Madrid has several centres, and Nuevos Ministerios is one. It’s home to the largest and fanciest Corte Ingles, Spain’s most beloved department store, resplendent after its recent remodelling. This shop has almost everything; I found a puppy department once, while looking for an ironing board! The puppies have gone, but you can spend hours lost in here, looking at stuff!
Also in the neighbourhood, and just a 10 minute walk away, is the National Science Museum, always a hit with kids and well worth checking out.
Most recently opened in December 2023, is la Casa de la Arquitectura, which makes a great addition to Madrid’s rich cultural offering.
Housed in the Nuevos Ministerios building in a long diaphanous space, this new museum has an ambitious aim - to raise awareness of how architecture impacts the quality of our lives.
Catch the last few days of the current expo if you are in Madrid over Easter (ends March 31) and visit the fascinating website to see what’s coming next.
Find your way with 264 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Madrid in the 1980s was certainly rocking and she became a fixture in the city’s music scene, always going out in her famous leather jacket and cap.
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This fantastic wine shop, "Vino y Compañía" is the place to discover the fantastic variety and quality of wine on offer in Spain. Come with an open mind!
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Although it’s a Galician restaurant, they do an excellent paella mixta (chicken and seafood) and arroz negro, flavoured and coloured with squid ink.
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The apartment block this cafe sits under is an ugly beauty and I love it, not least for the exuberant planters that are an integral part of the building.
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I didn’t think Madrid was lacking anything but now I’ve found "Mazál Bagels and Café" I’m wondering how I survived without its bagels all these years!
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What sets this bar apart is its exceptional handling of ingredients, creating dishes that sing with Andalusian flair—a nod to Manu's roots.
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They have a wide selection of wines to suit all pockets, and you can also discover some weirder flavours if your tastes run to the unique...
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"Mo de Movimiento" in Madrid offers a new take on the restaurant business - sustainable organic ingredients, recycled materials and second opportunities!
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Sala Canal Isabel II in Madrid used to be a water tower: now it's an uber-cool gallery used for media exhibitions. I love it, and not just because...
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VETA is the biggest contemporary art gallery in the city, so once you’ve had your fill of the Old Masters at the Prado, why not get off the beaten track?
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Don’t worry about collecting and counting plates - there’s an “all you can eat” lunchtime menu, you can fill your boots for a very reasonable fixed price.
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Each covered market has its own flavour; Chamberí I would say is high quality and traditional but also one that has adapted successfully to the times.
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264 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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