My recommendations of local places to visit in Madrid..
Estación de Atocha
Estación de Atocha is one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. The building has a huge round, cast iron roof. The most impressive part of the station is the tropical courtyard: four thousand square meters including palm trees! You can see this beautiful view from the balustrade. Also, there are plenty of terraces around the garden to just sit and admire the nature around you. You will also find shops, cafes and even a night club! Possibilities enough so. The train station came much in the news in april 2004 because of the bomb attacks. You can show your compassion by making a print of your hand and by leaving a message on the station.
Plaza del Emperador Carlos V
Madrid Zoo
Visit Madrid Zoo and it will definitely be a fun day. The Zoo covers an area of 20 hectares and including an aquarium in the park. You can see 500 different animal species from around the world in this zoo. Come and see the panda’s, koala’s, elephants, bears or go to a dolphin show. Every day there are dolphin shows given to the public. The Zoo also has another aquarium where you can admire the most beautiful fish and sharks.
Casa de Campo, s/n, 28011 Madrid
La Latina
La Latina is located right in the Centre of Madrid and is known as one of the oldest parts of the city. With large squares and narrow, winding alleys it is a popular destination for hiking. You will see the churches and old infrastructure of the 16th to 18th centuries. There are several squares, but the most popular are Plaza de la Paja and Plaza San Andrés. These two squares are especially popular on Sundays, when all terraces are completely filled. And of course you find in a neighborhood with so much history, also numerous sites. For example the San Andrés, a church built in a Gothic-renaissance style. At Museo de San Isidro, the youngest museum of the city of Madrid, you can see Madrid at the times of the first settlement. San Francisco el Grande is a neoclassical Basilica where many famous artists and politicians are buried. But the most impressive thing is the dome, with a diameter of 33 meters. La Latina is a place you must visit if you really want to experience the history of Madrid.
La Latina, Madrid
Malasaña
Malasaña is located west of Chueca and East of Argüelles and is one of the liveliest districts of Madrid. It is a place where the hipster-crowd of the Spanish capital has established itself and whether it’s day or night, at any hour of the day you see a group of hipsters somewhere relaxing by one of the many pubs, bars and restaurants. The main square of Malasaña is Plaza del Dos de Mayo, which is mainly characterized by the many festivals that take place annually here. There is no shortage of bohemian bars, vintage shops, bookshops or souvenir shops. Stroll around on Calle Espiritu Santo, where you only see retro shops, patisseries, vintage shops, small butchers, florists, bars, cafes, food shops, ethnic restaurants and retro hip-hop clothing shops. A kind of New York St. Mark’s Place so, but then in Madrid! Also don’t forget to look around: the architecture of Malasaña is also very particular, with large industrial buildings of four to six floors with Windows on three floors. In terms of nightlife, this is also the most versatile area of Madrid, where you can listen to both alternative music as funk, but also rock, metal, house, gothic, latin, classical, 80s and hip-hop. In addition, Malasaña has also plenty of fun LGBT bars.
Malasaña, Madrid
Chueca
Sultry, passionate and temperamental: the gay district Chueca is full of life! This used to be one of the most impoverished and criminal areas of Madrid, where drugs and prostitution experienced heyday. Now it is the most trendy and hip area of Madrid and the heart of the gay-life in Madrid! This area is definitely a smart start to explore the Madrid’s gay-life.
In Chueca you can find many nice, and delicious restaurants. The nice thing about Madrid is that people eat very good late in the evening. You can often reserve a spot starting from an hour or ten. This way you can go to a nice pub rightaway after you’ve finished eating. Of which there are plenty in this district. Without problems you can entertain yourself here till very early in the morning. One of the best entertainment venues is Stars Café Dance, at Marquèz Valdeiglesia: above a fun and trendy bar and downstairs more than a cozy nightclub!
Chueca, Madrid
Ananda
The most beautiful open-air nightclub in Madrid is Ananda. It is located near the Atocha station and is especially in the summer very fun. You have a great vip area and lounge sofas everywhere. You can also dance to house and ultimate classics. Inside you have two rooms with different music. The drinks are a little bit expensive but in these different areas and the open air terrace you can entertain yourself really good on a warm summer evening. In the winter only the inside is open but that doesn’t make it less fun!
Avenida ciudad de Barcelona, Madrid
Las Descalzas Reales
The monastery of Las Descalzas Reales is located on five minutes walking distance from Puerta del Sol, the impressive building is built in Renaissance style and belonged to the domain of King Charles the first of Spain. Currently, this monastery is a museum with art works by Rubens and the spectacular sculpture El Cristo Yacente. At the moment there still nuns living in the building. When you take a tour of the monastery you will not go along the nuns. But the beautiful monastery has plenty of other impressive parts such as the Royal salon.
Plaza de las Descalzas Reales, 28013 Madrid
Platea
Ever visited a market in a former cinema? Platea is a popular food market that is located in the converted Plaza Colon of Carlos III. Three Spanish chefs have this place all in control and have together no less than six Michelin stars. Throughout the property you can experience the Mexican, Japanese, Italian and Peruvian cuisine where the most delicious tapas is served. After dinner put your course to El Palco cocktail bar on the second floor, where you enjoy a delicious drink views over the entire market.
Calle Goya 5-7, Madrid
Cava Baja and Cava Alta
In the streets of Cava Baja and Cava Alta, in the cosy La Latina district, are plenty of nice restaurants, taverns and cafes. Many Madrilenos go here from bar to bar and take in every bar a tapa by their drink. Two whole streets, where the Spanish atmosphere really is enjoyable! It may surprise you, but especially on Sundays, this is highly recommended when other places take it a little bit easy.
Calle Cava Baja/Alta, Madrid
Botín
According to the Guinness Book of Records, this is one of the oldest restaurants in the world, opened in 1725. For many tourists, but also for the people of Madrid itself, this restaurant is high on the list. They still serve typical Madrid cuisine. Including roasted meat of a suckling pig or lamb. The restaurant consists of several spaces, but the agreement is that they are all equally attractive and authentic looking. At Botin to draw on the best way to know the traditional cuisine of Madrid.
Calle Cuchilleros 17