Madrid Río, on the banks of the Manzanares
Let's not go crazy, because You don't have to go far or leave a bundle to have a romantic date. We are going on a tour of the neighborhoods of Madrid, an alternative that surely you had not even thought of. TRUE? Well, take note, because these plans are among those that surprise even those of us who live in Madrid.
WE SET A COURSE TO ARAVACA
Aravaca is not just that neighborhood you pass through when you take the road to La Coruña to go to the mountains or to spend the weekend in Galicia. Aravaca, in case you did not know, has become an area to take into account to go for lunch or dinner.
Yes, for a little while now, there are several cool restaurants that have opened. To discover it, all you have to do is put ** Rumbo Aravaca :** that's the name of the new foodie area in the neighborhood, made up of seven restaurants built in the same space.
From Japanese to Mexican, Indian or even Mediterranean cuisine. good rice in The Sabine, best sushi in Masako , gluten-free kitchen in jealous or, why not, beers and traditional dishes in The Mamona.
But it is not the only thing that we are going to find in Aravaca, another option is Guito's, a quite cozy restaurant that combines the best of traditional Spanish cuisine with Swedish cuisine. A proposal to say the least exotic and daring. Everything a romantic date needs.
The Chingona of Rumbo Aravaca
LIKE IN CENTRAL PARK, BUT IN HORTALEZA
Hortaleza is not Manhattan, so far everyone agrees. But relatively recently the neighborhood boasts of having a gigantic park, the new lung in the northwest of the city. It is perfect to spend an afternoon as an urbanite-lover of nature.
And I'm not referring to spending just a little while or passing through, because if you want you can spend the whole day, like a total getaway. The size allows it to spare: it is four times bigger than the Retiro and almost the same as the New York park.
Of course, neither the Empire State nor the Top of the Rock are included, but many other curiosities are: it is a tree-shaped forest area and each area represents the typical plant landscapes of the Peninsula.
Go that in the morning you can take a walk through the fields of La Mancha, and in the afternoon climb up to the Aragonese Iberian System -landscape speaking, of course-. And to top it off, visit the area of the terraces , a place that has landscaped platforms in the shape of a descending waterfall towards the river. Yes, it also has a river.
And the best thing is that we haven't even left Hortaleza. (By the way, before going, it is best to check visiting hours because it has daily opening and closing hours)
vegetable
A SEAFOOD AFTERNOON OF RIVAS
The beach catches us a bit far to go and return during the day, but if what we want is a plan with the aroma of saltpeter and a lot of blue color, we can find it just a few minutes from downtown. Specifically in Rivas Vaciamadrid, that neighborhood that looks like an industrial estate to which we are going to start going on a pilgrimage if they continue to open places as cute as Rope , a tavern with the most marine atmosphere.
And not only in the aesthetics, with catwalk stools and tiles in light tones, but also in the menu: yes coquinas from Huelva , yes Galician octopus , yes seafood clams either dogfish in marinade As if it were a trip through the different Spanish coasts without leaving Madrid.
Because although Valentine's Day falls in February, it never hurts to remind us that there is less left for summer to arrive. Now that's a good plan.
Maroma, the seafood tavern of Rivas
** CARABANCHEL : LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER**
Staying in Carabanchel is going to be a trend. And having a romantic date can be a very good idea to discover sites like the Park of the Empress Maria of Austria, the most important green area in the district; something like the Carbanchel Retreat.
In addition, you can go visionary, because those who know the most about trends say that the lower area of Carabanchel, towards Marquis of Vadillo , it will be the fashionable neighborhood of the coming months.
The proximity to the city center by public transport, just a stone's throw from the Madrid Río area, makes it a most interesting link to build new premises that are well thought out for foodies and people who eat well; if not, let them tell HanSo Coffee , which managed to put the neighborhood on the map of the places to be madrileños -before moving to Pez Street, in Malasaña-.
Carbanchel Building 17
BARAJAS IS NOT JUST FOR TAKING A PLANE
Saying Barajas inevitably implies thinking about planes, suitcases and destinations. But for what we are proposing, none of that is necessary. There is the El Capricho Park , another of the city's green lungs and rich artistic heritage.
It belongs to the area of Alameda de Osuna and popular rumors say that it is one of the most beautiful parks in Madrid -in its creation they worked from royalty artists, set designers and gardeners-, despite also being one of the most unknown.
Discovering it will only cost you a few metro stops and you will be able to feel like the illustrious personalities of the 18th century who frequented it.
Caprice
APPOINTMENTS IN LEGAZPI GO ON WHEELS
is what you have Madrid Rio , that (almost) infinite walk full of bikes, skates, skateboards, tricycles and everything that moves on wheels. A plan to keep in mind for those couples who are fond of sports and outdoor dating , that there are also, of course.
Madrid Río has everything: if you like extreme sports, skate park tracks ; if you are more sweet, wooden swings, although we already warned you that these are facilities more well thought out for the little ones, so don't be surprised if an adult catches your attention. But hey, who doesn't like to take a little risk in front of their love, right?
Legaspi
** VALLECAS, A PLAN WITH A LOT OF CHARM (AND VIEWS TO FLOW OUT) **
Yeah, that's not crazy. That a date in Vallecas can be the most surprising, especially if you have never been to the Tio Pio hill. Although it is not very popular (yet), in the neighborhood it is affectionately known as the park of the seven tits, due to the orography that makes up its seven hills.
Idyllic, seriously, if you're looking a plan at sunset, with a picnic and a bottle of wine for two -more no, they would accuse us of bottle-, and incredible views of the urban landscape of Madrid. Surprise, seriously.
The Cerro del Tío Pío, in Vallecas, offers one of the best views of the capital
AS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN, BUT IN SAN BLAS
If you have never been to The Fifth of the Mills, a romantic date is one of the best excuses to meet him. You don't have to go very far because it is in San Blas (at the very door of the Suanzes metro stop), and by chance -or not- the best time to visit it is precisely the month of February, because it is when the almond trees begin their flowering.
A show with a very Mediterranean aesthetic that brings that note of delicacy and languor that a love date requires (if you want).
The Fifth of the Mills