Hey Spaneasier! It would be great if we could help you to enjoy and discover Madrid while you are taking a break from your Spanish lessons. And today we are discovering the central neighbourhood of Atocha. It might sound familiar to you, since the main train station, Estación de Atocha, as its name suggests, is located in this neighbourhood.
Here we can find Parque del Buen Retiro, also know as the Spanish Hyde Park. It is a huge park where you can do plenty of things: yoga, running, long walks, riding in boats, visiting Palacio de Cristal, skating, etc. It is an ideal option for all those who want to practice outdoor sports.
The streets are full of shops, bars and restaurants, so the list of options is endless. You can simply go for tapas or enjoy haute cuisine. What’s more, there are many cultural activities you can do in Atocha. The one we recommend the most is visiting museums since this neighborhood is the Holy Trinity of them all: Museo del Prado, Museo Arqueológico and Museo Thynssen-Bornemisza are mandatory visits!
If you are in the mood for party, then go to Teatro Kapital: several types of music divided into several floors. Isn’t it crazy? There is also a karaoke and a pleasant terrace in which you can relax after dancing. But maybe you aren’t a club person and prefer going to La Gatoteca. The you can read all about it here.
The neighborhood of Atocha has one of the best transport systems, it has a Renfe and Metro station, and many buses, even at night, so anyone who wants to visit it will find it very easy to get here.
Don’t hesitate to read our post about Lavapiés if you want to know another cool neighborhood in Madrid.