Yimin ShenThis is an ultimate romantic guide on how couples should do Madrid in 24 hours. This article will give you tips on where to stay, what to eat, and what activities to do. If you are a young couple with a small budget, get ready for a romantic adventure.
For starters, choose the right place to stay
Mi Casa Inn is a student hotel located on calle Fuencarral, the main street in central Malasaña, the modern, hipster neighborhood and the best place for young couples. Along the street, there are restaurants, bars, shops, and clubs. Everything is within walking distance and nothing closes before midnight. Mi Casa Inn is equipped with a shared kitchen, lounge, laundry, and spacious private rooms with private bathrooms. It’s perfect for couples who want to socialize with other travelers and at the same time want their own privacy.
You can find Mi Casa Inn on airbnb for 35 dollars per night.
Brunch at Ojalá, enjoy the sandy beaches of Madrid
The sandy beach of restaurant Ojalá in Malasaña | Yimin Shen
Wake up, love birds. Roll down the curtain, crawl out of bed: it’s time to start your perfect day with a delicious meal at Restaurant Ojalá (calle San Andrés 1).
If you think Madrid does not have a beach, you are wrong. The Ojalá Restaurant in Malasaña is bringing a piece of a tropical summer to the city. The entire basement is covered with white sand; the lights change from pink to yellow to blue; and the music is slow and calming. Here, you can escape from the craziness of the city and have the most intimate beach date with your other half.
El Retiro Park, boats & roses
People paddling boats around lake inside parque del Buen Retiro| Yimin Shen
After brunch, walk southeast toward Gran Vía. After a 20-minute walk in Madrid’s most dynamic neighborhood Malasaña, you will find yourself in a beautiful park called el Retiro (Plaza de la Independencia, 7), the first biggest park in Madrid centre. Here, you can rent a rowboat (6€ for 45 minutes) and paddle around the lake. Or take a quiet stroll through La Rosaleda, the rose garden of the park and enjoy the company of 4,000 blooming roses.
The summer weather and the strong sunlight can be exhausting. It’s important to relax and refresh yourself in the middle of the day, whether under the trees at the Retiro or back at the hostel.
Picnic & Sunset at Temple of Debod
Amazing sunset at Temple of Debod | Yimin Shen
Pack sandwiches, some fruit, and a bottle of vine and visit the oldest monument in the city—the Temple of Debod (calle Ferraz 1). There, you can see an ancient Egyptian temple positioned over a small pool of water that creates amazing reflections under the sun. You can even enter the temple for free.
Located in the middle of Parque del Oeste, the temple overlooks the south side of the city and Casa de Campo, Madrid’s biggest park, making it an amazing spot to watch the sunset. Head toward the top of the hill and grab a seat in the shade in time for the sunset (around 9:35pm). There, enjoy your sandwiches with a bottle of wine while the sky becomes painted in yellow and orange.
Cocktail on a rooftop
Grab a glass of wine (4€) at Círculo de Bellas Artes rooftop bar (calle de Alcalá 42, 7th floor) and enjoy a 360º panoramic view of Madrid. The rooftop bar is located in the center of Madrid, right next to busy neighborhood Gran Vía. The place gets crowded in the summer so make sure to call or make a reservation online in advance for a table or a mattress spot. There is no better way to spend your evening than listening to live music, sipping sweet wine, and enjoying the best view of Madrid with your partner.
Dance your night away at El Sol
You cannot end your trip without experiencing Madrid’s night life. You are young, adventurous, in love, and hopefully tipsy (from the previous cocktails), so why not head to a club and dance your night away until el sol comes up? Surrounded by velvet curtain and soft pink lights, you will be able to enjoy a fusion of hip-hop, funk, and electronic music.
Ojalá; Calle San Andrés 1; What to order white sangria (3.5€), chicken tacos (5.5€ for two), passion of chocolate dessert (4€); What to wear pastel colored summer dress/shorts, light makeup, sandals; Sun-Wed 10am-1am, Thu 10am-1:30am, Fri-Sat 10am-2am; Metro Tribunal.
El Retiro Park; Plaza de la Independencia, 7; April to September from 6 am to 12 pm. From October to March from 6 am to 10 pm; Metro Retiro.
Temple of Debod; Calle Ferraz 1; Metro Plaza España.
Círculo de Bellas Artes; calle de Alcalá 42, 7th floor; Entrance fee 4€; Prices non-alcoholics 4€, wine 4€, cocktail 10€; Monday-Thursday 9am-2am, Friday 9am-2:30am, Saturday 11am=2:30am, Sunday 11am-2am; +34 913892500; Metro Sevilla or Banco de España.
El Sol; Calle Jardines 3; Entrance fee 9€ with one drink; Dress code casual; Music funk, hip-hop, EDM; Metro Gran Vía.
Travel Journalism, Photography & Video Internship Seminar in Madrid, Spain