Option 1: Double room by Gran Vía (?) . More details about this room.

Option 2: Bright room with two balconies by Gran Vía (?). More details about this room.

Option 3: Quad room by Gran Vía (?). More details about this room.

Malasaña was the centre of the Movida Madrileña, a countercultural movement that developed after the death of dictator Francisco Franco and Spain’s return to democracy. In the 80s, Malasaña was a rough-around-the-edges hotbed of bars, drugs and nightlife. Today, it has cleaned up a lot and is perhaps Madrid’s hippest neighbourhood. It’s a treasure trove of vintage shops, cool boutiques run by young local designers and laid-back bars and restaurants.

Info and history

The district Malasaña resembles a square, bordered by Gran Vía on the south, Calle Fuencarral on the east, Calle Carranza on the north and Calle de San Bernardo on the west.

It owes its name to Manuela Malasaña, one of the heroines and victims of the historical events that took place in Madrid on 2 May 1808. Plaza del Dos de Mayo, at the heart of the neighbourhood, commemorates the rebellion against Napoleon’s occupation led by captains Luis Daoíz and Pedro Velarde, officers at the headquarters of the Monteleón Artillery Regiment. The square, which has kept an arch of the old military premises, pays tribute to the two brave captains with a monument.

In the festive 1980s, Malasaña witnessed the birth of the movida madrileña, an underground movement that revolutionised the arts, culture and Spanish society at large.

The district includes Triball, a shortened version of ‘Ballesta Triangle’, an area named after Calle de la Ballesta where new establishments that embrace sustainable business practices are to be found. Triball seems to have been born again lately, with the opening of spaces dedicated to culture, fashion and gastronomy.

Art and culture

History Museum

The History Museum is housed in the Real Hospicio del Ave María y Santo Rey Don Fernando. The building, designed by architect Pedro de Ribera, can be considered one of the finest examples of eighteenth-century Baroque architecture in Madrid. The museum has interesting collections that show the city’s historical and urban development, plus the arts, customs and traditions of Madrileños.

Church of San Antonio de los Alemanes

The construction of this place of worship, designed by several architects, Pedro Sánchez, Francisco Seseña and Juan Gómez de Mora among them, started in 1624. Its elliptical floor plan and its fully frescoed walls make this church unique. Great artists like Francisco Ricci, Francisco Carreño de Miranda and Luca Giordano took part in the decoration of the building.

Court of Auditors

Opposite the History Museum on Calle Fuencarral stands the seat of the body that is responsible for auditing the accounts of the Spanish government and its agencies.

Royal Academy of Exact Physical and Natural Sciences of Spain

It is a public academy dedicated to the study and research of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, engineering and related sciences within the Instituto de España (Institute of Spain). Its library contains more than 27,000 volumes and diverse materials like scientific periodicals, manuscripts and maps.

Church of San Martín

It is considered a beautiful example of Madrid Baroque style of the second half of 17^th century. Father José de Valdemore is believed to have built it around 1648 with a cruciform, longitudinal Latin-cross groundplan. Even though the church’s impressive façade is attributed to José de Churriguera no actual evidence confirms it.

Shopping

Fancy a little retail therapy? Malasaña is a great shopping district, with thousands of things to buy.

Most stores can be found on Calle Fuencarral, bordering with Chueca, on the easternmost tip of the district. This mostly pedestrian street is lined with youth fashion and sportswear brand stores, tattoo artist studios, as well as retailers dedicated to alternative and vintage fashion. 

In the narrow and pretty streets around Dos de Mayo square, you shouldn’t miss small shops dedicated to vintage fashion, both new and used, or the comic stores like Generación X, Madrid Cómics and Elektra Cómic.

Over the past decade, stores devoted to culture, fashion and catering have sprung up between Ballesta, Valverde, Desengaño, Corredera Baja de San Pablo, Barco and Plaza Soledad Torres Acosta streets, bringing a run-down area back to life.

Food and drink

In Malasaña there are dining options for every taste and palate. Traditional old taverns are the ideal place to have tapas and a refreshing beer. Bodega de la Ardosa is a really famous bar and, since it opened in 1892, it has been offering vermouth and beer on tap, to go with the typical tapas like oreja frita (fried pig’s ears), tortilla de patatas (Spanish potato omelet) or canned seafood. Other places to visit are Casa Fidel, Casa Julio (their croquettes impressed even Bono Vox and his band), Casa Camacho or La Camocha.

On the other hand, new bars include Circo de las Tapas, Clarita, La Pescadería, Bar Galleta, Navajas or San Ildefonso Market. Also the Ojalá restaurant where you can eat at any time of the day or enjoy its cocktails and smoothies.

At one of the countless outdoor bars and cafés in the neighbourhood, you can savour drinks and tapas al fresco. Most of the spots you should visit border the squares of Dos de Mayo, San Ildefonso (a.k.a. Plaza del Grial) and María Soledad Torres Acosta (Plaza de la Luna). Grab one of the coveted outdoor tables and enjoy traditional Spanish specialties or dishes with an unexpected twist, organic meals, vegetarian or vegan recipes… You choose. This is the case of Superchulo with organic, vegetarian and vegan recipes that include raw food techniques, designed by the Argentinean chef Javier Medvedovsky.

For a quieter, relaxing afternoon, there’s no better place than one of the many finely decorated coffee houses in Malasaña. Get a seat and take out your book, or have a nice time chatting with a friend over a cup of tea or coffee.

Also, more traditional cafes like Café de la Luz, Café La Palma, Café Ajenjo, Café Moderno, Café Manuela and Café de Ruiz​ live alongside newly opened ones as Café Angélica, Levadura Madre, Lolina Vintage Café or the cafe-bookstore Tipos Infames.

Leisure and nightlife

Malasaña has retained the soul (a tad kitsch) of the 1980s underground movement known as ‘movida madrileña’. Proof of this is that, despite having extended its activities to daytime and no longer being for the night owls only, the district still shines at its brightest when the sun goes down. The clubs cater for music lovers from every quarter, be it rock, punk or indie pop that they’re after. All of them are quite small; there are no mega nightclubs in the area.

The true focus of Malasaña’s nightlife is Plaza del Dos de Mayo. In the adjoining streets stand countless pubs, some of which – Penta, La Vía Láctea or Lucky Dragon. for instance – have been alive and kicking since the ‘roaring 80s’. 

And for those with most stamina, some of the bars in this area stay open until late and the night can stretch out to the sounds of different kinds of music from rock, electronic music to pop. Some of them include BarCo, Taboo, Ocho y Medio (But), El perro de la parte de atrás del coche, Madrid Me Mata, Maravillas Club, Tupperware and San Mateo Circus. You can find them around Valverde, Barco and San Vicente Ferrer Streets.

If you just want to go out for a drink, we recommend the cocktail bars like Coconut Bar, Josealfredo Bar or Macera Taller Bar.

And if what you are looking for is of a more cultural nature, you will be sure to find something interesting in the listings at the following theatres: Lara, Maravillas, Victoria or Alfil (it has special Flamenco theatre performances). Microteatro por dinero, Nuev9 Norte and Sala Intemperieare more alternative theatres.

Since 2017 hosting guests from all over the world, i´m glad to get more than 97% positive reviews of almost 400 hundred on the short-term rental platforms. You can read them directly by clicking here (Airbnb reviews) and here (Boooking reviews). Follows some of the latest reviews:

“Very central location, a few steps from Gran Vía, Madrid most iconic street. The room is bright, cozy and the balcony is perfect. The flat is really spacious and there is a well equipped kitchen. Would totally come back” — Qiuinton, República Checa, (Airbnb guest 6/21)

“Pro: The room was really comfortable, bright and the small balcony is just perfect! Plus its super central. Diogo was very attentive and nice. The flat in general was okay, not better nor worse than in the pictures. And I had cool roommates 🙂 Contra: It’s really loud at night. Well, not only at night, also during the day. Not only because it’s so central, you can also just (Hidden by Airbnb) the street and you will see that it’s maybe not the best and safest street in Malasaña. However, I was still happy to stay and would come back! Its not the highest standard but goes well with the price!” — Karolin, Netherlands (Airbnb guest, 6/21)

“Diogo is a great host. Always ready to help! The accommodation was also very nice. Street can be a bit loud, but everything inside the apartment is extremely comfortable” — Annabelle, USA (Airbnb guest 10/20)

“Very responsive and helpful host, and flexible! Got me the power adaptor I had forgot to buy, always responded very fast. Great experience! FULLY fluent in Eng and Span so if U need that, good guy to go with. — Winston, Texas (Airbnb guest 10/20)

Diogos flat is very well located – you can reach everything by foot! It’s very cozy and Diogo himself is a very nice and helpful host! Would stay here again! — Christina, Germany (9/20)

¨I like Diego’s place a lot. Super easy and great location. It’s a large bedroom and very cozy apartment¨ — Micah, Nueva York, Nueva York (Airbnb guest 12/19)

¨Amazing hospitality, comfy space, great location!¨– Cavan, Newburyport, Massachusetts (Airbnb guest 12/19)

¨Great location. You’ll share the badroom and kitchen, but it’s very clean. Perfect location! Just a short walk to Puerta del Sol¨ Mike, Utrecht (Airbnb guest 11/19)

¨In the center of everything . Clean and spacious . Communication was excellent. And host was kind to give local tips on where to go and see. Very nice¨. John, Sayreville, Nueva Jersey (Airbnb guest 11/19)

¨Clean apartment, great location, perfect located on the heart of Madrid, with wonderful restaurants and little shops. We were able to do everything by foot, no tram needed. Diogo is very nice. They clean the general spaces every day. The room was great, two beds, chair, couch, desk,….little balcony. Perfect for short time visits!¨– Mona, Friburgo, Alemania (Airbnb guest 10/19)

I am Diogo, a 36 yo brazilian journalist and travel animal living in Madrid since july 2016, after having a great experience before in 2013 when i moved her to study a Master en Diseño de Negócios. Love to hear good stories and meet people. Looking forward hosting you soon in the best city in the world

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