"Welcome to our curated list of recommendations for traveling and dining in Spain. These suggestions have been gathered from our personal networks. While these recommendations are not personally vetted by us, they come highly recommended by those within our network. Please feel free to add your own favourite spots or share any updates in the comments section below. If you come across any information that may have changed, such as closures or updated details, we would greatly appreciate your feedback. Let's build a community-sourced guide to ensure that everyone can enjoy the best of what Spain has to offer." Marco van Embden, Cape Town
1. Tour Operators / Travel Agent Recommendations
Alcala Concierge
Contact: Belén Sánchez - She is amazing and can tell you where to go and get you a reservation
E: info@alcalaconcierge.com
T: +34 676 252 927
@alcalaconcierge - Tailor-made luxury stay in Madrid
Services offered: Airport pick up and drop service, Driver, Reservations at hotels, Museums and cultural activities, Tickets to events, Private trips to other cities, Reservations at exclusive restaurants and night leisure, Spa, Fitness and Beauty Centers, Pádel and golf, Nanny's Duty.
- Pou Travel
Contact: Martina Pou
E: martina@poutravel.com - Contact to organise transport in Spain
Javier Juan
E: juan@unboxspain.com
Index
2. Dining recommendations
Dining in Asturias:
- The best fish grill of Spain by the Vega Beach - it is called Gueyu de Mar. It is a place a foodie should not miss. Also to spend the day at the beach. Great to have you over in Asturias. You will love it
- My favorite in Asturias is Casa Marcial, then Casa Gerardo (ask for the fabada and the arroz con leche for desert) both are great, I don't know what is your plan, for me going to the mountains to eat local cheese (cabrales) and having lunch in a little town is a great plan. If you want to do this plan I can recommend a great place.
Dining in Barcelona:
- Alkimia - "1 Michelin star tasting menu."
- Bar La Plata
- Bar Mut
- Bodega La Palma - Calamar, Black squid croquettes, Patatas bravas
- Can Paixano - pork sandwich & cava
- Cova Fumada – “old school seafood experience, so good and inexpensive”
- Distrufar - "has recently been voted in the top 10 in the world...30 courses of pure theatre, need to book early though! Top 5 meals of my life…"
- el Chiringuito
- El Xampanyet – “my favorite tapas…”
- Granja Viader - Churros y chocolate
- Grill in Marbella Club Hotel
- Lobito de Mar Restaurant
- Parallelo - best gelato in Barcelona, in the Gracia neighborhood
- Restaurant Gresca - Gresca Bar, +Gresca. Provença 230 Barcelona. Tel. 934516193
- Rocambolesc - amazing soft ice cream
- Sabor de barrio - Ox tail sandwiches
- Via Veneto - "1 Michelin star old school"
- Xarcuteria La Pineda
- Zim - Local wines, sobresada and cheese
Dining in Madrid:
- 47 Ronin
- Abac – “fine dining, very expensive, some things hit but stuffy”
- A'Barra
- Alabaster
- Amazonico
- Amprito Roca
- Arzábal Retiro
- Bar La Plata – Vermut, Pescadito frito, Pinxo buttifara
- Bar Tomate
- Barbara Ann
- BiBo Dani Garcia
- Bodega La Palma – Calamar, Black squid croquettes, Patatas bravas
- Café Comercial
- Can Paixano - pork sandwich & cava
- Casa Hortensia Restaurante & Sidrería
- Charrua Madrid
- Chocolaterias Valor "churros"
- Chocolatería San Ginés - "churros"
- Casa Benigna
- Casa Lucio
- Cañadio
- Carbón Negro
- Casa Benigna– is delicious
- Chow Chow
- Coque
- Cova Fumada - If you can get there between 9am and 4pm
- Desde 1911
- Disfrutar – “2 Michelin stars- Restaurant from the sous-chefs of el Bulli., an homage to creativity, spendy but worth it (w no kids)”
- DiverXO
- El Brillante
- El Escorial
- El Fogón de Trifón
- El Lando
- El Quim de la Boqueria – “great restaurant in the big market”
Estimar incredible seafood..." - Enigma – “from team behind tkts, less formal, but unique - worth it for fancy lunch”
- Fanático
- Fayer
- Filandon - it’s a bit on the outskirts of Madrid but it’s for me, the best restaurant in Madrid, not very touristy
- Finca Biniagual - it was amazing
- Fismuler
- Gorria - “an establishment kind of vibe…but bomb”
- Granja viader - Churros y chocolate
- Honest Greens - "nicer, more hip sweetgreens. great if looking for solid salad or bowl at a great price"
- Lux
- Maldonado 14
- Marieta Restaurnat & Bar
- Mercado de San Antón - Market in Madrid
- Mercado de San Ildefonso
- Mercado de San Miguel
- Numa Pompilio
- Parallelo - 'Best gelato in Barcelona, in the Gracia neighborhood'
- Praguas
- Restaurant Botin
- Restaurant St. James
- Restaurant Trainera
- Restaurante L'Albufera
- Restaurante Ultramarinos Quintin
- Rincon de Jaen
- Rocambolesc - amazing soft ice cream
- Roostiq
- Rosi La Loca - This restaurant has a fun environment and is right off Plaza Sol
- Sabor de barrio - Ox tail sandwiches
- Samm is great very family oriented
- Segovia
- Ultramarinos Marin – “new place in Barcelona lots of people are talking about. Only open for breakfast and lunch, 5 days a week. Informal + amazing product”
Dining in San Sebastian:
- Akelarre
- Arzak – “fine dining. Elegant, family-run restaurant from 1897, with tasting menus specializing in modern Basque fare.”
- Asador Etxebarri – “fine dining. Upscale Basque dining room in a village, serving flame-grilled meat & seafood & a tasting menu.”
- BAR SPORT!!!! Please do not miss it, tapas bar, standing up, AMAZING
- Elkano – “the best seafood. Aitor is the owner (I would suggest letting Aitor choose the menu for you...)”
- Mirador de Ulia
- Taberna Gandarias
Dining in Seville:
- Cañabota - Sea Food
- Casa Ozama - another trendy place
- Casa Robles - Local Food
- Casa Roman - Typical Tapas
- Catalina La Barra - tapas, very good
- El Espigón - Sea Food
- La isla - Local Food
- MariaTrifulca - trendy place, close to the river
Dining in Mallorca:
In Old Town:
- Sant Francesc Hotel Singular
- Lots of great places to eat in Old Town
Outside of Palma Old Town:
- Residencia
- Cap Rocat
Especially for kids:
- Faunia
- Madrid Fly Tunnel
- Micropolix
- Mundo Pixar
- Museo de la felicidad
- Parque de Atracciones
- Parque Warner
- Zoológico
Illes Balears
- Beach club - Puro Beach Palma - Owned by Bertrán Álvarez de Estrada
3. Bar Recommendations
Madrid Rooftops
4. Activities Recommendations
- Jamon & Wine Tasting Experience - “The tasting experience which was brilliant, if you like Jamon! Can be organised through Vila Viniteca who have the most amazing wine cellar where they do the tasting. There are masses of other things to do as well…”
- Guetaria is a nice town
- Plaza Santa Ana (square in Spain)
- Cooking class
- Madrid Zoo
- Amusement Park
- Sweet Space
- Rent a boat for the day, there are several marinas around the island.
- San Miguel Market is fun and in a cool building, but very crowded on weekends. It's next to Plaza Mayor.
- Street art in the Lavapiés neighborhood
In Mallorca:
- Do the balloon tour from Manacor. Book in advance
- Also book a lunch in olive farms
- Lots of village flea markets
- Visit Palma and Deia and Valldemossa and Sóller
In Madrid:
- Casa de Campo
- Catedral La Almudena
- Estadio S. Bernabéu
- Jardines Sabatini
- Palacio de Liria
- Palacio Real
- Parque del Retiro
- Plaza Cibeles
- Plaza Mayor
- Puerta de Alcalá
- Puerta del Sol
- Teatro Real
- El Rastro flea market - If you're in Madrid on a Sunday, you can go to there
Museums in Madrid:
Musical shows:
- A lot of them in Calle Gran Vía
- Flamenco show in El Corral de la Morería
5. Accommodation Recommendations
- Hotel Tres Reyes (4*) in the city center
- La Perla (5*) located in the city center
- La Residencia (Belmont) is the most highly regarded
- Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa in Kohsamui
- Mandarin Oriental - In centre, Very good for summer stays
- Muga Beloso (5*) - like 25’ walking to the city. Very recommendable
- Ritz Carlton - In the sea barceloneta arts - Very good for summer stays
- Soho House, in Barcelona
- Son Bunyola and Son Brull - top of my to-visit list
- The St Regis is best if travelling with family or if you want to be closer to Palma
San Sebastian beach by Ultrash Ricco