Madrid is the city where there is always something to do. Every day the agenda is filled with a wide variety of leisure and cultural activities for all ages and audiences. However, it also hides secret places, unknown to the vast majority, but which have a special charm. Today, we are sharing three spaces that few people know about. Would you like to discover them with us?
A bookshop with a secret café
In the Argüelles neighbourhood, we find Cafebrería ad Hoc, a bookshop-café founded in 2017 with an open and dynamic spirit. It is a cultural space where you can not only buy your favourite novels, but also enjoy a good read accompanied by tea and homemade cake. At the back of this bookshop, which is also an art gallery, there is a charming secret café. In this space they also organise reading and writing workshops, poetry readings and literary gatherings. A nice place for book lovers.
A secret palace
Image from Wikipedia
The Palacio de Laredo is located in Alcalá de Henares. This secret jewel of the 19th century is the legacy of the decorator, restorer, set designer and mayor of Alcalá, José de Laredo (1842 – 1896). It combines several styles in its interior and is made from archaeological remains from buildings in Toledo, Jaén, Guadalajara, Santorcaz and Alcalá de Henares itself.
The exterior features a minaret-like clock tower , while inside you should not miss the Sala del Alfarje, with a fine coffered ceiling, the small Sala Árabe reminiscent of the Alhambra in Granada, and the Salón de Reyes, with frescoes on the walls, the work of Laredo himself, depicting the various monarchs of the Crown of Castile.
Today, the palace is the headquarters of the International Centre for Cisneros Historical Studies and also houses a small Cisneros Museum. The University of Alcalá organises guided tours for in-depth visits.
The secret viewpoint of the Royal Palace
The viewpoint on the cornice of the Royal Palace has been closed to the public for more than 15 years. It offers beautiful views of the Campo de Moro Gardens and the Casa de Campo. The entrance is through one of the five original palace gates. Access is free of charge from Monday to Sunday from 12:00 to 22:00. Don’t miss the fabulous views of the city from this new viewpoint.
These three secrets, which are no longer secrets after this post, are not found in conventional guidebooks and offer unique experiences for your visit to Madrid. If you want to visit them, don’t miss the offers we have in store for you this spring at Hotel Moderno, right in the centre of Madrid.
