Madrid Río: Goya's chapel to Matadero: a walk in Madrid

A flat riverside walk (or BiciMAD ride) from Goya's frescoed chapel and a cider-house lunch, along the Manzanares park to the Matadero arts centre.

Best time: Afternoon; weekend for Matadero events

The route, stop by stop

1
San Antonio de la Florida Chapel (Goya's frescoes)
Goya's dome; 30 min.
A small 1790s chapel whose whole dome Goya painted with the miracle of Saint Anthony, and where Goya himself is buried. Free and almost empty, because visitors never leave the…
2
Casa Mingo
Asturian lunch; 60 min.
A cavernous Asturian cider house next to Goya's chapel: roast chicken, chorizo in cider and bottles of sidra; Madrid families have come here for generations.
3
Campo del Moro Gardens
Palace gardens; 30 min.
The Royal Palace's back garden, with peacocks and the best ground-level view of the palace façade; the entrance is on the river side, so few visitors find it.
4
Madrid Río
Riverside park, Puente de Toledo; 45 min.
The riverside park built over the buried M-30 motorway: 10 km of paths, playgrounds, historic bridges and summer water fountains that local kids use as a beach.
5
Matadero Madrid
Arts centre and terraces; 45 min.
The old city slaughterhouse turned into a huge free arts centre with a cinema, theatre and weekend markets beside Madrid Río; locals come for exhibitions and the terraces…