Hola readers,
Are you ready to discover some of the most beautiful Madrid secret corners with us?
We’re quite sure you already know the famous and important spots of the city, since it’s not that hard to find a book, a guide, blog posts that tell you how to best explore Madrid. But today we want to reveal, to share with you some of our favourite hidden corners.
During the stay in your accommodation in Madrid, you should get out the touristic comfort zone and push you and your flatmates to discover the little-known corners of the city. So far, we found five spots, from restaurants and cafes, to charming gardens and underground bunkers. It might sound unbelievable, but many of them are unknown even to locals!
Well, here is our getting around suggestion for your secret spots route
A beach in Malasaña
As you may know - and if not, get a look to our blog post - this neighborhood is one of the most alternative and coolest in Madrid: you can easily find here unique home-decor shops, hipster and second hand corners, amazing graffiti art on the walls but also cool restaurants and cafes.
Right in the main streets of Malasaña there’s Ojalá, a beautiful restaurant whose basement looks like a makeshift of the Ibiza beach style. White sand, low tables, comfortable cushions and friends sounds like the perfect plan both for a shelter from the cold winter and for chilling out in summer.
An Eden in Montera
Loads of tourist, gold-buyers and shoes shops: these are the first things you see when at first sight in Calle Montera, the central street linking Gran Via to Puerta del Sol.
But try to look beyond the chaos, jump to the top floor of Salvador Bachiller shop and you’ll find a small oasis where you can enjoy a coffee, a brunch or even a cocktail. Opened all day and evening long, this fairytale tearoom is perfect both for winter and summer season.
A spanish Sistine Chapel
You may already know the original version of Sistine Chapel in Rome. Well, since it’s not right under the corner, here we reveal you an art gem in Madrid: the Church of San Antonio de los Alemanes. Located in Malasaña neighborhood, this building may not catch your attention from the outside, but we swear it’s well worth a visit: the interior is entirely covered in frescos - painted by many famous artists - that tell the stories about life and miracles of St. Anthony of Padua.
A historic park
Madrid offers you loads of parks and green places (like the famous Buen Retiro Park). If you are a park lover, you should check the Capricho, in Barajas, a little out from the centre.
Built at the end of 18° century in honour of the Duchess of Osuna, the park collects a mix of styles that can be admired just wandering all around gardens, water streams and sculptures.
Moreover, you can find a 2.000 square meters underground bunker, that hosted the Republican Army during the Spanish Civil War.
A scent of Violet
La Violeta, is one of our favourite ones. It’s a violet candies specialised shop open since 1915. Not far away from Puerta Del Sol, this place gets the sweeter and colorful side of the spanish cultural identity out: violet essence candies, sugar glazed treats, fruit, chocolate and marron glacés.
Now you can enjoy Madrid off the beaten paths!
Are you ready?
Just put your backpack on, take a camera, get out your flat and enjoy these hidden gems - because, as the Little Prince said: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Yours,
helpMadrid explorer team