Madrid: City Guide
Updated May 28, 2024!
Madrid may be land locked but it feels like a relaxed beach town plopped in the middle of Europe. I couldn’t recommend it more. It has all of the sights (and shopping) you’d find in any European capital but with relaxed inhabitants who are extremely welcoming. You can find all of my Madrid travel videos here on TikTok as well as what I packed for my trip here!
When you’re here, have some tapas, vermouth, vino tinto, sangria, pan con tomate, tortilla, torrija, churros, boquerones, lots of tinned fish and the best tacos I’ve had in Europe (!?)
FUN FACT - pan con tomate was invented out of necessity in rural Spain! This Catalan dish was a way to soften up stale bread. By smooshing soft, juicy tomatoes onto hard bread, one could moisten up the bread and make it comestible (even more so with the addition of garlic, olive oil, and salt).
My Top Three Recommendations
Cisne Azul - My top spot in Madrid. This place serves the most hefty plates of seasonal mushrooms for an incredible price which will blow your mind. Make sure to go the taberna (more casual) not the restaurant! Same menu, but with chiller more local vibes.
La Mallorquina - La Mallorquina is a touristy spot (for a reason) so go early and be prepared to stand at the bar for coffee and a pastry. If you happen to be traveling to Spain during Easter time, you should try Torrija, the Spanish version of French toast that is especially popular during that time.
TANCHA - This may be a surprising recommendation but this is a boba (bubble tea) shop… All of their ingredients are so fresh that the experience really stuck with me. Let me just paint the picture for you: I order a passionfruit boba with no sugar, they tell me it’s going to be 10 minutes - I’m surprised but I go along with it - 5 minutes later someone walks in with a crate of fresh passionfruit - they blitz it up and serve it to me immediately. The next day I go and order a lemon & peach one, they blend up fresh lemon and white peaches. Would you like me to go on?
Now onto my top restaurants, bars, cafes, bakeries shopping and sights…