Travelling to Madrid in winter can be as comfortable as it gets as there are less tourists around and you can experience a local feeling while walking around town, exploring places and great museum exhibits as well as local restaurants.
Not saying that pre-planning is unnecessary, but the city and parks present themselves from their best sides.
We stayed a weekend in Madrid at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz that just opened this spring. Read about it here .
A three/two day stay allows you to enjoy the city, often at moderate temperatures, and the Spanish way of living which is a great treat now when living in northern Europe.
HERE IS THE PLAN:
Take an early flight so you arrive at noon and can still enjoy the sun at a rooftop restaurant or a garden restaurant where lunch is still served outside by a warming fire. If you are lucky the sun is shining and adds a southern European feel to your delicious food, as it is very hard to not eat well in Madrid.
In the afternoon go for a long walk in Retiro park or if you like shop along the grand Via or the little streets behind where you still find one-of-a-kind things to get inspired by and are only found in Madrid.
Visit the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza for the current René Magritte show or their permanent collection of Heini Baron von Thyssen, that consists of a large selection of modernist paintings.Take your time as dinner is starting late and you might want to go for Cava and Tapas before.
Here are my latest suggestions for a great weekend trip to Madrid:
EAT
MORNING COFFEES & PATISSERIE: LA DUQUESITA
the finest patisserie and Viennoiserie in a small café that invites you to go cake and cookie shopping, bring some gifts to your friends or simply indulge yourself.
https://laduquesita.es
SPANISH: LA MAMONA CASTELLANA, https://grupolalala.com/locales/restaurantes/la-mamona-castellana
FISH: BUGAO, https://bugaomadrid.com
MICHELIN STAR DINING: DIVERXO, https://diverxo.com
CLASSIC: EL PARAGUAS, http://www.elparaguas.com
MEXICAN: BACAN, https://bakanmadrid.com
FOODSHOPPING: FORMAJE
When the cheeses and all that comes with it look like most wanted accessories and not only that, they taste incredible and you cannot leave town without buying some. https://formaje.com
SHOP
EFFORDLESS WOMENSWEAR:
PEZ, effortless hard to find statement pieces, jewellery, and ceramics in an airy, modern atmosphere. What we want to buy: Double-breasted trench coat by the Dutch fashion house Les Coyotes de Paris and earrings by Spanish jewellery designer Beatriz Palacios.
Don’t miss Pez’s furniture and décor boutique with its plush, hand-woven linens, ultra-modern dinnerware and patchwork pillows
https://pez-pez.es
TAILOR & MENS WEAR: PAUL GARCIA DE OTEYZA
Check out this Gentlemen’s Tailor who creates together with his wife Catherina Paneda, the most talked about collection during Madrid Fashion week.
https://deoteyza.com
MADE IN SPAIN: MALABABA
from hand crafted jewellery to leather goods, accessories and shoes , we like their latest Flagship store by architect Cizak Dalmas and Matteo Ferrari. https://www.malababa.com
SNEAKERS: HOFF
It is all about colour combination of the HOFF Sneaker, check out their first shop in Madrid, also designed by Studio Cizak Dalmas and Matteo Ferrari. https://thehoffbrand.com/pages/hoffstore
GION JAPANESE DESIGN
Here you will find a selection of well-crafted Japanese designed cloths and accessories with original fabrics. A very authentic Japanese place where you will bump into fashion designers, sourcing their next cuts.
http://www.japon-online.net
BEAUTY
SLOW BEAUTY BOCOA BEAUTY
The most natural way you can get your skin care done, your nails polished and your tissue s relaxed, we love this little beauty parlour hidden in a quiet square. https://bocoabeauty.com
SKINPHARMACY Jorge Juan 34.
We love to dive into the world of Spanish health and skincare; besides all the international niche brands we love to hold in our pouches now.
https://skinpharmacyjorgejuan34.com