Solely have two days in Madrid? Though a weekend in Madrid will fly by, it should undoubtedly additionally depart many imprints in your reminiscence, and also you’ll be shocked by how a lot floor you’ll be able to 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 kinds.
If you happen to’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’ll be able to nonetheless handle to see the core sights, take pleasure in some native delicacies, and immerse your self into the humanities.
Let’s kick off your two days in Madrid!
Morning
Get up and odor the espresso. Begin your weekend in Madrid off proper by experiencing this coffee 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 will probably be met with a typical 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 suggest that you just attempt the freshly-squeezed orange juice that’s omnipresent in Madrid’s cafes.
This espresso tour is a implausible 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, (resembling Spanish omelette and patatas bravas), or a glass of sangria, Madrid’s food and drinks selections gained’t disappoint.
There’s no higher method to get pleasure from such delicacies than going to El Mercado de San Miguel. The structure alone is well worth the cease, however the meals on this centrally positioned market is the primary draw.
This assortment of eating places is extra a spot to order cooked meals, moderately than to purchase uncooked components, and can appease each urge for food. Attempt some well-known Jamon Iberico, (Iberian Ham), for a singular style of Spain.
Be sure to replenish on the market, as a result of for the remainder of your afternoon in Madrid you’ll be able to scope the must-see sights on this biking tour.
The primary half of the tour is all concerning the iconic vacationer sights of Spain; from the Plaza Mayor to the Royal Palace, and every little thing in-between.
The second half of the tour will take you off the crushed observe and can offer 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
Remember that “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 sometimes crammed up till round 2:30am, so in the event you’re hoping to take advantage of your morning, chances are you’ll determine to skip out – no judgment.
Now that you just’ve been adequately warned, let’s dive into a few of the finest eating places for dinner in Madrid.
Popping out high for finest locations to eat in Madrid, (and anyplace for that matter), is El Sobrino Del Botin – the oldest restaurant on the earth. Having opened in 1725, Botin is world-renowned for its suckling pig, which is tender sufficient to be minimize with a plate. This historic spot was a favorite of Ernest Hemingway’s, which provides to its attraction.
One other nice choice is Meson del Champinon. Positioned proper by the Plaza Mayor, this restaurant will wow you with its strong dishes and specials resembling mushrooms and scrumptious fried inexperienced peppers.
If you happen to’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 superb place to unwind with a nice culinary expertise after a protracted day.
Day 2 in Madrid
The primary day in Madrid covers a few of the main websites and tastes of Madrid. Let’s dive into what’s subsequent to 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 bought the most effective of you, take this morning at a leisurely tempo by testing one in every of Madrid’s many museums.
Listed below are some choices for museums in Madrid which are open within the morning.
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte makes a speciality of Twentieth-century Spanish artwork. The museum solely opened in 1992, nevertheless it holds a few of the most well-known works of the Twentieth-century, together with items by Pablo Picasso. Find out about Spain’s latest 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 concentrate on Spanish works, this museum expands its assortment to succeed in 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 National 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 every little thing from Greek pottery, to Spanish-Islamic artifacts.
Now that you just’ve kicked off day two in Madrid with a leisurely however fascinating stroll by means of one in every of its many museums, you’re able to make your method in direction of one other nice afternoon in Madrid.
Afternoon
By your second day in Madrid, you’ll definitely be in a calorie surplus from the entire scrumptious meals and wine. Why not burn a few of that off by learning how to dance Flamenco? For $30, you’ll take an hour-long class to be taught the fundamental steps that every one Flamenco dancers grasp to rejoice this cherished artwork.
After all, you could possibly all the time skip getting lively and carry on consuming – no one 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.
Be sure to avoid wasting time for the Prado Artwork Museum – the nationwide artwork museum of Spain. This immense assortment is basically a grouping of works that have been owned by Spanish royalty in centuries previous. From Goya, to El Greco, you may get out of the noon warmth and marvel at a few of the most iconic Spanish artworks.
Whether or not you mix every of those actions, or concentrate on one, you’ll have a memorable afternoon throughout your weekend break in Madrid.
Night
To absorb your final evening in Madrid, I’ll offer you a few restaurant and exercise solutions so you’ll be able to decide and select to construct your preferrred itinerary your self.
A live Flamenco show is a implausible choice for an genuine expertise in Madrid. Happening in a 100-year-old brick cellar in a historic cave, the ambiance right here compliments the acoustics completely. The capability is restricted, (this explicit efficiency seats 60), so be sure to e-book this award-winning present prematurely.
If you happen to’re nonetheless dedicated to making an attempt extra tapas, then be a part of a Tapas Crawl! Be sure you’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.
Possibly you need to hone your cooking expertise so you’ll be able to get pleasure from scrumptious Spanish meals at house. This paella cooking class is one of the best ways to do precisely that. Utilizing native, seasonal components, you’ll whip up a scrumptious paella by studying step-by-step from a highly-rated and devoted instructor – all while sipping Spanish wines alongside the best way.
Nice Eating places in Madrid
If you happen to’re feeling drained out of your two days in Madrid, a sit-down dinner may be the most suitable choice to your final night. Under are a handful of notable eating places in Madrid.
El Cisne Azul is a powerful contender to Mesón del Champiñon and gives distinct mushroom dishes. With its understated facade, you wouldn’t seemingly 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.
If you happen to 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), identified 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 take a look at La Tasquería. This informal eatery describes its model as “visceral” and “avant-garde”, providing non-traditional dishes like beef tongue, which mockingly tastes much 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 stuffed with selection. Between the actions and numerous restaurant choices obtainable, you’ll be able to construct your preferrred itinerary to finest fit your form of journey.
Suggestions for a Weekend Journey to Madrid
Listed below are a number of tricks to make your journey to Madrid much more gratifying.
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 chances are you’ll need to observe the native customs and hit the golf equipment, you’ll seemingly minimize into the second day by doing so.
After all, if nightlife is your factor, go forward and celebration 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 superb technique of transportation. Nevertheless, lots of the primary attracts of Madrid are walkable.
The nucleus of Madrid is Puerta del Sol, and strolling by means of the ornate streets not solely provides you the visible pleasure of absorbing the structure, nevertheless it ensures the pleasure of ducking right into a random cafe or bar for tapas and low.
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’ll be able to simply impede in your weekend journey to Madrid.
Attempt to preserve your private gadgets to a minimal, and preserve them with you always.
As with all form of journey, following these fundamental safety practices can forestall any unlucky thefts.
Find out how to Get to Madrid
There are a number of methods to get to the town. Listed below are the most well-liked.
By Air
Fly into Madrid Barajas airport, (MAD). The most effective airways for moving into Madrid are Iberia and Air Europa. From MAD, take any variety of the Metro strains to your vacation spot.
The much less fashionable airport alternative is the Cuatro Vientos Airport. Likelihood is, you gained’t land right here, however you’re nonetheless shut sufficient to succeed in Madrid by Metro in the event you do.
By Prepare
The Madrid Atocha Train 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 primary 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.
Almost each Metro line companies the bus station, so that you gained’t need to switch between many strains and it’s simple to succeed in.
By Automotive
Driving into any metropolis is probably not preferrred, however you’ll be able to 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 information section of the government’s site.
The place to Keep With 2 Days in Madrid
If you happen to’re staying in Madrid for the weekend, it helps to have an amazing location to chop down on journey across the metropolis.
Listed below are some choices for areas and particular Airbnb listings to your keep in Madrid.
Greatest 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 prompt entry to eating places, theaters, golf equipment, cafes, and extra.
Right here’s a cheap Airbnb that’s in Sol, Madrid.
If you understand you’re going to be bar-hopping, the world 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 that are into nightlife.
La Latina is a small however energetic 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 reviews about its location in La Latina.
FAQs A couple of Weekend Getaway in Madrid
Listed below 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 large vacationer sights, and revel in some genuine excursions and experiences too. You may simply see the most effective components of Madrid in two days.
Is Madrid good for a weekend break?
Between the walkable streets and extremely performant Metro, the entire hotspots for a go to to Madrid are shut to at least one one other. Though you’ll solely have 2 days in Madrid, you’ll cowl lots.
The place to remain on a weekend journey to Madrid?
Listed below are a few of the finest neighbourhoods to remain in throughout a weekend journey to Madrid.
- Sol: the center of the town that has every little thing to supply
- Malasaña: the trendy space with thrilling nightlife
- La Latina: the foodie’s paradise
- Retiro: the charming space east of Retiro park
Get pleasure from Your Weekend Journey to Madrid
Two days in Madrid doesn’t depart lots of time for siestas, however it’s best to bounce at any alternative to discover this unbelievable metropolis.
Madrid is straightforward to get round, and lots of the sights are centrally positioned. Touring main architectural landmarks, sipping on positive 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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