Solely have two days in Madrid? Though a weekend in Madrid will fly by, it is going to undoubtedly additionally depart many imprints in your reminiscence, and also you’ll be shocked by how a lot floor you possibly can cowl.
Having lived there for six months, I can say with confidence that Madrid is a cultural gem that has one thing to supply to travellers of all sorts.
Should you’re prepared for awe-inspiring arts and structure, globally-recognized delicacies, and wealthy historical past, then a weekend journey to Madrid is for you.
Learn on for an in depth take a look at the way to spend a weekend in Madrid.
Day 1 in Madrid
With a 2 day itinerary in Madrid, you possibly can nonetheless handle to see the core sights, bask in some native delicacies, and immerse your self into the humanities.
Let’s kick off your two days in Madrid!
Morning
Get up and scent the espresso. Begin your weekend in Madrid off proper by experiencing this espresso tasting tour. The tour consists of two cafes; the primary within the neighbourhood of La Latina, and the second within the artsy Malasaña.
Within the first cafe, your urge for food might be met with a regular Spanish breakfast of toast with tomato or avocado, and naturally, espresso. You’re welcome to order extra meals to gasoline your morning journey along with this, and I extremely advocate that you just strive the freshly-squeezed orange juice that’s omnipresent in Madrid’s cafes.
This espresso tour is a unbelievable method to kick off your weekend itinerary for Madrid. Be taught concerning the tradition, historical past, and tasting strategies for espresso – a staple of Spanish life.
Afternoon
Totally caffeinated, you can begin your afternoon by experiencing a few of Spain’s extra well-known dishes. Whether or not you go for some paella, tapas, (corresponding to Spanish omelette and patatas bravas), or a glass of sangria, Madrid’s food and drinks decisions received’t disappoint.
There’s no higher method to take pleasure in such delicacies than going to El Mercado de San Miguel. The structure alone is definitely worth the cease, however the meals on this centrally positioned market is the principle draw.
This assortment of eating places is extra a spot to order cooked meals, moderately than to purchase uncooked elements, and can appease each urge for food. Attempt some well-known Jamon Iberico, (Iberian Ham), for a singular style of Spain.
Ensure to refill on the market, as a result of for the remainder of your afternoon in Madrid you possibly can scope the must-see sights on this biking tour.
The primary half of the tour is all concerning the iconic vacationer points of interest of Spain; from the Plaza Mayor to the Royal Palace, and all the things in-between.
The second half of the tour will take you off the overwhelmed monitor and can give you a extra intimate impression of the neighbourhoods of Madrid.
Lastly, you’ll wrap up the tour with a glass of wine and a few tapas – a welcome and recurring theme for actions in Madrid.
Identical to that, you’ll have hit the mainstays of any weekend journey to Madrid.
Night
Needless to say “night time” in Madrid could also be very totally different from what you’re used to. In truth, most locals of Madrid, (“Madrilenos”), don’t eat dinner till 10pm.
Moreover, golf equipment aren’t usually crammed up till round 2:30am, so in the event you’re hoping to take advantage of your morning, you could determine to skip out – no judgment.
Now that you just’ve been adequately warned, let’s dive into among the greatest eating places for dinner in Madrid.
Popping out high for greatest locations to eat in Madrid, (and wherever for that matter), is El Sobrino Del Botin – the oldest restaurant on this planet. Having opened in 1725, Botin is world-renowned for its suckling pig, which is tender sufficient to be reduce with a plate. This historic spot was a favorite of Ernest Hemingway’s, which provides to its attraction.
One other nice possibility is Meson del Champinon. Positioned proper by the Plaza Mayor, this restaurant will wow you with its sturdy dishes and specials corresponding to mushrooms and scrumptious fried inexperienced peppers.
Should you’re making an attempt to keep away from the tourist-laden Plaza Mayor, I like to recommend going to Restaurante Sacha for dinner. Named after its proprietor, this intimate bistro is a good place to unwind with a nice culinary expertise after a protracted day.
Day 2 in Madrid
The primary day in Madrid covers among the main websites and tastes of Madrid. Let’s dive into what’s subsequent in your weekend in Madrid.
Morning
Begin your second day in Madrid by ducking into any espresso store to gasoline up for the morning. If the nightlife acquired the most effective of you, take this morning at a leisurely tempo by trying out one in all Madrid’s many museums.
Listed here are some choices for museums in Madrid which can be open within the morning.
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte makes a speciality of Twentieth-century Spanish artwork. The museum solely opened in 1992, but it surely holds among the most well-known works of the Twentieth-century, together with items by Pablo Picasso. Find out about Spain’s current historical past with this spectacular assortment of contemporary works.
One other powerhouse artwork museum is the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. While the Prado and Nacional Centro de Arte give attention to Spanish works, this museum expands its assortment to achieve all corners of the globe. This museum is a part of the “Golden Triangle of Artwork” in Madrid.
Branching off from canvases and oil work is the Nationwide Archaeological Museum, which shares its partitions with the Nationwide Library of Spain. Positioned within the posh Salamanca district, the Nationwide Archaeological Museum is house to all the things from Greek pottery, to Spanish-Islamic artifacts.
Now that you just’ve kicked off day two in Madrid with a leisurely however charming stroll by one in all its many museums, you’re able to make your approach in the direction of one other nice afternoon in Madrid.
Afternoon
By your second day in Madrid, you’ll actually be in a calorie surplus from all the scrumptious meals and wine. Why not burn a few of that off by studying the way to dance Flamenco? For $30, you’ll take an hour-long class to be taught the essential steps that each one Flamenco dancers grasp to have fun this cherished artwork.
After all, you possibly can all the time skip getting lively and carry on consuming – no person will blame you. Pack a picnic and head to Retiro Park to basque within the ornate gardens and landmarks, while nibbling on native meals picked up from a close-by market.
Ensure to save lots of time for the Prado Artwork Museum – the nationwide artwork museum of Spain. This immense assortment is basically a grouping of works that had been owned by Spanish royalty in centuries previous. From Goya, to El Greco, you will get out of the noon warmth and marvel at among the most iconic Spanish artworks.
Whether or not you mix every of those actions, or give attention to one, you’ll have a memorable afternoon throughout your weekend break in Madrid.
Night
To take in your final evening in Madrid, I’ll offer you a few restaurant and exercise solutions so you possibly can decide and select to construct your preferrred itinerary your self.
A dwell Flamenco present is a unbelievable possibility for an genuine expertise in Madrid. Going down in a 100-year-old brick cellar in a historic cave, the ambiance right here compliments the acoustics completely. The capability is proscribed, (this explicit efficiency seats 60), so be sure to ebook this award-winning present prematurely.
Should you’re nonetheless dedicated to making an attempt extra tapas, then be a part of a Tapas Crawl! Be sure to’re hungry, as this route gives 12 – 15 totally different tapas throughout 4 eating places, together with a century-old bodega. The tapas crawl additionally contains 4 drinks, so that you’ll be well-versed in Spanish wine and sangria, along with tapas, by the top of the evening.
Perhaps you need to hone your cooking expertise so you possibly can take pleasure in scrumptious Spanish meals at house. This paella cooking class is the easiest way to do precisely that. Utilizing native, seasonal elements, you’ll whip up a scrumptious paella by studying step-by-step from a highly-rated and devoted trainer – all while sipping Spanish wines alongside the best way.
Nice Eating places in Madrid
Should you’re feeling drained out of your two days in Madrid, a sit-down dinner could be the best choice in your final night. Under are a handful of notable eating places in Madrid.
El Cisne Azul is a robust contender to Mesón del Champiñon and gives distinct mushroom dishes. With its understated facade, you wouldn’t probably discover this unassuming restaurant by strolling previous. Nevertheless, these fortunate sufficient to enterprise inside are promised a memorable meal.
An alternative choice is La Taberna de El Pimiento Verde. Positioned midway between the Royal Palace and La Plaza Mayor, this upscale tavern creates refreshing takes on typical tavern meals from Northern Spain.
Should you nonetheless have a style for tapas, then head to La Perejila within the neighbourhood of La Latina. This cozy spot focuses on the meals of Andalusia, (a southern state in Spain), recognized for its small plate dishes. This spot is the right place to pattern a wide range of Spain’s most well-known dishes.
These with a extra adventurous palette can try La Tasquería. This informal eatery describes its type as “visceral” and “avant-garde”, providing non-traditional dishes like beef tongue, which mockingly tastes just like pork. Likelihood is, consuming right here will change any solutions to the query “what’s the strangest factor you’ve ever eaten?”
A weekend in Madrid is filled with selection. Between the actions and numerous restaurant choices obtainable, you possibly can construct your preferrred itinerary to greatest fit your type of journey.
Suggestions for a Weekend Journey to Madrid
Listed here are a number of tricks to make your journey to Madrid much more pleasant.
1. Don’t Get Too Caught Up within the Nightlife
I personally really feel that two days in Madrid isn’t sufficient time to remain out on the golf equipment till the Metro opens once more at 6am. While you could need to observe the native customs and hit the golf equipment, you’ll probably reduce into the second day by doing so.
After all, if nightlife is your factor, go forward and social gathering till the solar comes up, (you’ll want to pay attention to the espresso stops talked about within the checklist above!).
2. Belief the Metro
Madrid’s Metro system is clear and environment friendly. You don’t must take a cab except the metro itself is closed, (1:30am – 6am day by day). As a bonus, a lot of the issues to see and do in Madrid for a weekend are centrally positioned. It’s simple and low-cost to get round Madrid.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Stroll
As talked about earlier than, the Metro is a good technique of transportation. Nevertheless, quite a lot of the principle attracts of Madrid are walkable.
The nucleus of Madrid is Puerta del Sol, and strolling by the ornate streets not solely provides you the visible pleasure of absorbing the structure, but it surely ensures the pleasure of ducking right into a random cafe or bar for tapas and occasional.
4. Preserve a Shut Eye on Your Valuables
An unlucky actuality for a lot of European cities is the specter of pickpocketing. Having one thing stolen from you possibly can simply impede in your weekend journey to Madrid.
Attempt to maintain your private gadgets to a minimal, and maintain them with you always.
As with all type of journey, following these fundamental safety practices can stop any unlucky thefts.
The best way to Get to Madrid
There are a number of methods to get to the town. Listed here are the most well-liked.
By Air
Fly into Madrid Barajas airport, (MAD). The very best airways for moving into Madrid are Iberia and Air Europa. From MAD, take any variety of the Metro traces to your vacation spot.
The much less common airport selection is the Cuatro Vientos Airport. Likelihood is, you received’t land right here, however you’re nonetheless shut sufficient to achieve Madrid by Metro in the event you do.
By Practice
The Madrid Atocha Practice Station drops you off proper by the Royal Botanical Backyard and Retiro Park, creating an unforgettable entry to the town.
The prepare station itself has an indoor tropical backyard, so your sightseeing can begin as quickly as you arrive.
By Bus
Madrid’s essential bus station is the Estación Sur, (South Station). It’s also referred to as Méndez Álvaro, which is the identify of the neighbourhood it’s in.
Practically each Metro line companies the bus station, so that you received’t need to switch between many traces and it’s simple to achieve.
By Automotive
Driving into any metropolis is probably not preferrred, however you possibly can take the A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, and A-6 to get to Madrid. There are specific “low emission zones” the place driving and parking are restricted. Be taught extra within the transportation info part of the federal government’s website.
The place to Keep With 2 Days in Madrid
Should you’re staying in Madrid for the weekend, it helps to have an awesome location to chop down on journey across the metropolis.
Listed here are some choices for areas and particular Airbnb listings in your keep in Madrid.
Finest Neighbourhoods to Keep in Madrid
On the high of the checklist is Sol, house to the Puerta del Sol, which is the middle of the town. In Sol, you’ll have immediate entry to eating places, theaters, golf equipment, cafes, and extra.
Right here’s a low-cost Airbnb that’s in Sol, Madrid.
If you’re going to be bar-hopping, the realm of Malasaña is your spot. Instantly north of Sol, you’ll be spoiled with choices of issues to do at evening in Madrid. This Airbnb will please any travellers which can be into nightlife.
La Latina is a small however vigorous maze of slender streets and scrumptious meals. On Sundays, La Latina hosts “El Rastro”, a well-known flea market. Replenish on tapas, then go seize some souvenirs!
Right here’s an Airbnb with rave critiques about its location in La Latina.
FAQs A few Weekend Getaway in Madrid
Listed here are some solutions to generally requested questions on spending a weekend in Madrid.
Is 2 days in Madrid adequate?
You’ll be busy, however 2 days in Madrid offers you sufficient time to see the massive vacationer points of interest, and revel in some genuine excursions and experiences too. You possibly can simply see the most effective elements of Madrid in two days.
Is Madrid good for a weekend break?
Between the walkable streets and extremely performant Metro, all the hotspots for a go to to Madrid are shut to 1 one other. Regardless that you’ll solely have 2 days in Madrid, you’ll cowl rather a lot.
The place to remain on a weekend journey to Madrid?
Listed here are among the greatest neighbourhoods to remain in throughout a weekend journey to Madrid.
- Sol: the center of the town that has all the things to supply
- Malasaña: the fashionable space with thrilling nightlife
- La Latina: the foodie’s paradise
- Retiro: the charming space east of Retiro park
Take pleasure in Your Weekend Journey to Madrid
Two days in Madrid doesn’t depart quite a lot of time for siestas, however you need to soar at any alternative to discover this unbelievable metropolis.
Madrid is straightforward to get round, and quite a lot of the sights are centrally positioned. Touring main architectural landmarks, sipping on advantageous Spanish wines, and gawking at world-renowned artwork is greater than achievable in a weekend in Madrid.
So, soak within the surroundings, gasoline up on tapas and paella, and revel in your two days in Madrid!
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