We've tried the best massages in Madrid and these are our favorites

Based on Ayurveda, with gua sha, for the face or body... These are the massages that get top marks in our test.

In WeLife by María Fernández-Miranda

Inspired by Asia or 100% European. Extra-long or express. For the body or for the face. Gentle or with intense pressure… There are almost as many types of massage as there are people, but what they all have in common is that they are a great way to reconnect with yourself and relieve tension (physical, yes, but also emotional). In Madrid, with the rise of the wellness industry, the range of massages is increasingly broad, so at WELIFE we set out to find the best. This is our verdict.

1. Canalejas Experience, at the Four Seasons spa

This massage leaves nothing to be desired. Upon arrival, you're shown to the changing rooms and given a fabric-lined bathrobe. Then, in the treatment room—which is enormous, by the way—your feet are washed in a basin that looks like something out of One Thousand and One Nights. And then the feast begins: exfoliation from ankles to neck with SeaSkin products (a brand that champions slow living), a massage using the Abhyanga technique (based on Ayurveda), and, as a finishing touch, a facial treatment using cosmetics from the 111 Skin brand. You'll leave feeling like you're floating on a cloud, and you can even spend a little more time in the relaxation room, with lounge chairs where it seems impossible not to fall asleep…

Where : Spa of the Four Seasons Hotel (Seville Street, 3).
Price : 395 euros (120 minutes).

2. Personalized Relaxing Massage, at Beldon Beauty

The heated massage table, the essential oils (you can choose between rosemary, lavender, or sandalwood), the option to tailor the treatment to the areas of your body where you need it most… These are just some of the reasons why we love the Personalized Relaxing Massage at Beldon Beauty. The treatment room is small, but every detail is carefully considered, from the camel-colored blanket to the retro music system. Bring your swimsuit in case you fancy a dip in the jacuzzi afterward .

Where : Bless Hotel (Velázquez, 6).
Price : 60 euros (30 minutes), 120 euros (60 minutes), 180 euros (90 minutes).

3. Diamond Luminous Experience, at Natura Bissé centers

In this case, it's not a body treatment, but an entirely facial one that includes a duo of massages: lifting and shiatsu (that is, a blend of wellness inspired by Western and Eastern traditions). And make no mistake, we're not talking about just any ritual, but the treatment that many actresses underwent this year before walking the Oscars red carpet.

It's done with products from the Spanish brand Natura Bissé, awarded Best Spa Brand in the World for four consecutive years. It includes cleansing, exfoliation, application of an LED light mask, and a face mask. The results? Elastic, radiant, and smooth skin… and a refreshed mind!

Where : at Natura Bissé centers (find the nearest one at naturabisse.com/es).
Price: Please inquire depending on the center.

4. Remodeling, in Tacha

First of all, it's important to clarify that this massage hurts. But it's worth the effort, because afterward your body feels brand new: fewer toxins, less tension, more energy… Its creator is the Frenchwoman Martine de Richeville. It consists of working (with the hands) on the deep layers of the skin. Massaging the stomach, for example, releases emotional blockages, since nerve endings accumulate in that area.

Where : Tacha Beauty & Wellness (Paseo de la Castellana, 60).
Price : 170 euros (60 minutes).

5. Ikigai Massage, in Carmen Navarro

Esthetician Carmen Navarro has been a pro for 50 years, making her one of the most knowledgeable massage therapists in Spain. Her specialty is Asian rituals, such as the Ikigai Massage, which involves working on the face with the hands and also with a stone known as gua sha. It begins with foot reflexology and various techniques to relieve tension in the shoulders, neck, and back. Then, after a peel, the massage itself is performed.

Where : Carmen Navarro Centers (Sagasta, 21; Monte Esquinza, 11; Buen Suceso, 8; Ortega y Gasset, 23).
Price : 170 euros (70 minutes).

Where: Beldon Beauty

Lagasca Street, 9. Madrid.

Telephone: 912 45 81 71