With the never ending list of things to do in Madrid, it can be overwhelming, especially if you’re a first time visitor. Here is our suggested 3 day guide to tackling Madrid:
Day 1
We start our day with breakfast at Chocolatería San Ginés. Open 24 hours all year round, this charming café’s main draw is its churros con chocolate, and is a must-visit during any trip to Madrid. San Ginés is adored by both locals and tourists alike, and it is said that 2,000 hot chocolates and 10,000 churros are served at San Ginés everyday!
After breakfast, head towards Mercado San Miguel, a short walk away from San Ginés. Opened in 1916, it was one of the most important wholesale food markets in Madrid, and still retains its original structure. If you’re looking for some local Spanish food products such as jamón and olive oil, here would be a good place to pick them up. Recently renovated to inject new life into it, it now houses a food hall featuring the best of Spanish cuisine, as well as many other world cuisines. With the smorgasbord of cuisines and foods in front of your eyes, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Head back to Plaza Mayor, which you would have passed on your way to the market, and take a walk around. Madrid’s main square is both charming and colourful, with the trademark statue of Philip III overlooking the square. If you’re feeling peckish, grab a bocadillos de calamares from the many places around Plaza Mayor. We recommend La Campana. These calamari sandwiches are a Madrid-special, and adored greatly by locals.
When the clock hits 2pm, it’s finally time for lunch. There are a number of good restaurants around Plaza Mayor. We recommend El miniBAR for affordable tapas and stunning sangria. Be sure to try their signature tapa of grilled goat cheese and sweet jam.
After lunch, it is time for a tour at the Royal Palace of Madrid. It is one of the largest palaces in Europe, with over 3,000 rooms, and is still used by the Spanish Royal Family, albeit only ceremonially. This stunning building was inspired by sketches made by Bernini for the construction of the Louvre in Paris, and is even more impressive inside than it is on the outside. If it happens to be a Wednesday or Saturday, don’t miss the changing of guards, which happens between 11am to 2pm (weather permitting).
If you have time after touring the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Almudena Cathedral, which is located a stone’s throw away from the palace, is worth a visit. While access to the main cathedral is free, paying for the cathedral museum not only allows you greater insight into the interesting history of the cathedral (the site it stands on used to be a mosque!), but allows you access to the dome, which offers a great viewpoint to watch the sunset.
End of the day with a delicious meal at Rosi La Loca. This cosy restaurant is located near Puerta del Sol, one of most well-known and busy places in the city. It is here that you must try their signature dish of paella, a popular northern Spanish rice dish cooked in a flat pan.
Day 2
In the vicinity of Paseo de Arte lies Cafeteria Neila, which offers the traditional Spanish breakfast of pan con tomate (grated tomatoes on toast) and coffee at an affordable price. While the Spanish tend to eat light for breakfast, they also have more hearty offerings which include slices of delicious jamon or sausage.
Explore the vast and beautiful gardens of El Retiro Park. Over 125 hectares in size, with more than 15,000 trees, El Retiro Park is a gathering point for many, where you’ll find many madrileños exercising, meeting up for a chat, or just taking in the greenery. The gardens here are an absolute marvel, and are designed in varying styles.
Walking through the sprawling El Retiro Park must have worked up an appetite, so now it’s time for lunch. We recommend you check out Steakburger Bar, which serves up some of the best burgers in Madrid.
Afternoon will be spent looking at art in the Prado Museum, which houses some of the greatest pieces of Spanish artwork the world has seen. From a range of big names like Goya and Velázquez, to smaller collections of other talented artists, you’ll find yourself spending hours in the Prado’s numerous rooms.
Have a quick bite at Tinto Y Tapas Bar, which is just around the corner. Grab one of their house specials, empanadas, along with a sangria or two while taking a short rest before moving onto our next stop.
Catch the sunset at the Temple of Debod, an Egyptian relic dating back to the 2nd century BC. Originally built in Egypt, it was gifted to Spain by the Egyption government, and thus deconstructed, transported and subsequently reassembled at its current location in Cuartel de la Montaña Park. While the inside is closed off to visitors, the facade of the temple, with its water features, are striking. The park, which stands at an elevation, provides a breathtaking view of the city.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, Sobrino de Botín is the oldest restaurant in the world, and there certainly has to be a reason to why they’ve been running for so long. The same wood-fired oven used back in 1725 is still used today to serve up their famous suckling pig, which. Apart from roasted meats, they also serve up a variety of Spanish stews. Definitely worth a visit to truly steep yourself in Madrid tradition.
Day 3
Torrijas, a French toast-esque fried bread, is usually eaten only around Easter. These decadent and sweet breads are a real treat. Luckily for us, La Casa de las Torrijas serve these all year round. What to order? The torrijas, of course, which come in a variety of different flavours here.
Reina Sofía Museum is another member of the “Golden Triangle” on Paseo del Arte, featuring contemporary Spanish artists such as Dalí, Miró and Juan Gris. It is here that you will find Picasso’s pièce de résistance, El Guernica.
For a lovely souvenir to bring back for your family, stop by Casa Mira close by, a confectionery that specialises in turrón (nougat). Unlike most places, the turrón here is still completely handmade according to the traditional recipe dating back to the 19th century. Casa Mira was once the supplier to the Royal Household, so you can be sure that the stuff you’re getting here is top-notch.
For something very different and yet very Spanish, Bodega de los Secretos is your go-to. This charming restaurant is located in a wine cellar consisting of various 17th century alcoves. The menu focuses on traditional Mediterranean dishes but puts their own creative spin on it. Pair your food with a wine from their extensive list, which includes selections from all Spanish designations.
Caixa Forum is a museum and cultural center, playing hosts to a range of exhibitions, social conferences and workshops. Even if art isn’t your thing, the building itself is a wonderful piece of architecture, redesigned and transformed from an old power station—one of its hallmark features being its apparent state of levitation.
After two days of exploring Madrid, it’s time for some relaxation. Go for a walk and some shopping along Gran Vía, Madrid’s shopping district. Here you will find all sorts of Spanish brand names like Zara, Mango and Salvatore Ferragamo, and many international brands, including a three-storey Primark.
While there are many restaurants along Gran Vía, these tend to be more expensive as they are catered towards tourists. Instead, for a cheap, satisfying and truly Madrid-style dinner, head to Casa Labra. Their specialty is bacalao (cod), and they serve it in many forms such as tapa and croquettes.
Alternatively, for a truly unforgettable last night in Madrid, have dinner over a flamenco show at Corral de la Moreria. An ancient Spanish dance form, flamenco is characterised by its highly-expressive movements and is usually accompanied by a singer and guitar player. Be mesmerised as the combination of dance, music and singing all work together to convey each dancer’s emotions to the audience.
There you have it, our recommended guide to Madrid for the first-time visitor.
