Arrival & Mobility

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• Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport: Exprés Bus 203 (24 h, city center–airport in ~30 min), plus daytime lines 200/101 and night bus N27 for the early hours.

• Metro L8 (Nuevos Ministerios ↔ T4) and Cercanías C1 / C10 connect to Atocha and Chamartín in about 30 min.

• Taxis with flat rate to/from the airport, and VTC fleets (Cabify, Uber, Bolt).

• BiciMAD 2.0: 7,500 e-bikes and 611 stations after the latest expansion; register directly via app.

• Car-sharing: Zity, Wible, GoTo; free parking in blue/green zones with 0-emissions badge.

• NitBus (EMT night buses) covers 17 lines from 00:00–05:00.

• Madrid 360 LEZ: restricted access for vehicles without environmental sticker inside the M-30.

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Must-See Urban Parks

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• Retiro: rowboats on the pond, Crystal Palace, and summer evening closure at midnight.

• Madrid Río: 7 km riverside path with “Ignacio Echeverría” skatepark and viewpoints over the Manzanares.

• Casa de Campo: cable car (under renovation until 2026) and cycling routes among pines and lakes.

• El Capricho Park: 18th-century landscaped garden open weekends only.

• Quinta de Los Molinos: almond blossom from Feb–Mar; perfect for a spring picnic.

• Local tip: parks close during extreme weather alerts (wind, heat); check @MADRID for municipal advisories.

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Gastronomy

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Fine dining (book ahead)

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• DiverXO – the city’s only three-Michelin-star restaurant, limitless creativity.

• Coque, El Club Allard, Santceloni, Smoked Room, and DSTAgE make up the 2★ elite.

• Osa – rising star on the Manzanares riverbank, 20-course menu.

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New Openings 2025

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• La Mar Madrid – Gastón Acurio’s cevichería bringing Lima’s Pacific flavors to Tetuán.

• Casa Música – gastro-musical space with reinvented Madrid cuisine and vinyl records in Chamberí.

• Fishølogy – “sea charcuterie” counter excelling in cured fish delicacies.

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Madrid Classics

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• Botín – roast suckling pig in a 1725 wood oven.

• Casa Lucio – legendary “huevos rotos”.

• La Castela – tripe and creamy croquettes.

• Malacatín – full traditional cocido madrileño.

• Bodega La Ardosa – juicy tortilla and draft vermouth.

• Sacha, Taberna La Sanabresa, and El Quinto Vino – authentic tapas bars.

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Nightlife & Rooftops

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• Star clubbing: Teatro Kapital (7 floors), Teatro Barceló, LAB theClub (Ifema), Fabrik (macro-techno in Fuenlabrada), and underground Uñas Chung Lee for boutique electronic.

• Trendy rooftops: Picalagartos Sky Bar (Gran Vía), Mirador Palacio de los Duques, Ella Sky Bar, and Inhala Terrace with 360° views.

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Culture & Heritage

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• Art Triangle: Prado Museum (free evenings first Saturday of the month), Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza.

• Royal Palace: guard change ceremony Wed & Sat 11 am–2 pm; solemn change first Wed of the month.

• Austrias Quarter: Almudena Cathedral, Plaza Mayor, and San Miguel Market.

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Shopping & Markets

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• San Miguel Market: gourmet tapas in a modernist market next to Plaza Mayor.

• San Antón Market (Chueca): fresh produce on floor 1, rooftop cocktail bar.

• Antón Martín Market (Lavapiés): multicultural fusion and signature food stalls.

• Golden Mile (Serrano, Ortega y Gasset): luxury boutiques – Loewe, Hermès, Cartier.

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Nature, Sport & Wellness

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• Carretera de la Tapia (Casa de Campo) – running/MTB among pines and viewpoints.

• Ignacio Echeverría Skatepark (Madrid Río) – urban landmark for riders.

• AIRE Ancient Baths Palacio de Santa Ana – candlelit thermal circuit in an 18th-century palace.

• Four Seasons Madrid Spa – indoor pool and sun terrace in the city center.

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Highlight Excursions (≤ 1 h)

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• Toledo: AVANT train from Atocha (~34 min) to explore synagogues and the Gothic cathedral.

• Segovia: AVE from Chamartín-Guiomar (~27 min) with Roman aqueduct and roast suckling pig.

• El Escorial: Cercanías C3 (~55 min) to visit the UNESCO-listed Renaissance monastery.

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Suggested Itineraries

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3-day express

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• Day 1 – Prado early → stroll Barrio de las Letras → sunset rooftop at Mirador Palacio de los Duques → dinner at DiverXO → underground drinks at Uñas Chung Lee.

• Day 2 – Churros breakfast at San Ginés → Royal Palace & Cathedral → lunch at Casa Lucio → afternoon at Retiro (rowboat) → cocktails at Picalagartos → clubbing at Teatro Kapital.

• Day 3 – AVE excursion to Segovia → return for San Miguel Market tapas → indie concert at Sala El Sol.

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7 days as a resident

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• Mon – Galleries in Salesas + vermouth at Bodega La Ardosa.

• Tue – Matadero Madrid + Madrid Río bike lane + vintage shopping in Malasaña.

• Wed – Royal Palace guard change → lunch at La Mar → opera at Teatro Real.

• Thu – Excursion to Toledo → sunset at Mirador del Valle → dinner at Osa.

• Fri – Golden Mile shopping → Four Seasons Spa → Fabrik techno night.

• Sat – Brunch rooftop Ella Sky Bar → Reina Sofía & Thyssen museums → flamenco at Cardamomo.

• Sun – Early Rastro flea market → paella at Casa Ardura → stroll through El Capricho Park.

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Tips

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• Advance booking essential for Michelin-starred restaurants and top clubs (deposit required).

• Tips: round up or 5–10% in restaurants; not expected at the bar.

• Water: tap is safe but hard; filter or buy mineral.

• Hours: lunch 1–4 pm, dinner 8–11 pm; clubs start around midnight.

• Safety: watch bags on Gran Vía and Metro lines 1 & 5.

• Climate: dry summers; wear a hat and book indoor attractions with AC.