In the design world, Madrid is pure periphery. And that means great creative freedom. Cities like Milan, Stockholm, Copenhagen or London, and in Spain, Valencia and Barcelona, compete to be the center of major events around established designers, companies, publishers, museums and foundations of design, architecture and art. Madrid is currently the place where all artistic forms and paths of creativity converge, without classification or prejudice. Expressions that converge and cross-pollinate and find expression in the Madrid Design Festival (6/02-15/03: more than a month dedicated to creation), this year in its eighth edition.
The inclusive nature of the city brings together a multiplicity of nationalities who come to visit or to work, immediately establishing a harmonious coexistence with the always welcoming Madrileños. A 24-hour walk in Madrid is very difficult, it is a chaotic and dispersed city, which is part of its charm. On this tour, you should go straight to the spaces related to creation that can leave behind a wealth of good memories and experiences of a Madrid that is always on the move.

Madrid, Contemporary Museum of Museums
The circuit should begin first thing in the morning with a quick and accurate visit to the cathedrals of art on the Paseo del Prado. All these institutions are being redesigned to reach new generations and generate new perspectives. As time is short, the best thing to do is to visit specific works of art that leave an indelible mark.

At the Prado Museum, the rearrangement of Bosch’s work, without forgetting Patinir’s blues. A quick visit to Velázquez’s Doña Margarita and Goya’s horrors of war. Crossing Calle Prado, we find the Museo Nacional Thyssen Bornemisza, where the excellent collection gives way to the rabid contemporaneity of Francesca Thyssen’s TBA21 Foundation, co-directed by the expert Rosa Ferré. Not forgetting the museum shop, one of the best in the world (directed by Ana Cela) because it sells pieces by talented designers and craftsmen with the specific theme of each exhibition. And to complete this trio, we head to the Reina Sofía Museum, the new location of Guernica deserves a leisurely visit that will make an impact.

Literary “Aperitivo”
At mid-morning, an “aperitivo” (the Spanish custom is at mid-morning) can give you the strength to continue, the “Barrio de las Letras” quarter offers a walk through the streets named after the great writers of the Spanish Golden Age, Cervantes, Lope de Vega (you can visit his house) or Quevedo…, on this walk, with inspiring phrases inscribed on the ground, we find little shops, patisseries, galleries, restaurants, where design and craftsmanship are part of its charisma. LLOP, the bookshop Crazy Mery, La Mejor Tarta de Chocolate del Mundo (The Best Chocolate Cake in the World) are a must. And a good vermouth and a Gilda (Pickles and olives in a stick) in the Mercado de San Antón or La Gildería, right in the heart of Latina.

Hidden gardens
Before lunch a serene walk through some of Madrid’s most beautiful and cosy hidden gardens, designed to be relaxed in the middle of the city. The Anglona Palace Garden, near the Royal Palace and Royal Theatre, the garden of the Sorolla Museum (great Spanish impressionist painter) and the redesigned Garden of Sculptures at the Juan March Foundation. Inside the Retiro, the Rose Garden, a dreamy and mysterious labyrinth of multi-species rose bushes.

Tascas and taverns
The quality gastronomic offer in Madrid is overwhelming. New trends and new generations are looking for tradition with a 21st century twist. La Ardosa‘s potato omelette, Celso y Manolo‘s tomato steak, Lhardy or Botín‘s stew “cocido madrileño”, Los Gatos‘ gildas, Lucio‘s “huevos estrellados” (fried eggs speciality). On the other hand, the innovation of DStage by Diego Guerrero, Mario Sandoval or Diverxo continues. But there are also spaces with a careful gastronomy, good value for money, and a design of spaces committed to sustainability and circularity, with a unique and singular creativity.

The Mo de Movimiento restaurant, designed by Lucas Muñoz and his team. And Tramo, designed by Selgas Cano and Andreu Carulla, whose impact has gone around the world. The new Gofio restaurant, designed by Plantea Studio or Brutal Burrito designed by Burr Studio.

Creative crossroads
To follow a deeper thread of current design in Madrid, we must not forget the Solo Collection, a space designed by Estudio Herreros, with an extraordinary collection of contemporary Asian art. The new Royal Collections Museum designed by Tuñón + Albornoz, the Sportivo shop designed by Mayice, the Aesop shops designed by Ciszak Dalmás, the Equis cinema designed by Plantea Studio, the Loreto Aycuens flower shop, the Bar de Libros Olavide bookshop, the design and architecture gallery _2b Space to be by Moneo Brock, Machado and Muñoz and Minim space.

The periphery of the periphery
Madrid is the periphery of important design cities and, in turn, its own periphery evolves and grows with culture and design as a driving force. One must visit Carabanchel, the studio of the area’s pioneer Álvaro Catalán de Ocón. And Tetuán, with the community studio of Lucas Muñoz and Inés Sistiaga, or the Kutrix Galería collective.

When to visit Madrid
In September, Madrid’s Movida is accentuated with Open House Madrid, a tour of the design and architecture of the most outstanding buildings, directed by Paloma Gómez Marín. In February there is the Madrid Design Festival (La Fábrica). In March ARCO (International Contemporary Art Fair) and Urbanity Art for the most groundbreaking talents.
The movida night
To end these 24 hours, you can dance at Lula, Florida Park, or have a very good cocktail at Del Diego, but in the Madrid night everything comes together at El Cock, where the past, present and future of the most creative people come together in a continuous transition, all generations in the same space to toast to transgression and transversal design.