Madrid Hotels in April
Barcelo Emperatriz Hotel
Located in the upmarket Salamanca neighbourhood, Barcelo Emperatriz Hotel easily stands as one of the most lavish boutique accommodations in the city and is ideal for visitors who don't want to spare any luxuries or comforts when they visit Madrid. Featuring striking modern artwork throughout, the hotel's 146 rooms come in a variety of shapes and sizes, offering balconies and luxury bathrooms. Guests can dine at the gourmet Mutis Restaurant, while breakfast is served daily until 11am. There's also an onsite bar, room service, laundry and fitness facilities.
Hotel Silken Puerta America
Another luxury accommodation you'll want to consider is the Hotel Silken Puerta America. An easy walk from Cartagena Metro station, the hotel is striking throughout and there's a big emphasis on modern architecture and design; the rooms and suites reflect this. All rooms offer WiFi, TVs and city views; suites add lounge areas. The hotel is home to two modern restaurants, a bar, fitness centre, a lounge bar with a retractable roof and live music.
Bars and Restaurants
La Musa Latina
For dependable tapas, head to La Musa Latina. Situated on a side street off the Calle de Segovia, the culinary offerings at this place are many and include traditional Spanish tapas with modern fusions and unique ingredients. Open throughout the day, you're welcome to dine here for breakfast or head here later in the day to chill out with a cocktail in the lounge bar. Its popularity with locals attests to its reputation as a fine Madrid establishment.
Moulin Chocolat
Visit Moulin Chocolat to indulge your sweet tooth, where you'll be blown away by the array of sweet treats, from cakes and pastries to chocolates and ice cream. Situated along the busy Calle Alcala, the macarons here come particularly recommended and are reputed to be some of the best in Madrid.
Gin Club
If gin's your drink of choice, head to Gin Club in Chueca, which is earning a reputation for being one of the city's hippest new bars. Located inside the El Mercado de la Reina, this subdued evening haunt exudes a sophisticated atmosphere and makes an unbeatable place to catch up with friends over a tasty alcoholic concoction.
Things to do in Madrid in April
El Rastro
It's no secret that Madrid is a shopper's paradise and you'll find whatever you're in search of here, from high-street fashion, to antiques, luxury goods and much more. The city is home to many charming flea markets, the largest and most enduring being El Rastro, which is held every Sunday during the year between Calle Embajadores and the Ronda de la Toledo. A great wealth of products can be bought here, both second-hand and new. Keep a sharp eye on your belongings, as pickpockets are known to frequent the area, and enjoy the atmosphere of this buzzing and eclectic market.
Temple of Debod
Dating back to the 2nd century BC, the Temple of Debod is certainly one of Madrid's more unusual monuments and was donated to the city in the 1970s by the Egyptian government to protect it from flooding and natural disasters. Having lived a long and varied history, the temple was built in honour of the god Amum and the goddess Isis, and was subsequently closed off from the 6th century onwards with the advent of Christianity in the region. Nowadays it's been restored to its former glory and every effort has been made to preserve the structure. A maximum of 30 people can be admitted inside at any one time, for a length of 30 minutes tops.
Fuente de Cibeles
Nestled in the centre of the city, Cibeles Square is one of Madrid's most impressive public places and is a must-visit for architecture aficionados. Punctuated by the elaborate Fuente de Cibeles (Cybeles Fountain), the square is surrounded by the Buenavista Palace, the Casa de America and Palace of Communications. The fountain isn't purely ornamental, however; it originally provided water for the people of Madrid through two standpipes, one of which would supply water to houses and the other to people.
Gran Via
Another Madrid thoroughfare that can't be avoided and deserves a visit alone owing to its architectural grandeur is the Gran Via. Home to many of the city's shops and businesses, this sweeping boulevard forms the backbone of the city and is due to be pedestrianised this year (2018). Widely considered to be one of the greatest urban planning projects of the city, whole neighbourhoods were bulldozed to make way for this elegant boulevard.
Segovia
A short train journey from Madrid, Segovia is the perfect option for a day trip if you're looking to savour some history and culture away from the hubbub of the Spanish capital. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, the town's singular most impressive sight is the 166-arch aqueduct that lords over the surrounding area, paying homage to the legacy of the Roman Empire in Spain.
