FIVE STARS
I would recommend visitors stay at The Westin Palace, Madrid because is both an island of luxury and comfort, and it is also the place where people in Madrid go for a drink.
Plaza de las Cortes, 7
+34 913 60 80 00
www.westinpalacemadrid.com
DINE ABOUT TOWN
Michelin-starred DiverXO and its chef and founder David Muñoz are honouring the scientific tradition of Ramón y Cajal (often called the father of neuroscience) and Spanish physician and biochemist Severo Ochoa with the subversion and playfulness of Madrid’s movida (scene) and nightlife. Any of its menus are excellent.
Padre Damián 23
+349 1570 0766
www.diverxo.com
LUXURY SHOPPING
The whole area from Plaza de las Salesas to Pelayo street has become an interesting place to go shopping. Among them, I really love 101 Maison d’Esprits Cratives that combines super-radical contemporary Spanish designers with selected classics such as Saint James t-shirts.
Pelayo, 48
+34 910 26 21 92
www.facebook.com/101maisondespritscreatifs
HAPPY HOUR
My favourite is a vermouth at Bodega de la Ardosa, with all the original engravings that Goya used to sell there.
Calle de Colón
+34 915 21 49 79
AN ART INFUSION
Madrid has such an impressive museums accumulation that includes Museo del Prado, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (above), Museo Thyssen, and Centro de Arte Dos de Mayo – and with most of them within a one-kilometre area, it’s an enjoyable walk from one to the other. Adding to this, I would not miss the lively galleries along Calle Doctor Fourquet, just behind the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. Arco Contemporary Art Fair is also becoming one of the finest spaces to buy emerging art.
Museo del Prado
+34 91 330 2800
www.museodelprado.es
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
+34 91 774 1000
www.museoreinasofia.es
Museo Thyssen, Paseo del Prado
+34 902 76 05 11
www.museothyssen.org
Centro de Arte Dos de Mayo
+34 912 76 02 21
www.ca2m.org
DAY TRIPPING
I always recommend a visit to El Escorial, a historical residence of the King of Spain, in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial – around 45 minutes from the city. It is an impressive natural setting with some of the finest architecture of Europe, both the Palace and Monastery of El Escorial.
LOCAL FLAVOUR
Live flamenco music and dancing is a unique experience not to be missed. I would totally recommend spending the night at Casa Patas, a restaurant that has live flamenco performances.
Cañizares, 10
+34 913 69 04 96
www.casapatas.com
