Skip the tourist traps in this amazing Spanish city with advice from a traveler who has been there, done that.
Girl Dancing in a Bar in Madrid. Isabella Mendes. CC0.
Madrid is one of the world’s most magical and historic cities, featuring unique food, bars, art, sunsets and discotecas. But to visitors, the city’s large size and numerous tourist traps can seem overwhelming when deciding how to spend your precious day.
Living in another country was always a dream of mine growing up. That dream became a reality when I moved to Madrid for six months with three of my best friends when I was 20 years old. We lived in the old maid's quarter, Tirso de Molina, on the top of a pink 10-story walk-up. Those six months of sharing a bed, wearing scarves to sleep during the winter to save money and crawling out of a window onto the roof were the best six months of my life. Inspired by my own experiences, I wrote this article through the lens of my perfect day in Madrid — a city where you can find historic art, eat patatas bravas, drink Tinto de Veranos and dance until 4 a.m. all on the same day.
Vintage Posters for Sale at a Flea Market. Linh Bo. CC0.
Your journey begins in the neighborhood of La Latina, just off the beaten path of Sol, one of the most touristy destinations in Madrid. La Latina will immerse you as you walk through the cobblestone pathways through murals, shops, and hopefully some live street music. I recommend starting your day at Dale, a cafe known for its delicious vegan breads, toasts and extravagant coffee with the most extravagant flavor combinations for nearly 6 euros. For a heartier breakfast, I recommend Cafelito, a cafe on the border of Lavapies and La Latina. Enjoy a specialty coffee and a piece of homemade cake or toast with tomato for breakfast! Or, pop into Panifiesto for a loaf of fresh sourdough bread to snack on during your explorations for around 4 euros. If you are in La Latina on a Sunday, make sure to check out the massive flea market El Rastro.
Man Rowing in Retiro Park on Lake. Mikkel Kvist. CC0
Start your exploration of the city on a self-guided walking tour (tip: walk down the small side streets). I recommend strolling through Retiro Park and stopping by the Prado Museum or the Reina Sofia Museum on the way. Students get free entry at both, but be sure to avoid both museums on weekends to evade the crowds.
Skull Punk Rock Graffiti on Wall. Willo M. CC0
Next on the agenda is to make your way to Malasana, a neighborhood filled with street art, murals, young people and fashion. Explore the neighborhood’s hidden gems, and make sure to stop by one of the many Humana stores, an eclectic thrift shop offering different deals every day.
Madrid's “Tortilla” and Beer Tapas. Caroline Cagnin. CC0
After this exploration, your tummy may be telling you lunch is approaching. But let me warn you, siesta is real. Shops and restaurants will close at about 3 or 4 p.m. for a couple of hours, so make sure to eat lunch before! With that said, Pez Tortilla is a great lunch option. This affordable local spot will not disappoint you with its unmissable 3-euro Tinto De Verano.
Almudena Cathedral in Madrid Stained Glass Interior. Mehmet Turgut Kirkgox. CC0
After lunch, you will head to the Almudena Cathedral, next to the Royal Palace of Madrid. This cathedral used to be a Moorish mosque, a history reflected in the building’s unique and colorful tiles, stained glass and architecture. From the cathedral, there are two options for sunset viewing. There is a little grass patch located above the Royal Palace, about a 10-minute walk from the Temple of Debod. There is also another park with an incredible view of the city where locals will have picnics to celebrate the daily sunset together.
The three best spots for a pre-dinner drink or a card game are Cafe de la Luz, Lolina Vintage Cafe and Sala Equis. Cafe de la Luz is a low-lit cafe with great music, atmosphere and fantastic staff. Covered with vintage lamps and couches, it is perfect for a glass of wine and a complimentary tapa. Right around the corner is Lolina Cafe, known for its groovy '70s-style decor — make sure you sit in their basement for the full experience! Finally, Sala Equis is an old adult movie theater transformed into a cultural space and bar. Upstairs, the bar has a retro movie theater that showcases indie films in their original language (with subtitles). Here, you can grab a drink or tapa and enjoy a film!
Different Spanish Tapas on Counter. Pink Press. CC0
Your day is not over yet because dinner in Madrid begins around 8 or 9 p.m. For traditional tapas with a modern twist, try La Esperanza, Lamaik, Entre Santos, La Musa or Casa Julio for classic Spanish food. These spots have fantastic food, a great atmosphere and lots of locals.
Teddy Bear DJ at the Club Toy Room in Madrid. Hygor Sakai. CC0
Madrid is world famous for their nightlife. Whether that means lounging at a cool bar for a nightcap or dancing all night at a discoteca, staying out late is a must! Malasana is covered in unique bars filled with young energy, chatting and dancing. Check out Espit Chupitos for hundreds of specialty chupitos or shots. Wall St is a small bar where the drink prices fluctuate with stock market prices, and Gorilla Bar is a grungy bar with rap music and great drinks. If you are looking for young people and dancing, La Via Lactera and Tupperware are the bars to be at in Malasana. They will likely have a line, but waiting will be worth your time! Around 12 to 1 a.m. is time to head to the discoteca, visit Teatro Barcelo for reggaeton, Teatro Magno for Latin music, and Toy Room for house music – they even have a DJ in the bathroom! If it’s 3 or 4 a.m., and you still want more, you must check out Toni 2 Piano Bar for the most unique karaoke experience with a live pianist. End your day of exploration singing and dancing your heart out with the locals of Madrid for a night you will never forget.
Madrid is a beautiful city filled with hidden gems — and exploring on foot is the best way to find them! Don’t be scared just to wander and see where you end up. It is mostly safe any time of the day or night as people are always out and about. Madrid’s way of life (and prices) are hard to beat, so eat the sweet treats, ingest as many Tinto de Verano’s as possible, and stroll through every park. Remember to take it easy and enjoy every second — because that’s how the locals live!
Riley Torgerson
Riley is a senior at the University of California San Diego studying Communications and Environmental Studies. Riley hopes to use her communication and storytelling skills to help bring education and awareness about global social and environmental justice issues, while specifically through the lens of the different power dynamics involved. She loves traveling the world, cooking, hiking, and doing yoga in her free time.