YOUR NEXT DESTINATION / December
In the streets of Madrid
In the streets of Madrid
venue with the same name in Madrid’s
Retiro neighbourhood.
With a glass of vermouth in my hand,
I explore the San Miguel Market a bit
more. Originally built in 1916 as a tradi-
tional market, in 2003 it was obtained
by private investors and turned into the
stunning glass-covered gourmet market
it is today. While some may say it’s too
touristy, the atmosphere is very laid back
and you can spot a lot of locals. I order
some fried calamari from the masters at
the El Señor Martín trolley, which serves
fried Andalusian seafood, and nab a spot
at the communal wooden table to enjoy
the buzz around me.
Madrid is a paradise for market fans.
There are many peppered around the
city, from classics like the Mercado de
Maravillas, which is the largest municipal
market in Europe, to boutique markets
like the Mercado de San Antón in the
LGBT-friendly Chueca district, which is
a great place to go for a bite to eat, as it
has many food stalls. Another plus is the
terrace bar on the top floor, which is open
year round and gathers a diverse crowd.
WHEN VISITING MADRID, ONE CAN-
NOT IGNORE THE FACT THAT THE
CITY IS HOME TO SOME OF SPAIN’S
MOST IMPORTANT ART INSTITU-
TIONS. The Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza,
and Reina Sofia museums in the so-called
Golden Triangle of Art are just a few. And
while these museums don’t let you snap