Madrid’s culinary scene is constantly evolving, and there’s no better guide to the city’s food than Joy, a tour guide and Instagram star who has spent years exploring its markets, restaurants, and tapas bars. I recently interviewed her for my podcast, which you can listen to below but if you’re short on time, here’s a […]
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
In Spain, celebrating New Year’s Eve isn’t just about fireworks and festivities. It’s about grapes—12 of them, to be precise, one for each chime from the clock in Sol at midnight. Known as uvas de suerte, or lucky grapes, these bite-sized delights are thought to bring good fortune if you can manage to eat them
The bauble-like red berries from the madroño tree emerge right around the time Madrid’s Christmas lights get switched on, making them seasonal but extremely easy to miss against the neon blare. However, if you look carefully you can find them all around the city. And you can certainly spot representations of the tree on everything
With winter on the horizon, it’s a great time to explore Madrid’s rich literary heritage either with a good book in hand or by roaming the streets of the city’s literary district. In this month’s podcast, I hope to inspire you to just that by diving into the history of Barrio de las Letras (also
Literary Madrid: Barrio de las Letras and The Madrid Review Read More »
Updated 26/11/2025 Discover Madrid’s magical Christmas celebrations with my insider guide to markets, lights, ice skating, and Spanish traditions. If you’re planning a trip, these tips will help you make the most of your time. From blinged-up Christmas trees to pooping figurines, here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect! Christmas Markets: Plaza Mayor
For the latest episode of The Making of Madrid podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with writer Marsha Scarbrough, an experienced expat and correspondent for International Living magazine. Marsha was declared the “La Primera Exiliada” (the first exile) from Trump by El Mundo back in 2017 when she packed her bags and left for
Retiring to Madrid for US Citizens with Marsha Scarbrough Read More »
I love autumn in Madrid, the brutal summer is now an unpleasant sweaty memory and the scent of roasted chestnuts wafts through the crisp air reminding everyone that Día de Todos los Santos is drawing near. While Halloween dominates much of the Western world at this time of year, in Spain, a much more important
Male narratives have long dominated Madrid’s literary scene. So it was a heartening sight when Almudena Grandes’ name went up in lights in Atocha Station’s tropical garden in March last year. With the station officially rechristened Atocha Almudena Grandes in honour of the recently deceased novelist, it feels as if women’s literature is finally on
The female gaze: celebrating Madrid’s women writers Read More »
Are you curious about the hidden gems, rich history, and vibrant culture of Madrid? Then I have great news for you, I’ll be covering all this and more in my new podcast, The Making of Madrid (on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube podcasts). As a freelance journalist and long-time resident of this incredible city, I’ve
