The Making of Madrid

Your guide to Spain’s capital

See another side of Madrid with Lonely Planet guidebook writer Felicity Hughes.

.Journalist Felicity Hughes has been living in Spain’s capital for more than ten years. With a wealth of knowledge at her fingertips, she runs unique historical walking tours of Madrid that show another side to the city.

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Espadrilles on sale in Madrid

Madrid’s Oldest Stores

A tribute to Madrid’s oldest stores You may have noticed little brass plaques in front of shops in Madrid. Designed by the cartoonist Mingote, they indicate that the store in front of you has been in business for more than 100 years. An incredible feat considering that these shops have stayed the course through a civil…

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The Joy of Moving to Madrid

The reality of moving to Madrid can be fraught with stress, so if you’re considering it, it’s great to hear some tips from people who’ve made the switch and come out smiling. Instagram foodie superstar Joy Figueroa is a great example as she’s managed to stay true to her name by maintaining a positive outlook throughout….

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Three Myths About the Spanish Inquisition

Challenging the Myths of the Spanish Inquisition Founded in 1478 to root out false Jewish converts to Christianity, the Spanish Inquisition was a bloodthirsty organization that killed between 5,000 and 10,000 people during its 350-year existence. Given these horrifying statistics, it might seem odd to say that the Spanish Inquisition wasn’t quite as bad as it…

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Where to find a bathroom in Madrid

Updated 19 May 2025 Navigating Madrid’s public restrooms can be a challenging adventure for tourists and locals alike. From historic streets to modern museums, finding a clean and accessible bathroom requires insider knowledge and a bit of strategic planning. Public bathrooms: the awful reality Finding a public bathroom in Madrid can feel like a quixotic quest….

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Recent blog posts

Madrid Then vs Now

When David Price first arrived in Madrid in the 1990s, he stepped into a city that bore little resemblance to the polished capital we know today. As the owner of The Secret Kingdoms bookshop in the heart of Madrid’s literary district, David has witnessed three decades of extraordinary change that transformed Spain’s capital from a “scruffy…

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Is Madrid Still Worth Visiting in 2025?

The queue to the Prado usually snakes all the way around the building With 11 million visitors in 2024, Madrid finds itself grappling with the same overtourism challenges plaguing destinations worldwide. Rising accommodation costs, endless queues, and increasing local resentment have travellers questioning whether Spain’s capital is still worth the trip. As someone who works as…

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Hidden Gems: Campo del Moro

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. A…

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A Foodie’s Guide to Usera: Madrid’s Hidden Culinary Paradise

The final instalment in my three-part series exploring Madrid’s vibrant Usera neighbourhood After exploring Usera’s fascinating history and must-see attractions in my previous posts, it’s time to dive into what might be the neighbourhood’s greatest treasure: its incredible food scene. As one of Madrid’s most multicultural districts, Usera offers an unparalleled culinary journey spanning continents—from authentic…

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