Are you a digital nomad, have you brought some work with you on vacation, or are you looking for a café with free Wi-Fi where you can enjoy your laptop? Here you’ll find cozy, laptop-friendly cafés in Madrid where you can sit and drink coffee for as long as you want.
The guide is updated in March 2026, it was originally published in December 2018.
There’s always a café around the corner in Madrid with free WiFi, but not all cafés offer fast WiFi and work-friendly conditions.
However, in these mobile times, when many digital nomads are also staying in Madrid, there are more and more cafés that cater to the needs of the mobile worker. These cafés also have fast and good WiFi connection and charging points.
Many others, including locals, use the city’s cafés as living rooms in their spare time, checking emails and online shopping at the café tables.
The concept, style and interior design of each café is different. There’s a café for those who want peace and quiet, and for those who like the sound of lively conversations and good music as a soundtrack when you sit in a café with your computer.
Even if you can sit for a long time over a cup of coffee, make sure you refuel with a second cup and some food to support the cafés. On weekends, most cafés are reserved for socializing and not working.
1 Book café for movie nerds
The colourful Ocho y Medio café, named after Fellini’s famous film 8 1/2, is a haven for film lovers. Around old cinema seats and retro sofas and tables you’ll find stacks of movie posters, scripts, T-shirts and film props. Most of the props and posters come from Pedro Almodóvar’s films, which were shot in the city.
Settle into the different and very Spanish film universe with your computer. The café menu offers good coffee, and the breakfast and lunch dishes are named after film classics. Ocho y Medio also has a terrace if you’d like to sit in an instructor’s chair outdoors.
Ocho y Medio, Calle de Martín de los Heros 11
2 The art café with soul
Café del Art often serves as my office – and living room – when I’m in Madrid. It is located in Plaza del Cascorro, in the heart of the La Latina neighborhood. The owners, Sandra and Edga’s philosophy is that coffee and art should go hand in hand at the café, and you should feel inspired to be creative. And that’s exactly what I do when I work at Café del Art.
The cosmopolitan café has raw walls and is cozy with a charming mix of vintage furniture, colored lamps and green plants and art illustrations.
In the middle of the café is a large communal table where you can sit with your laptop. In addition, there are plenty of small cozy corners with leather sofas and plush chairs. Large open windows facing the street, where you can also sit on the edge of the street and work.
If, like me, you love coffee, you’ll find it at Café del Art, which is one of the best in the city. In addition, the café has a selection of Japanese tea, matcha, kombucha and cocoa. There’s also a good selection of toasts, cakes and croissants.
Café del Art, Pl. de Cascorro 9
3 The hip bike café
La Bicicleta is as hipster-cool, creative and popular as the Malasaña neighbourhood where the café is located. It has been since it opened in 2012. The café is run with equal passion for coffee, bikes and healthy food.
Bicycles, coffee bags and large graphic prints hang on the walls, and there are dedicated work areas like a large plank table in the middle of the room and by the windowsills. Around the desks are small groups of cozy seating areas with vintage sofas and chairs, where you can also sit with your laptop.
The atmosphere is relaxed and lively, and many regulars come here – both locals and visitors. Cyclists pull their bikes through the room and down to the basement, where they can fix a flat tire or lube the chain.
If you thrive with lots of life around you, you’ll love La Bicicleta. Book a table if you’re coming on the weekend, because La Bicicleta’s brunch is popular.
The menu offers a good selection of good coffee, breakfast, brunch, cakes and sandwiches, and La Bicicleta has several vegan and organic options.
La Bicicleta, Plaza de San Ildefonso 9
4 Café with an organic focus
Abonavida is located in the heart of Madrid’s lively center, near Callao. The spacious rooms are brightly decorated with wooden tables, white chairs and green plants.
It’s really thought of those who work remotely. The café has plenty of seating, both communal and private, and plenty of power outlets for charging laptops and cell phones. There’s also a terrace if you prefer to sit outside.
In addition to great coffee, you can get organic pizzas, salads, toast and sandwiches as well as organic beer and wine.
Abonavida, C. de las Navas de Tolosa 3
5 The concept book café
Café La Central is an extension of the three-story bookstore of the same name, right in the heart of Madrid. La Central is a popular bookshop concept in Spain, and Madrid has three branches (including one at Reina Sofia). The largest is in Plaza de Callao, and here you can sit in the simply decorated café and use the Wi-Fi.
The café is frequented by everyone from young students doing their homework to retirees enjoying their afternoon coffee while enjoying the day’s book shopping. The café offers everything from breakfast, salads, sandwiches and burgers to the daily special.
In the bookshop you will find books in all genres, just as La Central also has funky gift ideas like bags, purses, different postcards, mugs and notebooks.
La Central de Callao, Calle Postigo de San Martín 8
More travel tips for Madrid
If you’re experiencing Madrid for the first time, read the beginner’s guide to Madrid. Also get inspiration for different experiences in Madrid and alternative art experiences in Madrid. Also find inspiration for Madrid’s green side in the guide to sustainable experiences in Madrid.
Looking for places to eat in Madrid, read the guides to great restaurants in Madrid and great tapas bars in Madrid. Also check out the sustainable restaurant MO de Movimiento, housed in a former theater.
Find my hotel recommendations in the guide to hotels in Madrid city center
