Planning a romantic getaway in Madrid? With its stunning parks, vibrant bars and dreamy locations, put Madrid at the top of your list for your next romantic weekend getaway with your special someone.
A trip to Madrid is a perfect idea for a special anniversary or to pop the question (more on that below). This itinerary will let you enjoy quality time together while experiencing some of the best Madrid offers. If you’d like to mix your romantic activities up with more lively ones, see our Authentic guide and Art guide to Madrid.
Our top romantic things to do on a getaway in Madrid:
Discover the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza together
Madrid’s art galleries are world famous. While you could visit the Prado, it’s a popular museum and swamped with people, so it’s not the most romantic of locations. For an equally impressive tour of art and a more intimate vibe, we recommend visiting the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. They painted the calm galleries in a lush salmon hue, so the gallery avoids that white-sterile feeling that you find in many art galleries. You can see the museum in a couple of hours, or you can spend much longer if you’re an art buff (in which case, see our guide to Madrid, Art Edition).
The Thyssen-Bornemisza is € 13, free on Mondays or free any day if you have the European Youth Card. The youth card is easy to buy and you get a digital card (here). You don’t need to be an EU resident, the website seems spammy but it’s legitimate!).
Cocktails at the romantic 1862 Dry Bar
A cocktail is a perfect way to enjoy the evening in Madrid. Madrid’s strong cocktail culture has materialised in an annual cocktail week across the top bars. We recommend 1862 Dry Bar‘s classy bar for a romantic evening in Madrid. 1862 Dry Bar have been awarded best cocktail bar in Madrid- the drinks and service are excellent.
Get away from the city buzz at one of Madrid’s many parks
Retiro – the romantic boat ride
Retiro is a very popular park, and it’s near the Thyssen-Bornemisza. Expect to see locals exercising and dog-walking on the weekend and plenty of tourists enjoying the nature in the park. It’s massive, so it’s easy to find a spot just for yourself. There are countless paths shaded by tall trees. The afternoon sun dappling through the trees is exquisite.
Even though Retiro is busy, it’s still one of the most romantic spots in Madrid. You can hire a rowboat, have a coffee at the café, see the Palacio Cristal and stroll through rose gardens.
Campo del Moro – the royal experience
In the “backyard” of the palace, these gardens feel as though they have come from an estate in a Jane Austen novel. The landscaped gardens feature a few sculptures and an impressive fountain, but still have a casual, old-worldly charm. Campo del Moro is a smaller park, and it will only take an hour to explore the little pathways. Around 11am, you might be lucky to see the palace’s beautiful horses pulling their carriage during their exercise in the park.
With only one entrance to the park, Campo del Moro is hard to find so often missed by tourists. To get there, take a train to Principe Pio, or wander from Plaza España down Cuesta de San Vicente and turn left onto Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto. The entrance is near the Cuesta de San Vicente side of the park.
Casa de Campo – the isolated getaway in nature
Casa de Campo helps regulate Madrid’s air quality. The park’s dry vegetation sprawls across 4 acres and feels very far away from the bustle of the city. To get there, take the cable car ride into the heart of Casa de Campo. It’s silent here, with little to do other than wander the unmarked walking trails. Keep in mind that the cable car travels over motorways, so it’s probably not the best choice for those with a fear of heights.
If you’d like to get engaged in Madrid, this is the perfect spot for a private proposal. Pack a picnic of champagne (or local Spanish Cava) and treats. There’s a fantastic bakery, Pasteleria Oriental, near the cable car entrance where you can get pastries or cakes to take up into the park.
The cable car leaves from the rose gardens at Parque Oeste. The rose gardens are a dazzling and romantic spot to enjoy with a loved one, with hundreds of roses and delicate fragrances.
A romantic getaway in Madrid means tapas are on the menu!
Sharing a meal is a universal favourite date, and Madrid ‘s tapas culture is perfect for this.
There are several markets around Madrid. The Mercado de San Miguel is the most famous, and most touristic, one. The market has many stalls, each selling gourmet tapas. It’s an expensive way to eat tapas, but the market is a fun place to try a variety of different tapas. It’s a crowded market, so be ready to eat and drink standing up.
For a casual and cheerful sit-down dinner, EL miniBAR serves a delicious range of classic tapas with a twist- think roasted cheese, duck confit, cod and croquettes. The servings are generous, 3 to 4 tapas to share between two will be a veritable feast!
Cuddle up and watch the sunset at the Temple of Debod
Escape to Egypt for an hour at the Temple of Debod. Egypt gifted this stunning temple to Madrid as a token of gratitude. The temple, in the heart of Madrid, is an unexpected sight to behold. It is striking in the day, but we think the temple is the best place to enjoy the sunset in Madrid. The temple is beautifully lit once the sun has set.
The temple is open for exploration from 10am to 7pm each day (except Mondays). The wait in line is worth it and isn’t usually longer than twenty minutes. Once inside, you’ll enjoy being up close with the temple, seeing inside the temple and learning about the temple in the museum upstairs (it’s easy to miss the staircase so remember to look for it).
Sweeten the day and share churros
You must share some churros con chocolate during your romantic getaway in Madrid. It can be breakfast (desayuno), afternoon tea (meriendas) or dessert (postres)! The thick doughnut-like churros taste splendid when dipped into the traditional thick hot chocolate. The famed churros bar is San Ginés, but we recommend Maestro Churrero’s churros, who offer a gluten free choice for those who need it alongside their regular menu
Bathe at the Hammam Al Andalus – the intimate escape in Madrid
Want to get steamy during your romantic getaway in Madrid? Pack a swimsuit and reserve a package at the Hammam Al Andalus. The Moors brought the hammam bathing experience to Spain in the 8th Century and it involves hydrotherapy (bathing in pools of different temperatures). There are options for scrub and massage packages if you’re really spoiling each other and keen to experience the full original treatment.
Enjoy your trip!
If you’re looking for more inspiration for your Madrid trip, see our guides for art and authentic experiences. If you’re travelling with a gluten-free companion, see our tips for dining gluten free in Madrid here. For everything you need to pack in your carry-on, consult our checklist.
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