Image by Nikko Hinderstein

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.

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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
11 M Memorial | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Atocha Station | Lavapies & Latina
10:00 – 20:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Nikko Hinderstein

Opened to the public on April 15, 2011, the Madrid River Park has been in the works for years. What was once a dribbling stream is now a cultural eco-park with 17 unique playgrounds with sustainable, interactive wooden structures to climb on; an urban beach with water shooting out of the ground; walking paths; an area for skateboarding and roller-blading; scenic overlooks from the various bridges and more.

The river park starts at Principe Pio at the Puente del Rey, and runs all the way to the Matadero art centre near metro Legazpi/Almendrales. I look forward to going in a few years when the young trees will offer more shade, the public bathrooms will be completed and there are more supportive industries nearby (more restaurants, please!), but for now it is a lovely green space where you can spend all day playing, walking and relaxing.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Madrid Rio | Relaxing | Free
Principe Pio | Lavapies & Latina
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by trixi.com

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 tour to see an area you want to see.

There is usually 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!).

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan

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!!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Faunia | Art & culture, Relaxing | Entrance adults € 23.00
Avenida de las Comunidades, 28 | Salamanca Area | +34913016235
See the website for opening times

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan López

Madrid is full of creative initiatives, full of people with great ideas for entertaining pedestrians and also for earning money.

You just have to walk around the city centre and you will see how amazing art in the street could be. From musicians (of course, all genres) to comedians, singers or mimes. These two on the picture were actors frozen in the middle of the street, in a very crowded sidewalk close to Sol metro station.

No one is forced to give them any money, but we have to accept that they enrich the landscape and they make a regular walk a fantastic experience.I personally find out something new almost every day. Not just in the city centre, but also in the Retiro park or almost everywhere in Madrid.

Another view, sometimes without words, that shows how beautiful is Madrid!!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Art in the streets | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Puerta del Sol | Sol
Anytime of the day

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan López

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 thought 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!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Aula 11 | Art & culture, Music, Relaxing | Free
Plaza Tirso de Molina 8 | Lavapies & Latina | +34913691127
Check the website for opening times

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan

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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
The Crystal Palace | Relaxing | Free
Inside the Retiro Park | Salamanca Area
Exhibitions Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:00, Sun 10:00 – 16:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Nikko Hinderstein

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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Plaza de Olavide | Bars, Relaxing, Snacks | Free
Plaza de Olavide | Chamberi
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Aneta Quraishy (designed by Dani Martin)

So you’ve landed in town and are wondering how to meet some great people, dance your socks off and see what all this swing mayhem is about? Get in touch with the Madrid Swing Cats. All the information is up to date on their Facebook page. If you have a question in English, just post it on the wall. Someone will get back to you almost immediately.

Madrid Swing Cats is a community of really fun loving people (believe me I know what I am talking about here) who teach, learn and organize events (social dance, workshops and festivals) linked to swing dancing in the city – and I mean anything from Lindy Hop, Balboa and Blues etc…

So join the group and get ready to have some shuffle, hopping fun!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Madrid Swing Cats | Music, Relaxing, Festivals & events | Free
Calle Gran Via, 28013 | Gran Via & Princesa
Depends on event

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Aneta Quraishy

This is without doubt my favourite madrileño square, in the heart of the trendy La Latina, the Austrias neighbourhood. It is a leafy square surrounded by lovely historical buildings and plays hosts to several great terraces. These become popular on warm sunny days so you may need to wait for a table to free up.

During the Middle Ages the Plaza de la Paja held great importance in Madrid life. It was a commercial focus point and central market place especially in the 13th and 14th Centuries. Later on many noble families had their homes close to this square.

The closest metro station is La Latina.During the first half of August the square plays host to live music and dancing during the traditional La Paloma annual fiesta.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Plaza de la Paja | Relaxing
Plaza de la Paja, Madrid | Lavapies & Latina
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid