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.

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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.

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Madrid Rio | Relaxing | Free
Principe Pio | Lavapies & Latina
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan López

There is not a big tradition of flower markets in Madrid. Flowers are usually expensive, compared to other European cities.

Nevertheless, for those who like to have fresh and colourful flowers at home, there are a few options. One of them is El Mecado de las Flores, located in the heart of the city, in Plaza Tirso de Molina.

Plaza Tirso de Molina has been recently renovated and now it is full of cultural activity. It is actually a nice area to walk around the flower stands or just take part in any of the Festivals that are scheduled.

The stands were designed by the famous studio Galán/Lubascher Arquitectos, exclusively for the city. Here you can find daisies, tulips, roses, Spanish carnations, or even orchids. They also sell bouquets of flowers from those ones you choose.

This Plaza is quite unusual because it is full of wholesale shops. So just check it out!

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Mercado de las Flores | Shopping
Plaza Tirso de Molina | Lavapies & Latina
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 20:30, Sat 10:00 – 14:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan

It´s not a certain street what I would like to recommend here. It is not a bar or a particular coffee shop. It is La Latina itself on a Sunday morning. People sitting on the floor sunbathing with a beer in their hand; people playing the guitar or just chatting. The neighbourhood changes completely and it is full of activity. A combination of tapas, sun, drinks and a late breakfast. Everybody is sleepy on a Sunday morning…

I personally enjoy Sundays here. It does not matter if it is summer or winter. It is another way of feeling the flavour of the city. Everywhere you go, there is always the same positive mood, exactly the same type of vibration.

There is no exact spot I can recommend, as every corner has a different and fantastic touch. It is my plan after the Rastro, the traditional open air market. And definitely it seems to be everybody’s plan to spend the sunny weekend time in the street.

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La Latina | Bars | Free
Every single corner | Lavapies & Latina
Sun 12:00 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan

The name of this tavern comes from an almond tree that Rodrigo de Vargas (a descendant of Saint Isidro, Madrid´s patron saint) used to have in his gardens. When the street was built, the tree was left in the middle. And they cut it in 1742.

This tavern is owned by a guy from Cadiz and he knows how to prepare a good meal. Oh, Gosh!! Sundays are the best days for having a stroll around La Latina and hang out for “tapas y cañas”. Taberna El Almendro is one of my favourite places during the late lunch time. It is a fantastic place for a beer or a glass of white wine (here there´re no red wines or rose wines) with green olives.

It´s normally really crowded, more than usual. But I find it part of its magic, as every time you go, you have to figure out how to take a seat or a spot for your meal. So first you check if there is room for you, and then you order your meal. They will shout your name when it will be ready. For the drinks, you just ask the bar tender and pay straight away.

Don´t miss their famous “patatas con huevos estrellados” (potatoes with fried eggs) and their “roscas” (bread rolls filled with Iberian ham, sobrasada or liver morcilla… Mmmmmm… delicious!!

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Taberna El Almendro | Bars | Main meal € 15.00
Calle Almendro 13 | Lavapies & Latina | +34913654252
Mon – Fri 13:00 – 16:00 & 19:30 – 00:00, Sat – Sun 13:00 – 17:00 & 20:00 – 01:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by By: Teresa Juan Lopez

La taberneria is a great place for starting the night out in Madrid with some traditional tostas.

Inspired by the decoration of the beginning of the last century, it has a good selection of wines from different regions in Spain. Tapas and beers are a good combination, but I would highly recommend the “tostas” here – it’s one of the best places to taste them.

La taberneria is a very small bar, with just a few seats and it gets more crowded in the weekends. If you order a beer, they always bring you some cheese or olives.

Do not miss their “empanadillas” and their “salmorejo” either!!!

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La taberneria | Bars | Tostas € 3
Calle Bailén 35 | Lavapies & Latina | +34913665107
Mon – Thu 19:30 – 00:30, Fri – Sun 10:00 – 16:30 & 19:00 – 02:30

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!

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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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan

This is one of these lovely places in Madrid that combines books with drinks, magic with a great atmosphere. Nostalgia and vanguard in the same room, full of antiques on the walls. Images from the first Holy Communion, pictures in black and white, old furniture… There is a careful selection of champagnes that you can mix with fruits, sweets and other surprises.

And of course, always something new going on in María Pandora. And they are even on Facebook!

It’s also possible to celebrate your birthday party or even your wedding because they know how to arrange all details. There are exhibitions, cultural events and good music. From Portuguese fado to chançon francaise (from the 50´s), or blues.

Don´t miss their funny menu, where you can find what they call “cosquillas” (“tickling”) with cava, liquor, tenderness…Or just try any of their non alcoholic drinks and you will enjoy the sugar on top of the glass.

This mixture of coffee shop- champagne shop – book shop (three in one) was created in 1995. Inspired in the fantasy of the theatre, it has a relaxed atmosphere, full of good vibrations. It is definitely a wonderful way to start the evening by candlelight.

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María Pandora | Bars | Cocktail € 6.00
Plaza de Gabriel Miró, 1 | Lavapies & Latina | +34913640039
19:00 – 02:00 (or later) daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Shannon Wearring

Answering the need for more vegetarian and take-out restaurants in Madrid, Viva la Vida is a tiny locale with a packed salad bar in the middle and a surrounding organic store.

It can get claustrophobic around lunch time, but the crowd is worth the battle to get your colorful meal and head to nearby Paseo del Prado or Plaza Santa Ana to eat on a park bench (there are also benches in front of the shop).

The salad bar has a cold side (green salad, hummus, guacamole, bean sprouts….) and hot (vegetable croquettes, lasagna, roasted vegetables, lentil loaf…) along with salsas, oil and vinegars.

If you can juggle the plates, the desserts are rich and decadent, a perfect way to end a healthy meal. The food in general is really tasty and innovative, but the prices are a bit high. A big salad can end up being over 15 euros, depending on how much heavy food you have.

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Viva la Vida | Shopping, Restaurants (Vegetarian) | per 100 grams € 2.10
Calle Huertas 57 | Lavapies & Latina
11:00 – 00:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by La Escalera de Jacob

In Lavapiés’s heart, the most ethnic and bohemian neighborhood of Madrid, La Escalera de Jacob (Jacob’s ladder, like the film) is located.

La Escalera de Jacob is a space dedicated to the artistic creation out of the conventional circuits. Every day you can find an extensive programme of activities there, especially, small format theatre (from 5 to 12 euros) and concerts, but also films and workshops.

There are two rooms in the low floor where these acts take place. But you can also go there simply for a drink on the terrace (when the weather allows it) and in the upper floor, you’ll find a young and good ambient, warm and with a magic and dark touch. Now, there is another Escalera that maintains that personality in La Latina neighborhood, in Mancebos Street.

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La Escalera de Jacob | Art & culture, Bars, Music, Theaters | Cocktail € 8
Lavapiés 11 | Lavapies & Latina | +34649423254
Mon – Wed 19:00 – 01:00, Thu – Fri 19:00 – 02:30, Sat 11:00 – 02:30, Sun 11:00 – 01:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid