Charming places outside the centre of Madrid

DISCOVER CARABANCHEL

Once a simple working-class area on the outskirts of Madrid, over the years Carabanchel has turned into the city’s equivalent of Manhattan’s SoHo. Now the epicentre of a vibrant creative and bohemian movement, the area has attracted over 130 artists who’ve set up shop in approximately 40 studios, craft workshops, and creative spaces. The district is also home to many bars and restaurants serving authentic tapas, and architectural gems well worth discovering.

Vista Alegre Estate (Metro: Carabanchel L5; Oporto L5, L6; Vista Alegre, L5)

Estate with monuments and gardens, declared a Cultural Interest Site, in the district of Carabanchel.

Ermita de Santa María La Antigua (Metro: Eugenia de Montijo, L5)

This chapel, located in the district of Carabanchel, is the oldest Mudejar temple in the Region of Madrid.

La Colonia de la Prensa (Metro: Carabanchel, L5; San Francisco, L11)

An amazing art-deco neighbourhood, not so hidden in the great south of the city.

Cementerio Británico (©Álvaro López del Cerro)

Cementerio Británico (Metro: Urgel, L5)

Located in Carabanchel, in this unique English cemetery lie the mortal remains of some of Madrid’s most exceptional historical figures.

Palacio Vistalegre Arena (Metro: Carabanchel, L5; Oporto, L5, L6; Vista Alegre, L5)

Large multi-purpose building that regularly hosts musical and sporting events.

Carabanchel 17 (Metro: La Peseta, L11)

This building in the neighbourhood of Carabanchel stands out for its colourful facade.

Ermita de San Isidro (Metro: Marqués de Vadillo, L5)

Simple chapel in which the patron saint of Madrid is worshipped, very close to Madrid Río.

San Isidro Cemetery (Metro: Marqués de Vadillo, L5)

This cemetery is the oldest in Madrid, renowned for its great artistic value and landscape.

CHARMING GREEN AREAS

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San Isidro Park
El Capricho de la Alameda de Osuna Park
Cerro del Tío Pío Park
Fuente del Berro Park
Quinta de Torre Arias
Dehesa de la Villa Park
Quinta de los Molinos

This large green space is the second biggest park in the Carabanchel district, after the Emperatriz María de Austria Park. Regularly hosting sporting activities, in mid-May it becomes a fairground site that hosts part of the Fiestas de San Isidro celebrations.

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HOW ABOUT A STROLL AROUND USERA?

The Usera district is thriving. Its shops, restaurants, and fiestas (closely tied to its bustling Chinese community) give life to this area south of Matadero Madrid and Madrid Río Park. Boasting a vibrant cultural scene, particularly focused around modern art, it’s also home to other spots that are well-worth visiting, including Caja Mágica (which host the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament) and Manzanares Linear Park.

Usera, el Chinatown madrileño - Oso panda escultura

Usera, Madrid’s Chinatown

This district has the largest Chinese community in Spain, and every year it becomes the epicentre of activities organised to celebrate Chinese New Year. In addition, this neighbourhood houses the sculpture of a panda bear donated by the Chinese community in the district. A figure considered a national treasure in China.

The best Chinese food

Usera’s restaurants serve up some incredible authentic Chinese dishes. From Cantonese to Sichuan, Yunnan and Shanghai cuisine, check out Royal Cantonés (No. 9 Calle Olvido) or Hong Kong 70 in Chinatown (No. 11 Calle Nicolás Sánchez).

Caja Mágica (Metro: San Fermín-Orcasur, L3)

Located in the Manzanares Linear Park, it is one of the great symbols of modern architecture in the city. This multidisciplinary venue regularly hosts sports, cultural, leisure and corporate shows, both large and small.

La Dama del Manzanares (Metro: Almendrales, L3; Hospital 12 de Octubre, L3)

The Manzanares Linear Park is home to this 13 metre high bronze and steel sculpture made in 2003 from a design by the Valencian artist Manolo Valdés, dedicated to the river that crosses the city.

Factory of Dreams (Metro: Usera, L6)

The district of Usera is also where you’ll find this contemporary art space run by Cantabrian artist Okuda San Miguel, together with his agency Ink and Movement. It is dedicated to artistic creation, management, and dissemination.

Habitación Número 34 (Metro: Plaza Elíptica, L6, L11; Usera, L6)

On Avenida del Cerro de los Ángeles in the neighbouring district of Usera, this art space changes every month according to the artist who is working on it.

CULTURAL SPACES

Daoíz y Velarde Cultural Center

New performance space built on the site of former barracks that, from April onwards, will host the children’s and youth programme of the Teatro Real opera house.

La Nave (former Boetticher lift factory)

Unique building dedicated to innovation and the dissemination of new technologies, located in the district of Villaverde.

La Neomudéjar

The Madrid avant-garde has taken hold in this space, which radiates artistic innovation.

Fuente del Rey House Museum. AMYC Foundation (Aravaca)

A museum that houses the work of the most illustrious representatives of 19th and 20th century Catalan art.

Silo de Hortaleza

Now an exhibition space and viewpoint, this polygonal tower in the Hortaleza district serves as a reminder of the orchards that once surrounded the city.

Espacio Ibercaja Delicias

Cultural multi-space in Arganzuela co-managed by LetsGo (the producer of shows such asThe Hole and Dirty Dancing) and La Estación that hosts all kinds of shows and gastronomy.

TREASURES OF THE PAST

Iglesia de Santa María la Blanca

Declared a BIC cultural heritage site, this church in Canillejas boasts the most important geometric-patterned coffered ceiling in the city, dating from the 15th century.

El Pardo Royal Palace

A 16th century palace, built on the site of a medieval castle in the north of Madrid, famed for its tapestries.

Church of Santa María la Antigua

The most important monument in the Vicálvaro district is this church which stands out for its Baroque altarpiece and pipe organ.

Our Lady of Almudena Cemetery

Important figures from the History of Spain rest in the largest cemetery in Madrid.

Iglesia de San Pedro Ad Víncula. Villa de Vallecas

Church of San Pedro ad Víncula

The beautiful tower of this church dating back to the early 17th century presides over the Villa de Vallecas neighbourhood.

Don't miss

Iglesia Parroquial de San Matías

Declared a Cultural Heritage Site, this Catholic church in Hortaleza is a leading example of Madrid's neo-Mudéjar architecture.

RECREATION AND FUN FOR ALL AGES

Jazmín y Kalama, los dos linces ibéricos del Zoo Aquarium de Madrid

SPORTING PASSION

Cívitas Metropolitano Stadium

Visit Atlético de Madrid's home ground, the stadium that hosted the 2019 Champions League Final!

La Zarzuela Racecourse

Sport, tradition and leisure are combined in an exceptional architectural setting near El Pardo.

HIDDEN GEMS IN THE CITY CENTRE

Panteón de España
Burial place of key characters of the 19th Century, located in the Nuestra Señora de Atocha area

Panteón de España
The Royal Tapestry Factory
The Royal Tapestry Factory, founded in 1720, is devoted to the handmade production of tapestries, rugs, and wall rugs.

The Royal Tapestry Factory
Real Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Atocha
A temple that houses Our Lady of Atocha, a sculpture that is the object of worship for many Madrid natives.

Real Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Atocha