The Making of Madrid
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Retiring to Madrid for US Citizens with Marsha Scarbrough
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 Madrid….
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…
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….
Three Museums that Reveal Madrid Through the Ages
From when mammoths stalked the Manzanares River to when Napoleon stomped through the city’s gates, these three museums reveal Madrid through the ages. And the good news is, they’re all completely free! The Museum of San Isidro: The Origins of Madrid The first of my three museums that reveal Madrid through the ages is The Museum…
Recent blog posts
Guide to La Latina
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 bustling…
Why Spain Has to Clamp Down on Airbnb
In cities around the world, a housing crisis is brewing, and platforms like Airbnb are increasingly being identified as part of the problem. What started as a seemingly innocent “sharing economy” concept has evolved into a force that’s reshaping urban housing markets—and not for the better. In my years living in Madrid, I’ve seen the impacts…
From Civil War to Chinese New Year: The Fascinating Evolution of Madrid’s Usera
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”! https://open.spotify.com/episode/7J96NmML0CuVKmKzyCrxkE?si=0e6de5ce1aee432c 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…
New Audio Tour of the City’s Muslim Origins
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 not…