A must-stop if you want to try the best calamari sandwich in town.
But just as essential is visiting El Brillante to soak up that authentic Madrid atmosphere.
A classic bar, one of those lifelong spots where we love to have our first coffee of the day, greet the impeccably dressed waiter who’s always smiling and ready to make that moment the best one of the day.
Don’t hesitate to visit if you ever get the chance.

The very heart of this great city — we love strolling along its busiest yet most entertaining street, soaking up life and energy with Gran Vía as our starting point.
We head down to Callao, that corner with a New York vibe thanks to the giant screens that turn night into day.
We continue toward Puerta del Sol, where the Bear and the Strawberry Tree welcome us, and Tío Pepe waves from above.
And in the end, Madrid’s traditional spirit holds us, surrounds us, and draws us into the monumental Plaza Mayor.
There we recognize not only the history of Madrid but also that of Spain itself.
For a moment, we feel transported to those Castilian towns where the main square is the heart, the market — where everything happens.
And we love thinking about that, right in one of the biggest cities in Europe.

We grab a bite at the Mercado de San Miguel and continue wandering through the Barrio de las Letras — a neighborhood that leaves the hustle behind and invites us to discover the streets that hold the secrets of the great writers of Spain’s Golden Age.
From Lope de Vega to Valle-Inclán, they lived and found inspiration here.

To wander through its cobbled streets is to step into old bookshops, hat stores, or century-old patisseries.
Don’t forget to stop for a beer in Plaza de Santa Ana before continuing your tour of the city.