Relaxing & parks – All our local tips

This is a rather sad and often overlooked spot, but it is also a beautiful and reflective place.

Commemorating the 191 people who lost their lives during the March 11, 2004 bombing of four trains destined to the Atocha station, the memorial is located in the middle of the station.

From outside the station, you see an 11 meter cylinder of glass bricks, but from below you see a tunnel of light with clear plastic balloon floating inside the cylinder, printed with thousands of messages of hope and condolences in various languages. It is kept floating by keeping the air inside the chamber pressurized, an idea conceived by a young design team called FAM (Formidable Aroma de Manzana) who won the design contest for the monument.

If you have a few minutes while waiting for a train, I think it’s nice to take a few minutes to relax and be gracious.

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11 M Memorial | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Atocha Station | Lavapies & Latina
10:00 – 20:00 daily

Aula 11 is one of my favourite places in Madrid. I do not think there is anything similar as it offers a combination of cultural events and personal growth.

Three brave partners tought about the idea during the summer of 2006 and now this unique place is located in the heart of the city, in Plaza Tirso de Molina; so it is easy to find.

Apart from the regular agenda that varies every week on their website, there are several interesting seminars that you can try. There are yoga or belly dance courses, you can try your skills in the theatre or performance, or learn about body language, positive attitude and coaching.

Concerts are mostly during weekends. Last time I went to Aula 11, there was a very relaxing Jam Session on a Friday night. The atmosphere was different from any other place. The light, the location, the staff… Trust me, you can feel like at home, sitting down on the wooden floor, enjoying your drink. Do not miss this place, try once and you will get addicted! And do not forget to experience a Hindu concert!

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Aula 11 | Art & culture, Music, Relaxing | Free
Plaza Tirso de Molina 8 | Lavapies & Latina | +34913691127
Check the website for opening times

The most important thing of this little bar is the large amount of board games that are available for the customers (cards, ludo, chess, monopoly,…). Without a doubt, this is a good way to spend the afternoons with friends.

The weekends after 20:00 it’s completely crowded. People love to start the night playing with Trivial or Risk. They have magazines too and the music (very good music) is never loud so you can have a nice chat while playing.

If you come here, you must taste their milkshakes (chocolate, vanilla and strawberry) and their chocolates. They have a very tasty orange chocolate. The only thing that you won’t find here is something to eat; so if you want to have a game please, eat before you come.

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Estar Café | Bars, Relaxing | Milkshakes € 3.70
Calle San Vicente Ferrer 20 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34914486087
Mon – Thu 20:00 – 02:00, Fri – Sun 18:00 – 03:00

Finding a nice hotel in Madrid is not always easy as there is just so much to choose from.

I have heard a number of good reports about the 4-star Eurostars Zarzuela Park hotel, particularly from guests who wanted to visit Madrid, but also wanted a quiet hotel where they could relax. This hotel is about 15 minutes (by car) north of Madrid. When I went to Madrid it was possible to park free of charge around the Moncloa metro station on week days, and around the Teleférico at the weekend. This is great if you want to go into the city by car, but don’t want to pay for parking. If you decide not to hire a car, not to worry, as there is a bus stop outside the hotel which connects it with Madrid metro.

The hotel is located in a quiet residential area which means that you can also fall asleep by the hotel pool and relax during your stay. There is even a restaurant onsite so you won’t have to move a muscle.

Faunia is a biodiversity theme park that is made up of eight of the world´s eco-systems and 3,500 animals.

The first time I visited it was because I was making a report for the radio station I work for. It really impressed me! I don´t find the zoo particularly amazing, but this is a completely different concept. It’s divided into different areas so you can see the animals in their habitat, not in cages.

My favourite is the ‘Night time’ area. Many animals and birds are kept outside. The most enjoyable aspect of the Faunia park is that many of the animals are allowed to roam quite freely. There are, what we call in Spanish, “perritos de la pradera”, a lot of very cute little furry animals who pop up out of holes in a grass bank. They are able to run totally free in the park, so you can imagine how fun it is for the visitors!!

The aquarium section should not be missed, as it contains the world´s  largest species of fish. But something unique is the Amazon Jungle area, a recreation of a real one, even because there are artificial storms that make all type of exotic birds very very happy!!

In Faunia you can also find the largest reconstruction of a Polar Eco-system in Europe so it´s a place for children but also for grown-ups, as I have an incredible time whenever I go back!!

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Faunia | Art & culture, Relaxing | Entrance adults € 23.00
Avenida de las Comunidades, 28 | Salamanca Area | +34913016235
See the website for opening times

It has everything. This Irish Pub is different from the others you will find in Madrid. Obviously it has – like the others – a pool table and a big plasma screen to watch the matches. But there is much more.

After entering the pub you will believe that you have been moved to a cosy street in a lost village in Ireland. It’s always decorated matching the period of the year (you must go during Christmas and Halloween, you will be surprised!). Its stone floor and the streetlamp welcome you.

If you want to feel at home you must go upstairs and get into the room where you will find a chimney; sit down on one of the large rocking chairs and enjoy a cup of coffee or have a delicious dinner.

If you can, don’t miss the opportunity to listen to some live music. You won’t regret it!

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Irish Rover | Bars, Music, Relaxing | Cocktails € 7.00
Avenida de Brasil 7 | Castellana | +34915974811
Mon – Thu 12:00 – 03:00, Fri – Sun 12:00 – 05:00

If you are looking for a quiet café, this is it! This is the perfect place to spend an afternoon just reading a good book or having a good conversation with friends.

The café is peaceful and the service is really nice. The prices are very low and you can also have a game of pool or darts. Just come and relax yourself.

The best? Their milkshakes. You will love them!

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La Hemeroteca | Bars, Coffee & tea, Relaxing
Avenida Filipinas 14 | Moncloa & Arguelles | +34915343483
11:00 – 02:00 daily

One of the great historical remnants of Muslim culture in Spain is the public bath – though most are in ruins. At Medina Mayrit, they’ve recreated the Arabic baths that were popular in the region from the 8th to 12th centuries to be a co-ed urban spa with steam rooms, warm baths and massages.

There are numerous packages to choose from – do you want to just bathe and get a short massage? A long exfoliating massage? There are two things that are strongly enforced – you must have a reservation to attend and you must show up 15 minutes early to hear the rules and get a towel (the bath time is monitored to make sure it never gets too full and to guarantee massage time for everyone).

If you’re not the sleepy sort, try the midnight session, while the midday massages are cheaper and you can choose the lunch-included option. The adjacent tea house is perfect after the relaxing baths. Don’t forget your swimsuit!

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Medina Mayrit | Relaxing, Restaurants (Arabic) | bath + massage € 37.00
C/Atocha, 14 | Sol | +34902333334
10:00 – 00:00 daily

It has just 14 ha, but it´s a jewel among Madrid’s gardens. Walking around El Parque de El Capricho will give you the relaxation you’ve been searching the whole week and it’s also a very romantic place!

This garden was first created at the request of the Duchess of Osuna at the end of the 18th century. Its beautiful and peaceful setting has earned it the name “The Caprice”. The garden also has additional historic significance, as it was used as a hideout for a soldier of Napoleon’s in the War of Independence and the Spanish Civil War.

The XII Duchess of Osuna was the last member of the family who owned it. When he died, La Alameda was acquired in 1920 by the Baüer family, who took care of the garden until they sold it, at the end of the Spanish Civil War. From that moment, this place remained totally abandoned till Madrid City Council started with its restoration in 1974.

There are some spots you cannot miss, like “El Casino de Baile”, that used to be a place for parties; “La Casa de la Vieja”, a symbol of the rural world, or “El Abejero”, built for the study of the bees´ behaviour. There´re also lots of beautiful fountains, a wonderful pond and even a pier with relaxing views.

A great plan for a stroll on a sunny morning in the weekend!

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Parque El Capricho | Relaxing | Free
Parque El Capricho | Chamberi
Sat – Sun 09:00 – 18:00

Plaza de Olavide is considered to be the center of the Chamberí neighborhood, which makes sense because decades ago it used to house the local fruit and vegetable market.

I like to think of it as the ‘people’s plaza’ because it is secluded away from busy streets and is usually bustling with people walking dogs, going for tapas, meeting before going to the cinema or after shopping along Calle Fuencarral.

The surrounding restaurants are all typical Spanish joints, while the center of the plaza has benches and a fountain, perfect to sit and people watch.

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Plaza de Olavide | Bars, Relaxing, Snacks | Free
Plaza de Olavide | Chamberi
24 hours daily

This is one of the best choices in the city centre; just in front of the Prado Museum. May is the month when you should visit it, because it is at the beginning of this month the gardens look best.

Maybe, a good moment to visit is during some of all the exhibitions that are organized at the Pabellón de Villanueva, a neoclassic construction inside the gardens. When you go inside, they give you a map where you see the routes that you can take -it is divided in terraces-: the painting terrace, the botanic schools terrace, the medicinal plants terrace…

There are plants from remote places like Madagascar or Japan, plants that probably you won’t have the opportunity to see anywhere. This is a perfect plan for Sundays.

It’s in the middle of the town, cheap (€2.00), and you can stay inside as long as you want; with a book or a magazine you can spend the afternoon reading under a tree. What else can we ask for?

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Real Jardín Botánico | Art & culture, Relaxing | Ticket € 2.00
Plaza de Murillo 2 | Sol | +34914203017
10:00 – 18:00 / 19:00 / 20:00 / 21:00 daily (depends on the month)

After shop all around grab a bite or have a one hour massage. A lot of options in one place! Have a tea (great variety of teas) and treat yourself with a wonderful massage or a typical Spanish “siesta”….you can also enjoy at the “flotarium”. You can also combine a healthy meal, with a nap and a 15 minute massage for only 40 Euros.

The spot opened recently in the capital. Madrilians enjoy it any time of the day. If you are just tired of walking around the city or you just want to spend a couple of hours sipping a tea reading your favourite book or having a salad it is the place to go.

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Relajarium | Relaxing, Restaurants (Salads) | Massages € 60.00
C/ Claudio Coello, 32 | Salamanca Area | +34915776588
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 22:00

Tempo brings in some of the best soul, hip-hop and funky sounds to Madrid. The stylish upstairs lounge is great for hanging out with your friends while sipping a mojito. But before you get too relaxed, be sure to see who the DJ or group is that is playing downstairs. When you’re ready, descend into the dark and vibrant dance room and get ready to groove until the early hours of the morning.

I’ve caught several inspiring African groups that really got the crowd moving as well as DJs from around the world that bring a variety of beats for our pleasure. Entrance prices for downstairs range from 6 to 15€, while midweek happy hour has 2×1 drinks from 23:00 to 00:00.

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Tempo Club | Bars, Music, Relaxing | Weekend mojito € 8
Duque de Osuna 8 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34915477518
Lounge Fri – Sat 18:00 – 03:30, Sun – Thu 18:00 – 03:00
Dance Fri – Sat 23:00 – 06:00, Wed – Thu 23:00 – 05:30

This is one of my favourite spots in Madrid for relaxing. You can enjoy its exhibitions and it’s also a beautiful place in the winter, during spring and in summer. But I think it’s especially nice during autumn. The leaves and the different colours make the small pond and the Crystal Palace itself worth a visit.

The Retiro park was originally the site of a royal palace built in 1632 under the reign King Philip IV. Most of the palace was destroyed during the Napoleonic Wars, leaving a space that was eventually opened to the public in 1868. The few remaining buildings of the palace now house museum collections. The Crystal Palace is a glass pavilion inspired by The Crystal Palace in London and designed in 1887 by Ricardo Velázquez Bosco. Velázquez Bosco also designed the park’s Palacio de Velázquez.

It is a great place to spend some time after a visit to the nearby Museum Del Prado.  There are many other tourist attractions in the Retiro district of Madrid but this place is absolutely amazing!!

I enjoy just sitting and watching the swans and the ducks floating on the water. The reflections of the sun in the Palace make it very impressive, especially when it gets dark.

It’s an ideal place for a Sunday morning but, as it gets more crowded, I’d rather prefer to spend a few afternoon hours during weekdays.

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The Crystal Palace | Relaxing | Free
Inside the Retiro Park | Salamanca Area
Exhibitions Mon – Sat:10:00 – 18:00, Sun 10:00 – 16:00

Madrid’s long streets and vast parks can be overwhelming on foot, so Trixi’s bike rentals offer the perfect remedy.

You can pedal around the city on your own or request a specialized tour to see some sites. Their tour guides are multi-lingual (and handy with bikes!) and can organize tours to see some typical historical buildings or you can request a specialized tour.

There is a daily tour that leaves every morning at 11:00, complete with stops for drinks and snacks. In general you don’t need a reservation, but it’s wise if you’re going with a bigger group to call ahead to reserve the bikes. Extra bonus, the bikes aren’t too modern (the seats are wide!).

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Trixi Bike Rental | Relaxing | 4 hour rental € 8.00
Calle de los Jardines 12 | Sol | +34915231547
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 14:00 & 16:00 – 20:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 20:00