Originally published 8 December 2025 As a tour guide and Lonely Planet guidebook writer, I’ve been pounding Madrid’s streets for more than a decade, exploring not only its busy grand boulevards but also its charming quieter corners. So I’m a good person to ask about accommodation options if you’re a first timer with only a […]
Where to Stay in Madrid: A Local’s Guide to the Best Neighborhoods Read More »
Nestled below the royal palace lies one of the city’s most beautiful and overlooked treasures: the Campo del Moro gardens. One of the destinations in my new book Quiet Madrid: A Guide to the City’s Third Spaces and Hidden Places, these stunning gardens offer both tranquility and a fascinating glimpse into the city’s medieval past.
In the heart of old Madrid and yet a world apart from the touristy mayhem surrounding the royal palace, La Latina is the perfect place to base a stay in the city. For me, the steeply sloping squares and cobbled streets of the barrio (neighbourhood) offer a tranquil retreat into historic Madrid. By contrast, the
This is the first in a three-part series exploring Madrid’s Usera district. Look out for upcoming episodes/posts on “Things to Do in Usera” and “A Foodie’s Guide to Usera’s Multicultural Cuisine”! In a city as historically rich as Madrid, it’s easy to focus solely on the grand boulevards and famous plazas of the centre. But
From Civil War to Chinese New Year: The Fascinating Evolution of Madrid’s Usera Read More »
Think you know Madrid? Think again. Beneath the grand boulevards and baroque palaces lies a city with a very different origin story—one that’s largely hidden from view. My new audio tour with Voicemap, Medieval Madrid: A Guide to the City’s Muslim Past, peels back the layers of time to reveal a forgotten history that begins
Madrid’s Lavapiés neighborhood is home to one of the city’s most overlooked cultural treasures: the Museo de Artes y Tradiciones Populares. While this hidden gem lies off the beaten tourist track, offering a peaceful retreat from Madrid’s busier attractions, be warned that on a Sunday, you’ll find it closed when the bustling Rastro market takes
Hidden Gems: Museo de Artes y Tradiciones Populares Read More »
After eight years of blogging about the city of Madrid, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my new guidebook: Quiet Madrid. A great companion to the Lonely Planet Madrid guidebook I worked on last year, this book features my own photography taken during countless explorations of Madrid’s quieter side, along with tons of insider
Madrid is full of world-famous attractions, but if you only stick to the big hitters, you’ll miss out on some of the city’s most fascinating spots. For every overcrowded tourist trap, there’s a dusty but delightful museum waiting to be discovered. It’s a topic I tackle in my latest podcast, which you can listen to
Most people associate Spanish wine with the Rioja or Ribera del Duero regions. So it comes as a surprise that Madrid DO (Denominación de Origen) produces some truly exceptional wines that deserve more recognition. This topic was top of the agenda during my recent podcast interview with Luke Darracott, co-owner of Madrid & Darracott –
Tucked away in the old part of Madrid is a street with an interesting saying attached to it: “Quien no pasa por Calle de la Pasa, no se casa.” This means: “Whoever doesn’t pass by Calle de la Pasa, won’t get married.” Surprisingly, this was not a superstition, the saying was 100% true if you
