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Madrid Weekend
Wanting to see all that Madrid has to offer? Follow our three day plan to ensure you get to see what you want.... and more importantly not miss a thing! Madrid guide Spain put together this plan in response to the emails we received asking:
YOUR 3 day Plan!This program assumes that you have three full days in the city over a weekend however, ensuring you bear in mind attraction opening times, it can apply equally to a midweek break!
Madrid Weekend: Day 1Arrival! Passing quickly through the airport, after all you have read the Madrid airport guide, you should arrive in time to check in at the Hotel around 1300. Checking in and a chnage of clothes should see you ready to start exploring Madrid within the hour! 1400 Your first taste of Madrid is appropriatly the food and you have arrived at the perfect time to take lunch with the rest of Madrid! Leave the hotel and find a small Restaurant / Cafeteria that you like the look of and order "Menu del dia". This is a filling three course set menu that changes daily and can be had for less than 12€.
Afternoon With so many things to do in Retiro park you can:
Evening Leave Retiro by one of the Northern gates and go left & downhill. Pass by the Puerta de Toledo (Monument)and continue until you arrive at the Plaza de Ciebeles (dominated by the Post Office and the fountain in the roundabout). Running perpendicular to where you´ve just come from is the Paseo de la Castellana, Madrids North-South thoroughfare. Go north and walk to Plaza Colon. This is dominated by the large Spanish flag and the memorial to Cristopher Columbus. Here you can find any number of small shops, restaurants and you are next to the National History and Wax Museums. Explore the area before heading back to the Hotel to change for the night. Total Walking distance 1.5km / 1 mile.Additional resources: Museums, Landmarks. Night Remember that in Madrid people do not sit down for dinner until 2100 at the earliest! Go to Plaza Santa Ana (Metro Sol) and enjoy the open air terraces and Tapas before later eating in one of the many nearby restaurants. if you should wish to walk a little more before retiring for the night? Go ahead and explore the narrow streets of this neighbourhood.
Madrid weekend: Day 2MorningAfter a small breakfast in the Hotel or one of the many Madrid bars (Bars in Spain serve as mini Restaurants in the mornings) its time to do the Museum or Gallery thing. With the Art galleries and the Museums being within the same area you can see two or three in a morning. Alternatively you could catch one of the Madrid Vision tour buses that offer English speaking tours of the city (Hop on hop off as much as you like). If it is a Sunday head to El Rastro market.Additional Resources: Galleries, El Rastro, Museums Afternoon The ideal chance to do some shopping while the rest of the city takes its Siesta or to visit the Palace, Cathedral, Plaza Mayor and the old quarter. Why not try one of the nearby attractions such as the Madrid Zoo? For the children one of the theme parks might be just what they need!Additional resources: Shopping Madrid, Theme Parks Zoo, Madrid Attractions Evening If you have timed your visit right this is the time to go and see one of the major sporting events or, if its a weekend, a Bullfight (strictly according to your tastes)! If that does not appeal head to Gran Via and Plaza España for an evening stroll and enjoy the great tradition that is Tapas!Additional resources: Madrid Sport, Bullfight Night Eat out on the terrace (during summer) or in one of the cellars (winter) of the Restaurants located in the Plaza Mayor, Metro Sol.
Madrid weekend: Day 3Morning Use the time before check out to either see that Museum or gallery that you missed / did not have time for earlier. Alternatively get those souvenirs that loved ones / demanding ones back home will be expecting! Leave yourself an hour to get to the airport no matter what method you choose as the Madrid traffic is unpredictable at best! Additional resources: Souvenirs For those spur of the moment decisions to visit a European city its worth checking for Madrid late deals if you are based in the UK. Travelling outside peak times can see you save small fortune... just to spend it later on the activities in this guide!
Madrid Guide Spain sincerly hopes you enjoy your Madrid Weekend!
Looking for something a little longer than a just a Madrid weekend?
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