Madrid/Salamanca

Daniel Levenson

• Museo Lázaro Galdiano

  phone: +34 915 616 084
  address: C/ Serrano, 122
  This museum houses the stunning collection of Spanish entrepreneur José Lázaro Galdiano (1862-1947) and is considered to be one of the best private collections in Spain. Not only will you find works by Goya, Velázquez, El Greco and others - the museum is also filled with jewelry, furniture, sculpture and ceramics. It is located in Lázaro Galdiano's rather lavish former residence. This is an excellent museum that is usually not crowded and well worth the price of admission.

• Museo Arqueológico Nacional

  phone: +34 915 777 912
  address: C/ Serrano, 13
  Don't let the sound of it frighten you. This large, well-designed museum opened again in April 2014 after several years of renovation works. It houses an incredible collection of archaeological finds from across the peninsula. It leaves the visitor with a sense of the chronology of civilization in Spain (Iberian, Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Visigoth, Arab, and into the modern age). The famous Dama de Elche, an Iberian (pre-Roman) goddess statue, is in this museum. There are also a few pieces from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.

• Fundación Juan March

  phone: +34 914 354 240
  address: C/ Castelló, 77
  A few blocks off high-end shopping street Calle Serrano, this private foundation houses free temporary exhibitions of (mostly 20th-century) art which are often worth checking out. 10-15 min walk from either Museo Lázaro Galdiano or National Archaeology Museum.

Carlos Delgado

• Parque de El CaprichoOne of the most beautiful parks in Madrid. Built in 1797-1839, it has a strong Romanticism influence. Declared as an Historic Garden, its lakes with swans and ducks, labyrinths, palaces, squares and fountains makes this a lovely place.

spettacolopuro

• Plaza de Toros de Las VentasThe birth place of bullfighting. Unless you find this spectacle distasteful, this is a must see if you visit Madrid during the bullfighting season (May, during San Isidro). Tickets may nevertheless be expensive and hard to get for the more important corridas. Anyway, it usually is used as a venue for shows and concerts.

• LAE Madrid Spanish Language School

  phone: +34 912 196 991
  address: C/ de Montesa, 35, 2º dcha
  Accredited by the Instituto Cervantes, the school offers fun Spanish courses in reduced group sizes (maximum 6 people). Learn Spanish while enjoying Madrid.

• Velazquez Español para Extranjeros

  phone: +34 915 779 122
  address: C/ Núñez de Balboa, 17, bajo derecha
  Teaches Spanish to international students. Accredited by the Instituto Cervantes.

Zaqarbal

Department stores

• El Corte Inglés Centro Comercial Serrano

• El Corte Inglés Centro Comercial Goya

Boutiques

FDV

• Adolfo Domínguez

  phone: +34 914 362600
  address: Calle Serrano 5
  Flagship store of the Spanish fashion designer. Another branch is in Calle Serrano 96.

• Carolina Herrera

  address: Calle de Serrano, 16

• Versace

  address: Calle de Serrano, 16

• Prada

  address: Calle de Serrano, 26

• Purificación García

  phone: +34 914 35 80 13
  address: Serrano, 28

• Hugo Boss Store

  address: Calle Serrano 28

• Saint Laurent

  address: Calle Serrano, 34

• Casa Loewe Madrid

  address: Serrano, 34
  Flagship store of one of the world's oldest luxury fashion brands, founded back in the middle of the 19th century in Madrid.

• Loewe Flores

  address: Goya, 4
  Another branch, just around the corner.

Asqueladd

• Christian Dior

  address: Calle de José Ortega y Gasset, 6

• Tiffany & Co.

  phone: +34 91 781 85 55
  address: Calle de José Ortega y Gasset, 10
  Exclusive silver jewellery

• Hermès

  address: Calle de José Ortega y Gasset, 12

• Dolce&Gabbana

  address: Calle de José Ortega y Gasset, 14

• Chanel

  address: Calle de José Ortega y Gasset, 16

Mid-range

• La Casa del Abuelo 3

  phone: +34 910 000 133
  address: C/ Goya, 57
  A third branch of the popular establishment.

• Estay Restaurante

  phone: +34 915 780 470
  address: Calle de Hermosilla, 46
  A great place for tapas, they offer a large menu, reasonable prices and excellent quality food. The solomillo al foie is excellent and the desserts come highly-recommended as well. Very crowded on Friday and Saturday nights.

• Bar Jaén III

  phone: +34 630 036 987
  address: Calle de Poitiers, 3
  An excellent tapas bar and restaurant. A nice place to enjoy Spanish food and lifestyle without spending too much. Located in a business park in the far-east of the city, it's far from being a tourist trap and you can enjoy good food and true raciónes (portions). The pleasant owners are very willing to share stories about Madrid and Spain more generally. In summer time it has a superb terrace, within a stone's throw of the Olympic Stadium.

Splurge

• La Trainera

  phone: +34 915 768 035, +34 915 750 631
  address: C/ Lagasca, 60
  A Madrid institution for decades, Trainera is an excellent but somewhat pricey restaurant serving strictly seafood dishes. They have a great wine selection and the waiters can recommend different vintages that will complement the food. Try the carabineros (giant scarlet shrimp) or the rodaballo (turbot).

Mid-range

• Osuna

  phone: +34 917 418 100
  address: C/ Luis De La Mata, 18
  A bit outlying, some 20 minutes metro ride to the central districts.

Splurge

• Gran Hotel Velazquez

  phone: +34 915 752 800
  address: C/ Velázquez, 62
  The Gran Hotel Velázquez is a 4 star hotel located in the Salamanca district. This hotel has been providing stylish accommodation for over 50 years.

• Gran Meliá Fénix

  phone: +34 912 764 747
  address: C/ Hermosilla, 2
  Distinguished by a grand and glowing white exterior; bathed in neo-classical design; an illustrious interior of flowing banisters, bold colors, and noble décor.

• Hotel Villa Magna

  phone: +34 91 5871234
  address: Paseo de la Castellana 22
  A 5-star hotel on one of Madrid's most exclusive streets. 151 rooms and suites. The hotel is surrounded by landscaped gardens.