Madrid has a great many surprising little museums tucked away all over the city. The Museo Cerralbo, once the home of the Marquis de Cerralbo, is less than 5 minutes walk from the very central Plaza de España, but nevertheless, it feels like a well-kept secret.
Enrique de Aguilera y Gamboa, who died in 1922, must have been a total magpie because this mini-palace is stuffed full of his many collections, which are artfully displayed around the house in cabinets and on every available wall and surface...
The many swords and knives are a favourite of mine. Why stop at having a pair of sabres on the wall if you can have several hundred, all arranged in a gigantic, shiny, pointy pile?
Everything is richly decorated with paintings, wall hangings, murals or giant mirrors. There are red, pink and blue rooms, a library, ballroom, study and an Oriental room, complete with opium pipes. It's absolutely over-the-top and completely fascinating. Once, I had a long conversation with one of the very knowledgeable attendants, who told me some juicy gossip about the old Marquis... maybe you'll be as lucky as me!
Free entrance on Thursdays 17:00 - 20:00 and all day Sunday.
Find your way with 254 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"La Hummuseria" is a vegetarian restaurant in Madrid made for hummus fans like me! My favourite's the one with mushrooms. Protip: say yes to the egg...
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"Konnichiwa" is a Japanese street food restaurant in Madrid. Their specialty is the ramen with the egg, which they cook with a blowtorch at your table!
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"Quesería Cultivo" is a cheese shop in Madrid where you can find a wide artisanal selection. My protip: do get some bread from two numbers down the street.
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"Sala de Despiece" Madrid defines itself as "a bar with a kitchen and a great tasting of raw materials". Once I was there I understood.
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"Harvey's Cocktail Bar" in Madrid makes me feel as if I've entered an American vintage speakeasy. Unlike new hip retro chains, this one feels authentic...
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"Bodega de la Ardosa" in Madrid is 'castizo' -- pure, genuine. This kind of bar is in danger of extinction, so enjoy it while it's still alive!
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"Bosco de Lobos" in Madrid is 'a bar that serves Italian food in a garden. It's a brunch and meeting place...' My favorite though, is their 'library'...
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"Banibanoo" Madrid is an Iranian restaurant that's just fabulous if you like new & exotic sorts of flavors. I like their combination dishes and desserts.
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"Tapería La Pequeña Graná" in Madrid is still holding on to the proper tradition of tapas -- more and more difficult to find. Also, they have great beer!
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"Tepic" in Madrid is a Mexican restaurant with Oaxacan delicacies! I love the chicken tingas, the panuchos yucatecos and the guacamole!
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"Fellina" in Madrid's Chamberí is an Italian restaurant that's really exceptional. Everything tastes like 'nonna' cuisine. Oh, the burrata with tomato...
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"Mama Campo" in Madrid is one of my favourite places to have lunch: top ingredients, amazing desserts and a very nice location on Plaza Olavide...
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254 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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