Madrid, the chic and stylish city

I've long maintained that you don't have to stay at the most luxurious hotels to enjoy a chic and stylish holiday. Never is this more true than on a city break. Getting out to visit the city is far more important, with the room playing second fiddle to seeing the exciting and interesting culture the city has to offer.

So, here are my top places to visit for a stylish and chic break in my favourite city in Spain; Madrid.

Lunch
You won't necessarily get a seat and it's not waiter service, but without doubt you will find incredible food. For fantastic variety, food with great flavour and interesting creations head to Mercado de San Miguel. From sweet to savoury, traditional Spanish to global cuisine and all topped off with a drink. Usually bustling, this is well worth a trip.

Mercado del san miguel. Below left fruits, Below right sweet treats.

Day Activity
Parque del Retiro is well worth a visit, especially in the summer months. Amble through the park to see beautifully landscaped gardens, gorgeous plants and finally a boat ride. It can be fun for friends or romantic with someone special. You can hire a row boat for a little over 5 euros for 45 minutes. Enjoy the sunshine or get some exercise rowing around the lake.

Parque del Retiro in the sunshine.

Dinner
For the best tapas in the city, head to Lateral. Their restaurants are dotted all over the city, but I would head to Plaza de Santa Ana. It's lively into the night and had a great outside seating area. The tapas is both delectable to look at and delicious to taste. My top pick: Pimientos del piquillo rellenos de carne.

The best tapas in Madrid (Photo courtesy of Lateral website, linked below)

Drinks
For cocktails with the girls or if it's a romantic get away a drink with your loved one, the place to head to is The Penthouse. The best news, you only need to stumble a few yards from Lateral in Santa Ana. The Penthouse is one of those bars which has a lot going for it, great cocktails, stylish ambience and best of all unbeatable views of the city. The drinks aren't cheap, but they are worth it, you're paying for a great experience too.

So, once you've exhausted yourself with a long day in the city it won't matter whether your returning to a budget hotel or a luxurious one.

Nora x

Check out Lateral and Penthouse, below.
http://www.cadenalateral.com/inicio/inicio.html
http://thepenthouse.es/