Famous for its museums, flamenco shows and gastronomy, Madrid is one of the European capitals that attracts more and more tourists looking for an authentic destination. It is also a popular destination for Erasmus stays and first expatriations. You'll find plenty of articles on things to do and see in Madrid, but few of them will give you advice on each of the city's districts. To overcome this, we have prepared a guide for travelers, but also for people wishing to try the experience of expatriation in Madrid.
In this guide, you will find out what to do in each of the districts of the Spanish capital. We will give you the best addresses, tips for a pleasant stay as a family and to live there as an expatriate.
If you want more general information about the city of Madrid, the museums and the must-see places in Madrid, we also recommend that you take a tour of the Madrid Discovery guide. This site will be very useful for you to organize your stay in Spain and to have information on the Prado museum, the Reina Sofia museum and even on Madrid airport.
Malasana: the most hipster of the neighborhoods
Hipster district par excellence, you will find second-hand shops, concept stores, tattoo parlors and barber shops. Malasana is one of the liveliest districts of the capital where everyone will feel comfortable and that whatever his style. The Malasana district can be summed up as a place where Madrid residents meet to enjoy the finer things in life and remake the world around a few tapas and cervecas.
It is the ideal district to discover the Madrid atmosphere or to live there during an Erasmus year. You will understand, it is a young neighborhood where the party never stops. There are a large number of restaurants offering very varied and economical menus as well as one of the most famous markets in the capital, the mercado de San Ildefonse. What better way to enjoy one of the best areas of the capital?
Vintage shop in Malasana
What to do in the Malasana district?
If you are visiting Madrid for the first time, then we advise you to take a tour to discover the Madrid atmosphere and learn more about the city of Madrid and its history (modern district of Madrid with a relatively young history). For that, here are the things to do during a stay in Madrid:
- Discover the alleys of the Malasana district and explore the history of Madrid with a guide on a guided tour.
- Visit the Madrid History Museum (Calle de Fuencarral, 78, 28004 Madrid).
- Have a drink (place 2 de Mayo).
- Go shopping in one of the neighborhood second-hand shops (we recommend Biba vintage and Magpie, calle de Velarde).
- Have brunch in the famous Ojala restaurant (calle San Andres) not far from the vintage shops.
For expatriates wishing to enjoy the city and discover new addresses, we advise you to take advantage of your Saturday to discover each alley in this trendy district. To help you in your search here are some addresses that will be useful to you :
- La Vía Láctea: this club is one of the most famous in Malasana, because it is here that the first movida artists began their careers. The entrance is quite exclusive, we recommend that you go in a small group. (Calle de Velarde, 18, 28004 Madrid)
- Taberna Baztan (Calle de San Andrés, 14, 28004 Madrid). Located in Plaza del 2 de Mayo, this bar will immerse you in the Madrid atmosphere in a few seconds.
- If you like second-hand clothes we recommend that you take a tour of calle Velarde and the streets adjacent to it, where you will find a large number of shops.
Austrias: the oldest in Madrid
The Austrias' Madrid is the oldest district of the capital, this is where you will discover the history of the kings of Spain as well as the ancient history of Madrid. The Austrias district is the historic center of Madrid, it is located in the heart of the city, if you come to sightseeing in the Spanish capital, we recommend that you book your hotel in this area (we recommend a few addresses below). You will be close to the places to visit, but also to the modern districts of the city.
The royal palace (Austrias district)
What to do in the Austrias district
The historic center of Madrid has the majority of monuments to visit in Madrid (with the exception of museums located in the Retiro district). Here are the things to do and see in this magnificent district rich in history.
- Have breakfast in front of the Royal Palace of Madrid in one of the bars in Plaza de l'Orient.
- Visit the Royal Palace of Madrid. Explore this magnificent palace.
- Visit the Almudena Cathedral. Located right in front of the Royal Palace, it is part of the historical heritage of the city of Madrid. For the record, it was Pope John Paul 2 who blessed it in 1993.
- Visit the crypt of the Almudena Cathedral.
- Visit the Royal Theater located on the Place de l'Opéra.
- Taste churros at San Gines after a visit to the Royal Palace. (San Gines, Pasadizo de San Gines, 5, 28013 Madrid)
- Discover the Plaza Mayor and the Puerta del Sol.
- Enjoy a break to eat tapas at the Mercado de San Miguel (Plaza de San Miguel, s / n, 28005 Madrid)
- Take a tour of Plaza de España and take a photo with the monument dedicated to the writer Cervantes.
- Have a drink on one of the rooftops on Gran Via (Dear hotel, Riu Hotel, Hyatt hotel, etc.)
The Austrias district is both a tourist area and a living area for Madrid residents. If you live in Madrid we recommend that you visit all of these buildings at least once to become a specialist in the history of Madrid. This will allow you to play guide when family or friends come to visit you.
The historic city center of Madrid remains the heart of the city where tourists and Madrilenians mix, you will find souvenir shops, clothes shops, monuments to visit and renowned restaurants. To summarize it is a district where we like to spend time to admire the history of the city through magnificent buildings.
La Latina: the neighborhood to party
The Latina district is located right next to the historic city center of Madrid, in general, we first visit the royal palace as well as the historic center, then we will take a tour of the Latina. Like the historic city center, it is a district where we meet many tourists, but it is also a place of life for Madrid residents who like to meet up with friends or family for a drink. The Latina district is a popular multicultural district which offers a large number of things to do and see. It is also a district which attracts more and more young expatriates.
The colors of La Latina
What to do in the Latina district?
The Latina district is transformed every weekend to make way for the largest market in the city, the Rastro market which can be compared to the fleas of Saint Ouens in Paris. This market is the number 1 attraction for tourists and art specialists. If you are visiting Madrid for a weekend, we recommend that you take a look around to find some nuggets. Once you have finished your visit to the mercado del Rastro, here's what to do in the Latina district:
- Eat churros at the Santa Ana churreria (Calle de Santa Ana, 7, 28005 Madrid).
- Go have a drink and eat calle de la cava baja.
- Discover the Plaza de la Paja.
- Take a tour of the Cebada market (Plaza de la Cebada, S / N, 28005 Madrid).
- Have a drink in the famous Tirso de Molina square
- Visit the San Isidro museum. This small museum can be visited in 1 hour, it will make you discover the ancient history of the city of Madrid (San Isidro is the patron saint of Madrid).
The Latina district is very pleasant to live in, you will find many local shops as well as economical restaurants. It is the ideal district to live the Erasmus experience or to start an expatriation.
Retiro: the great museums of Madrid
The Retiro district is one of the most beautiful areas of the city and it is here that you will find the famous golden triangle of art with three of the largest museums in Spain : Prado Museum, Reina Sofia Museum and Thyssen & Bornemisza Museum. These must-see places in Madrid are all located on the paseo del Prado and have unique art collections in the world. The Retiro district has the largest park in the city, the Retiro Park. It is a pleasant park to visit where you can cultivate yourself by visiting the Velasquez Palace and the Crystal Palace while enjoying the sun.
The Palace of Retiro Park
What to do in the Retiro district?
Ideal for taking advantage of sunny days, it is a district that offers a large number of activities to do. Located not far from the Salamanca district, we recommend that you book your hotel there if you want to take advantage of your stay in Madrid to go shopping and visit museums. To help you prepare for your stay in Madrid, here is a list of the best things to do in the Retiro district:
- Discover the finest collection of works of art in Spain in the Prado Museum (more info). Open all year except December 25 and 31 as well as January 6.
- Visit the Thyssen & Bornemisza Museum. We advise you to take this visit after the Prado Museum, it will allow you to understand some works of Thyssen thanks to the Prado collection.
- Take a walk along the paseo del Prado to reach the famous Reina Sofia contemporary art museum.
- Visit the Reina Sofia museum. Located right in front of Atocha station, it is a unique museum that will take you on a journey through art with its different artistic movements. It is in the Reina Sofia Museum that you can admire the famous Guernica painting painted by Pablo Picasso.
- Take a walk in Retiro Park to visit the Crystal Palace and the Velasquez Palace.
- Take a boat ride on the lake in Retiro Park.
- Go shopping in the famous district of Salamanca, it is there that you will find luxury stores like Loewe, Channel, Dior, Hermès ...
The Retiro district is very pleasant to live in, it is a rather family and quiet area which is intended for expats with children.
Chamberi: enjoy the Madrid atmosphere
We wanted to talk to you about Chamberi, because it is one of the lesser known districts of the capital. Located to the west of Madrid city center between calle Princesa, the Malasana district and the paseo de la Castellana, it is an area where very few visitors pass during their stay. Very popular with expatriates, it is also one of the most pleasant neighborhoods to live in.
To discover this district during your stay, we recommend that you take a tour of calle Ponzano. You will not find a single tourist there and will be able to enjoy the Madrid atmosphere and discover very good addresses where to taste the best in the capital. It is also a street that we recommend for expats living in Madrid, you will discover there intimate and original addresses. Both chic and trendy, you will be amazed at the number of tapas bars there are.
A street in the Chamberi district
What to do in Chamberi?
As we told you above, Calle Ponzano is a must-do in this area during a stay. If you like art then we advise you to take a tour of the Sorolla museum which is located very close to the paseo de la Castellana. You will discover a unique museum that traces the life of the famous Spanish painter Joaquin Sorolla (museum website).
If you want to live in Madrid, this area will be perfect: you will find all possible and imaginable shops there and the nightlife is very pleasant.
What are your favorite neighborhoods in Madrid?
From the most unmissable to the most unusual, the different districts of Madrid are full of riches to visit, or unusual places to explore. So, whether you are an expatriate or a passing tourist, what is your favorite neighborhood in Madrid? Share your experiences with us, and don't hesitate to add your best addresses.
