A day as a local in Madrid

Coffee shop and groceries in Barrio de Las Salesas

Today is Sunday, and Sunday is the perfect day to have a nice walk in the sun and enjoy one of the coolest areas in Madrid: Barrio de las Salesas. Usually in Spain, as it maintains its catholic traditions, everything is closed on Sundays because in the past (and present) people go to the church. However, in Madrid as being the capital, you might still find some shops around still open. Sundays for Spaniards are the perfect days to have some quality time, nice food and enjoy the calm until the city gets busy again.

We start having a nice take away coffee in and buying some local groceries. This area is full of local shops, libraries, florists and also bars to have a nice aperitivo. Spanish aperitivo contrary to Italian that is taken around 8pm is usually before lunch at 13 pm and it is the perfect time to meet with family and friends in a terrace. This ritual consist usually in taking some tapas (little food served on top of bread) together with very cold beer or wine. The most typical one is pincho de tortilla, an egg omelet mixed with potatoes and a slice of bread. There are many ways to make this pincho, very cooked or undone, with onions or not.. everybody has their own preferences and in each bar there is a new one to try!

Ten minutes walking from Barrio de las Salesas we have the sophisticated Barrio de Salamanca, the Golden Mile of Madrid, where you can find the best brands and luxury shops. Our lunch spot will be a new Japanese in town that makes the best hand rolls. After that, Sunday walk continues in Parque del Retiro, one of the biggest parks in the city that even has a big lake to watch people sailing in little boats. This park is also connected to Puerta de Alcala and going down to Cibeles Fountain, two monuments that you can visit just walking. To finish the afternoon we end in La Gran Via, the heart of Madrid. Sunday ends there in a nice rooftop to contemplate the sunset and the amazing views.

If you want to fully enjoy this city as a local, stay in the best area and hotels, eat in the latest restaurants and have the best plans and recommendations, I invite you to plan your trip here. It would be a pleasure to guide you in this city as a friend.

¡Hasta pronto!