Welcome to my cultural travel blog on how to spend a weekend in Madrid. My name is Amy, and I am the blogger behind templeseeker.com. Spain is one of my all time favourite countries to visit and I happily travel solo in Spain on a regular basis.
Today, I am going to be sharing all my top tips on how to plan the perfect weekend in Madrid, including the top sites, restaurants and where to stay. Madrid is a culturally rich capital city, full of architectural delights, a fantastic food scene and a diverse population. It is also a fantastic destination for art lovers, with a wealth of museums such as the Prado Museum, National Gallery and the Banksy Museum (a favourite of mine!) In short, Madrid is a city that cannot be missed. If you haven’t been there yet, what are you waiting for? Book it now! My last flight from, Manchester to Madrid was just £29.99 with Ryanair.
The question is, how on earth did I get through to my 40’s without visiting Madrid? I guess that once you get sucked into the world of work, there are less opportunities to travel, and this took up most of my 30’s. Then, Covid hit! So, at the age of 45, I finally made it to Madrid, the wonderful Spanish capital city. Last October was my first visit to Madrid, and I loved it so much that I am already back in January! Yes, I lasted just 3 months without a Madrid trip!
I want to take this opportunity to say a few thank-you’s to a couple of friends for inspiring me to travel solo to Madrid. My best travel blog buddy Rachel from Blond Wayfarer has been to Madrid many times and written extensive articles about the Spanish Capital. Thank you Rachel for your constant and unwavering motivation in both travel and blogging. I would also like to thank my good friend Rosanna Shaw, who has a degree in Spanish and French from Saint Andrews University and always inspires me to travel to Madrid, calling it her ‘happy place!’
If you would rather watch a video than read a blog, here is my YouTube video on my weekend in Madrid…
Madrid – Getting there and away
Most people fly into Madrid airport and there are plenty of flights from the UK to Madrid with cheap airlines including Ryanair and EasyJet. I flew from Manchester to Madrid with Ryanair and once I had added one checked bag it was around £79. You can also fly directly to Madrid from London, Edinburgh, Bristol and Birmingham.
If you are flying from the USA, there are direct flights to Madrid from Miami, New York (Newark), Los Angeles, Washington DC and Chicago.
Is a weekend enough time to spend in Madrid?
If you have just one weekend to visit Madrid, you will probably end up with quite a packed itinerary, but it is definitely worth it. You can see most of the main sites in a weekend in Madrid, such as the temple of Debod, Almudena Cathedral, the Royal palace, Plaza Mayor and the Prado museum. Obviously, if you can spend more time there, I would recommend at least 5 days in Madrid. Make it up to 7 days if you want to include some day trips out of the capital, such as visiting Avila, Toledo or Salamanca.
However, don’t avoid Madrid because you think that a weekend is too limiting time wise. I came to Madrid for a weekend on my first visit and it was well worth it. Prepare and plan carefully and you will be pleasantly surprised by how much you can fit into a weekend in Madrid.
When is the best time to visit Madrid?
In all honesty, Madrid is fantastic all year round, so whenever you book your weekend in Madrid, you will not be disappointed! In the winter months, the weather is similar to the UK – low temperatures and quite rainy, but it is still fun and easy to travel around, Madrid is beautifully decorated at Christmas time.
I visited Madrid for the first time in October and I would say that the shoulder season is the best time to go – not too busy, not too cold and not too hot. If you can, opt for visiting in the spring (April/May) or autumn (September/October). You will find the weather pleasant and won’t be overheating.
In my opinion, the height of summer (July and August) should be avoided, because of the crowds and the intense heat. They have temperatures reaching around 33-35°C in the summer months, which can be unbearable for some people.
Weekend in Madrid – My Top Travel tips
There are a few important travel tips to consider for your weekend in Madrid. You can get quite overwhelmed with how much there is to do there, and so I would first and foremost recommend that you don’t overdo it. Plan enough to keep you exploring and learning, but not so much that you exhaust yourself. Here are my top travel tips for spending a weekend in Madrid…
- Plan enough, but don’t over-plan – remember, there is always next time!
- Practice some Spanish before you visit – not everyone in Madrid will speak English and some basic Spanish will get you much further!
- Book tickets for the must-see attractions online in advance – this includes the temple of Debod which is free to go inside, but only with a pre-booked ticket. I was gutted that I missed this and will make sure to plan and include it next time.
- To save time between destinations, use the Madrid Metro and if you are going to use it regularly, buy the pack of 10 tickets as it works out better value.
- Uber also works well in Madrid and can be a great way to get across the city if you are not too budget conscious.
- The Prado museum is free on the evening – just get there around an hour before the free tickets start to be given out as the queue goes all the way around the building! Double check with the guards and they will help you and put you in the ‘fila’ (queue!)
- Ask for the ‘Menu del Dia’ in restaurants and you will often find a great value three course meal with wine for around €15-20 Euro.
- If you are budget conscious, avoid eating in Plaza Mayor, and ask the locals for their recommendations.
- Remember that in Madrid, they eat very late compared to the UK, so factor this into your schedule and grab supermarket snacks from Carrefour if you think that you will be hungry waiting for your late tapas!
- If you are travelling out of Madrid through Príncipe Pío, this station is massive and people board trains half an hour before they leave in Madrid, so arrive at the station 45 mins-1 hour in advance.
- Remember to carry ID with you at all times (passport or copy of passport or Spanish residency card) as it is a requirement in Spain.
Where to stay in Madrid
If you have just one weekend in Madrid, then I would suggest that you prioritise location when booking your accommodation. If you are strapped for time, you want to be central to make the most out of your trip, so stay pretty close to Plaza Mayor.
- Best Budget option – OK Hostel is the best budget option. You can share a dorm with others and the beds have electricity charging points, bedside lights and Wifi. Clean, centrally located and prices start from just €28 per night. There is a great value bar and social events including meals and pub crawls, so this is for you if you fancy some socialising.
- Best Mid range – Hotel Cortezo is an excellent mid-range option with room prices starting at around €80 per night. Facilities include Air Con, Wifi, Mini Bar, free toiletries and kettle. This hotel is a great location – just 300m from Madrid’s Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor Square. It has a rooftop terrace over-looking the city.
- Another good mid-range option is the ITC Mora by Soho Boutique. Prices start from around €70 per night. They have free Wifi, a cafe bar and a 24 hour reception. This hotel is just a 10 minute walk from the Prado Museum.
- The Only YOU Hotel Atocha is a great recommendation for couples who are looking for something a bit more upmarket and close to Atocha station. It is pet friendly with two restaurants and an airport shuttle service. Princes start from around €200 a night.
- If you are looking for an adults only luxurious hotel stay in Madrid, with four poster beds, a rooftop pool and a Sky Bar, then head to Axel Hotel Madrid. It has a cocktail bar and is LGTBIQ+ friendly.
- Looking for top end Luxury? Head to the Santo Mauro by Marriot Bonvoy, where you will find grand suites, luxurious dining and a fitness studio. Prices start from €500 a night and go up to a whopping €2500-3000 a night for the presidential suite!
- Another famously expensive high end luxury hotel that you will see near the Prado Museum is the Hotel Mandarin Oriental Ritz. Prices can easily be over €1000 a night at this place!
A weekend in Madrid Itinerary
Fly into Madrid on a Friday and leave on the Sunday night or Monday morning if you can, to make the most out of your weekend in Madrid. I would recommend spending the first day in and around the Central palace area to include the Cathedral and Temple of Debod, followed by tapas on Plaza Mayor. Then, the second day, you can prioritise your art museums or other museum preferences, plus the beautiful Retiro Park.
Weekend in Madrid Day 1
On your first day, take the metro to Plaza de España and you will explore that area along the Manzanares river.
On Plaza de España, stroll around and have a look at the iconic Cervantes Monument with Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, surrounded by lush gardens, fountains, and towering skyscrapers like the Edificio de España and Torre de Madrid. It is a great place for photography.
Next, walk to the amazing and unexpected Temple of Debod. This is one of my favourite places to visit in Madrid. This Egyptian temple in the middle of the Spanish capital was given to Madrid as a gift from Egypt when they helped to save it from the flooding caused by the Aswan High dam in the 1960’s. You can go inside, but remember that although it is free, you MUST book your ticket in advance to avoid the disappointment of it being full. There are only 15 people allowed inside the Temple of Debod at a time, so as you can imagine, it fills up very quickly.
Next, head to the Madrid Royal Palace (Palacio Real de Madrid) and I would recommend that you book a ticket in advance to go inside and appreciate the lavish interiors (prices start from €18). The palace was built in the 18th Century on the site of a medieval Moorish fortress (Madrid loves building layers on layers). Construction began after the old Alcázar burned down in 1734. The design boasts strong Italian Baroque influences – think grandeur, symmetry, and lots of “look how powerful we are.” Don’t miss the Royal Armoury, the banquet hall, the Royal Pharmacy and the throne room. Remember that it will take around 2-3 hours at least to explore.
Have lunch before your next main attraction – the Almudena Cathedral. The ticket for tourists to visit and see the Museum and dome are €7. Almudena is Madrid’s main cathedral, but unusually modern by cathedral standards. Construction started in 1883 and wasn’t completed until 1993 (consecrated by Pope John Paul II). You will witness an eclectic mix of styles, including the Neoclassical exterior, Neo-Gothic interior, and a surprisingly modern, colourful ceiling. There are fantastic views of the Palace and the Madrid skyline from the top of the dome (that’s where I took the above picture from!)
Afterwards, swing round the corner to the left of the exit and make sure that you see the Crypt underneath the Almudena Cathdral. This Romanesque Revival Crypt Church is the largest Crypt Church in Spain, with over 400 pillars. It is not included in your Cathedral ticket, but a €1 donation on the door will suffice and is well worth it.
If time allows, and your feet are still going at this point, you can add on the Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great. This is a Classicist building from the 18th century, that was built on an old convent site, which legend says was founded by San Francisco de Assisi in the 13th century. The dome of the Basilica is a massive 33 metres in diameter. Inside there are decorative paintings by major artists such as Francisco de Goya, as well as an important art gallery in the cloister.
Finish your day off by swinging by at the lively barrio of La Latina is a maze of narrow lanes filled with tapas bars and cantinas.
You can also choose to flip this itinerary around and see the Temple of Debod last if you would like to enjoy it at sunset. It’s one of the best spots to enjoy the sunset in the whole of Madrid.
Consider ending your first day with food and drinks at Bar Rui, Madrid’s 360º Rooftop Bar. It is located on the 27th floor and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city, with a fantastic menu and cocktails available.
Weekend in Madrid Day 2
On day 2 in Madrid, you will be exploring some of the main squares, parks and museums. This will include the famous Prado Museum and Retiro park.
Start off your day with some photography and breakfast on and around Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s vibrant main square. Before it was grand and symmetrical, the area was a market place called Plaza del Arrabal, just outside Madrid’s medieval walls. When Philip II made Madrid the capital in 1561, the city suddenly needed a proper ceremonial space and started to develop. Under Philip III, the plaza was redesigned by architect Juan Gómez de Mora into the rectangular, enclosed square that you see today. Construction ended around 1619 and the statue of Philip III on horseback in the center was later added in 1848.
The next stop is Puerta del Sol, the Gate of the Sun, which was a 15th Century gate in the medieval wall. In the 1700s and 1800s, Sol was redesigned into a proper square as Madrid expanded. Its irregular, almost messy shape reflects this organic growth, unlike the perfectly planned Plaza Mayor. The most noteworthy building is the The Real Casa de Correos, which has, over time, been a Post office, a police headquarters and the seat of the Madrid regional government.
Near the Metro stop ‘sol’ look for the female brown bear eating from the Stawberry tree (El Oso y el Madroño). I mistakenly thought it was a polar bear at first! El Oso y el Madroño is a 20 ton bronze and stone statue was made by the sculptor Antonio Navarro Santafé and inaugurated in 1967. It represents the coat of arms of Madrid.
Your next stop is the Prado Museum for a good few hours admiring Madrid’s art. The Prado museum in the main, historic Villanueva building is organised across three floors, which house major masterpieces from the 16th to the 19th century. Expect to spend at least 2-3 hours here if you are an art lover. I loved seeing Bosch’s ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’ and also the Romanesque Mural paintings from the Hermitage of Vera Cruz.
If the Prado Museum is not for you, there are many alternatives including the Banksy Museum, the National Museum or the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.
In the afternoon, head for a leisurely walk through Parque Retiro. Don’t miss Palacio de Velázquez, Palacio de Cristal (the glass house) and the famous El Estanque Grande (The Great Pond) framed by the monument Monument to Alfonso XII. It is possible to hire a rowing boat in the summer if you want to spend some time relaxing on the pond.
If you exit Retiro Park to the North, you can walk to Puerta de Alcalá. This is a stunning neo-classical Triumphal arch, with stone carvings and refined sculptures. This was once one of the five doors used to enter the walled city of Madrid, when travelers visited from France, Aragón, and Catalonia. In 1764, the original Puerta de Alcalá was demolished and construction began on the new door, designed by Francisco Sabatini (Source: theculturetrip.com).
If you still have any energy left, continue walking to the Fuente de Cibeles. This is a famous neoclassical fountain in the centre of the Plaza de Cibeles, which has become a symbol of the city. The sculptural group in its centre represents Cybele, a Phrygian earth and fertility goddess. There is a replica in Mexico city!
Celebrate with a good meal at the end of your second day, If you are brave enough, you can try caracoles a la madrileña (snails in a tomato sauce!) or callos a la madrileña (tripe and chorizo). Perosnally, I prefer the cochinillo asado, which is the Madrid style suckling pig, with a crisp crackling skin covering meat that is oh so tender. Botin is the best place to try this, and was mentioned by Hemingway.
If you still have room for more food after dinner, head to Chocolatería San Ginés for the best chocolate Churros in Madrid (thank you Rosanna for the recommendation!)
Where to eat in Madrid
Here’s a summary of the best places to eat in Madrid….
- Botin – for the Madrid cochinillo asado (suckling pig).
- El Rincón de Esteban – Cozy, classic Spanish restaurant serving large portions of staples like stews, grilled meats, and arroz (rice) dishes.
- La Cruzada, Taberna Madrileña – for the callos a la madrileña (tripe and chorizo dish).
- Rui 360º Rooftop Bar – Amazing brunch on a terrace with amazing views of the city.
- Restaurante Casa Amadeo Los Caracoles – Tapas and the best place in Madrid to try snails (caracoles a la madrileña)!
- Taberna El Sur – Local favourite for robust Spanish comfort food: grilled meats, tapas, and hearty mains at good prices. Tasty paella with langostines.
- Chocolatería San Ginés – for the best chocolate Churros in Madrid.
- Casa Alberto – One of Madrid’s historic taverns (since 1827), ideal for classic Spanish fare like croquetas, rabo de toro (oxtail), and castizo mains in a traditional tavern setting.
- Ástor gastro-place – Stylish spot blending Spanish tradition with contemporary touches, excellent for tapas, seafood and small dishes.
Onward travel from Madrid
From Madrid, I then took the train from Príncipe Pío station for Avila and Salamanca. There are lots of ‘Medio distancia’ trains which are the medium distance, taking you to many other Spanish cities. So, feel free to read my other articles on Spain for inspiration on where to go next…
- Salamanca, Spain – could this be my new favourite Spanish City?!
- How to see Bilbao in one day
- Things to do in Grenada, Spain
- How to spend 2 days in Donostia-San Sebastian
- The best Barcelona Travel tips