It's a brunch and meeting place...' My favorite though, is their 'library'...
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"Banibanoo" Madrid is an Iranian restaurant that's just fabulous if you like new & exotic sorts of flavors. I like their combination dishes and desserts.
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"Tapería La Pequeña Graná" in Madrid is still holding on to the proper tradition of tapas -- more and more difficult to find. Also, they have great beer!
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"Tepic" in Madrid is a Mexican restaurant with Oaxacan delicacies! I love the chicken tingas, the panuchos yucatecos and the guacamole!
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"Fellina" in Madrid's Chamberí is an Italian restaurant that's really exceptional. Everything tastes like 'nonna' cuisine. Oh, the burrata with tomato...
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"Mama Campo" in Madrid is one of my favourite places to have lunch: top ingredients, amazing desserts and a very nice location on Plaza Olavide...
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254 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
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✓ 254 Insider Tips