Get to know the best Christmas routes in Madrid.

The capital shines with Christmas colours and is ready for you to enjoy and Instagram along with many other of the most Instagrammable spots in town. That being said, you better work on your smile at home so no one can tell how cold you actually are when you pose. Hop on the Naviluz, the bus the city of Madrid provides, that takes you through all the best spots you cannot miss. If you rather stretch your legs and lose yourself in the streets of Madrid, you can see them by walking.  If this is your choice, we recommend a good pair of gloves, a coat, scarf, and something a little loose for those beers (or wine) in between lightbulbs.r las calles, lo mejor es que lo hagas andando. Eso sí, buenos guantes, abrigo, bufanda y algo suelto para las cañitas entre bombilla y bombilla.

A lot of “turrón”, shopping bags, “polvorones”, some marzipan… but there is little talk about the “gustirrinín” of getting to San Gines, sitting down… (no matter what time is it, it´s like a 24 hour pharmacy, open 365 days of the year, 24 hours) and enjoying a hot chocolate with churros. It really is the best way to warm up your numb fingers, feet and recharge to keep on experiencing Madrid. After this, no one will stop you and the diet, (yeah that word) will be back.

Either you break out laughing or you break out in tears. whichever it may be, ice skating is one of the funniest activities to do during Christmas. You can find ice skating rinks scattered across the city in Plaza de Colón, Plaza de España, Matadero Madrid, Galería de Cristal Palacio de Cibeles, Puente de Vallecas, Carabanchel, Fuencarral-El Pardo, Rivas, Majadahonda... Although having one would have been the bomb, it was not possible… but we do have a good amount of ice for your drinks or that vermouth that you love so much.

The Mercado de la Plaza Mayor in Madrid becomes the traditional plan because of its excellence. Colourful stands fill the plaza while tourists and Madrileños come together in Christmas spirit, making their rounds to see what new trinkets they bring every year. There you can find from figures for your nativity to gag gifts. In case you have to get a Secret Santa gift for your friend this year, you´ll blow their mind. That being said, make sure you save some money so you can grab a bocadillo de calamares in this plaza, typical Spanish.

Going to the Swiss Alps is so last season. Just 60 kilometers away from the city, you find La Sierra de Guadarrama and the Navacerrada station.  How do you get there? If you are a true Bastardo and have no limits, it´s a 13 hour and 31 minute walk from the hostel. If you are one more of the bunch, you can take the bus or train from the Chamartín Station and you´ll be there in about a couple of hours.