Your Ultimate Guide to Madrid x Ben in Madrid

You've arrived in the Capital for Art Madrid 21…now what?

Fellow ART Lover @beninmadrid has shared his little black book of unmissable Madrid addresses with us, to help you make the most of the city during the art fair.

From the best rooftop for cava to celebrate an iconic art purchase, to tiny hidden tapas bars for a mid-week dinner - Ben talks us through his favourite local hotspots and exactly where to go after a long day of enjoying the best of Spanish art!

Get Your Art Madrid Tickets & Find us at booth b14!

ARRIVE IN MADRID & CHECK-IN...

The Mandarin Oriental Ritz is the ultimate luxury hotel at No. 5 Plaza de la Lealtad, in the Retiro district since 1910. Popularly known as Hotel Palace, The Westin Palace Hotel in the downtown district on Carrera de San Jerónimo, was built by the Belgian-born hotelier George Marquet for the monarch Alfonso XIII. Hotel Abalú isn't as close to the Retiro (where Art Madrid is happening) but each of the rooms has been designed with a different style and offers good value for money.

AM //

EN ROUTE TO ART MADRID – BEST BREAKFAST CLOSE TO RETIRO?
There are so many places to enjoy breakfast including Sucre Salón de Té (Casado de Alisal, 10); Viena Capellanes (Ruíz de Alarcón, 9); Magasand Retiro (Columela, 4) and El Patio Vertical (Almadén, 26). Just choose a nice terraza and enjoy the views!

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

THINGS TO GET THE MOST EXCITED ABOUT ART MADRID (OTHER THAN THE ART BÜRO CONCEPT BOOTH)
Check out works by Fernando Daza at Soraya Cartategui Fine Art Booth, Jacinto Moro at Víctor Lope Arte Contemporáneo, Maria Svarbová at Galeria Bat Alberto Cornejo and Pablo Armesto at Aurora Vigil-Escalera.

**Team TAB will also be looking out for our own personal favourites Santiago Picatoste and Fernando de Ana.

FAVOURITE COFFEE SPOT TO KEEP YOU ON YOUR FEET ALL DAY?
Go to Barrio de las Letras and try any of the following: Casa González (León, 12); Acid Café (Verónica, 9); Feliz Coffee (Lope de Vega, 2), Motteau (San Pedro, 9); Sufu Cake (Lope de Vega, 3); Pastelería y Confitería América (Atocha, 77).

PM //

WHERE TO ENJOY AN APERITIVO AFTER YOUR FIRST FULL DAY AT THE FAIR?
La Cabaña Argentina (Ventura de la Vega, 10) to enjoy an aperitivo or have dinner in a nice place with unbeatable service.

INCREDIBLE TAPAS STOP FOR A MID-WEEK DINNER?
Bodega La Ardosa (Colón, 13) is one of the most classic bars in Madrid, originally opened by Paco Manteca in 1919 before being closed for 70 or 80 years until it was saved by the current owners. Go under the bar to get to the back of the cellar and ask for the house specialty - beer or vermouth which comes with an award-winning skewer of tortilla or artichokes.

YOU CAN’T COME TO MADRID AND NOT TRY…
Any of the iconic courses such as Rolex or Trufa at Sala de Despiece (Ponzano, 11) or a mojito at La Mucca (Prado, 16).

YOU’VE MADE AN ICONIC ART PURCHASE – BEST ROOFTOP TO CELEBRATE WITH CAVA?
Azotea del Círculo de Bellas Artes (Marqués de Casa Riera, 2) is located 56 meters above Alcalá Street, crowned by the sculpture Minerva, by Juan Luis Vassallo. It is a bronze piece representing the Roman goddess of wisdom and art, emblem of the Círculo since its foundation. You can enjoy a 360º panorama /view of the city.

BEST PLACE FOR A CELEBRATION DINNER WITH ALL THE COOL PEOPLE AND ARTISTS YOU’VE MET?

Mandarin Oriental Restaurant run by Quique Dacosta or La Ferretería (Atocha, 57). La Ferretería is one of the oldest hardware stores in Madrid transformed into a restaurant.

AM // PM

BRUNCH FOR THE MORNING-AFTER-THE-NIGHT BEFORE?

Artistic brunch at Nubel (Argumosa, 43) or Café Comercial (Glorieta de Bilbao, 7) (only on Sundays)

A HIDDEN CORNER OF THE CITY TO CATCH YOUR BREATH AND DIGEST WHAT YOU’VE SEEN AT THE ART FAIR?

Don´t miss the sunset at Debod Temple or enjoy a cup of coffee or tea at the garden at the Museo del Romanticismo.

AFTER ART MADRID, YOU STILL HAVE SOME TIME IN THE CITY – OTHER ART GALLERIES OR MUST-SEE SPOTS?

Don’t miss the Golden Triangle: The Prado Museum, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. You can also enjoy the Palacio de Cristal and Casa Velázquez (both in the Retiro Park) or galleries such as: Max Estrella(Santo Tomé, 6); Herrero de Tejada (Hermosilla, 49); Lucía Mendoza (Bárbara de Braganza, 10) or José de la Mano (Zorrilla, 21).