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Everything on the board — events, plans, places, tour maps, intercambios and guides.
Your first 48 hours in Madrid
A short list, in order, of what to actually do first.
Making friends in Madrid when your Spanish is bad
The honest version, from people who have done it.
Navidad in Madrid — lights, markets and Cortylandia
The centre from late November to Reyes.
Free tapa with your caña
Still standard in a lot of Madrid bars — here is where.
Sunday vermut
The city's actual Sunday ritual, and it is cheap.
Museo Reina Sofía
Guernica, and the best modern collection in the country.
MadridBabel Sunday intercambio
Sundays 19:00 · Plaza San Martín / Canalla Irish bar. Organiser: MadridBabel. Free entry.
Free organ recital — San Ginés
Half an hour of Bach in a church older than the country.
Feria del Libro del Retiro
The book fair takes over the park for a fortnight from late May.
Noche de San Juan
Bonfires and the shortest night, 23 June.
Day trips from Madrid by train
Toledo, Segovia, El Escorial and Alcalá — how and what it costs.
Barrio by barrio: where to stay, drink and live
An honest guide to Madrid neighbourhoods.
Malasaña & Chueca: the modern Madrid walk
Street art, record shops, the 1980s Movida, and where to stop for a caña.
Flamenco tablao — late show, Lavapiés
Small room, no microphones, two guitarists and a singer.
Madrid Restaurant Week
26 Oct – 4 Nov 2026. Set tasting menus at participating restaurants across the city during Restaurant Week (la…
Beer buckets and cheap jarras
The student-budget standby, any night.