As mentioned in my London post, I studied abroad in Madrid which was an amazing experience. Living in another country and immersing myself in another culture was a dream come true. I wanted to share some of my favorite places to eat and play while living in Madrid!
Where to eat
Chocolateria San Gines
You can’t come to Madrid and not have churros con chocolate at Chocolateria San Gines. Open 24 hours, seven days a week, Chocolateria San Gines satisfies your sweet cravings at any time. For €3.80 you can get six delicious churros and a cup of hot chocolate. There are also powered sugar shakers at each table to put on top of your churros. If you want something besides churros con chocolate, then you can get ice cream, coffee, and other beverages.
Casa Patas
Eat delicious Spanish cuisine and catch a Flamenco show at Casa Patas. What more do you need? You may want to reserve a table beforehand as this restaurant is small.
Mercado de San Miguel
I mentioned this market in my Copenhagen post because it reminded me of Torvehallerne. Not far from Plaza Mayor, Mercado de San Miguel offers fresh produce, meats, fruits, tapas, and more. There are many restaurants surrounding the market that offer Spanish cuisine. I remember sitting outside enjoying tapas and sangria at Taste Gallery.
Where to play
Parque de Atracciones de Madrid
An amusement park in Madrid. This is a great place to go with kids – or if you want to be a kid again!
Puerta del Sol
The main plaza in Madrid, Puerto del Sol offers clothing stores, restaurants, entertainment, bars, and more. There are streets off Puerta del Sol offering high-end, chain, and boutique shops; my favorite street was Calle Arenal. This plaza is pedestrianized so you don’t have to worry about cars, but you should pay attention to your belongings.
Gran Via
Beautiful architecture, endless entertainment, bars, chic cafes, and clothing stores – Gran Via has it all. This is another great area to get all of your shopping needs done.
Buen Retiro Park
A large park offering beautiful views of fountains, gardens, and more. You can rent a boat in the lake or go to Palacio de Cristal, Madrid’s Crystal Palace. If you have a day to slow down and unwind, Retiro Park is a great place to visit.
Royal Palace of Madrid
For a fee, you can go inside the Royal Palace to see where the royal family once lived. If that doesn’t interest you, then you can walk around the two surrounding gardens.
Plaza Mayor
In hindsight, this square reminds me of Placa Reial in Barcelona. It has many cafes and bars with outdoor seating for you to people-watch. There are also street performers to keep you entertained!
Nightlife
Tartan Roof
This rooftop bar sits on top of Circulo de Bellas Artes and offers stunning 360º views of Madrid. There’s a cover charge to get up to the rooftop (which I remember to be ~€4). The drinks can also be on the pricey side, depending on what you order. But the view makes all of this worth it. You can lounge on their beds or chairs offered while taking in the views.
Teatro Kapital
Probably one of the most infamous clubs in Madrid. Teatro Kapital offers seven floors with each floor providing a different genre of music. This club is fairly pricey, but what club isn’t? I remember the cover charge being around €15, which provided entrance and one drink. And like other clubs, Teatro Kapital can have a long line to get in. I think my roommates and I waited in line for almost 30 minutes. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not a club person. Getting sweaty, being pushed, people stepping on my feet (that are already throbbing in heels), and having drinks spilled on me isn’t my idea of a good time. Reluctantly, I went because it was the weekend before my 21st birthday and I figured I’d see what all the hype was about. I definitely wasn’t disappointed!
