Mad Cool Festival Culture Guide: Where to Eat, Play and Stay in Madrid
The post Mad Cool Festival Culture Guide: Where to Eat, Play and Stay in Madrid appeared first on Consequence.
Mad Cool Festival in Madrid is quickly approaching — come July 6th, crowds will be descending on the Spanish city in droves to celebrate five days of live music.
Ahead of the stellar lineup, which includes appearances from Metallica, Florence + the Machine, Jack White, and so many more, we’ve assembled a guide to make the most of the time in Spain’s capital city. Find insider recommendations for the best bites, coolest hotels (with last-minute availability!), and must-see attractions below.
Ed. Note: Saturday and Sunday single-day tickets to Mad Cool Festival 2022 are still available to purchase!
Eat
diverXO
If the promise of “avant-garde, hedonistic” cuisine isn’t promising enough, perhaps diverXO’s wild website will seal the deal. Located in a neighborhood in the northern part of the city, diverXO’s whimsical tasting menu can’t be missed. Make reservations here.
Bodega de la Ardosa
For a more casual option, consider tapas at Bodega de la Ardosa. This longstanding neighborhood spot can trace its origins to a chain of Madrid bodegas that dates back to 1982. Find details on today’s locations and their hours here — no reservations needed.
Mercado de San Fernando
For a diverse array of options, pop over to Mercado de San Fernando, an energetic market with various stalls offering all kinds of cuisine. As one of the five major markets in Madrid’s Centro neighborhood, Mercado de San Fernando also offers fresh produce and meats for anyone interested in preparing a meal of their own. Find out more about the marketplace here.
San Fernando Market
Revuelta
Revuelta translates to “stirred up,” which is a great description for the vibe of this bistro. Located near the vibrant Plaza Mayor in the heart of Madrid, Revuelta is a great place for locals and tourists alike. Find all essential info here.
Casa Labra
This longstanding eatery has a few special highlights — specifically cod and croquettes. With an interior that management has aimed to leave largely untouched over its many years (a century and a half!) in operation, Casa Labra has perfected both its menu and its atmosphere. Find out more and make reservations here.
Ochenta Grados
Ochenta Grados, which translates to eighty degrees, gets its name from a cooking technique of low-temperature preparation. This method has been said to best preserve original flavors in food, and the food at Ochenta Grados can be enjoyed both in restaurant and via takeaway. Make reservations or peruse their menu here.
Sala de Despiece
For more upscale tapas, Sala de Despiece offers an incredibly sleek and fresh menu. Create your dream meal by selecting via a food’s country of origin, main ingredient, or cooking preparation method. Three different locations offer different vibes throughout the city — explore and make reservations here.
1862 Dry Bar
With a name that references the year the first (Western) cocktail recipe book was published, 1862 Dry Bar infuses the past with the present. This refined cocktail bar boasts drinks “like they used to be,” and offer a visual feast ahead of visits on their Instagram. Get more details here, and wander in during your visit — no reservations.
1862 Dry Bar
Salmon Guru
This retro-style bar isn’t just known as one of the best bars in Madrid — it made it onto the list of the World’s 50 Best Bars of 2021. Enjoy cocktails, bites from “a freestyle kitchen,” and a retro atmosphere. Reservations are only accepted for large groups, but you can preview your visit on their website here.
Stay
AC Atocha Hotel
Located directly across the street from Puerta de Atocha train station, AC Atocha Hotel is the perfect balance of modernity and comfort. Plus, the hotel is located very close to Paseo del Prado and to three of Madrid’s best museums: Thyssen, Prado, and Reina Sofia. Make reservations here.
Rafael Atocha Hotel
Stay within the Golden Triangle of Art (aka the neighborhood in Madrid located between three of the most important art museums in the city). Rafael Atocha Hotel is located on a direct line to the festival grounds — find out more about the hotel and reserve a room here.
We Are Chamartin
This hotel offers the best of both worlds, just fifteen minutes from the airport but also located on a direct metro line to the festival. For an easy, modern option, check out reservations here.
AC Avenida de America
This Marriott brand hotel is located in the heart of Salamanca, offering access to the high-fashion shops of Calle Serrano and plenty of great dining. Via public transportation, this hotel will get you to the festival grounds in less than a half hour. Find out more about AC Avenida de America here.
Cat’s Hostel
Just 20 minutes from the festival grounds, Cat’s Hostel Madrid Sol captures the youthful energy of Mad Cool itself. In operation for over fifteen years, this hostel boasts 24-hour bar, reception, and staff. Make reservations and get details here.
Refresh
URSO Hotel & Spa
Take a deep dive into relaxation at URSO, located in the heart of Madrid. From rejuvenating massages to luxury skincare treatments and rejuvenating full-body exfoliating, time at URSO is sure to be time well-spent. Make reservations and peruse their full spa menu here.
UROS Hotel & Spa
Madrid Luxury Spa at the Four Seasons
Whether you’re interested in a solo visit or a romantic treatment for two, the Four Seasons has what you’re looking for. This luxury spa offers healing massages, an extensive variety of facials and skincare treatments, and a nail corner. Plus, this spa also offers wellness services in the form of mind/body rituals and fitness opportunities. Explore the details and make reservations here.
Four Seasons Madrid Spa
Sense at Rosewood Villa Magna
Described as an “urban oasis,” Sense boasts world-class amenities right here at a boutique hotel. With more unique options like bay leaf treatments, sense journeys, and balancing stone therapy, Sense gets to the root of wellness. Make a reservation or book a specific treatment here.
Sense, a Rosewood Spa
Sightsee
Lago de Casa de Campo
Escape the city for a bit with a jaunt to Casa de Campo Lake. With kayak and canoe rentals, as well as a plethora of lakeside walkways and casual grill restaurants, Casa de Campo Lake offers an escape that’s still less than 5 kilometers from center city areas like Plaza Mayor.
El Campo del Moro
Madrid is known for its many beautiful city gardens, including parks like Campo del Moro. According to their website, the gardens offer one of the best views of Madrid in the whole city.
El Campo del Moro
Museum of the Old Chamberí Metro Station
Located in an out of service metro station, Platform 0 is an exhibition project like no other. This suburban museum is an immersive peek into the history of the city of Madrid, and its transformations over the years thanks to technological and transportation developments. Find the museum’s hours and booking info here.
Museo Lázaro Galdiano
This stately mansion in Barrio de Salamanca now houses the private art collection of José Lázaro Galdiano, a Spanish publisher and longtime art collector. Find all the necessary info on the museum and library here.
Parque del Capricho
Capricho Park is located on the outskirts of the city, and, while it’s been a recognized park since the 1700s, it was restored beautifully and to its current glory in 1999. The expansive park includes a French garden, an English landscape, and an Italian garden, leaving the landscape divided into three equally interesting parts for visitors to wander. Find more details on the park here.
Matadero
Once a slaughterhouse for unlucky cattle, the Matadero is now a contemporary arts center, delighting visitors to over a dozen different spaces with unique capabilities for various artistic projects. Find the arts center’s schedule of upcoming work here.
Museo Sorolla
Originally the home of artist Joaquín Sorolla, Museo Sorolla was converted into a museum after his death. Now, his extensive collections of portraits and landscapes (along with work from his fellow artist and daughter Elena) are housed and preserved for the public to enjoy. Wander through the halls, which have remained as close as possible to their state when the house was inhabited by artists, and enjoy the work. Find details here.
Sorolla Museum
Parque del Oeste
If you visit Oeste Park, make sure to stop by the famed rose garden therein — an international rose competition is even held here every year. Plus, a charming cable car runs through the enormous green space, which is overall one of the larger parks in Madrid. Explore the official site here.
Palacio de Líria
Liria Palace (which is currently closed to the public through the end of June) was built in the 18th century, and stands today as an art lover’s dream. The members of the family of the House of Alba have historically maintained the palace as stewards of art, and the building today stands as one of the largest collections ever accumulated by European aristocrats. Find ticketing info and hours here.
Plaza España
After years of refurbishments, the newly renovated Plaza España has reopened as a grander, greener, and more sustainable attraction. Green space, trees, fountains, and more await visitors — get more info here.
Editor’s Note: Consequence is the North American media partner of Mad Cool and will be on the ground during next month’s festival.
Mad Cool Festival Culture Guide: Where to Eat, Play and Stay in Madrid
Mary Siroky
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