Madrid is a marvellous city! Madridista are friendly, the weather is great all year long, and the food is delicious. I have been lucky enough to travel to Madrid quite a few times in the last 3 years, so I have a lot of insights and recommendations for this beautiful city to share. Rather than suggesting various places to sight see that are already widely written about, I want to share my insider knowledge on accommodation, restaurants, and nightlife.

Accommodation

Madrid has countless accommodation options throughout the city. If you decide to stay in an Airbnb, the best location is definitely the city centre. There are also plenty of nice boutique hotels in various locations throughout the city. My two personal favourites are from the “Only YOU” brand listed below.

Only YOU Hotel Atocha

Only YOU Hotel Atocha is located in central Madrid across from the Puerta de Atocha railway station. This historic building has been transformed into a cozy, yet sohphisticated space. The hotel features a popular rooftop food and cocktail bar with stunning views overlooking the South side of Madrid. Along with the delicious cocktails on the terrace, there is also a restaurant downstairs that features an amazing weekend brunch. This hotel combines comfort, good food, creative cocktails, and live music making it one of my favourite places to stay.

Website – link

Only YOU Boutique Hotel

The Only YOU Boutique Hotel is located in one of the trendiest areas of Madrid called the Salesas neighbourhood. This hotel has been transformed from a 19th century mansion into the contemporary space it is today. It features the YOUnique fusion restaurant, which puts a modern twist on local Spanish cuisine. They also offer the very popular Le Brunch on Sundays with a wide selection of food, drinks, and good music. The exquisite décor and great atmosphere make this hotel the place to stay!

Website – link

For Fellow Foodies

Food is as important for my private travels as it is for my professional travels. With my colleagues, we always try to find the latest trendy place or the most authentic/iconic restaurant of a city.  In Madrid, it can sometimes be difficult selecting a restaurant for dinner, so I’ve laid out my favourite places below to help!

Breakfast:

Beleeza Açaí Bar

This restaurant offers a healthy, yet filling option for first thing in the morning. Their create your own açai bowls are absolutely delicious, including a choice of a fruit base in addition to granola, additional fruit, or other toppings.

Website – link

Zenith Caffe

After a great night out, we needed an healthy and detox breakfast. We found our place right behind our Airbnb. Zenith Brunch and Cocktails. Perfect place for an healthy breakfast in a very nice atmosphere.

Website – link

Lunch: Morao Tapas

With four locations in Madrid, Morao Tapas has the best traditional Spanish tapas to satisfy your appetite in a trendy urban environment. This is the perfect restaurant for lunch not only because of the tasty dishes, but also because the various locations allow you flexibility in your day of exploration. Check it out!

Website – link

Dinner: Tatel

Tatel is one of my favourite restaurants that offers more than just a dining experience. Along with its exquisite cocktails, it also features performances by vocalists, percussionists, and DJs that creates a more lively and fun environment for guests. Their menu encompasses many international flavours and features a wide range of options to satisfy varying taste buds. The atmosphere combined with the delicious cuisine makes Tatel the perfect night time dining experience.

Website – link

Nightlife

After dinner, if you want to continue the night then I suggest the Chueca area. Here there are plenty of bars, restaurants, and clubs that are most popular for some fun in the evenings. The area is quite lively at night and always loads of fun!

One last tip, there’s no better way to travel within Madrid than with an electric scooter like Lime, Bird or even Uber. Great user experience, available everywhere and super cheap.

Hopefully these tips have inspired you to check out the amazing Spanish capital. Safe travels and I’ll see you next time in Madrid!