This blog post was originally posted on February 13, 2013 and was updated on October 9, 2017.
Spain is a country known for passion and romance. When it comes to Valentine’s Day, there’s no better place to be!
El día de San Valentín may not be the most Spanish of holidays (they say it originates in the UK), but Madrid is the perfect place to celebrate this ‘Hallmark Holiday’ without all of the materialism. Madrid is truly a city of romantic adventures waiting to be had. Here are some of our picks for how to spend Valentine’s Day in Madrid.
Photo Credit: Dimitry B., Text Overlay: Devour Madrid Food Tours
Take a romantic stroll
Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to walk hand in hand with your amor through one of the amazing parks in Madrid. After all, taking a leisurely paseo is as Spanish as it gets! A walk down the Paseo de la Castellana starting at Nuevos Ministerios is also a great way to start off a romantic afternoon. Rest assured that there are plenty of cafés along the way if a café con leche break is needed.
A little way down, on Paseo General Martinez Campos, is the Sorolla Museum. The museum is located in the restored home of Joaquín Sorolla, who was an impressionist painter and socialite at the turn of the 20th century. One of many amazing museums in Madrid, it is home to a quaint and beautifully-detailed garden. It’s the perfect place to take a break with your loved one while celebrating Valentine’s Day in Madrid.
See a flamenco show
Flamenco is a dance of passion, love and strength: an ideal show for a Valentine’s night out. There are a few restaurants and bars that showcase flamenco while providing a traditional Spanish meal in old Madrid. Cardamomo (Calle Echegaray, 15) is one of the best places to see flamenco in Madrid. They accept reservations for just the show, which we recommend. After the show you can always extend the evening by hopping around the center’s tapas bars or by going for a cocktail. This makes for the complete romantic evening with your significant other and the perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day in Madrid!
Take a cooking class
What’s more romantic than cooking a meal with a loved one and enjoying it with a glass of Spanish wine? There are numerous cooking classes available all throughout Madrid. This kind of date can be the perfect way to spend quality time with your loved one. Another perk is that you’re free from the stress of too much to organize!
See Madrid from above
While maybe a little cheesy, the Teleférico in Madrid’s Casa de Campo can make for quite a romantic Valentine’s Day outing. From up high you can see all of Madrid while enjoying the nature below. The views of the Royal Palace and Debod Temple make it a worthwhile endeavor. A quick walk from there is Casa Mingo, a restaurant famous for their homemade sidra (hard cider) and roasted chicken. With its cozy atmosphere and friendly staff, it’s a perfect date night spot for Valentine’s Day in Madrid.
See an old romantic movie
A twist on the classic “dinner and a movie” can be another route to take on this romantic holiday. Doré Cinema is a classic theater house built in the late 19th century. One of the best English language cinemas in Madrid, you can cozy up and watch a true classic in English or a selection from the Spanish Film Library. Located near the Plaza de Santa Ana, you can finish the night with dessert and drinks at any of the local cafés or bars.
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Do you know that in madrid is buried saint Valentin?
I had no idea! How interesting!
St. Valentine, the patron saint of love, was executed in Rome and buried there in the 3rd century. Much later, an Irish priest was granted permission to exhume his remains, and now his skeleton lies under Whitefriar Church in Dublin