The Greener Guide to Seeing Madrid More Sustainably
Locals love to stay out late in the Spanish capital, but next-day guilt is put to rest with beds in B-Corp hotels, meals at veg-forward restaurants and walks through bucolic botanical gardens.
With its trio of top-tier art galleries, the capital of Spain hums with cosmopolitan energy. Laid-back locals – or Madrileños – are known for their love of going out late, and from around 10pm, tapas restaurants and cocktail bars in the city are always buzzing with late-night crowds. What’s more, in 2018, the government banned cars in the city centre, leaving you the option of strolling, cycling or hopping aboard an electric bus to sightsee your way around this curated list of light-touch things to do in Madrid.
1. Vincci the Mint
Boutique Hotel
Funky and fashionable, this hotel backs onto trendy Chueca, where beautiful people come to sip vermouth on the tiered terraces of countless bars. The hotel runs exclusively on renewable energy, limits paper waste with electronic bills and gives staff regular training sessions on how to reduce waste. Don’t miss the fun food truck on the roof terrace for healthy snacks and fresh smoothies.
2. Royal Botanic Gardens
Botanical Garden, Park
4. La Vaquería Montañesa
Restaurant, Spanish
Provenance is the keyword at this classy joint, tucked away in an old dairy in Chamberí. Everything from the chairs to the cutlery has been thoughtfully selected from small producers, including tableware from a family of potters who’ve been spinning the wheel since 1857. The menu mainly features small plates and includes detailed descriptions of where each ingredient was produced – mostly from organic farms across Spain.
5. Perales de Tajuña
Architectural Landmark
Take a 45-minute bus ride from Conde de Casal station to Perales de Tajuña, where the Via Verde runs alongside disused train lines on the banks of the River Tajuña. The route meanders for 49km (30mi) along the water, past vineyards, orchards and peaceful cornfields, with limestone hills in the distance. It’s the perfect escape from the bustling city.
6. The Hat Madrid
Hostel, Boutique Hotel
A hip hostel that feels more like a boutique hotel, the Hat is in the heart of Madrid de Los Austrias – the oldest part of the city, just back from the Plaza Mayor. From the outside, it’s all 19th-century elegance, while the inside has a Scandi feel, with white paint and lashings of blonde wood. It’s no slouch in the eco department either, being the first hostel in Madrid to run entirely on biomass energy. Head up to the rooftop to rub shoulders with guests and locals after dark.
7. Levél Veggie Bistro
Bistro, Vegetarian
Stroll through Retiro Park for dinner at this smart vegetarian bistro, which serves a globetrotting menu focussing on raw dishes. The sleek, warmly lit space is lined with art from emerging artists, while floor-to-ceiling windows are opened up in summer to draw in some of the buzz from the city.
8. Artiem Madrid
Hotel
A half-hour outside the city centre, Artiem is an ideal base for a remote-working retreat in Madrid. All rooms have desks with ergonomic chairs, and the Green, a communal space furnished in soothing colours, is a lovely place to do some work. Plus, it has a self-service selection of snacks, teas and coffees. The hotel is also B-Corp certified, meaning it balances profit with purpose.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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