Madrid is so magical
Jan 30 2009 By Harriet Alexander
Harriet Alexander tastes the many splendours of Spain’s capital.
Midnight in Madrid, and the streets are alive. Families dine out together, groups of friends trawl the tapas bars, and trendy young Madrileños head out to dance until dawn. Life is lived to the full here, and the energy is infectious.
From sleek hotels and trendy bars to cutting-edge galleries and shops, Madrid is a world away from the traditional Spanish stereotypes of paella and Brits abroad. There is more to the Spanish capital than flamenco and sangria.
At the heart of the city’s off-beat centre is the vibrant district of Chueca – an area famed for its hip cocktail bars, trendy boutiques and fashionable residents. We stayed in the glamorous Room Mate Oscar hotel, where the funky decor and welcoming vibe is typical of this most open and happening area. The lobby of the hotel, with its white leather sofas and futuristic neon walls, gives way to comfortable, luxurious rooms. Although you are right in the middle of the action, the rooms are surprisingly quiet – an oasis in the urban jungle.
Back in the 70s and 80s, Chueca was a dingy, run-down area. But like London’s Soho or New York’s Meatpacking District, it has become one of the most happening parts of town.
Yet Madrid is about more than bustling bars and chic clubs. The energy and dynamism is reflected in the centre’s innovative restaurants, buzzing shops and world-class museums.
The magnificent Reina Sofia museum houses Guernica – Picasso’s awe-inspiring anti Fascist masterpiece – as well as a series of creepily bewitching Dalis.
A celebrated showcase of modern art, the building is in many ways a reflection of Madrid itself, mixing tradition and innovation. Constructed from a historic core – a former hospital – it has a strikingly modern main entrance hall in red and black, with skylights allowing shafts of sunlight. The Reina Sofia also has an excellent cafe, run by top Spanish chef Sergi Arola.
In the evenings, La Latina is a popular choice to sample innovative tapas with a twist – from centuries-old caves offering sherry and cheeses, to minimalist haunts frequented by the city’s beautiful people. Try Eñe (calle Nuncio 19), for unusual tapas such as a tomato gazpacho with avocado foam and cointreau. Visit Taberna Matritum, on the popular calle Cava Alta, for its amazing wine list – reportedly over 250 bottles.
Of course, no visit to Madrid would be complete without a wander through Plaza Mayor, the spiritual heart of Madrid, and the refreshing Retiro park with its lake, manicured lawns and street entertainers.
But in Madrid, it is all about mixing the old with the new. Tour the city, but do it on a segway scooter. Eat tapas, but Indian or Japanese or Moroccan tapas. Soak up the cutting-edge culture and creative energy. This is not just Spain – this is Madrid.
* Travel Facts
Hotel Room Mate Oscar, standard rooms from 117.50 euros. See www.room-matehotels.com
Flights from Stansted to Madrid with Ryanair; from Gatwick, Luton and Liverpool with Easyjet.
