Madrid — Travelrags

Lonely PlanetJul 10, 2026

The top 20 things to do in Spain

From wine to art to surf and more, Spain is a travelers

14 things in this story

Centro de Arte Reina SofíaArts centreHome to Picasso's Guernica.
Museo Thyssen-BornemiszaMuseumHome to Van Gogh's Les Vessenots in Auvers.
Museo del PradoMuseumHome to Velázquez's Las meninas.
Elsewhere
Camí de CavallsTrailMenorca, SpainRestored 14th-century path on Menorca.
Costa BravaNeighborhoodCatalonia, SpainRamble between wild, pebble-studded bays.
Costa de la LuzHotelAndalucía, SpainRemote sugar-white strands, great for kitesurfing.
Parque Natural Cabo de GataSightAlmería, SpainProtected nudist beaches.
Devour ToursPlaceBarcelona, SpainExpert-led food tours in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, San Sebastián.
Annie B’s Spanish KitchenPlaceCádiz, SpainFabulous tapas tours in Cádiz province.
Sherry TriangleNeighborhoodAndalucía, SpainAndalucía’s unmatched Sherry Triangle.
Illas CíesNature reserveGalicia, SpainSublime beaches.
Costa da MorteNature reserveGalicia, SpainClifftop paths.
Jerte ValleyNeighborhoodExtremadura, Spain
Ambroz ValleyNeighborhoodExtremadura, Spain

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National GeographicJul 8

7 summer spritzes to try across Europe

The spritz has long been Europe’s favourite summer cocktail, centuries-old classics served everywhere from Venetian aperitivo spots to rooftop bars in London and Paris.

11 things in this story

Azotea del CírculoRestaurantSweeping views across Madrid’s rooftops at golden hour
Elsewhere
Frank’s CaféCaféLondon, United KingdomTop spot for Campari spritz with skyline views
Terrazza AperolCaféVenice, ItalyOverlooks a square in Venice’s San Marco district
Camparino in GalleriaBarMilan, ItalyOne of Milan’s most celebrated aperitivo institutions
San ZenoPlace of worshipNaturno, ItalyCreated Hugo spritz in 2005
Buža BarBarDubrovnik, CroatiaAtmospheric cliffside spot for a Hugo spritz
Ca’ SelectRestaurantVenice, ItalyModern bar for Select spritz
JaváRestaurantLisbon, PortugalRooftop terrace overlooking Lisbon’s terracotta rooftops
Rada Beach RistoranteRestaurantPositano, ItalySea-facing terrace in Positano
Le PerchoirRestaurantParis, FranceKnown for inventive cocktails overlooking Paris rooftops
Les Jardins du MaraisHotelParis, FranceLeafy garden terrace, perfect Parisian setting

Read the full piece at National Geographic →

Atlas ObscuraJun 26

The Santander to Alar del Rey Railway Line in Alar del Rey, Spain

Whilst heritage railways are fairly frequent entries in Atlas Obscura rail lines that are still operating commercially are much rarer but not unknown . This, Iberian standard gauge, line is actually the the northern section, through the Cantabrian Mountains, in Spain, of a line which actually runs south as far as Palencia , which is northwest of Madrid. It is remarkable for its spectacular scen…

9 sights in this story

Santander rail stationSightStarting point of the northern section of the railway line.
Rampe de BárcenaSightOne of the most remarkable feats of railway engineering.
Viaducto de Celada MarlantesSightAt time of building, the largest viaduct in Spain.
MontablizSightPasses close to the highest road viaduct in Spain.
Cañjón dela HoadadaSightNatural grandeur with massive cliffs.
Convento de Santa MariaSightMagnificent church attached, near Mave station.
Canal de CastillaSightOriginates in Alar del Rey, now a tourist attraction.
Las LorasSight
Las TuercesSight

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Smithsonian MagazineDec 22, 2025

The Oldest Restaurant in the World Just Turned 300 Years Old

Madrid’s Sobrino de Botín is filled with legends, ghosts and priceless art. The food is pretty good, too

16 things in this story

Sobrino de BotínRestaurantOldest restaurant in the world, opened in 1725
Austrias neighborhoodNeighborhoodHistoric neighborhood along Calle de Cuchilleros
Calle de CuchillerosNeighborhoodStreet named for 17th-century knifemakers
WalksPlaceOffers tours with a Botín expert
Talavera de la ReinaPlaceCeramic tile used in the dining room
Matritum Urbs RegiaSightPainting of the former Royal Alcázar of Madrid
MatriarcaRestaurantBienvenido a La Matriarca Restaurante, tu destino culinario en MADRID.
Plaza MayorMarket
The Sun Also RisesPlace
AustriasNeighborhood
Venice BiennaleFestival
De La Warr PavilionMuseum
Guggenheim BilbaoMuseum
Arts of the EarthPlace
Cooperativa de Mujeres Artesanas del Gran Chaco (COMAR)Place
United Nations Development Program (UNDP)Place

Read the full piece at Smithsonian Magazine →

Condé Nast TravelerDec 7, 2025

Expect to See These Hotels All Over Your Feed in 2026

From Venice to Kyoto and Costa Rica, it's going to be an unforgettable year for newcomers and familiar faces alike.

21 hotels in this story

Mercer MadridHotelLandmarked building, former HQ of Sociedad General Azucarera
Elsewhere
The CooperHotelCharleston, United StatesWaterfront location overlooking Charleston Harbor
The Knox Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts CollectionHotelDallas, United StatesAnchors the magnetic Knox Street neighborhood
White ElephantHotelAspen, United StatesThird outpost with 54 rooms and mountain views
The Selvedge, a SingleThread InnHotelHealdsburg, United StatesRestored 1895 River Belle Inn on Russian River banks
The Huntington HotelHotelSan Francisco, United StatesGrande dame of Nob Hill, renovated by Ken Fulk
The Vineta, Oetker HotelsHotelPalm Beach, United StatesHistoric building on Cocoanut Row, recently renovated
1 Hotel AustinHotelAustin, United StatesNature-driven approach on banks of Waller Creek
AmanvariHotelCosta Palmas, MexicoUltra-luxe serenity within Costa Palmas community
Siari, a Ritz-Carlton ReserveHotelNayarit, MexicoEstate on 920 acres along Mexico's Pacific coast
JW Marriott Costa ElenaHotelGuanacaste, Costa RicaChic new all-inclusive property with 415 rooms
Four Seasons Hotel and Residences CartagenaHotelCartagena, ColombiaSpans heritage buildings in vibrant Getsemaní
Explora El CalafateHotelEl Calafate, ArgentinaLuxury lodge near Lake Argentino with glacier views
Inkaterra Cabo BlancoHotelPiura, PeruEco-tourism destination on Peru's northern coastline
Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty ArchHotelLondon, United KingdomOccupies a Grade-I listed monument near Trafalgar Square
Cambridge House, Auberge CollectionHotelLondon, United KingdomGeorgian mansion on Piccadilly, balancing heritage and polish
The NewmanHotelLondon, United KingdomBoutique hotel in Fitzrovia with Art Deco design
HopeHotelScottish Highlands, United KingdomRetreat on vast Sutherland estate, part of rewilding project
Vestige Can JordiHotelFormentera, SpainLocated on Cala Saona, one of the island's best beaches
Zannier BendorHotelÎle de Bendor, FranceReimagined Provençal village on a private island
Airelles Palladio VeneziaHotelVenice, ItalyOccupies three historic buildings on Giudecca

Read the full piece at Condé Nast Traveler →

Atlas ObscuraOct 8, 2025

Fuente de San Isidro (St. Isidore's Fountain) in Madrid, Spain

The healing effects of the waters of this fountain were first reported in the 12th century. Located in the Cementerio Sacramental de San Isidro de Madrid, the Fuente de San Isidro owes its name to Saint Isidore the Farmer, patron saint of Madrid. The story goes that St. Isidore first miraculously made the waters flow in this spot by sticking his cane in the ground to give his master Iván de Var…

7 things in this story

Fuente de San IsidroSightwaters considered miraculous since 12th century
Cementerio Sacramental de San Isidro de MadridSight
Saint Isidore the FarmerSight
Empress Isabella of PortugalPlace
Emperor Charles VPlace
Iván de VargasPlace
Philip IIPlace

Read the full piece at Atlas Obscura →