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PODCAST

The Making of Madrid

Felicity Hughes

With its finger on the pulse of Spain"s dynamic capital, "The Making of Madrid" dives into the city’s rich history while offering practical insights for anyone visiting or planning to stay. Hosted by journalist and tour guide Felicity Hughes, this podcast uncovers the stories, landmarks, and cultural quirks that define Madrid, along with valuable tips for expats and tourists alike. Visit my website for a FREE copy of Madrid Beyond the Guidebook: https://shr.pn/tiNH

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All Episodes

00:22:25

Christmas in Madrid archive episode

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/12/08

In this festive episode of Making of Madrid, I take you through the magical experience of Christmas in the Spanish capital. From bustling holiday markets and dazzling illuminations to the rich traditions of El Gordo lottery and Three Kings Day, discover everything you need to know to enjoy the festive season in Madrid. Whether you’re planning a visit or just curious about how the city celebrates, tune in for a lively discussion packed with tips, fun facts, and holiday cheer.This is an archive

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00:35:25

Saving Madrid's Trees with AmyJo Doherty

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/11/24

Madrid's plazas are being systematically stripped of trees. In this last episode of the first season of The Making of Madrid, musician and activist AmyJo Doherty (sister of Pete Doherty) shares the story behind the "No a la Tala" movement—a campaign fighting to preserve Madrid's green spaces against development projects that prioritize tourism and construction over the city's trees.We discuss the metro expansion that destroyed trees in Arganzuela, the removal of shade from

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00:53:40

Kevin Ingram on the Conversos

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/11/10

Narratives surrounding Spain's Jewish converts to Christianity and their descendants (known collectively as conversos) understandably focus on the victimization of this community. Historian Kevin Ingram shifts the perspective a little by asking what role they played as innovators in modern Spain. In the latest episode of the podcast to coincide with the presentation of his book Converso Non-conformism in Early Modern Spain at Secret Kingdoms bookshop on November 21, we discuss their role in bringing

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00:18:20

Madrid's Hidden Islamic Heritage 2/2

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/10/27

Madrid is the only European capital founded by a Muslim ruler—a fact widely accepted in academic circles—yet traces of this Islamic heritage remain frustratingly hard to find. From poor signposting to restrictive opening hours, the city council seems to do little to highlight Madrid's true origins. In this two-part episode, released alongside my new Medieval Madrid Voicemap tour, I examine the archaeological evidence around the Royal Palace and La Latina to uncover why this significant history

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00:19:16

Madrid's Hidden Islamic Heritage 1/2

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/10/13

Madrid is the only European capital founded by a Muslim ruler—a fact widely accepted in academic circles—yet traces of this Islamic heritage remain frustratingly hard to find. From poor signposting to restrictive opening hours, the city council seems to do little to highlight Madrid's true origins. In this two-part episode, released alongside my new Medieval Madrid Voicemap tour, I examine the archaeological evidence around the Royal Palace and La Latina to uncover why this significant history

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00:28:22

Autumn reads with David Price

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/09/29

David Price, owner of The Secret Kingdoms bookshop in Madrid takes us through some autumnal reads. He also discusses his personal essay about his love affair with Madrid that was published by Ybernia press in the recently released Stray Cats compilation as well as the Guide to Madrid’s Literary District, a book he and I launched last year.For more about the podcast and to get a free copy of Madrid Beyond the Guidebook, visit The Making of Madrid.

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00:31:46

Is Madrid Still Worth Visiting?

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/09/15

Overtourism has become an increasing problem in Madrid with rising accommodation costs, endless queues and growing resentment from locals making tourists think twice before booking a trip. A trip to Kyoto this summer on assignment for Lonely Planet made me view the problem from a different angle as the Japanese city is dealing with similar issues. Is Madrid still worth visiting? Check out this latest episode to find out why I think it is and what you can do to avoid the crowds.

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00:11:54

Quiet Madrid: Campo del Moro

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/09/01

Tucked away under the palace is this lush green oasis that not many people stumble upon because the access points are not that obvious. One of the destinations featured in my new book Quiet Madrid, this place is a world away from the Madrid most tourists encounter. For more, visit my blog.

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00:21:09

A Guide to Usera Part 3: Restaurants

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/08/18

Usera is a foodie's heaven with Chinese, South American and Spanish options galore. Here I've listed all my favourite places to eat out. If you follow my advice, I guarantee you'll eat well and cheaply. For links to restaurants, check my website.

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00:19:41

August Festivals in Madrid

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/08/04

Proof that there is fun to be had in August even though half the city has decamped to the beach! In this episode I introduce three festivals held in Lavapiés during our hottest month. In it you'll learn what a verbena, a vestido chinés and a manton de manila is as well as hear a little bit of my impromptu singing of a zarzuela classic! For more on the topic, visit The Making of Madrid.

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00:22:13

Guide to Usera Part 2: Things to Do

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/07/21

Proof that there is life outside Madrid's M30 ring road, the second part of my Guide to Usera goes into what to see and do in Usera from checking out its groovy sundials, to mooching round Chinatown to cycling by the river. For more info, visit my website.

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00:13:13

How to Survive Summer in Madrid

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/07/07

My essential Madrid Summer Survival Guide takes you through strategies for enjoying Spain's capital during its scorching summer months. Join me as I explore how to navigate Madrid like a local when temperatures soar above 40°C (100F)—from booking accommodations in the cooler northern neighbourhoods to embracing the traditional siesta rhythm. I'll share insider tips on early morning explorations, air-conditioned cultural havens, refreshing green spaces, and nightlife that comes alive after sunset

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00:29:18

A Guide to La Latina

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/06/23

In the heart of old Madrid and yet a world apart from the touristy mayhem surrounding the royal palace, La Latina is the perfect place to base a stay in the city. For me, the steeply sloping squares and cobbled streets of the barrio (neighbourhood) offer a tranquil retreat into historic Madrid. By contrast, the bustling Cava Baja and in Mercado de Cebada in the upper section are a foodie heaven. A little bit more grown-up than Malasaña and Lavapiés, it has a sophisticated, traditional vibe

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00:21:26

Why Spain Has to Clamp Down on Airbnb

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/06/09

In this episode, I'll be exploring how short-term vacation rentals are contributing to the housing crisis in Madrid, where locals increasingly struggle with skyrocketing rents and limited housing availability. In it, you'll hear about the human impact of these changes and practical alternatives for responsible tourism. Despite sensationalist reports, Spaniards are not asking for all tourists to go home, merely that we fix a broken model. For more information, visit my website.

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00:27:03

Guide to Usera Part 1: History

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/05/26

To celebrate the Puertas Abiertas (open doors) art festival on May 31, this episode explores the history of Usera: how it went from being a quiet rural area to one of Madrid's most multicultural and creative districts. In it I talk about how the area resisted Nationalist troops during the Civil War, controversies over the name of its most famous estate and where most of its Chinese population hails from. The first of a three part guide to Madrid's Usera district, this one is close to my

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00:25:18

Madrileño words with Sergio de Isidro

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/05/12

It's the fiestas de San Isidro right now and to celebrate Madrid's biggest festival, here's a video of me discussing typically Madrileño terms with my husband Sergio de Isidro. Here you'll find out about festival food, how to dress as a chulapo and chulapa, how to dance the chotis and much more! Oh, and you'll also meet our gato (cat), Jiji, the most Madrileño member of our household!

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00:44:17

Raising bilingual children with Katharine Cannings

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/04/28

In this episode, I sit down with Katharine Cannings, a teacher, author, TV presenter, and entrepreneur who's been running Fun Box English for 18 years. Katharine shares insights from her new book, Fluent Families: A Road Map to Your Bilingual Home, drawing on both her professional experience teaching English through storytelling and her personal journey raising bilingual children in Madrid. From debunking common myths about language acquisition to offering practical strategies for multilingual

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00:35:47

Quiet Madrid launch

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/04/14

To celebrate the launch of my new guidebook, this episode takes a close look at three featured destinations in Quiet Madrid: Campo del Moro gardens, the Museum of Arts and Traditions, and Cine Dore cinema. Here, I take a deep dive into the history of each of these places and give tips on how best to enjoy each experience. All of these off-the-beaten path attractions are far from your usual tourist traps and provide a welcome respite from the tumult of Spain's capital city.

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00:45:20

Overrated & Underrated: Madrid’s Tourist Traps and...

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/03/31

Not all Madrid attractions are worth the hype! In this episode, I reveal the most overrated spots in the city—and where you should go instead. From overcrowded markets to underwhelming landmarks, I’ll break down why some famous places just don’t live up to expectations. But don’t worry, I won’t leave you hanging! I’ll also share my favorite underrated gems—hidden museums, quiet art spaces, and secret squares that most tourists miss. Whether you're planning a trip or just dreaming of Madrid, this

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00:43:26

Madrid's Wine World with Luke Darracott

The Making of Madrid ·

2025/03/17

Did you know Madrid produces some cracking wine? In this episode, I sit down with Luke Daracott, co-owner of Madrid & Daracott and host of The Spanish Wine Experience podcast, to find out more about Madrid’s wine scene. From an exploration of the region’s Garnacha and Albillo wines, to why local wines are still hard to find in Madrid’s bars, we covered a lot of ground. Whether you’re a wine lover or just curious about Madrid’s food and drink culture, this is an episode you won’t want to

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33 results

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