DESTINATION
Fashion and craft
Day one
Stay: Tótem Madrid
On a leafy street in Salamanca, the fashionable crowd filing in are almost as smart as the space itself – dressed with squishy sofas in midnight-blue velvet and sweeping Arco-style lamps. With a freestanding bathtub under the eaves, the Attic Junior Suite is particularly charming. Tótem Madrid, Calle de Hermosilla, 23, Salamanca, 28001
Coffee: Toma Café
Patricia Alda and Santiago Rigoni opened this hangout in 2011, before craft coffee became a thing in the city. And it’s still one of the best for a flat white – working with organic and fair-trade farmers in Peru and Ethiopia, the team roasts the beans in-house. Toma Café , C. de Raimundo Lulio, 16, Chamberí
Breakfast: Alma Nomad Bakery
This laidback bakehouse smells like toasted sesame seeds. Grab a bundle of pistachio croissants and cardamom buns and walk two minutes to Plaza Olavide, where there are sun-lounger-style benches for scoffing treats in the warm rays. Alma Nomad Bakery, Calle de Santa Feliciana, 10, Chamberí, 28010
Head to: Las Rozas Village
Hop in a taxi to Las Rozas Village, just 30 minutes away. Or, book a private transfer via the Village and indulge in a more relaxed wait time while you shop. Las Rozas Village, Calle Juan Ramón Jiménez,3 Las Rozas de Madrid, 28232
A Madrid favourite built around a parrilla grill, Mentidero serves smoky plates of prawns and charred artichokes, alongside poké-style salmon bowls...
Shop: LOEWE
Founded in Madrid in 1846 by a collective of leather craftsmen, LOEWE is known for its buttery soft bags. Go for a chance at scooping a cut-price, bucket-style Pebble bag and stay for the rainbow-bright knitwear. *LOEWE, Las Rozas Village *
Shop: LOEWE Perfumes, Las Rozas Village
Fragrances from the Madrid house are inspired by Spanish herbs and botanicals. Look out for Un Paseo por Madrid – designed to reflect a stroll through the city – as well as the tomato-leaf scent, which has a cult following. LOEWE Perfumes, Las Rozas Village
Lunch: Mentidero Sal y Brasas
A Madrid favourite built around a parrilla grill, Mentidero serves smoky plates of prawns and charred artichokes, alongside poké-style salmon bowls and tuna tartare. All of which pair perfectly with a chilled glass of Albariño. Mentidero Sal y Brasas, Las Rozas Village
Shop: HOFF
This Spanish-born boutique sells bold suede men’s trainers, as well as sleek satin sneakers in ballerina pink. There’s also a fun pick-and-mix of pastel-coloured socks and laces to jazz up any footwear game, all at a great price point. HOFF, Las Rozas Village
Shop: TOUS
Founded in 1920, the Barcelona jewellery house is known for its mesh jewellery and teddy-bear motif. Look for studded bracelets and oversized molten hoop earrings, alongside a playful range of candy-coloured bags. TOUS, Las Rozas Village
Back to: Tótem Madrid
Drop your shopping bags in your room and sink into a sage-velvet sofa in the bar for a vermouth cocktail before heading out again. Tótem Madrid, Calle de Hermosilla, 23, Salamanca, 28001
Shop: Suma Cruz
Just a few steps from the hotel, it’s worth checking out Madrid-founded jeweller Suma Cruz en route to supper. From the choker woven with natural river pearls to the feathery, leaf-like Acacia earrings worn by Queen Letizia, each piece is an artistic statement. Suma Cruz, Calle de Claudio Coello, 47 Salamanca
Supper: Her
Three minutes further down the road and you’ll reach this lively Salamanca spot dishing up creative plates. On the menu are crispy aubergine mille feuille and fresh tuna wonton cones, as well as comforting wood-fired pizzas topped with spicy sobrassada. Her, Calle de Hermosilla, 4, esquina, Salamanca
Day two
Breakfast: La Duquesita
Often described as the best bakery in Madrid, La Duquesita has been serving exquisite pastries since 1914. It’s bustling with folk who pop in for chocolate-drizzled palmeras and espressos on the hoof, but the elegant tea room next door is a lovely spot for breakfast. La Duquesita, Calle de Fernando VI, 2, Chueca, 28004
Culture: Museo del Romanticismo
Aside from displaying a quaint collection of Romantic-era trinkets, this palace also provides a fascinating glimpse into the upper-class houses of Madrid in the nineteenth century. Don’t miss the oratory, where Goya’s San Gregorio Magno, Papa is hung. Museo del Romanticismo, Calle de San Mateo, 13, Chueca, 28004
Founded in 1854, Pablo Neruda apparently loved this traditional taberna – drawn perhaps by the charming marble-topped tables, ornate tiles and glass lampshades.
Shop: Javier S. Medina
Heritage and tradition are woven into everything inside this charming little workshop. Javier learnt esparto grass-weaving from his grandfather and, these days, Sarah Jessica Parker is a fan of his playful wall-mounted straw animal heads. Javier S. Medina, Calle El Escorial, 28, Malasaña, 28004
Shop: Casa González & González
Day-to-day chores are made magical by this petite homeware shop, stocked with carefully crafted vegetable brushes made from coconut fibre and ostrich feather dusters hand-stitched in South Africa. The virgin merino wool socks knitted in Spain make ethical souvenirs, too. Casa González & González, Calle de Pelayo, 68, Chueca, 28004
Shop: La Oficial
A fabulous space that’s the colour of scorched earth, sporting displays of bowls made in Girona splattered with cobalt-blue glaze (known as salpicado) and salt and pepper shakers shaped like sausage dogs. A dapper address for perfectly imperfect tableware. La Oficial, Calle de Pelayo, 43, Chueca, 28004
Shop: Despacio Concept Store
Meaning ‘slow’ in Spanish, Despacio concentrates on beautiful design. If you don’t have space in your suitcase for candles shaped like sticks of butter and retro Italian ice cream cups, pick up a Hay weekend bag to ferry them home. Despacio Concept Store, Calle de Belén, 10, Chueca, 28004
Lunch: Taberna La Carmencita
Founded in 1854, Pablo Neruda apparently loved this traditional taberna – drawn perhaps by the charming marble-topped tables, ornate tiles and glass lampshades. These days, it’s revered for its breaded veal cutlet and homemade Yirgacheffe coffee ice cream. Taberna La Carmencita, Calle de la Libertad, 16, Chueca, 28004
See: Albarrán Bourdais
Inside a grand old building painted ink-black is a showcase of European and Latin American artists. Dynamic exhibitions have included ‘Emergencia’ by Héctor Zamora, a risky piece of choreography where 30 actors simultaneously threw fragile terracotta pots to each other. Albarrán Bourdais, Calle del Barquillo, 13, Salesas, 28004
Dinner: Restaurante Coque
Run by three brothers, this is a seriously special two-star spot. The tasting menu is made up of 15 courses, including dishes such as sea urchin with white bean and truffle – all paired with wines from its 3,000-label cellar. Restaurante Coque, Calle del Marqués del Riscal, 11, Chamberí 28010
For a weekend away
BOSS
New Balance
Sandro
