As of today you have just under a week to get planning and, for those of you in Madrid, I thought I'd put together a roundup of suggestions for fun/romantic things to do in the city. So in no particular order here we go:
1. Templo de Debod
This is number one on everyone else's list of things to do on valentines day so I thought I'd get it out of the way quickly. It is certainly pretty romantic; an ancient egyptian temple transplanted to the heart of Madrid, surrounded by a still reflecting pool and green park area. Visit at sunset to enjoy the sky turning gold over great views of the city and the temple itself all lit up and glowing.
2. El Circulo de Bellas Artes
Continuing with the sunset theme one of the best places to be at nightfall in Madrid is the rooftop bar on top of the Circulo de Bellas Artes. There are luxe sun loungers for relaxing and sipping your mojito while gazing out over the skyline. This is a very popular place so be prepared to arrive before sunset to guarantee a space; then settle in to watch the sun sink and the city come to life.
3. Platea Madrid
If you're looking for somewhere different to eat why not try Platea Madrid? This gourmet food hall is housed in an old converted cinema complete with red velvet and gold brocade. The food is delicious with many different stalls offering a variety of tasty options and there's often a jazz band playing live on the stage. Even better it's accessed from the street through a fruit and veg shop; I remember my mouth fell open as we passed the punnets of strawberries to find the enormous and very glamorous cinema hidden behind.
4. El Club Allard vs Calle Cava Baja
If you've got a bit (or a lot) of spare cash and are in the mood for top notch nosh then head to El Club Allard. Chris and I paid this place a visit to treat ourselves as it was the last time we'd be in Madrid together. This truly is one of the best restaurants in Madrid, with a price to match, but the food is beautiful and if you're looking to impress then this is the place to do it.
On the other hand if, like the majority of us, this place is more than a little over budget then pay Calle Cava Baja a visit. This is one of the most famous streets for tapas in Madrid and the food is delicious, cheap and plentiful. The atmosphere is great with everyone flocking to their favourite bar to sip drinks and enjoy great company and great food. If you're looking to really show your partner what life in Madrid is like with some authentic Spanish tapas and waiters that you'll need to practice your Spanish skills on then this is the place to be!
5. ParaPark
Thinking of innovative date ideas can be trickier than expected. If you're stuck then why not give ParaPark a try? This place is based on an idea first developed in Budapest and has now been rolled out to the rest of the world. You and your partner (or some friends; teams of up to 5 are allowed) are locked into a room full of interactive puzzles, clues and brainteasers and have to escape as quickly as you can. This is great fun and really requires good teamwork and quick thinking. If you're interested check online as you'll have to book a slot and then get ready to put your thinking caps on!
6. Parque de Retiro / El Palacio
For those whose idea of a good time doesn't involve a mad scramble against the clock to escape from a room full of clues then there are plenty of more relaxed options. El Parque de Retiro is one of my favourite places in the city; a huge green park full of gorgeous scenery, a picturesque lake and people relaxing in the sunshine. It's become a tradition for couples to hire rowboats and drift about on the water watching the world go by.
If you're both fans of history or art then why not use this as an excuse to pay the Palacio a visit? I was truly impressed with the interior of this building; it was the most luxurious place I've ever seen! Plus with tickets at only 11 euro each it won't break the bank. (Make sure to get an audio guide!)
7. The Zoo
I've always thought the zoo is a great place for a date; it's essentially a walk in the park with lots of interesting animals plus excellent areas for picnics and plenty of places to grab a drink. The zoo in Madrid is a little further out of the city but easily accessible by metro and is well worth a visit. I would much rather the animals were in the wild but this place manages to alleviate most concerns pretty well. The animals look healthy and cared for and their enclosures are well designed and full of things to keep them interested. Our favourites were the tigers and the monkeys who could keep you entertained for hours with their antics. This is the perfect place to spend an afternoon.
This is only a taster list of the things that Madrid has to offer for couples on valentines day. There is so much more to see and do! Why not take a segway tour through the city and really show your other half what it's like in your new home? Book an appointment in a spa and spend the day being pampered. Spend the morning in one of the many fantastic museums, take the foodie in your life to the Mercado de San Miguel or go for a romantic ramble along the river. The choice is yours!
If you feel you've seen and done everything in Madrid then go on a daytrip. Toledo and Segovia are only about an hour away by train and are lovely places to explore (see links in side bar for posts on these cities and more).
Whatever you end up doing I'm sure you'll have a lovely valentines day. If you have any other ideas for things to do then please leave them as a comment below or tweet me - I'd love to hear them!
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