If you’d like to know what to do in Madrid with your partner, we’ve got some of the most romantic places in the capital just for you.
Boating on the lake in the Casa de Campo
There’s not a single couple in Madrid that hasn’t gone boating among the ducks in the Casa de Campo. It recently underwent a major revamp, in which the jetty was expanded and it now occupies over 250 square metres with four marshlands for 68 boats. It boasts new spaces including a viewing deck with benches that resemble real hammocks and a grassy area on the banks. After a little bit of exercise—showing off your muscles as you row—it will be time to recharge your batteries at one of the Casa de Campo’s restaurants.
Paseo del Embarcadero, 8.
Watch the sunset at the Temple of Debod
The best sunset in Madrid is found at the Temple of Debod, a short walk away from Plaza de España and the Barceló Torre de Madrid hotel . The temple, donated to Spain by the Egyptian government, is surrounded by gardens and palm trees, forming an exotic environment right in the heart of the city. Many couples use it for their wedding photos and it’s not hard to see why.
Calle Ferraz, 1.
Boating on the lake in the Casa de Campo
There’s not a single couple in Madrid that hasn’t gone boating among the ducks in the Casa de Campo. It recently underwent a major revamp, in which the jetty was expanded and it now occupies over 250 square metres with four marshlands for 68 boats. It boasts new spaces including a viewing deck with benches that resemble real hammocks and a grassy area on the banks. After a little bit of exercise—showing off your muscles as you row—it will be time to recharge your batteries at one of the Casa de Campo’s restaurants.
Paseo del Embarcadero, 8.
Skating in Retiro Park
If you’re the kind of couple that likes to go skating, Retiro Park is the place for you. The Paseo de Coches, the park’s main promenade, has been a paradise for skaters for two centuries. In the surrounding area you’ll find places to rent skates, where they even organise guided skating routes through Madrid. Paseo Fernán Núñez is smooth and straight and perfect for beginners, whereas Paseo de Cuba, Calle Nicaragua and Paseo de Colombia are on more of a slope. In any case, bear in mind that not all of the paths are tarmacked, but, since you’re there, you can also take a stroll through the Cecilio Rodríguez Garden and walk among the free-roaming peacocks, see the Palacio de Cristal and go for a boat ride on the park’s lake.
Plaza de la Independencia, no number.
Riding bikes in Madrid Río
The new area around the Manzanares river boasts a green zone that is perfect for an afternoon spent with your partner on a pleasant bike ride. The southern portion is fairly flat and straight and perfect for an easy ride, whilst the part towards Príncipe Pío and Matadero Madrid is steeper and busier. Stop level with the Matadero and cross the bridge so you can recharge your batteries at one of its terraces, or head to the Segovia bridge at sundown where you can see the Royal Palace and the La Almudena Cathedral all lit up. If it’s hot, you can cool off at the fountains next to the river.
From Príncipe Pío to Legazpi.
Dinner and singing
One of the most romantic restaurants in Madrid, situated in the vicinity of the Royal Palace and the Teatro de la Ópera, is El Café de la Ópera. Don’t give your partner any clues so that they are left astonished when they find out the waiters are in fact a musical theatre and opera company, who burst into song whilst interacting with diners to make your meal a truly unique experience. Regardless of whether you’re a big fan of opera or not, the spectacle won’t fail to move you.
Calle Arrieta, 6.
See Madrid from the rooftop terrace of the Círculo de Bellas Artes
One of the finest views in Madrid is from the rooftop of the Círculo de Bellas Artes. The terrace of the iconic building boasts a gastro–cultural space where you can while away the night after dark. It offers 360 degree views from a height of 56 metres. Buy a ticket at the reception and then take the direct lift from the lobby. Since you’re there, you can also visit an exhibition and admire the beauty of the building itself.
Calle Marqués de Casa Riera, 2.
Relax at some Arab Baths
What could be more romantic than a relaxing experience to awaken the senses such as at a hammam? Try one at night for an even more calm and peaceful experience. The baths are a real oasis right in the heart of Madrid, where silence, evocative aromas and mood lighting will make your visit one of the most romantic things to do in Madrid. If you top it off with a massage with essential oils, your night couldn’t be any more perfect.
Calle Atocha, 14.
From Madrid to the skies on the cable car
Another great plan for couples in Madrid is riding the cable car. From Paseo del Pintor Rosales, one of the finest promenades in Madrid, it soars over treetops to the Casa de Campo, where you can have a drink at one of the terraces, giving you incredible views from one of its cabins of the area around the Royal Palace, the Rosaleda Gardens and the green lung that is the Casa de Campo.
Calle Paseo de Pintor Rosales (junction with Calle Marqués de Urquijo).
Strolling through Capricho Park
Madrid’s only garden originating from the Romantic era is situated in Alameda de Osuna. It was conceived in the eighteenth century as a maze for a romantic game of hide-and-seek. The garden has three different styles: the parterre unfurls with manicured hedges, as if it were a piece of embroidery; the Italian garden is the park’s oldest; and the English garden evokes nature and invites you to stop in one of its secret hideouts.
Paseo de Alameda de Osuna, 25.
A day out at the races
Why not spend your Sunday morning at Madrid’s Hipódromo de La Zarzuela to experience the thrill of horse racing. Amidst a unique setting you can place your bets on the winning horse and enjoy the food on offer at the food trucks surrounding the race course. In summer, it runs night-time races and if you’re after an exclusive experience, you can watch the races from the main stand with catering if you buy a Premium ticket.
Avenida Padre Huidobro, no number (A-6).
