Known for its funky vibe, vintage shopping, and buzzing nightlife, barrio Malasaña is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Madrid. Loved by expats, locals, and tourists alike, this neighborhood makes a perfect addition to any Madrid travel itinerary.
To help you get started, I’ve put together a guide of my favorite tried & true spots in Malasaña + a free interactive map. From the fascinating history of the neighborhood to where to eat and where to stay, here’s everything you need to know before you visit!
Table of Contents
History of Malasaña
Malasaña is a formerly working-class barrio in the city center that is now a trendy, bohemian neighborhood loved by both locals and tourists alike.
The neighborhood is named after Manuela Malasaña, who was a 15 year old seamstress killed in the Dos de Mayo uprising against French troops in 1808. To commemorate the attack, you’ll find a statue in Plaza Dos de Mayo on the northern end of the neighborhood
Following the fall of Franco’s dictatorship in the 1980s, Malasaña played an important role as the epicenter of La Movida Madrileña. This was a cultural movement characterized by punk, alternative art, music, and a renowned freedom.
Although it has become a tourist hotspot, you can still feel this rebellious countercultural spirit when you step foot into the vibrant neighborhood.
Getting to Malasaña
The Malasaña neighborhood in Madrid is centrally locacted and easily accessible by metro, bus, or taxi.
- By Metro: Take Line 2 to Noviciado (west end) or Lines 1 or 10 to Tribunal (east end, also close to Chueca/Justicia)
- Walkable From: Plaza España, Gran Vía, Templo de Debod, and the Palacio Real
It’s one of the best neighborhoods to wander after hitting the major tourist sites in the city center.
Main Streets of Malasaña
When exploring barrio Malasaña, Madrid, these are the best streets to reference, and where you’ll find the most activity:
- Calle Corredera Baja De San Pablo: This is a lifeline in the neighborhood, full of shops, coffee shops and plazas.
- Calle del Pez: Cute offshoot from the neighborhood that has bars, restaurants, and is the home of the original Pez Tortilla.
- Calle del Espiritu Santo: Cute street on the north side of the neighborhood full of trendy bars, shops and restaurants.
Read on to the end for an interactive map that has these streets and the recommendations below pinned!
Malasaña Restaurants, Bars & Coffee Shops
Coffee Shops in Malasaña
This is my favorite stop when spending the morning in Malasaña, especially when the weather is nice. This coffee shop has a small but cozy interior and a grab-and-go window – perfect for grabbing a pistachio latte to take with you while vintage shopping in the neighborhood.
Hanso is a Japanese coffee shop located right across the street from Pan y Pepinillos. Hanso has amazing Japanese desserts like mochi and cheesecake, in addition to fun lattes like a mango sticky rice latte or coconut matcha.
They also serve an all day brunch if you want to stop and stay for awhile!
This is a coffee and brunch spot that turns into a natural wine and cocktail bar at night! La Bicicleta has been featured in Condé Nast and Time Out for its delicious lattes and amazing brunch menu. It’s an icon of the neighborhood!
Noviciado Coffee Shop
This is a super vibey coffee shop with a hidden terrace in the back! Perfect place to relax with friends, enjoy the vibes, and get some afternoon sun, slightly outside of the chaotic center.
Lunch & Dinner Spots in Malasaña
If you need a quick and easy – but still delicious – bite while exploring the neighborhood, look no further. We popped into this Greek restaurant when I started to get hangry, and it overdelivered. We ordered a make your own pita for €7 which was a complete steal.
Perfect spot to grab brunch in between Gran Vía and Malasaña. It’s right off the beaten path which means you can usually get a table right away if you go early or during the off-season. You can make reservations online, which I highly recommend so you can guarantee a spot!
Try the BLT wrap and bloody mary which were both a 10/10.
We stumbled upon this place last summer and loved it! This is a brewery that also has a tasty Tex Mex style menu, including delicious chilaquiles. They open up the windows in the summer with views into the neighborhood, and even have a weekly trivia night! It’s a great spot to grab a beer and a bite with friends.
If you ask any madrileño where to eat in Madrid, you’ll likely hear Casa Macareno come up. This is one of the best spots to get classic Spanish dishes like tortilla, patatas bravas, croquetas, and more. Make a reservation or come early, because there is always a wait list.
Voted the 3rd best bagels in the world during a bagel competition in NYC, this place does not disappoint. They have all the classics like a simiple bacon, egg & cheese, as well as rotating seasonal bagels and latte flavors. I also love this place for their massive iced lattes – something I miss from the U.S.!
This is a famous chain brunch spot loved by both tourists and locals alike. They have good portions at great prices, and are located not far from Gran Vía. Try their açai bowl or shakshuka!
Many madrileños say this is the best tortilla in the city, and it’s hard to disagree. While I’ve had some rival options, Pez Tortilla is a hit. In addition to the classic tortilla, they also have rotating flavors like brie and truffle which are delicious. If this is your first trip to Madrid, I would recommend trying a tortilla here to get the full Spanish experience!
Bars in Malasaña
This is an iconic bar on Calle del Pez that is well loved by locals. In addition to their amazing cocktail menu, they have really fun and unique events. Every Sunday they have a rotating restaurant or chef come in and do a tasting menu + cocktail pairing for around €35-40. I’ve been to a few of the pairings here, and it has always been an amazing experience well worth the price!
Keep an eye on their Instagram, where they post their upcoming events!
This is a new tapas and wine bar originally from León that has a really nice vibe and great value for the price. With a wine or vermouth, they bring a free large plate of tapas including chorizo and fuet for you to snack on. This is a great pit stop to grab a casual drink while exploring the neighborhood!
Lucky Dragon
This is a perfect late-night spot to visit before going out to the discotecas if that’s your thing! Lucky Dragon is an asian-themed bar/club with more affordable drinks and shots than what you’ll typically find in the city center. Not to mention the super cool theme and decor, making it a unique gem in Madrid nightlife.
Sweet Treats in Malasaña
This is a charming French crêpe restaurant right in the heart of Malasaña. I got a strawberry nutella crêpe and a glass of champagne and it was a total treat! Highly recommend that combo.
Natural ice cream and coffee shop that has the best, rich ice cream. This is a perfect stop on a hot summer day if you’re wanting a sweet treat to enjoy while you cool off!
Things to Do in Malasaña
Go Shopping!
One of the best things to do in the neighborhood is to go shopping on Calle Corredera Baja de San Pablo. The area is filled with cute boutiques and vintage shops. Some of my personal favorites are El Moderno Concept Store, Gafas Galore (vintage designer sunglasses), and Nest (stationary and gifts). Grab a coffee at Hanso and shop until you drop!
Go Bar Hopping at Night
Malasaña is famous for it’s vibrant nightlife. Do some casual bar hopping and experience why they call Madrid the city that never sleeps! I like the bars in Malasaña because they have a more casual vibe than what you would get at a nightclub, but with the same dance music and energy. This is perfect if you want a fun night out without too much commitment to going to a club after.
Visit the Museo de Historia de Madrid
I went to this museum when studying abroad in college, and this is a super comprehensive and nice museum to check out if you’d like to learn more about the origins of the city you’re exploring.
The best part? It’s free! The museum was renovated in 2014 and makes a nice addition to your Malasaña itinerary.
Located right in the shopping district of Fuencarral, this is a great market to pop into when you want a snack and a drink!
On the second floor, there’s a great spot to get some embutidos, try out the jamón iberico, and piquillo peppers. Highly recommend!
Where to Stay in Malasaña
To be honest, there aren’t a ton of great hotels in the actual Malasaña neighborhood. Instead, I’d recommend staying on Gran Vía if its your first time in Madrid, or even considering an Airbnb to find something in true barrio Malasaña. Here are two hotel recommendations:
While this is actually located on Gran Vía and not in the Malasaña neighborhood, it provides quick and easy access to the tourist center and Malasaña hot spots. They also have an amazing rooftop pool and bar which is a must if you’re visiting in the summer!
I stayed here in January 2023 and had a really positive experience.
Booking link: https://booking.tpk.lv/Yp6Vv1KY
While this one has Gran Vía in the name, it’s actually right by the Noviciado metro stop in Malasaña. This is a nice option if you want to be right in the center of the action in Malasaña, but still connected to the rest of the city via metro. They also have a really nice rooftop pool!
Booking link: https://booking.tpk.lv/o2RixQOz
FREE Interactive Map
All recommendations listed above have been pinned and shared on the interactive map below. Save this link for your next trip to Malasaña!
Final Thoughts
Whether this is your first time visiting Madrid or your 10th, barrio Malasaña is a must-have on your itinerary. From its charming, colorful streets to its hippie vibe and vintage shops, it’s easy to spend hours enjoying everything this beautiful neighborhood has to offer.
Hopefully this neighborhood guide gives you a taste of what the neighborhood has to offer. If you visit, let me know what you think in the comments!
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