With dozens of new restaurants and boutiques in Chueca and old-school chic in upmarket Salamanca, the Spanish capital has it all. Throw in loads of tapas bars, amazing art museums, and the city’s rich, vibrant history, and you may just want to stay awhile. Locals love it here.
Darío Barrio
Ferran Adrià–trained
chef and owner of the nouvelle cuisine Restaurante Dassa Bassa
Where to go for a romantic dinner …
“
El Chaflàn [1] is where I proposed to my wife, who’s now my sommelier. Juan Pablo Felipe is the chef there, and he makes new Spanish cuisine. The menu changes often, but there’s a nice, modern gazpacho.”
Julio Lopez AstorDirector, Tourist Office of
Spain in Miami
Eye of the beholder …“I’m an art-history lover, so I love
Museo Sorolla [2], a small museum with Valencian impressionists in an old manor house in the Chamberi district, and
Fundación Lázaro Galdiano [3], a private collection of Iberian archaeology that’s been made into a museum in the Salamanca district.”
Nieves PeñuelasDirector of publicity, Twentieth Century Fox International, Spain
Best place to see Pedro Almodóvar …“[Museo]
Chicote [4], on Gran Vía, is the city’s most famous cocktail bar, and it was the place to go for a drink during the Spanish civil war in the 1930s. It’s just been renovated, and everyone goes there -- it’s very fashionable and very cool. I love the mojitos.”
Anton KungGeneral manager, Hotel Ritz Madrid
Grab the kids and get out of town …Take the Tren de la Fresa (Strawberry Train) from
Estación de Puerta de Atocha [5], which travels an hour to Aranjuez, and visit the impressive eighteenth-century Palacio Real (Royal Palace). “You can eat as many strawberries as you want on the train,” he says. “It’s a great ride on an old steam locomotive with windows that still rattle.”
Alejandra de BorbónDirector of
public relations for Loewe, the Spanish luxury leather-goods brand
Shop Spanish designers …“The espadrille maker
Castañer [6] is known worldwide and has collaborated with Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, and Dior. And
Angel Schlesser [7] creates urban, chic clothes for women and is considered the Donna Karan of Spain, while
David Elfin [8] is one of the country’s newest, edgiest designers.”
American Airlines now provides daily nonstop service to Madrid from both Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Miami International Airport.