Look out, Barcelona—Madrid is more exciting than ever.
It ’s Spain ’s capital and largest city , a robust city with loads of historical meaning , plentiful culture , and tapas - fueled cuisine . And yet for years Madrid has languished in the shadower ofbeachier , breezier Barcelonawhen it come to tourism , welcomingfewer external hotel guestsas visitors have take to fall upon its coastal cousin instead . But if attracting tourists is a competition , well , it ai n’t over yet ; Madrid has undergone a recent cosmopolitan glow - up that means Barcelona might require to catch some Z’s with one centre open .
Some of the exciting changes in Madrid derive thanks to investments that give the metropolis room to evolve . Last year , Madrid ’s mayor unveil a plan to make Madrid a good city for residents and workers by 2030 , kickstarting the enterprise with a nearly € 4 billion investing into base and unripe works . And Euromonitor International’sTop 100 City Destinations Index 2022 , which range the cosmos ’s top performer in economic and business natural action — including tourism — placed Madrid at number four ( if you ’re counting , Barcelona was 9th ) .
Why Now Is the Time to Visit Madrid
Museums, plazas, and all the tapas you can eat in Spain’s ever-evolving capital.
To be clear , no one ’s position a nail in Barcelona ’s proverbial coffin . The city is still a wildly popular destination that domiciliate many of the country ’s fine ethnical institutions , some ofEurope ’s honorable beach , and excellent restaurants and nightlife . So , the history is n’t that Barcelona is on the decline — It ’s that Madrid is on the ascension .
One of the most obvious and impactful example of Madrid ’s late boost is the flock of newluxury hotelspopping up all over the city . That includes the marque - newThompson Madrid , plus the recently openedEditionandFour season , which are neighbor in the Salamanca neighborhood ’s fashionable Golden Mile territorial dominion . There ’s alsoUMusic Hotel Madrid , which open in November and shares a building with the newly renovated and reopenedAlbéniz Theater . It scram a nod from Cait English , the Madrid - based metropolis manager forDevour Tours , which engage culinary tours in 15 cities across six countries . “ You ca n’t miss the facade of the edifice , with its wooden statues of Spanish character that have n’t been up for public view since the former 1980s , ” she enjoin .
And , of course , with new hotels derive new restaurants , bars , and retail store , includingGalería Canalejas , which sits beside the Four Seasons . The sumptuosity destination sport 40 boutiques and a food anteroom lodging 13 restaurants , admit a few outpouring by Michelin - star chefs . unexampled hotels also bring investing into surrounding parks and plazas , gathering places that have long been a regular in Madrid .
Galería Canalejas
“ Public space all over the metropolis have been wholly refurbish to foreground and showcase the unbelievable historical and ethnic heritage of Madrid as the Spanish capital , ” says Carlos Erburu Zazpe , the general managing director of Thompson Madrid . Madrid ’s famousPlaza de Españareopened belatedly last year following a multi - class , $ 85 million renovation that get in more than 1,200 trees , instal better firing , and improved walkability by displace car dealings underground via a burrow . The belovedPuerta del Solin the heart of Madrid is undergoing a similar renovation . Once reopened , the internet site known for its clocktower and iconic statues will boast a new glass - fence gearing place and better pedestrian memory access .
The list of public spaces undergo renovations also includes the center located just outside the front doors of the Thompson Madrid , which is getting an update and will be terminate next year . Zazpe says it will be luxuriant , with more trees and specially - designed immature areas . “ It will be one of the very first sustainable square project in Madrid , optimizing urban connectivity , ” he explains . “ Over the last couple of age , Madrid has been uprise several projects in the metropolis with sustainability in mind . ”
Madrid ’s stately , updated plazas are worth the sojourn , but the city ’s cultural draws extend to its famous museums , including thePradoandReina Sofia . Last class it even welcome anew UNESCO World Heritage Site , when theLandscape of Lightwas award the appellative . This stretching of the metropolis admit the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree - linedPaseo del Pradoavenue and encompasses dozens of historical building , monuments , and fountain , plus popularEl Retiro Parkand the impossibly lushRoyal Botanical Gardens .
Madrid’s Dani Brasserie Is One Bar Worth Traveling For
Some bars feel like home… but these aren’t just some bars.
When touring the city take a toll , you have countless options for food and drinks . But while Madrid is rightfully recognise for its array oftapas bars , it ’s also become the place to go for high - oddment dining .
“ Madrid has increased its gastronomic offerings by opening unparalleled new eating house and bars , making the metropolis now a true culinary address , ” suppose Zazpe . The city currently boasts 30 Michelin stars awarded to 22 restaurants , so there ’s always an exceptional meal within range . But English says that she ’s most worked up about the fact that manyhigh - end sample menusthese day are reasonably approachable . Once the exclusive domain of extravagant restaurants cost hundred of dollar bill per soul , Madrid ’s taste menus have become more egalitarian in late years , allowing a more varied clientele to experience the food . English namesÉtimoas a personal favorite , where diners can score a 10 - grade meal for around € 90 .
And naturally , when you need a honorable drink to wash down those star - constellate eats , the urban center is happy to oblige . “ Madrid is starting to catch up to Barcelona ’s very cool nightlife cocktail scene , ” say English . She remark that Madrid ’s traditionally minimalist drink predilection are do path for somemore complex selection , with most neighborhoods featuring at least one ginmill specializing in craft cocktail . To experience this relatively new shift , make a plosive consonant atSalmon Guruto check out one of the best stripe in the Earth . English also recommendsSavasin the Lavapiés neighborhood , as well asVendittasin Las Letras , where a unique tapa bark is wait on with each drinking .
New luxury hotels popping up all over Madrid include the recently opened Edition.|The Madrid EDITION
These cocktail - focused bars provide a fun dividing line to Madrid ’s traditional cake scene , where some ecesis have been slinging beer , wine , and housemade vermouth for more than a century . But even this scene has gotten an update , as stylish new vermouth bars and restaurants likeGran Clavelare set a modern whirl on the customary practice session of enjoying a midday aperitif .
It ’s emblematic of the city ’s growth that raw bars , eating house , and hotel , as well as renovate public spaces , are n’t erasing Madrid ’s historic past . Rather , they are build up on long - remain firm tradition to sum even more people of color to the vibrant urban center .
Kevin Grayis a contributor for Thrillist .
New hotels bring new restaurants, bars, and retail shops, like Galería Canalejas.|Galería Canalejas
The Landscape of Light includes El Retiro park and the Paseo del Prado.|Flickr/celteverett
At Étimo, diners can score a 10-course meal for €90.|Etimo restaurante
Stylish new vermouth bars like Gran Clavel are putting a modern spin on the midday aperitif.|Gran Clavel
