Pablo Nouvelle

Zurich

An Italian enclave at the very end of famous Langstrasse. Paninis in every variety. Everything in this store is a 100% Italian. The ingredients, the amazing antipasti and the songs playing from the radio. How can something so simple be so good.

Zürich might be one of the most decent but surely not the biggest place on earth. If you want to get an overview first put on your fast shoes and head up to Käferbärg, which offers a little escape into the woods and a beautiful view over the city, the lake and the incredible alps. Make sure you set out for the trip in the late afternoon to catch the golden evening sun.

Close to my studio, this little restaurant has become my go to place if I want to treat myself for lunch. Honest meals, affordable and made with love.

Escape the city and climb the little mountain overseeing Zurich. Best to bring your bike and enjoy one of the many single trails and downhill tracks down the 400 meters altitude.

A beautiful bath to dip in the lake with a little beach and a tower out in the water to climb and jump from.

Claudio the soul of Sacci Bar will take care of your needs and make sure you won’t leave town without having tasted the best Negroni or natural wines there is.

Fancy a fancy dinner? Go to Kle. You’ll eat exclusively creations you’ve never experienced before. All vegan.

A small concert venue with one of the best bookings of local and international acts.

Jump from the bridge into the cold waters of the Limmat and drift down to Obere Letten. Have a Margarita at the rooftop of Primitivo Bar whilst watching people and go to a concert in the evening at the near by Parkplatz.

Best see and to be seen place on a Sunday afternoon. Visit the lovely Cafe Bonheur or bring your own and sit around the fountain.

Best cinema in town with the latest independent films and the most charming bar to linger around.

Discover Zürich with Pablo Nouvelle

Sylvia Pérez

Madrid

This viewpoint is built on a 110-meter-high lighting tower, constructed in 1992. It’s metal and has a somewhat dystopian feel. You take a panoramic elevator to the top and see a stunning panoramic view of the city. My favourite time to visit is at sunset to witness Madrid’s famous pink skies. The entrance fee is very affordable at 3 euros, but take note that it closes early.

A photography studio in the Carabanchel neighbourhood, run by friends of mine, feels like my second home since I’ve done some of my latest work here in Madrid. It’s a perfect size, fully equipped with all the technical gear you might need, and even has natural light if you want to use it. As a bonus, you can head up to the terrace to grab a coffee or smoke a cigarette between shots. The interior is amazing. If you’re in Madrid for a project, check it out!

This is an underground house in the garden of a property built by late brutalist architect Fernando Higueras. It was originally his studio but later became his home. It is now the headquarters of the Fernando Higueras foundation. 

You can arrange private visits by reservation or visit during the Open House Architecture Festival. It’s one of my favourite spots in the city and one of Madrid’s hidden treasures.


This gallery, which houses large-scale contemporary art exhibitions, is part of the Reina Sofía Museum in a separate building in El Retiro park. The park itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the museum is near the lake and the Palacio de Cristal. The stroll through the park and the gallery makes it well worth a visit.

It’s currently temporarily closed for renovations until Dec 2025, but usually it is open every day and free to enter.

This is the best-curated vintage clothing store in Madrid, with a finely selected range of designer vintage and archive clothing and collectables. Run by two brothers, Charly and Nacho, it’s a key spot in the city to get a feel for Madrid’s youth culture. You’ll find an international atmosphere where you can mingle with the city’s young and creative crowd.

This is a great place for an aperitif, lunch, or dinner, offering traditional tapas and dishes with a modern twist. The venue is traditional yet renovated, run by a young team that aims to keep the authentic vibe. It’s best to reserve a table in advance for meals, but no reservation is needed if you’re just stopping by for a drink. I’m a regular here and often hang out with international friends or hold casual professional meetings at this spot. If you come, you might even find me here!

This restaurant blends flavours from Eastern Mediterranean Arab countries. It has a cozy atmosphere where chef and owner, Heba Kharouf, will gladly explain each dish to you. It’s a place I’d bring someone if I wanted to impress them. The ambience is laid-back and international, with a mix of younger, modern customers and locals from the neighbourhood. I recommend booking in advance.

There’s no bar like Cock in Madrid. It’s one of the city’s oldest cocktail bars, dating back to 1921. Located on a side street behind Gran Víia, it served as the back door and secret entrance to another famous cocktail bar on Gran Vía, called Chicote. History is palpable here. Luminaries such as Buñuel, Dalí, Audrey Hepburn, Ava Gardner, and Frank Sinatra have all passed through. The bar has an Old English-style decor, with dark carved wood walls and waiters serving you with white gloves. It’s still a meeting point for Madrid’s creative elite today and is open every day of the week.

In Madrid, the aperitif, or pre-meal “vermouth hour,” is deeply ingrained, and there’s been a revival of pairing it with “Gildas” —a traditional pintxo from northern Spain. 

La Gildería specialises in Gildas, adding a signature experimental twist. You’ll find a wide variety of Gilda combinations (I recommend the sun-dried tomato, cheese, and basil) and an extensive selection of vermouths. The place has a contemporary, casual atmosphere, and reservations are not required.

This small, historic movie theatre with modernist architecture is located in the Anton Martín area, near the market of the same name. It’s now the home of the Spanish Film Archive. 

Besides the beautiful facade, I highly recommend going inside to watch a film and see the stunning restored blue main hall. Even the café at the entrance is worth a visit alone. They screen films from different eras in their original language. Be sure to check the schedule in advance. 

It’s a great plan any time of the year, with tickets priced at just 3 euros.

Walking along the Manzanares River always takes me to another time. It’s not a gushing river, but more of a biosphere reserve, with little water flow and lots of vegetation for birds and other species to nest. You can spot herons, ducks, and other birds. 

The views from Segovia Bridge are sick, offering a vista of the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, and North Station, all surrounded by greenery and pink skies at sunset.

When you need a break, you can rest in the open space below the bridge or at the terrace kiosk nearby.

It is one of the best bookstores in Madrid with the widest selection of artist and photography books. Founded by Elena Ochoa Foster, it also functions as an exhibition space, editorial, and contemporary art consultancy. Though it’s not in the city centre, a visit is well worth the trip to get there. 

The new lab in Madrid to develop and print your analog images. They’ve just opened and are located right in the city center—perfect if you’re looking for convenience and personalized service. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re in town and need to get something printed!

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