Andrea from Madrid

About Me I am a teacher and examiner who made a home in Madrid many years ago. I love live music, art, books, travel, food and dancing and am well served for all my interests in Madrid. I live on a special plane where I exist as an eternal tourist (check out Alain de Botton’s book The Art of Travel) who maintains a sense of wonder in a familiar place. I love showing people round my favourite...
Sep 10, 2025

Espacio Fundación Telefónica Madrid

Vintage skyscraper

""Espacio Fundación Telefónica" is one of the places that make me happy to live in Madrid. Completed in 1929, it was Europe's first skyscraper..."

Espacio Fundación Telefónica is one of the places that make me happy to live in Madrid. It has the elements you see in many great public buildings here - forward-thinking architectural design and an imaginative use of the space. Inspired by the skyscrapers of Manhattan with some added Baroque details and completed in 1929, this was Europe's first skyscraper and the tallest building too (for about 5 minutes!).

During the Civil War, Ernest Hemingway, John Dos Passos and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry sent their reports from here -- this building has some real history! Nowadays, it houses the Telefonica flagship store and a telecommunications museum and (my favourite part) the Espacio Fundación Telefónica, created when part of the building was remodelled in 2012, and now features an incredibly photogenic staircase and has very cool exhibitions - check what’s showing on their website. There is also an auditorium which has free concerts and a café.

The Espacio Fundación Telefónica is in what may be the busiest part of central Madrid, on the corner of Gran Vía and Fuencarral streets, but no matter how crazy it is outside, inside I have always found it to be an oasis of calm - it makes a wonderful contrast.

002-building
Art & culture
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing

About this spot

Gran Vía - Montera

free

915808700

find your way in Madrid, download our app.

Find your way with 266 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Madrid guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Madrid

Julián López

Handmade in Madrid, by you!

It’s a TARDIS-like Aladdin’s cave of colour and creativity for anyone, but also a great place to find some peculiarly Spanish items...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Andrea

Roberts

Sep 30, 2025

Don Panko

Madrid’s first katsu house

The Spanish owner, David, honed his knowledge in Japan of this tasty curry, which is served with rice and crunchy panko-covered meat, seafood or veg.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Andrea

Roberts

Sep 29, 2025

Casa de la Arquitectura

An ambitious proposal

Housed in Nuevos Ministerios, this museum has an ambitious aim - to raise awareness of how architecture impacts the quality of our lives.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Andrea

Roberts

Sep 28, 2025

CASA PEI+

Madrid’s first dumpling house

This little Korean place, has a exquisitely concise menu - 6 different dumplings, steamed or fried, plus a couple of specials and sides and that’s it.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Andrea

Roberts

Sep 28, 2025

Fun House

Live Music and Early Nights

Fun House is a teeny hole-in-the-wall music club tucked away on Calle de Palafox, adorned with band posters & a papier-mâché Elvis strapped to the ceiling.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Catherine

Driver

Sep 28, 2025

Mauthausen Memorial

Republican Victims remembered

The largest piece represents the Liberty Gate; three large columns, inscribed with the names of all the deportees, are 'the trees of dreams.'

002-building
Art & culture

by

Andrea

Roberts

Sep 27, 2025

FMCMP

Spanish art in a brand new space

FMCMP in Madrid is a quiet, elegant space that still feels fresh. It is a fantastic museum and I can't think of a better place to spend an hour!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Andrea

Roberts

Sep 27, 2025

Slow Café

A standout coffee spot

It’s really cosy but airy at the same time - there’s room enough between the variety of seating arrangements for one not to feel boxed in.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Andrea

Roberts

Sep 26, 2025

Monument to Victims of Terrorism

Lest we forget

The monument, named “Recuerdo Vivo” (living memory) honours all 1429 victims of terrorism in Madrid and was installed in 2023.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Andrea

Roberts

Sep 26, 2025

Caravan Serai

Where cocktails become works of art

This hidden gem, located in the Malasaña neighborhood, is a testament to the art of mixology and offers an experience that transcends the ordinary.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Álvaro

Martínez Ponce

Sep 26, 2025

Le Secret du Marais

Perfuming Madrid

Le Secret du Marias in Madrid is a gorgeous perfumery with niche scents, Spanish brands and workshops. Learn about how fragrance are made!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Andrea

Roberts

Sep 26, 2025

Vino y Compañía

Wine a bit – why not!

This fantastic wine shop, Vino y Compañía is the place to discover the wonderful variety and quality of wine on offer in Spain. Come with an open mind!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Andrea

Roberts

Sep 26, 2025

Heading to Madrid?

266 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Madrid app Home
Madrid app Home
Madrid app Map
Madrid app Home

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

266 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Madrid

Get to know our other Spotters from Madrid

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
26
Made with the 💚 of 498 Spotters.
Filters