Carlos Urroz, director of the city’s annual art fair ARCOmadrid, reveals his top holiday traditions.
Sweet Treat: “Roscón de reyes—a soft bun made with orange-blossom water—is only available at Christmastime. Try it at the historic boulangerieLa Duquesita(2 Calle de Fernando VI; 34/91-308-0231; roscón de reyes for two $10), a favorite of Pedro Almodóvar’s.”
City Lights: “The city commissions designers and architects to craft Christmas lights that are really creative. You can see them all around the city, including Calle de Preciados and Calle de Serrano, which are both main shopping streets.”
Nativity Scenes: “I always go see the nacimientos, depictions of the birth of Christ. The nicest ones are at the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales(3 Plaza de las Descalzas Reales; 34/91-454-8800) and the Real Monasterio de la Encarnación(1 Plaza de la Encarnación; 34/91-454-8800). Some of the figures are more than two hundred years old and are only shown once a year.” —Brooke Porter