The Lavapiés sweets and spices shops
Wander around Lavapiés' maze of connected high streets and find dozens of Asian spice stores firmly grounded. Gentrification is going to need to work hard to push these neighbours out.
Mercado de la Cebada’s no-frills seafood party
Every Saturday, all of the seafood stalls group together and transform the mercado's aisles into electric avenues of seafood bars.
Explore Madrid’s charming workers’ housing
Corralas encapsulate the soul of Spanish urban living, which boomed when Madrid was declared capital of Spain in 1606.
Bar El Boqueron: the last marisquería in Lavapiés
In the candy-coloured streets of this multicultural barrio lies a traditional Madrid institution serving up some of the best seafood around. It's the last marisquería in Lavapiés but step inside, back to 1949.
Madrid’s guerilla gardens
Guerilla gardens have been popping up all over Madrid since the recent crisis – people have been reclaiming disused land for use as public space by planting trees and vegetables.
Latest obsession: the white plastic chair
The white plastic chair is a perfectly no-frills icon of the nostalgic Spanish lifestyle. Its low price, durability and simple design has made it the most popular chair in the world, costing as little as €3, and lasting a lifetime. It requires little to no cleaning, often being either left out in the rain, hosed down, or dipped in a swimming pool.