8 minute read
MADRID MEANS LUXURY
Madrid, Europe’s new luxury destination
Captivating, cosmopolitan, and buzzing with energy, the Spanish capital introduces discerning travellers to a high-end lifestyle awash with premium experiences, from gastronomy and culture to shopping and stunning scenery, as our top 10 tips reveal
If we define ‘luxury’, it goes beyond what we typically consider to be high-end. Luxury in its purest form is walking through a vibrant city, strolling along its pedestrianised streets and enjoying its gastronomy, culture, shopping and scenery at an unhurried pace. Luxury is being pampered, and Madrid knows all about that, spoiling its visitors to make every trip unforgettable.
Moreover, numerous internationally prestigious firms have chosen to open their flagship establishments in Madrid, adding to its extraordinary range of premium o erings, which include 21 Michelin-starred restaurants, centuriesold restaurants, artisan shops, stores by designer brands and a historical and cultural heritage that truly sets the city apart. All of this is evidence of a clear trend: the Spanish capital is becoming Europe’s new luxury destination. If you want a one-of-a-kind experience, head to Madrid and follow these top 10 tips: 1Stay in the world’s most luxurious hotels Madrid is home to some of the world’s leading luxury hotels. 2021 saw the arrival of the Four Seasons and the reopening of the Mandarin Oriental Ritz and the Rosewood Villa Magna. This year they will be joined by new luxury hotels including The Madrid Edition by Marriott International, which will be located opposite the Convent of Las Descalzas Reales. What’s more, over the next two years, Gran Vía Avenue and the surrounding area will welcome at least five new hotels, some of them housed in iconic spaces like the Metrópolis building.
2Admire Galería Canalejas, a new icon of luxury A host of exclusive fashion brands have opened shops in Madrid in recent years. The famous streets of Calle Serrano and Calle Ortega y Gasset in Barrio de Salamanca, a benchmark for Madrid’s premium sector, have been joined by a new symbol of luxury: Galería Canalejas. Spanning some 15,000 metres and just a stone’s throw from the centrally located Puerta del Sol, the new avant-garde space contains some of the world’s top fashion, designer jewellery and accessories brands. New shops will continue to open in 2022, joining those that are already trading such as Hermès and Cartier. It’s a first-class experience that’s complemented by delicious culinary options in the spectacular Food Hall, which has more than a dozen restaurants that serve di erent styles of food from a range of countries.
3Savour a Michelin-starred experience Madrid is a foodie’s dream, with 21 Michelin-starred restaurants including the three-starred DiverXo, run by innovative chef David Muñoz. Creative haute cuisine also features prominently at establishments with brand-new Michelin Stars like Smoked Room, run
ABOVE: El Retiro Park, part of the Landscape of Light, a new UNESCO World Heritage Site
by chef Dani García and located in the hotel Hyatt Regency Hesperia Madrid; Quimbaya, Madrid’s first signature Colombian restaurant, helmed by chef Edwin Rodríguez; and Deessa, run by the famous Quique Dacosta and located in the unique setting of the Mandarin Oriental Ritz.
In addition, Coque, a restaurant with two Michelin stars helmed by Mario Sandoval, has been awarded a Green Star. This distinction, which recognises commitment to sustainable gastronomy, is also held by Rodrigo de la Calle’s restaurant El Invernadero.
4Journey to Madrid’s gastronomic past Did you know that according to Guinness World Records, the world’s oldest restaurant is in Madrid? Founded in 1725, with almost three centuries of history, Botín is the well-deserving holder of this record, which makes it one of Madrid’s most authentic dining options. If you want to keep exploring the Spanish capital’s culinary roots, you can follow the itinerary suggested in the Illustrated Map of Century-old Restaurants and Tabernas (esmadrid.com). These establishments represent Madrid’s tradition, culture and gastronomy, and in 2021 they were declared cultural and tourist sites of special significance and general interest to the city. After extensive remodelling, it is now a greener, more accessible area spanning 70,000 square metres. 1,100 trees were also planted, helping to make Madrid a more environmentally friendly city and making the green spaces the trees connect to, like the Sabatini Gardens, Casa de Campo Park, Campo del Moro Park, Madrid Río Park and Oeste Park, even greener.
6Go for a walk that combines nature and culture Walking in Madrid is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have, but if you do it in a setting that combines natural scenery with culture, it’s even better. You’ll know what we mean if you visit the area known as the Landscape of Light, a unique setting encompassing Paseo del Prado and El Retiro Park, which has just been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Culture, science and nature come together in its 190 hectares, 75 per cent of which are green spaces. It’s an excellent opportunity to visit the major art galleries in Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art: the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía museums. You’ll also discover less well-known institutions such as the Decorative Arts Museum, the Royal Astronomical Observatory and the Botanical Gardens.
If you want an extra dose of culture and nature, don’t miss other delightful museums scattered around the city – and their gardens, which are no less charming – such as the Sorolla Museum, the Lázaro Galdiano Museum and the Museum of Romanticism. They offer a way to enjoy both art and nature, which are things that Madrid has in spades.
TOP RIGHT: Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art includes the Prado BELOW FROM LEFT: Madrid’s restaurant scene is thriving; the new Four Seasons Madrid 5Plan some outdoor activities and breathe in the fresh air At a time when we’re more eager than ever to connect to the environment, embrace sustainability, take in some fresh air, enjoy anything that makes us feel safe, and improve our quality of life, outdoor activities have assumed a special significance.
In addition to green lungs like El Retiro Park and Casa de Campo Park, the Spanish capital has some new areas that have truly transformed the city. One of them is Madrid Río Park, a vast recreational and cultural setting located along the Manzanares River. Moreover, the restoration of its natural landscape has created a veritable ecological corridor for numerous species, and once again the area is home to some surprising fauna, something unheard of a handful of years ago when it was invaded by an urban motorway.
The Spanish capital also recently completed one of its biggest sustainabilityrelated projects: the new Plaza de España.
ABOVE: Madrid’s traditional Capas Seseña; RIGHT: Luxury is – strolling Madrid’s streets
7Discover shops with products made in Madrid Las Salesas, Lavapiés, Barrio de Las Letras (Literary Quarter), Chueca, Malasaña, Conde Duque, La Latina, Madrid de los Austrias (Hapsburg Madrid). All of them are must-visit neighbourhoods on any premium shopping route worth its salt, as they’re home to Madrid’s most exclusive shops and studios. Not only are they part of the city’s history (many of them are more than 100 years old, including Matarranz, which specialises in household textiles, Capas Seseña, Sombrerería Medrano and Guitarras Ramírez), but also its way of life, which places importance on quality, design, detail and passion. So much so, in fact, that many young people are taking up old trades and combining them with new approaches, showing that they’re not just a thing of the past. One look at Glent’s handmade shoes, the ‘eco-friendly trophies’ made by Javier Medina from materials like bamboo or the necklaces and bracelets that Andrés Gallardo crafts in his studio-shop in Barrio de las Letras will give you an idea of the Made in Madrid boom the city is experiencing.
Capes, gloves, hats, meninas (figurines that pay tribute to Velázquez’s painting), crockery, fans, Manilla shawls, jewellery, handbags, furniture, tapestries, violet sweets and guitars are just some examples. Follow the tips in the guide ‘Shopping: Madrid’s Artisans Old and New’ (esmadrid.com), which includes a range of establishments from the past and present so you can choose the ones that appeal to you and mark them on your itinerary.
8Explore museums and cultural venues on a private tour At some of Madrid’s top art galleries, including the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofía Museum, you can admire the masterpieces they house on private tours that are fully compliant with COVID-19 safety protocol and are designed to suit your specific needs. There are also other fascinating spaces that you can explore by reserving a special tour, like Liria Palace, the residence of the House of Alba in Madrid and the main seat of its art collection and historical archive, or the Royal Tapestry Factory, which just celebrated its 300th anniversary and o ers guided tours in small groups that allow you to discover the building’s lesser-known areas and spaces associated with this ancestral trade.
9Thrill to the musicals of Madrid’s ‘Broadway’ Madrid’s calendar of events is full of major stage productions, and musicals are one of its highlights. The Spanish capital’s extensive range of musical productions has become one of its biggest cultural attractions. Most of them are staged on Gran Vía avenue, which is why it’s considered the ‘Broadway of Madrid’. If you prefer opera, you should head to Teatro Real. Set in the centrally located Plaza de Oriente, it’s a key venue on the international opera house circuit. 10Enjoy a night of amenco There’s no better way to end a delightfully indulgent day than enjoying an art that’s part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, especially when it’s an art that finds its ultimate expression in Madrid: flamenco! There’s nothing more magical than falling under the spell of the tablaos (flamenco clubs) where some of the genre’s key figures rose to fame. Corral de la Morería, for example, has over sixty years of history and is considered the oldest, most famous tablao in the world. Get ready for an unforgettable experience as you delight in being told a story through this unique form of song and dance. Art, enchantment, power, expressiveness... There are as many ways to define flamenco as there are to enjoy Madrid.
If life were a city, it would be Madrid
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