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May 12, 2020 | Guest Post by: Julie Gerber
If you plan to spend the weekend in the Spanish capital city, I have to advise you, you will not have time to rest as there are so many things to do in Madrid! But at the end of the day, you won’t regret it and will have plenty of time to rest when you return home. This multicultural and multilingual city truly has something for everyone. If you choose carefully where to stay and what to do, you will be able to make the most of your stay, and this Madrid city break guide is here to help you!
Staying in a central location is important if you want to get the most out of your 3 day trip to Madrid. You want to have easy access to the main attractions, great restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. The city is full of different types of hotels, so let's discover some of the best places to stay in Madrid for every budget.
Madrid offers a lot of youth hostels, which are cheaper than hotels but still provide great services and good rooms. The Hostal Ballesta is a modern place with private rooms available at reasonable prices. The rooms are fully equipped with air conditioning, a TV, a desk and free WI-FI. The only thing that they do not provide is breakfast. During the high season in August, 2 nights in a private double bedroom will cost you €87.
If you have a little more room in the budget and want to benefit from an incredible view of the Royal Palace, the Apartosuites Jardines de Sabatini is the place for you. In this 3-star hotel, you will have access to modern rooms fully equipped with a kitchenette, perfect if you want to have the choice to cook your own meals and save a bit of money in this part of the budget. For a 2-night stay in the city, with a private double room, including breakfast, free WI-FI, and a TV, the price will be around €180 in August. And you will also have access to the building’s rooftop to have an amazing view of the city and the Palacio Real garden.
For a luxurious experience, there are plenty of choices in the city but one of the most prestigious is the Hyatt Hotel. This 5-star hotel has everything in one place, with a restaurant, a bar, and even a fitness center! The WI-Fi is free, you will have air conditioning, a desk, and a huge TV in your room. The bathroom is fully equipped with amenities and an extensive breakfast is included in the price. On top, you will have access to its rooftop terrace, to refresh yourself with a cocktail or simply drink a coffee. The cost reflects the illustrious experience: €518 for a 2-night stay in a double bedroom including breakfast.
A trip to Madrid is not complete without visiting one of the marvelous museums in the city. Spanish history and culture are unbelievably rich and complicated, so it would be invaluable to book a tour with a guide. You will get the most out of your visit in a short amount of time while informing the rest of your visit to Spain.
Built over 200 years ago, the Prado Museum is the largest art museum in Spain. It takes you through Spanish and European history from the medieval era until the 19th century. Before even entering the museum, the great statue of Goya sets the tone: famous and great artists are presented here. In fact, you will be able to see Goya’s work, such as The Second of May and The Third of May, and his black paintings collection. One of the most known pieces actually represents terrifying things such as Saturn, god in the ancient Roman religion, eating his own son. But if you don’t book a guided tour, then you might miss it!
The Reina Sofia Museum is another major art museum you need to see but in a totally different arena as the Prado as it showcases modern and contemporary work of art. Of course, the most famous painting is the one made by Pablo Picasso called Guernica. This huge painting is more than 7 meters long by 3 meters high and it was created in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. It represents the atrocities the population had to face at this time especially in Guernica when the city was bombarded. The painter was fully committed to the country and wanted to report the extreme violence made by the government of Franco.
The Royal Palace is one of the King's principal residences. King Philip VI and his family do not live here anymore, so the place was converted into a museum displaying Spain’s ancient monarch history and daily life. Visitors can walk through the throne room or pray in the little chapel just like the princesses and princes did. The palace also exhibits paintings, instruments, statues, the royal armory, and diverse weapons. You will find again work from Goya and Velazquez as well as from El Greco. The outside of the place is composed of two major gardens: the Campo del Moro and the Sabatini Garden, the last one designed following the French style of the late 18th century.
When we talk about traditional Spanish cuisine, I’m sure you think about paella and sangria. While these are also some of my favorite dishes, the cuisine in Madrid is much more varied than this! Many of the primary Spanish specialties include seafood, Iberian charcuterie, wine, and good beers. Let's explore ways that you can discover more of the dishes that Madrid has to offer.
The San Anton Market is three floors of local producers and restaurants. They do offer plenty of international options, but of course, you are visiting to taste Spanish cooking! The San Anton market has a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy cocktails or snacks under the sun. The products are always made with fresh and quality products and you can find traditional drinks or tapas to taste the Spanish flavors. Moreover, the market has a stunning view of the city and the Chueca borough, where it is located.
The market San Miguel is an authentic and not-to-be-missed place in the capital city for foodies! You will be able to taste traditional tapas of all types made with quality and fresh products from local producers. To top it off, they are made by a Michelin guide awarded chef. And if you are more into drinks, don’t worry, they do offer great sangria and Spanish beers. San Miguel market is open until midnight or even 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Madrid is also known for its nightlife and its traditional dances like the flamenco. Flamenco is a bold and beautiful performance involving singing, dancing, and playing the Flamenco guitar.
Cardamomo is one of the best spots in the city to see a Flamenco show. Every night, incredible dancers and musicians deliver an intense and passionate performance. You can also get a bite to eat and wine to enjoy during the show.
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We are Jacob and Taylor. Travel is our passion and we love sharing our experiences here at The Travelling Souk. Our hope is that you would be inspired by this little blog to try something new, embrace an adventure, and live life to the fullest.