Fiesta del Cine begins this Monday, the 27th, and continues until Wednesday, the 29th, during which time all films in participating theatres can be watched for just 2,90€.  The event takes place across Spain in over 250 different venues, listed under Salas Adheridas on their webpage.  Films shown in each venue vary; both new and old can be found, as well as screenings in V.O. (Original Version) with subtitles, in cinemas such as Yelmo Cines and Renoir.

Fiesta del Cine is a great excuse to explore the theatres of Madrid, at the very economic price of 2,90€!

If the word ‘running’ ‘exercise’ or the idea of general movement makes you want to crawl under a rock, it’s probably best you look away now. But before you do… I want to make it clear that I am no running expert, I was always picked last for sport’s teams (sob), so why not hear me out.. 😉

Beautiful photography taken by Lauren Haynes on her run along Madrid Rio.

I have recently discovered the world of running (scorn all you like) but I can honestly say, without shame, that I am hooked. I always used to convince myself that I wasn’t a runner, and that I did my daily exercise running up and down the metro every day, barging and weaving my way past the incessantly slow Spaniards who did a great job of ignoring my tomato face.

One day, however, my perspective changed. I was walking past Lots of Colours (a great shop by the way on Calle Fuencarral that is actually affordable) and I saw some running shoes on offer in the window for 29 euros (this explains why they absolutely destroyed my feet, but that’s another story). They were taunting me, testing me. I had to buy them to make them shut up!

So anyway, I bought the shoes. Next step: use them. It’s harder than it seems, trust me. On a whim one day, I went out for my first clumsy run, feeling silly and self-conscious, but after at least 15 minutes I found myself running alongside Templo de Debod, near Plaza de España (for those of you who have yet to visit it, at night time it is lit up in a particularly majestic way), and suddenly I almost forgot that I was doing exercise and was simply enjoying the view. Madrid is a great place to run, once you have managed to escape the main streets, and there is the added benefit that you are unlikely to bump into anyone you know.

If I still have your attention so far, you might want to consider some of the great running opportunities there are in Madrid, because believe it or not there are races almost every weekend! The atmosphere is always alive and buzzing, even at 9.30 on a Sunday morning, and if you sign up you get a free t shirt and some food at the end the race (there I knew I could convince you).

Getting ready to start, check out the lycra ;)

Taken at X Carrera Popular Distrito de Retiro, 26th October.

So here is what November in Madrid has in store for you:

1. 4a Carrera Popular, Corre por el Niño:

Distance: 4 and 10 kilometres (A little bizarre, but a great one to get started!)

When: Sunday 9th November, 9:30 am

Where: Retiro Park

Cost: 10€  (which goes to El Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús)

Website

2. XXXI Medio Maratón de Villaverde:

Distance: 21.097  kilometres (a half marathon)

When: Sunday 16th November, 9:30 am

Where: Metro Ciudad de Los Ángeles, line 3.

Exit: C/Unanimidad (Auditorio El Espinillo)

Cost: 12.60€

Website

3. Derbi de Las Africiones:

Distance: 10 kilometres

When: Sunday 16th November, 9:00 am

Where: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, line 10

Cost: 12€

Website

4. IV Carrera de los Emprendedores:

Distance: 5 & 10 kilometres

When: Sunday 23rd November, 9:00 am

Where: Retiro Park

Cost: 8€ (possibility of discount if you sign up before 26th October)

Website

5. XXXV Trofeo Jose Cano:

Distance: It varies from 2-10 kilometres

When: Sunday 23rd November, 9:00 am

Where: The nearest metro stops are: Las Musas, San Blas or Alsacia

Cost: free for the first 300 who sign up otherwise 16€

Website

So I wanted to give a little summary of how I got into running, just to prove to readers that I am no athlete, and it can be a great way to keep fit (and for free!) If you know of any more running activities please feel free to share them!

After the X Carrera Popular Distrito de Retiro, 10 kilometre – happy running!

If you are really into running and you want to stay up-to-date with the latest running events in Madrid and beyond, please check out my blog: www.goguiri.com where you can also read my running diary. 

Where can you jump off a 10-meter high springboard in olympic style? Play waterpolo? Or swim laps? Look no further, cause we’re about to tell you…

Summer is technically over in September, yet that doesn’t mean the pool fever has to stop. Quite the opposite, actually, as winter is the perfect time to suit up your speedo, dive into the water, take a deep breath and start moving like a dolphin (or a shark) in the pool. And the best part is that you can do all this without having to share your pool lane with a thousand people.

Madrid boasts many state-of-the-art sports complexes with indoor pools around the city, allowing you to splash around all year long. Whether you like the front crawl, backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke or even just floating around and enjoying the silence (my favorite style), you’ll be able to do it all. What’s more, you can also partake in water sports like waterpolo, scuba-diving or, the coolest option, springboard jump!

So lets go dive into Madrid, shall we?

Real Canoe

The club was established in the 1930’s. Since then, it’s been a home to all kinds sports like rugby, basketball, squash, football, and of course, water sports such as swimming, synchronized swimming or waterpolo. Today you have many different ways to enjoy the place, from becoming a full member to having the swim pass to enjoy your favorite sport. The’ve also got a scuba-diving club!

Facilities

• 2 main pools
• Basketball court or multisport center
• A few squash and pádel courts
• Fully equipped gym
• Cafeteria

Fees

They have a few options and ways to enjoy their facilities, but these are the main ones:

A) Full Canoe membership. This option is really good if you are planning on staying in Madrid long term.

• Schedule from 7am to 9.55pm (everyday – no limitations)
• It costs 500€ (one time fee) + 97,52 € every two months. Although it can be expensive to become a full member, sometimes they offer promotions, such as by waiving the initial fee or reducing the membership fee

B) Free use of pool in Canoe. They have more options but these are the ones I would get:

• Schedule
  • Mondays to Fridays………..7am-4pm (option 1)
  • Saturday and Sunday………8pm-9.55pm (option 2)
• Fees 
  • 1 month…………………….62€ (option 1) | 50€ (option 2)
  • 2 months…………………101€ (option 1) | 77€  (option 2)
  • 3 months…………………150€ (option 1) | 113€ (option 2)
  • 4 months…………………189€ (option 1) | 143€ (option 2)

*For more options check out this link (only in spanish)

Contact Canoe

• Adress: Calle Pez Volador, 30
• Neighborhood / District:  Estrella, Retiro 
• Tel: 91 504 40 45

Centro de Natación mundial 86

In the summer of 1986, Madrid was home to the World Aquatics Championships, therefore, the city built a complex to celebrate such an event. Today, thousands of Madrileños enjoy the facilities all year long; in the summer pools where you can spend the day swimming and having fun, and in the winter pools, where you can swim at your leisure or take affordable swimming lessons.

Here you will find a very special class: Springboard jump. No matter your age or level, prepare to learn how to jump off a 10-meter high springboard in olympic style! Continue reading for more details.

Facilities

• Two olympic size pools (10 and 8 lanes)
• Springboard jump / diving pool
• Fully equipped gym
• Sauna

1. High dive / springboard jump (max. 10 meters high). Main activities:

What you have to know about the class:

• Schedule:
  • Monday to Friday ……….1.30pm-3.30pm
• Price 60€ (10 hours per week)

One-time trial class: 15€

*They are working on new schedules and rates, depending on how many people would like to join the class.

**For more info, keep an eye on our Facebook.

Contact:  Álvaro 636 628 455 / alvaroprietolafuente@gmail.com  (only Spanish)

2. Free use of pool, Mundial 86.

Here is what you should know:

• Schedule:
  • Monday to Friday ……….8.30am-10pm
  • Saturday & Sunday…….. 9am-1pm
• Price
  • Abono club (Highly recommended) …….43,15€/monthly fee
  • Other rates for less young people:
    • Senior (55 – 64 years old) 39,05€
    • 65 years old or more 22€

Contact

• Adress: Calle José Martínez de Velasco, 3
• Neighborhood / District:  Estrella, Retiro 
• Tel: 914 091 026 | 663 854 716 

Some other options: Piscinas Municipales (Public Pools)

If going to Estrella doesn’t sound good to you, or you just want to go to the closest public sport center, there is also a wide variety of places where your swim. The one that I, along with many Madrileños, like the most, is Escuelas de San Antón, which we mentioned in a previous post on the Best Places to Break a Sweat in Madrid. Although you can also have a look at the list of Madrid’s public gyms to find the most convenient center for you.

Centro Deportivo Municipal Escuelas de San Antón

Facilities

• Swimming pool
• Spa
• Gym

Schedule

• Monday to Friday…….7am-10.30pm
• Saturday…………………8am-8.30pm
• Sunday……………………9am-6.30pm

*All classes schedule

Fees

Monthly fee 47,45€

* All fees list (Spanish)

Contacto

• Adress: Calle Farmacia, 13 
• Neighborhood / District:  Justicia, Centro
• Tel: 918 289 006

Lista completa de Piscinas climatizadas pública

As you may already know, Madrid has a wonderful world of swimming pools that open up during summer. Here are my favorites:

• Madrid’s Best Public City Swimming Pools

• Madrid’s Best Natural Swimming Pools (in the mountains)

If you’re looking for the best gyms and fitness clubs in Madrid, check out:

• Best Places to Break a Sweat in Madrid

Sometimes in life, you find yourself taking sides on what really matters:  dogs or cats? living in the city or in a town? Here comes a difficult one: pizza or burger? From now on, you won’t have to struggle on the next question in Madrid: day trip to the ocean or hiking in the mountains? Cause the answer is piscina natural!!

Las piscinas naturales, or natural swimming pools/ponds, are a pleasant alternative to the more common ones in the city (take a look at our previous post, my top 4 city swimming pools in Madrid). As far as I know, this kind of pool is chemical free and uses the water that flows from a river to fill the pool. Here in Madrid, we are lucky enough to live relatively close to a few of them. Since summer has now come and it’s going to stick around for a while, go give yourself a break and enjoy life in the “Sierra de Madrid”. 

Here are my top three! 

(note–they’re all open now but I highly recommend calling beforehand to confirm their hours, sometimes they change without warning)

1. Piscinas naturales de Cercedilla (Las Dehesas)

Cercedilla by Marcelo Concina

Cercedilla by ABC

What you need to know:

Cercedilla’s pool is my favorite because it’s the closest to the city and the easiest one to get to. Before going, you should know that there is a “small” 30-60min walk from Cercedilla’s train station to the pool. Although you can get a bus that makes it shorter, I’d recommend walking and enjoying the landscape. Also, that way you’ll really feel you deserve the swim.

Telephone: 91 852 57 40 / 91 852 22 00 (Tourism office)

Schedule: 10am to 8pm (Season 2014: They are open since June 13th!!)

How to get there:

• Quick link to how to get to Cercedilla
• Bus from Cercanias train station to the pools

How much is it?

• Working days: 5,50€
• Weekends: 6,50€
• Others: Children and elderly 3,50€ / They also have group prices.

*Note: If it’s the first time you go there, ask somebody to tell you in which direction you have to walk.

2. Piscinas naturales Buitrago de Lozoya (Riosequillo)

Buitrago de Lozoya by Kripsol

Buitrago de Lozoya by Canalgestión

What you need to know:

My perfect day trip would be visiting Buitrago de Lozoya town in the morning, follow by spending the afternoon at the pool while enjoying the view. Buitrago’s pool is a bit farther than the one in Cercedilla, and the public transportation is not as convenient. However, the town and the pool  deserve a try.

Telephone: 91 293 20 47 (Info) / 91 868 00 56 (City hall) / 91 545 10 00 (Canal de Isabel II)

Schedule: 10am to 8pm (Season 2014: They are open since June 21st!!)

• Working days(From Thuesday to Friday): 11.30 am to 8.30pm
• Weekends and holidays: 11am to 9pm 
• *Note: Mondays are closed. Better to go on a weekday.

How to get there:

• Quick link to how to get to Buitrago
• *Note. Ask the bus driver where to get off, it’s not the last stop and you don’t want to get lost!

How much is it?

• Working days: 2,50€
• Weekends: 3€
• Others: Children and elderly 1,50€

3. Piscinas naturales Rascafría (Las Presillas)

Rascafria by rascafria.eu

rascafria by javidemadrid.tumblr.com

What you need to know:

Last but not least, Las Presillas pool in Rascafria is the farthest pond from Madrid and the less convenient to go by public transportation. Although the entrance is free and looks like the most natural and authentic. Plus, the bar area is great!

Telephone: 91 869 18 04 (Las Presillas) / 91 869 11 71 (Rascafria City hall)

Schedule: 9am to 9pm

How to get there:

• Quick link to how to get to Rascafría

How much is it?

• The entrance is free!!
• Parking is 5€ a day.

Some of these swimming pools only open in Summer—if you’re looking to take a dip in Autumn, Winter or Spring, check out “Madrid’s top pools open year-round and much more“. 

One of my very best memories as a child is swimming in Madrid’s summer pools. Growing up in the city, we used to go to one of the pools close to my home near Retiro almost every day in summer. There, we would spend the day swimming, running and eating at the cafetería. A few years later, the story repeated itself but this time with my friends. We got together and talked and enjoyed the summer heat and calmness as if there was no tomorrow.

I’m writing this article today because summer is here, the pools are open and I want to relax and enjoy my day off. On this list, you’ll read about 4 public swimming pools in the centre of Madrid that you will most certainly find me in this summer. To be honest, I’m not really sure they are the best of the city, but I can guarantee you that all of them will make you forget that Madrid doesn’t have the sea…

*at the end of this post you’ll find a link to all of Madrid’s municipal pools, prices and info. And if you’re looking for natural swimming pools outside the city, check out our post on “Madrid’s Best Natural Swimming Pools” which are located in nearby mountain towns.

Summer pool by UCM

1. Complutense University of Madrid (La complu!)

Awesome student atmosphere and CHEAP bar food!!! It’s a party.

Schedule: 11h to 20h (11am to 8pm)

What you need to know:

• Address: Avenida Obispo Trejo, s/n – 28040 Madrid (Map)
• Neighbourhood:  Ciudad Universitaria/Moncloa
• Telephone: 913 941 174

How to get there:

• Metro: Ciudad Universitaria
• Bus: 46

How much is it?

• Complutense members: 4,50€
• University students (Different than Complutense): 6,50€
• Plus ones: 8€

*Note: You or someone you are with must bring a student ID to get in. If you are a Complutense student you also get a discount.

Casa de Campo by ABC

2. Centro Deportivo Municipal Casa de Campo

One of Madrid’s most popular public pools by far. There is a fun ambience here but you’ll have to wait on a line. It gets crowded.

Schedule:  11h to 21h

What you need to know:

• Address: Paseo Puerta del Angel,  7   28011  MADRID (Map)
• Neighborhood:  Casa de Campo/Moncloa-Aravaca 
• Telephone: 914 630 050 / 914 649 889

How to get there:

• Metro: El Lago, Puerta del Ángel
• Bus: 31, 33, 36, 39, 65, 138

3. Centro Deportivo Municipal Francos Rodríguez

Great quality swimming pool and plenty of grass area to lay down on, situated in a residential neighbourhood yet close to the University, so you’ll find a mix of both families and younger people.

Schedule:  11h –  21h

What you need to know:

• Dirección: Calle Numancia, 11  (Map)
• Neighborhood: Ciudad Universitaria/ Moncloa-Aravaca
• Teléfono: 914 599 871

How to get there:

• Metro:  Francos Rodríguez
• Bus:  44, 64, 126, 127, 128, 132

Peñuelas by Rosalia Martinez

4. Centro Deportivo Municipal Peñuelas

Lay out on the sun, take a dip and grab a picnic table with your friends for lunch!

Schedule:  11h – 21h

What you need to know:

• Dirección: Calle Arganda, 25  (Map)
• Neighborhood: Acacias/Arganzuela
• Telephone: 914 732 491

How to get there:

• Metro: Acacias, Embajadores, Pirámides
• Bus: 18, 36, 62
• Renfe (Cercanias): Pirámides

What do I need to bring?

• There are showers so bring flip flops
• Although some have lockers, most people just leave their stuff on their towels and don’t bring anything valuable
• Bring snacks or a few euros to get a bite or dink at the cafeteria
• Lots of suntan lotion, you don’t want to be that foreigner who gets burnt….

How much is it?

• Single tickets: Adults week-day 5€ (weekends 6€)
• 10 ticket pack: 42,95€
• Summer-long ticket 126,15€

*Except Complutense. See above.

Full list of public summer swimming pools in Madrid: Listado completo de piscinas municipales

Check out Madrid’s Best Natural Swimming Pools!

Beer lovers this is for you again! You can read my first article on craft beer bars in Madrid to explore/discover more. The main idea is to go try and find your favourites’.

There truly is a very special place just North of Metro Bilbao that I like to call the triangle of craft beer. It involves 3 craft beer bars that are within throwing distance of each other. It really is the perfect place to have your heart’s desire of good beer satisfied without feeling trapped in the same bar the entire night. The 3 bars are named ANIMAL, Oldenburg and Cervercería L’Europe. What they all have in common is their huge offer of various beers from across the world. This selection of bars promises a night out where you know your next destination and be sure to arrive as well.

ANIMAL I wrote about in my previous article and you can follow the link to take a look. It is a bar that consistently offers excellent beers from all parts. Tivo, the owner, also speaks good English.

1) Oldenburg, in Calle HARTZENBUSCH, 12

Famous for standing in the Guinness book of world records as the establishment that offers the greatest variety of beers per square meter. Opened some 25 years ago, this bar lets you choose among 200 varieties. One of the very first craft beer bars in Madrid, it inspired the opening of Fabricas Maravillas and is loved by the owner of La Buena Cerveza. However beware there are 2 Oldenburgs and this is the younger bar. More of an institution than an ordinary bar, the brilliant thing here is that you can order Alt bier. This beer is brewed according to the German “Reinheitsgebot” (shouting it makes the pronunciation easier) and originates from Düsseldorf. It is a dark beer that is incredibly hard to find unlike the Cologne cousin Kölsch beer. If you are familiar with the LENT beers, Thor is brewed after the same recipe.

Alt bier is the beer of my home city and I will always be biased to this incredible bar for stocking it. The Belgians, apart for being famous for having no one famous (name 10 famous Belgians, footballers excluded) and no government, make incredible beer. Oldenburg offers the most varieties of Belgian beer in Madrid. Every beer brand in Belgium has its own beer glass to drink from. The glass is designed to increase the flavour of the beer.

Metro: Bilbao
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2) Cervercería L’Europe in Calle Cardenal Cisneros 19

You enter and believe you have been transported to the German Alps to celebrate a round of après ski fun. It looks like a drinking hall with kitsch decorated around the bar so skiers are reminded there is a home away from home. Terrible decoration aside, this place does offer excellent beers on tap and even more in bottles. In fact, it claims to have the largest offer of beers on tap and in bottle, check out the website, with nearly 100. The whole menu is online. The food here is typical German beer food on offer. Lots of sausages, potato dishes and sandwiches to soak up the beer.

Those that like an after work delight will be happy to know that between 18 and 20h all beers on offer are half price.

Metro: Bilbao
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3) Irreale in Calle Manuela Malasaña 20

The other bar not included in the triangle of greatness. However this bar does feature in the same street as La Tape. You just have to love this city. Irreale only recently changed location to their new home a few months ago. Recently having relocated from Calle de la Ballesta 15, this place is a gem. Having taken over the space from Ave Phoenix, the bar offers 12 different beers on tap. Similar principal to ANIMAL, these beers will also change once the keg is empty, meaning a lot of variety. The only two beers they always serve are La Virgen and Schneider Weisse. The latter being easily one of the best wheat beers in Europe.

The real advantage with Irreale is that it offers you the pub feel whilst also offering food. Most, however, stick with the beer and if you prefer the smell of hops and alcohol to chorizo and tortilla I recommend you take a visit. However let’s think bigger better more exciting! Media pinta beats caña, pinta beats media pinta, but the king will always be the keg. You need a place for a birthday party or a friend’s leaving due, Irreale will let you rent the cellar of the bar for free. All you need are thirsty friends and yourself if you order one keg (20 litres) and the room is yours free of charge. They will also give you a 10% discount on the keg you order. Price will range with beer type so just go in and have a quick chat. English fluency is minimal here.

Metro: San Bernardo / Bilbao
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For more articles related to Madrid’s drinking culture, check out:

• A Beer State of Mind in Madrid, on the city’s best craft beer bars

• Martinis, Margaritas & More, on Madrid’s best cocktails

• La Buena Cerveza, an international beer shop offering a huge variety plus tastings and more

The moment: Check your phone or ditch all together

I get nervous and will probably continue to get nervous when planning a first date. It’s not easy. It can even be daunting. You might have just met the girl/boy on a drunken Saturday night and you find yourself trying to come up with a way to entertain, show off, and come across as interesting and intelligent all at once. So I’m back to getting nervous and with little idea of what might or might now work.

Topics of interest can be hard to find but I believe that the location of the date should tie into the conversation. So rather than the usual routine of restaurant then drinks, this is a bit more dynamic and Madrileño (known for going to lots of places on one night).

The idea behind my method is to take your date to at least 3 different places on a given night. Each place will compliment each other and yet offer a very different component of the night. I have included a route order to help. All the places will be in walking distance from each other.

Part 1 is taking the arts and culture route. Not the Prado and its thousands of archangels, but more modern and contemporary offerings. Something more quirky to get the conversation flowing.

This in no way will guarantee you get laid on the first night. Too many factors depend on that result. However, it should reduce those awkward silent moments because you’re grasping for a common topic. Quick tip for the awkward moment, just kiss him/her. There is no perfect moment. Only the courage to move your head forward 5 inches.

Act One: Fundacion Telefonica in Calle Fuencarral 3

Fundación Telefonica

We start in the Fundacion Telefonica on Fuencarral. This gallery is always free and almost always open, except Mondays. It regularly changes the collections and usually has photography showing. I am no art student but when you are confronted with space geese and watching a video of their training to fly to the moon, it makes you smile and realise we live in a great place (Moon Goose Analogue, 2011-1012, Agnes Meyer-Brandis). So quickly check out the website and see what’s on, the stranger the better as you don’t need to be knowledgeable. Only a sense of humour is required.

Best time: 18-20h

Metro: Gran Via

Act Two: Aiò in Corredera Baja de San Pablo, 25 (mentioned in a previous article)

Now that we have started down the cultural road, we cannot go too formal with the restaurant. It needs to fit the setting but shouldn’t cost too much. Aio is an Italian restaurant that offers aperitivo for dinner. Aperitivo means you just buy drinks at a slightly higher price and are able to eat from the buffet at your heart’s content. The food is typical Italian with pizza, pasta and salads on offer. Aperitivo is incredibly popular in Italy since the crisis hit, as a way to entice consumers to leave their homes. You cannot reserve a table but there’s always a positive atmosphere.

Best time: 20-22h

Alternative: la Mucca is an excellent restaurant. You can make reservations and also sit outside on the terrace. It is the more high quality and expensive option.

Metro: Tribunal/Gran Via/Callao

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Act Three: Microteatro por dinero in Calle de Loreto Prado y Enrique Chicote, 9

What surprise will await?

You then continue the night by going to Micro Teatro, a bar where you can watch a small theatrical performance for only €4. You can enjoy drinks upstairs and then when your number is called out, you will descend the stairs into the basement and go into the designated room. All groups are at most 15 people and you come face to face with the actors in the small room. Each little play lasts around 15 minutes, which is good because not all are great. It never fails to create another conversation and even if you only understand 50%, it will still be entertaining.

Best time: 22-24h

Alternative: Bar Lambuzo: an Andalusian tavern offering Micro Teatro every Thursday night from 9pm-11pm in their downstairs wine cellar (21h-23h if you will J!), with sessions every half hour for 4€ (more information in a previous article)

Metro: Tribunal/Gran Via/Callao

The Final Act: El Perro de la parte de atras del coche (or just el Perro) in Calle de La Puebla, 15,

Once you still have energy and need a club, I recommend El Perro, which is around the corner. This club is free entry before 24h, otherwise entry is €10. The music varies a lot. Not a huge dancing room means even if it is not packed will have you feeling like enough people are present.

Best time: after 24h

Alternative: Wind down with a cocktail instead of some dance moves at 1862 Dry Bar in Calle Pez 27, which is open to 1.30am and until 2am on weekends. The martini like many of their cocktails is thoroughly worth it.

Metro: Tribunal/Gran Via/Callao

For other great date ideas in Madrid, check out these off-the-beaten-path cultural centres, restaurants and bars!

• El Matadero, a slaughterhouse turned cultural hub

• Bar Lambuzo, a family-run Andalusian tavern in the centre of Madrid offering activities in their wine cellar, from wine tastings to microteatro! 

• La Paca, the perfect Malasaña bar & café offering movie nights, art, markets, music and Chema!

• Mercado de Motores, Madrid’s coolest vintage & food market that takes over the city’s old train museum once a month! 

• La Buena Cerveza, an international and imported beer shop in Madrid offering beer tastings, workshops and more…

• Beer State of Mind, go on a route to discover Madrid’s best craft beer bars, you’ll love them all 🙂

• Martinis, Margaritas and More, where to get the best cocktails in Madrid…

What to see:

El Escorial is famous for its beautiful Monasterio which was built between 1563 and 1584. We recommend going inside the monastery, even though the entrance fee costs €10.

Once you’ve visited the monument, it’s absolutely necessary to take a walk around the charming little town. Grab a seat at a terraza and enjoy the pure air of the city’s mountains, known as la sierra de Madrid.

How to get there:

• By cercanías train (map)

Depart from: Sol, take Cercanías Line C3
Schedule:
Departure (Horario Sol-El Escorial)
Return (Horario El Escorial-Sol)
Duration:  approx. 1 hour
Price: 5,40€ (round trip 10,80€). Buy tickets from machines inside Sol’s train station.

*Note: you will have to walk 15 min or take another bus to get to the center.

• By bus

Depart from: Moncloa, take bus line 661
Schedule:
Bus line 661  (every 10-15 min)
Bus line 664  (every 10-15 min)
Duration: approx. 1 hour
Price: 4,20€ (round trip 8,40€). Buy tickets on the bus.

Where to find it on a map: