Are you planning a Madrid weekend?

Many friends travelling through Europe and Spain have asked me for travel tips and recommendations, so I am finally sharing this guide on my blog. A few years ago, my brother and sister-in-law moved to Madrid so I’ve spent more than 9 months in the city. Here are my top recommendations for the best ever Madrid weekend or 48 hours in the Spanish capital. 

Jump To My Trip Planning Guide And Tips

Now for the perfect Madrid weekend itinerary!

Madrid Weekend – Day 1

Coffee/Breakfast 

Hands down, my favourite breakfast in Spain is tortilla or Spanish omelet. It is is an omelet made with potatoes and onions. If there is a restaurant or bar in Madrid famous for having “the best tortilla”, I have tried it. My favourite tortilla would be at Casa Dani in Mercado de la Paz, which is in Barrio Salamanca. The closest Metro stop would be Serrano on the 4 metro line. Another tortilla suggestion would be Bar Ceveriz across from the famous Mercado San Miguel. 

Another typical breakfast in Spain is “pan (tostada) con tomate” or toasted crusty bread with tomato. You can get this at most cafes that are open in the morning but in my family’s neighbourhood of Barrio Salamanca, my go-to places were Magasand, Mama Framboise, or El Escondite de Villanueva. 

Retiro Park 

In my opinion, a visit to Madrid is not a real visit without going to Parque del Buen Retiro (or most commonly known as Retiro). It is amazing and not just for tourists. Locals absolutely love it too, especially on Sundays. You will see families and groups of friends gathered in the park, exercising, having a picnic, or just hanging out. It is located close to the Prado Museum and other popular attractions so do squeeze in a visit.

Palacio Cristal inside Retiro Park

My family lives just a few blocks from Retiro in Barrio Salamanca so I’m very lucky! During my round the world trip visit in 2011 I visited and since I have been coming to Madrid in recent years, I go several times a week. Besides going for walks in the park, I also come here to relax or look at art exhibits.

It’s a must-visit destination, not to mention it’s free! Be sure to visit Crystal Palace within the park, which has art exhibits in collaboration with Museo Reina Sofia. There’s a rose garden, play areas for children, restaurants, cafes, a library, and even a nightclub! 

Read more here: The Best Free Things To Do In Madrid

Visit One Or A Few Of Madrid’s Great Museums

Right near Retiro are some of Spain’s greatest museums like the Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza. Definitely, have a visit to see some of the Spanish Masters’ work in the Prado or Picasso’s Guernica at Reina Sofia. 

Ready For Lunch? 

Stop at one of Madrid’s popular mercados for lunch. Check this post for the best markets in Madrid. Want to experience the traditional Spanish lunch? Go to a restaurant that serves a menu del dia or menu of the day. The Spanish’s biggest meal of the day is at lunch where a restaurant will usually serve a 3 or 4-course meal for a set price, usually under 15 Euros. 

Mercado San Miguel

Read more here: The Best Markets In Madrid

Take A Step Back In History 

Visit the Royal Palace of Madrid (outside is fine) and then walk through Sabatini Gardens. On Saturdays, from 11-2 pm you can see the Changing of the Guard. 

If you want to visit the palace, click here to purchase tickets in advance. I visited a few years ago without a guide. I found the palace to be a bit underwhelming. 

Catedral de la Almudena 

You don’t have to attend mass to admire Catedral de la Almudena, a gothic-style cathedral next door to the Royal Palace. 

Shot with my GoPro to get that wide effect 

Templo de Debod

Stop For Photos At Templo De Debod, ancient Egyptian temples that were gifted to Spain by Egypt. Spain helped Egypt when the Nile River was flooding and in return, they gave them these temples. 

Puerta Del Sol

The symbolic center of Spain and kilometre zero, where all the radial roads of Spain begin. When you visit you will most likely see entertainers as well as some sort of protest. There has not been a single day I visited Puerta Del Sol when there was not a protest. Sol is also where the ball drops at midnight for New Years in Madrid, which is the biggest celebration in Europe. Puerta del Sol is one of the busiest places in the city with one of the busiest metro and commuter train stops. 

Helpful tip: Don’t have data? There is an Apple store or Sephora where you can snag free WiFi in Sol. 

The statue of the Bear and strawberry tree

Statue of Carlos III and the clock tower  Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor is a public square in the heart of Madrid and originally used as a marketplace. Now it is lined with shops and restaurants (very touristy ones) and hosts the Christmas market as well as other events and installations. 

Plaza Mayor One of the many gates of Plaza Mayor

Merienda Time

Merienda means snack in Spanish! Have the classic Spanish churros y chocolate or maybe tapas and a caña (small glass of beer) or glass of tinto (red wine). This will tide you over till the late Spanish dinner at 10 pm.

Helpful tip: The most popular place for churros y chocolate is Chocolateria San Gines. There are often lines so if waiting is not your thing, I also liked Los Artesanos 1902. They have milk chocolate or vegan chocolate option also and no line! 

Chocolate and churros

A favourite of mine – croquetas

Read more here: Taking A Food Tour In Madrid

Dinner 

The Spanish usually eat a bigger lunch and a smaller dinner but that may not work for you if you’re used to eating a bigger dinner. There are many places to have dinner in Madrid at any budget, you have your pick of budget-friendly food to Michelin starred meals. You can eat in another market or choose a proper sit-down restaurant. Dinner time in Spain is usually around 10 pm so if you find yourself in a restaurant at 7 or 8 pm and it’s empty, don’t think the restaurant is bad, it’s just not the normal eating time. 

I can eat tortilla at any hour! Dinner at Las Tortillas de Gabino

Michelin chef Dani Garcia’s Bibo in Madrid

Tandem in Barrio Las Letras

Drink Or Dance The Night Away

I can’t actually recommend a nightclub for dancing because I haven’t been but nightlife is huge in Madrid. There’s actually a nightclub in Retiro called Florida that I want to try, just so I can say I went to a nightclub in a city park. 

Photo by: My Little Madrid

Madrid Weekend – Day 2 

Coffee/Breakfast

Breakfast, see above. Brunch exists in Madrid but it is served at restaurants quite late which is not really the point of brunch. I would recommend finding a place open for breakfast and just skipping the whole idea for brunch unless you’re having it in a hotel. 

If you’re looking for something quick like coffee and a pastry, I recommend Hola Coffee in Lavapies or Mision near Plaza de España. If you’re in Malasaña, Toma is another favourite cafe. 

 

A cortado at Hola Coffee

El Rastro – Sundays 

If you are planning a Madrid weekend, I highly suggest visiting El Rastro. It’s an open-air flea market in the La Latina neighbourhood on Sundays. It spans several streets and you can find many unique things like touristy gifts or antiques. There is a main road which sells more new things geared for tourists but my favourite vendors are on the side streets. My best advice is to get there early to avoid the crowds and be mindful of your belongings. Also, barter! 

Explore different neighbourhoods

The different neighbourhoods in Madrid are something I love to just wander and explore. Malasaña is a bit hipster with cool shops and bars. Chueca is the gay-friendly area. Lavapies is a working-class neighbourhood with a lot of different ethnic restaurants and shops and up and coming galleries. Barrio Salamanca is the posh neighbourhood with luxury designer shops. La Latina is a historic area filled with tapas bars, rooftop bars, and the weekly Sunday market, El Rastro (see above).

Walking through Malasaña

Chueca, Madrid’s gay-friendly neighbourhood 

Tapas!!!

After visiting El Rastro, I’m sure you have worked up an appetite. Now it’s time to snack and drink! La Latina has excellent tapas bars. 

A favourite merienda of mine! A caña and croquetas 

Caña and tortilla at Juana La Loca in La Latina in La Latina

Shopping 

If you’re into shopping, there are many places to get your fill in Madrid. Want to visit the big European brands? Go to Gran Via, which would be similar to shopping along Broadway in NYC’s Soho. If you have money to burn, head to Barrio Salamanca and shop along Calle Serrano and Calle Juan Ortega y Gasset at the luxury retail shops. Malasaña which is on the hipster side, you will be able to find shops for a younger audience. Chueca, the gay-friendly area, also has some fun and unique stores.

While I am in Spain I have shopped for some clothes. Shopping is not a priority for me and when I do shop it’s because I have not packed properly and need to buy things for extra warmth (I usually visit in the winter). My favourite items that I have brought back are culinary items because I like to cook. My last trip, I bought a pan for specifically making Spanish tortilla, as well as olive oil. Please note some food items cannot be brought back to your home country (ie. jamon to the USA). 

Shopping in posh Barrio Salamanca

A Gorgeous View

Love taking in a good view? I do!! Azotea (rooftop in Spanish) del Circulo de Bellas Artes is a popular one. It costs 4 Euros to go up but definitely worth it. There is a line to go up and down (to ride the elevator) but depending on the time you go, it can be short or long. I timed my visit for sunset and even though I didn’t see a spectacular sunset, it was still awesome. You can also order food and drinks if you are hungry or thirsty.

Another place for a great view is the Faro de Moncloa. It’s super touristy but I loved it. It’s only 3 Euros to go up but I definitely think it’s worth the price. 

The view at Azotea del Circulo de Bellas Artes

Dinner – See Above

Other Suggestions

Flamenco – I can’t recommend a flamenco place because I have only ever watched flamenco in Seville but Las Tablas and Cardamomo Tablao are popular venues. 

You can watch a futbol (soccer) game if there’s a match on! This is still on my list of things I need to do. The two main teams in Madrid are Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid plays at Santiago Bernabeu and Atletico at the new Wanda Stadium. You can do tours at the stadiums even if there is not a match on. 

So there you have it, a perfect Madrid weekend!! After spending more than 9 months in Madrid, I can finally share an itinerary for the best 2 days in Madrid. 

Get The Best Rates For Your Madrid Hotel With Cancellation Here:

Booking.com

 

 

Let me know if you follow this Madrid weekend itinerary or have questions! 

DON’T FORGET TO SAVE THIS TO PINTEREST