With the rise of remote work, Spain has become a hot destination for digital nomads. For those looking for an exciting urban experience, Madrid and Barcelona are both contenders for the top spot, but the choice can be tricky, as both cities have unique pros and cons. I recently invited Daniel Welsch, author of the […]
Madrid vs. Barcelona for Digital Nomads Read More »
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
Madrid for Foodies Read More »
Maybe you’ve seen the signature pouty lips and jutting Habsburg chin caught on canvas in Velázquez’s paintings of Felipe IV or perhaps you’ve seen it grow to even more ridiculous proportions in portraits of his son Carlos II (pic above). But just how did this jawline get so out of control? Interbreeding for power The
There’s a reason why Madrid’s most historic bars are still in business. After finding the right formula for success, these places have stuck to doing what they know best. Sometimes it doesn’t do to change with the times! Casa Labra There are some bars that, rather than advertise their existence, seem to actively discourage new
A brief crawl around Madrid’s most historic bars Read More »
San Pedro el Viejo and Madrid’s Muslim past Legends about Madrid’s dark past have long echoed through the city’s medieval streets, giving us flashes of insight into the city’s collective psyche. One of these legends involves a church nestled in the heart of historic La Latina. San Pedro el Viejo (or San Pedro el Real)
Key Moments in Madrid’s History: For Whom the Bell Tolls Read More »
On a visit to Madrid, it’s really easy to fall into the well-trodden paths. While the Royal Palace, the Prado and Retiro are all excellent places to visit, shuffling along with the crowds of tourists, you can feel as if you’re being force-fed a cookie-cutter experience that lacks any authentic flavor. But never fear, nine
Madrid off the Beaten Track Read More »
Dominating Cibeles, the Banco de España, with its imposing wrought iron doorways and gorgeous masonry, is one of Madrid’s most impressive buildings. But, being home to the country’s huge gold reserves, visits inside are strictly supervised and incredibly scarce. For most of us mere mortals, the only opportunity to penetrate this behemoth comes once a
A Peek Inside Banco de España Read More »
Tucked away in the heart of the city, Cava Baja is renowned for its boutique hotels and posh restaurants. But 100 years ago the ambiance was very different. A busy hub for traffic going in and out of the city via the Puente de Segovia, the street was filled with stagecoaches travelling to and from
Cava Baja: Madrid’s Old Transport Hub Read More »
Dear readers, The Making of Madrid has been going for more than two years now and over this time I’ve accumulated a vast store of fascinating factoids and intriguing anecdotes about my adoptive city. Keen to share this information with others, I decided to do a few one-off tours and found the experience so enjoyable that
The Making of Madrid Tours Officially Launched! Read More »
Grandson to Spain’s most awesome king Charles III, Ferdinand VII, was without a shadow of a doubt Spain’s worst ever king. While his subjects suffered terribly, this slug of a man managed to slither unscathed in and out of Napoleon’s conquest of Spain agreeing to whatever was asked of him in exchange for a gilded
Ferdinand VII: a massive dick Read More »
