Madrid, Europe's new luxury destination
7 December, 2022If we had to define “luxury”, we could probably agree that it goes beyond what we usually consider to be high-end. Luxury is walking through a vibrant city, strolling down its pedestrian streets and enjoying its gastronomy, culture, shopping and scenery at an unhurried pace. Luxury is being pampered, and Madrid knows all about that, about spoiling its visitors to make every trip unforgettable.
If you want a one-of-a-kind experience, head to Madrid and follow these tips.
Stay in the world's most luxurious hotels
You’ll be able to stay at one of the world's top luxury hotels. 2021 saw the arrival of the Four Seasons and the re-opening of the Mandarin Oriental Ritz and the Rosewood Villa Magna. This year they have be joined by new luxury hotels like The Madrid Edition by Marriott International or the Thompson Madrid hotel. 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.
Savour a Michelin-starred experience
For the gourmets among us, Madrid boasts 22 restaurants that feature in the prestigious Michelin guide, including the three-star DiverXO by the innovative Dabiz Muñoz, named once again Best Chef in the World at the sixth edition of The Best Chef Awards this year. In fact, his latest project RavioXO has been recently selected by this exclusive gastronomic guide to feature in its 2023 edition. It appears alongside two of the city’s new Japanese restaurants, which have been awarded their first star: Ugo Chan, with chef Hugo Muñoz at its helm, and Zuara Sushi, long-standing chef David Arauz’s most personal venture yet. Deessa by Quique Dacosta, located in the unique setting that is the Ritz, has been awarded its second Michelin star, and is further proof of the international prestige enjoyed by the capital’s fine dining and creative cuisine scene.
What’s more, the restaurant Coque by the two-Michelin-star chef, Mario Sandoval, holds on to its Green Star in recognition of its commitment to sustainability, an accolade also held by Rodrigo de la Calle, for his restaurant El Invernadero.
Go 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 percent 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.
Discover 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 over a hundred 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”, 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.
Explore 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 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 offers guided tours in small groups that allow you to discover the building’s lesser-known areas and spaces associated with this ancestral trade.
Enjoy a night of flamenco
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./
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