An alternative approach to exploring the country
For a fresh experience in Spain, stroll through some of the alternative neighborhoods, perfect places to find inspiration and expand your artistic awareness.
Malasaña, Madrid
Seek out the legendary bars near historic Plaza del Dos de Mayo and learn about the Movida Madrileña, a counter-cultural and musical movement that revolutionized the 1980s. Stroll around Madrid’s hipster, alternative area and revel in a vintage shopping paradise. Browse its second-hand bookshops, markets featuring the work of young designers, and tour of one of the main shopping areas in the capital, Calle Fuencarral. Then you can restore your strength with a little something on Calle Ballesta and check out the concerts and cultural events on offer in the Conde Duque Cultural Centre
Soho Málaga – The Art District, Málaga
Explore Malaga’s Soho, right by the port and the historic city center: graffiti, small venues, artists’ workshops, gourmet and organic bars abound. Find out why it’s such a leading exponent of urban art and underground culture by taking the route through the MAUS (Málaga Arte Urbano Soho), where the streets are transformed into canvases with works by artists such as Bohamistura, Roa, D’Face, Obey and others.
El Raval, Barcelona
El Raval, formerly a red-light district, is now a modern multicultural neighborhood of trendy bars and businesses. Its streets are full of markets, art galleries, interior design, and vintage clothing shops. The Raval open-air market, held on weekends, offers innovative ideas from urban designers.
Bilbao Art District, Bilbao
The streets of Bilbao are one big exhibition of architecture and contemporary art. Most of it is near the estuary, between the Guggenheim Museum, the Albia gardens and The Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall. An initiative known as the Bilbao Art District organizes activities throughout the year to integrate culture and art into the city’s daily life.
Ruzafa, Valencia
This multicultural neighborhood is in vogue. Go out for dinner, dancing, an exhibition, or the Ruzafa Market at the heart of this neighborhood. Stroll around its stalls and be captivated by its colors and aromas. You’ll find restaurants, bars, taverns and terraces with something for every taste. Take a look at San Valero y San Vicente Mártir Church and you’ll understand why they call it Ruzafa Cathedral.
Lavapiés, Madrid
The best plan in Lavapiés is to wander its steep and narrow streets to find corralas, the typical indoor courtyards where you can mingle with local inhabitants who’ve come from all over the world. In this alternative and avant-garde theatre epicenter, you’ll find small venues like El Burdel a Escena, El Umbral de Primavera and La Escalera de Jacob. Listen to live music, sample gourmet tapas, and buy alternative products at the Motor Market, which takes place between the platforms of the Railway Museum the second weekend of every month.
Check out Spain’s website to discover more spaces for alternative culture in Madrid and Barcelona.
