A weekend in Madrid, the capital of Spain, may not seem like enough time to experience everything this vibrant cultural hub has to offer. There are a variety of neighbourhoods to wander around, world-class galleries to explore, amazing food to sample and under-the-radar sightseeing opportunities to be done over a weekend, and you can always come back to find more things to do.
A weekend in Madrid – Day 1: afternoon
Once you’ve arrived in Madrid and checked in to your hotel, the first afternoon in the capital city will be about the highlights of Madrid and enjoying the incredible food. It is all about the tours.
Walking tour from Plaza Mayor
There are a variety of tours operating from either Plaza Mayor or Puerto del Sol, but the free walking tours are an ideal way to see the major sites and gain knowledge from a local guide. Although the tour is free, the guides work on tips, so give them a little something after they’ve imparted their wisdom. Tours start at about 11:00 every day, and on Saturdays, there’s a second tour at 15:00, which last about 3h with a short break in the middle.
You’ll meet at Plaza Callao, and the guide will inform you of a host of things throughout the tour, including factual nuggets, historical tales and information about almost everything from the indie counterculture movement, La Movida Madrilena, to Miguel de Cervantes.
A weekend in Madrid – Day 1: evening
As stated, the first day is all about the tours, and the evening is no different. Sign up for an evening tapas tour through Madrid that lasts roughly 2h 30min.
Evening food tour
During the tour, you’ll learn about the basic rules of Spanish cuisine while visiting three to four tapas bars in the city and tasting their exquisite cuisine and delicious libations. An evening spent dining on tapas with your friends or loved ones is a must for every visitor to Madrid. It offers the chance to immerse yourself in the tapas culture of Spain while learning about the origins of the style of food, hearing stories and anecdotes about the various tapas-serving eateries in and around the city and, of course, getting to dig into a wide range of delicacies at several traditional bars in Madrid.
A weekend in Madrid – Day 2: morning
Now that your first day is complete, you’ve (hopefully) had a beautiful night’s sleep and you’re ready to take on the second day, why not kick the day off with some more food?
Mercado San Miguel
Make your way to Mercado San Miguel, situated at the heart of Madrid, known worldwide as one of the most incredible gastronomical markets on the planet. This market offers you the opportunity to taste some of the most significant flavours from every corner of the country. It includes delicacies like rice dishes from the Mediterranean, Iberian ham, shellfish and fish from Galicia and the most incredible cheeses from areas like Asturias, Castile and Basque Country, all spread through about 20 stands in the same marketplace.
A weekend in Madrid – Day 2: afternoon
After stuffing yourself with some of the most delicious cuisines in the country, it’s time to get back to exploring the city’s most exciting spots.
Prado
If you’re an art lover, this could be the highlight of your trip. Prado is one of the best and largest museums in Madrid and home to a collection of art that will blow your mind, from Renaissance paintings to Picasso works. Its variety of quality offerings makes it abundantly clear why it’s widely considered one of the best art museums in the world. Because of the popularity of Prado, we suggest booking well in advance to ensure you get in; also consider skip-the-line tickets, so you don’t have to stand in the long queues to get in.
Retiro Park
After the art extravaganza, it’s time to get out into nature and explore the outdoor oasis that is Retiro Park, the biggest park in Madrid and a popular spot for many locals and travellers to frequent throughout the day. There are a variety of things to do in the park, including spending time in Cecilio Rodriguez Gardens for some bird-watching or the 19th-century conservatory, Palacio de Cristal. You could also take time out in a rowboat on Retiro Park Lake while gazing across the water at the King Alfonso XII monument. The possibilities at Retiro Park are endless.
The last thing to do in Retiro Park before exploring other parts of the city for the remainder of the day is meander along the Statue Walk for a nature-paired-with-art walk alongside statues of Spanish kings, dating back as far as the 18th century. Stop off at Florida Retiro for some afternoon Aperol spritz and snacks before heading out for the evening adventures.
A weekend in Madrid – Day 2: evening
The second day is coming to an end and you’ve spent most of it exploring beautiful art and one of the largest parks in the world, now it’s time to start winding down.
Gran Via
A short walk away from Retiro Park, you’ll find Gran Via, one of the city’s most iconic streets. It hosts the city’s main shopping drag and other architectural gems, and if it’s your first time in Madrid, stick to meandering along the street rather than venturing inside some of the famous sites. Spend your time walking from Puerta de Alcala towards the trendy neighbourhood of Malasana, where you’ll find a wide choice of eateries and food vendors to grab a bite to eat.
San Gines
A trip to Madrid wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the famous chocolateria San Gines to enjoy some of their decadent offerings as an end-of-the-day dessert. Churros con chocolate is the popular choice for most who come here, especially first-timers, and consists of a pile of piping hot churros served alongside a mug of hot chocolate that more closely resembles a thick, chocolatey, drinkable mousse.
A weekend in Madrid – Day 3: morning
After the sugar rush the evening before, you’re bound to wake up a little famished and rather sleepy. Start your last day off with a local breakfast and a cappuccino before heading to the first stop.
Explore Lavapies
The last stop for the morning will be a bit further away from the city centre, roughly a 15min walk from Puerta del Sol, called Lavapies. This trendy little neighbourhood feels vastly different to the more touristy spots like the main plaza and is teeming with interesting cafes and bars, while the streets are lined with murals and other kinds of art. If you’re looking to learn more about the area, various companies offer walking tours through the neighbourhood and tours of the street art.
A weekend in Madrid – Day 3: afternoon
One of the last things to do before heading back to the airport is some people-watching in one of the main tourist spots, and also one last meal in Madrid.
Plaza Mayor
If you make your way to Los Galayos in Plaza Mayor, you’ll find the ideal spot to have a few beers and try out their roasted suckling pig, while watching all the locals and foreigners parading around the square enjoying the local scenery. Suckling pig is a juicy, tender dish and the perfect send-off for a weekend spent in Madrid.
Tips and tricks for your weekend away
When travelling to Madrid, there are a few things to keep in mind to make your trip a little smoother, especially if you’ve only got three days to explore it.
Book attractions in advance
Madrid is enormously popular and the major sites in the city are often overcrowded with limited space available, so booking in advance is suggested. Search for combo tickets online to save extra money and time.
Tourist Travel Pass
Book yourself a Tourist Travel Pass to allow yourself unlimited trips on public transport in a given timeframe. This will save you time and money over the weekend.
Pick the right time
If you’re planning a trip to Madrid, head there between September and November (autumn) or March and May (spring) to save yourself some time and money. Fewer tourists also make for a much nicer visit and the weather is lovely and balmy.
