Explore Madrid on a city break - Viva España

The Spanish capital has experienced a lot in its long history. This is where the past and present of different cultures, religions, and worldviews meet.

You can still feel the Moorish influence in the architectural style, in the cuisine and in the mentality of the people and the citizens of Madrid are proud of the city's character.

If you're going to take a trip to Spain, this is definitely the place to start. Those looking to do a multi-stop holiday in Europe, may want to check out our other city break destinations, and particularly a city break to Barcelona, a must-see on a Spanish vacation.

Madrid nightlife

For Spaniards, a night out starts much later than for us. It's practically unheard of to arrive at the club before 11pm during the week. On the weekend, the parties only really start at midnight. Additionally, the nightlife in Madrid is different from other big cities, as many people will start their night hanging out out on the street.

In neighbourhoods like Huertas, you will see tons of people on the streets every night, mingling and enjoying the fresh night air. By the time the weekend rolls around, it becomes downright crowded.

Those who want to live like a true Madrileño will start in a tapas bar. One of the best choices is La Mancha en Madrid, which has a large selection of small snacks, as well as a refined if somewhat peculiar atmosphere. Many Spaniards will start their evening here with two or three draft beers and a mix of tapas to prepare for the night. For the younger set, there is the popular bar "Los Gabrieles", perhaps most famous for its disreputable past as a brothel. Today, the only remnants of its former purpose are the tiles in the interior with representations of Bacchus.

If you want something more chic and stylish, head to the Viva Madrid, a trendy bar with glittering tiles.

By 11pm, it's time to leave the tapas bars and make your way towards the clubs. One of the most recommended clubs is Pacha, a club that specialises mainly in heavy techno music and is popular with the locals.

If you want to mingle with Madrid's high society, the Palacio de Gabiria is an excellent choice. This club, which is frequented by many tourists as well as local celebrities, offers a variety of music and an excellent atmosphere. Another good club is Gabanas, where you can rub shoulders with national and international celebrities. If you can afford the steep prices, you're sure to have an unforgettable evening.

If you want to celebrate in a big group, you should leave the parties in the street behind and venture into the "factory". This large-scale disco offers space for 5,000 party-happy people, and is almost always full, at least on the weekend. A powerful sound system, fog machines, and excellent DJs make this an amazing party atmosphere.

If you want to end the night properly, you should try to rock up to Chocolatéria San Ginés between 6 and 7 in the morning. Locals gather here for a serving of "chocolate con churros", which is hot chocolate with cinnamon and sugar pastries for dipping.

After that, it's time to get your beauty sleep for the night to come!