Madrid

We spent 2 wonderful, intense, hot, weeks in this crazy city in July 2024.

Here's what made our TIOLI List

FOOD

Cafes/Coffee Shops

Santo Bakehouse: Good coffee but amazing baked goods!

Acid Coffee shops: There are a few around town. All worth checking out.

Siniestro: One man shop. Great coffee and wine store at night!

Mision: Good coffee and yummy breakfast/lunch

Four: Cute place with tables on the plaza.

Bakeries

Santo Bakehouse: See info above

Tapas Bars/Micro-breweries/Bar a vin

Manero: The most beautiful Tapas bar. We went twice it was that great!

Plaza del Dos de Mayo: One of our favorite plaza to have tapas

Breakfast/Lunch/Casual dinner

Cafe de la March: Located in the Fundacion Juan March, amazing architecture and food.

Taberna Trampanillo: Great lunch place. Best Tinto de Veranos!

Dinner

El Social: Small unpretentious casual restaurant with super friendly owners

Tripea - Located in a farmet's market. This prix fix restaurant is so freakin' amazing.

Gota: So fun! Small dishes, great music, great vibe

EVERYTHING ELSE

Must visit:

Royal Palace: If you don't have time to visit inside, must walk by, especially at sunset/night.

Matadero Madrid: Beautiful refurbished buildings into art spaces and restaurants.

El Retiro Park: The Central Park of Madrid. A must! Lots to see so take your time!

Museums

So many museums in Madrid, so little time! But great places to be in the middle of the Summer heat!

Fundacion Juan March: Although not technically a museum, they have a wonderful sculpture garden and cafe and some wonderful art in their always. AND their restaurant is sublime!

Museo del Romanticismo: Located in a private mansion, this museum is like walking back in time.

Museo Nacional del Prado: The Louvre of Madrid. Worth to see Guernica from Picasso and much more

Caixa Forum: Have to at least walk by since building is by Herzog De Meuron

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía: Great for Modern Art.

Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum: Our favorite for the variety of art under one roof

Mercados:

Mercado de San Miguel: Although under construction while we there, a must for the food galore!

Shopping

Lots of great shopping but here are some favorites

Le Ruelle: Beautiful home goods store

La Pajarita: A jewel box of a candy store! Great for gifts. Go to Flagship store on Villanueva

G69: Another great home goods store

Antigua Casa Crespo: BEST place for espadrilles! Not touristy!

El Moderno Concept Store: Great place for gifts and beautiful objects.

El Rastro Flea Market on Sundays.

The market itself is not great but here are stores around worth checking:

Madame Leavesley Interiors

El Ocho

Palacios Antiques