Madrid is a city of contrasts, offering both exhilarating experiences and moments of exhaustion. Luckily, the city's vibrant core and tranquil surroundings strike a perfect balance between spontaneous adventures and intentional getaways. This week, Madrid te enreda suggests a variety of plans from the bustling city center to the serene mountains: a new rooftop with a French soul on Gran Vía, a restaurant featuring the best grills in Valdemorillo, and a ceramic gallery in El Escorial where art can be touched. These are three delightful ways to escape monotony and discover unique ways to enjoy the city: whether it's with a ceramic mug, horseback riding in the countryside, or indulging in a croissant that makes the coffee worthwhile.

Horses, massages, and grills in Valdemorillo

For those seeking a nearby escape from Madrid, Mercado Avellaneda offers a delightful combination of countryside, excellent food, and activities that encourage extending your stay. Begin your adventure with a horseback ride around the Mojadillas equestrian center, followed by an outdoor massage before enjoying a meal, all within a single estate located less than an hour from the capital.

This project is spearheaded by César Galán and Javier Rueda. Galán, with Argentine roots, boasts over two decades of experience in grilling, mastering techniques from stake roasting to underground cooking. Rueda handles the dining experience, wine selection, and overall customer satisfaction.

Mercado Avellaneda's culinary offerings focus on charcoal or wood-fired creations, seasonal ingredients, and a flavor-centric approach without unnecessary frills. Recommended dishes include croquettes, potato salad, salmorejo, and, of course, their grilled meats. To conclude, many recommend the cheesecake.

Beyond the restaurant, the venue hosts a diverse program, including brunch with DJ sessions, markets, concerts, and afternoon salsa in the garden. Especially during summer, it's a place where plans can extend well into the night.

The average cost is around 70 euros. The establishment opens from Friday to Sunday during the low season and extends its days during summer, adjusting hours based on scheduled events.

Visit El Escorial and purchase ceramics

The journey can continue to El Escorial, where buying or making ceramics is the new brunch or the answer to "I've had enough of the city." For many patrons, there's something profoundly therapeutic about leaving Madrid on a random Saturday and heading to San Lorenzo de El Escorial with the sole mission of getting their hands—if only mentally—into clay. LAMÍNIMA (located at Calle del Rey, 27, San Lorenzo de El Escorial), the project by Juanra Martín, is precisely that: a gallery where pieces are more than just decoration.

"I wanted to create something that shows contemporary ceramics as I believe it is: another form of artistic expression, with significant conceptual and aesthetic importance," Martín explains. It's not a typical store or a souvenir showcase. It's an intimate space where pieces can be touched, turned, and weighed in hand.

No prior knowledge of ceramics is needed to enjoy it. Simply let yourself be carried away by the texture, the intentionally sought imperfection, the glazes that seem accidental but aren't. And if you leave with a unique cup or an impossible bowl, even better. The average price is around 150 euros.

The plan is complete with a stroll through the old town, a coffee with views of the Monastery, and that award-winning bread from Obrador Abantos, which is almost legendary.

A new rooftop on Gran Vía

If time is limited to leave the city, a great option is to ascend to a rooftop. And yes, in Madrid, there's always a new one to discover. The latest addition arrives with authentic butter croissants, designer massages, and an obsession with detail that, surprisingly, doesn't overwhelm.

It's called Brach Madrid (located at Gran Vía, 20) and is the first hotel of the French chain Evok Collection in Spain. It's exactly what you'd expect: views, cocktails, Philippe Starck design, and a balance between European sophistication and a desire to appeal to locals.

The goal isn't to impress but to seduce. Take it slow. It's less a hotel and more an ecosystem: restaurant, bakery, Sunday brunch, and a wellness area called Capsule Wellness, where they promise you'll enter tense and leave feeling Parisian.

According to its CEO, Emmanuel Sauvage, Madrid was "a natural choice." Because it vibrates, it excites. And because, let's be honest, Gran Vía is the place everyone wants to be (even though they claim to prefer Malasaña). The menu starts at 18 euros—including coffee and pastry—and can ascend as desired. The ambiance heightens as the sun sets, and plans become more fluid. No need to stay overnight to be part of the scene.

Is it an experience? Yes. Does it need careful planning? Not really. Sometimes, it's enough to ascend, gaze at the city from above, and embrace the French notion that luxury can simply be savoring a good dessert without haste.