Discover Madrid
Here is the ideal routine for a day spent exploring Madrid.
Morning
Start the day with breakfast at the Cafe de Oriente from which you can see the Royal Palace and gardens. After that you can visit the Palace, Almudena Cathedral and its crypt. Wednesdays (fall, winter and spring) at 11.00 in the morning you can see the changing of the Royal Guard at the Puerta del Príncipe (Bailen).
Then immerse yourself in the Madrid de los Austrias. When you reach the Plaza Mayor, take a break and enjoy a beer and a skewer of tortilla or a snack of squid. Continue to Puerta del Sol and the statue of the Bear and the Madroña Tree. Be sure to get a picture with this symbol of the city. Use this opportunity to buy a fan in one of the souvenir shops in the area.
Afternoon
Go to the Art Walk, leaving the Congress of Deputies overlooking the back of the Jeronimos Church, just behind the Prado Museum. When you reach the Plaza de Neptuno, take a look around. You can view the Thyssen Museum, the Stock Exchange, the Hotel Ritz, Hotel Palace and the Prado. Madrid is a luxury for the senses.
A brunch at the Ritz or the Palace is one of the best options. Then choose any of the museums. We suggest you to go to Reina Sofia which is only open on Mondays. Viewing Picasso’s Guernica is an indescribable experience, as are the works of other modern and contemporary artists housed in this museum.
After the immersion in art comes the time to take a stroll to the Plaza de Cibeles, which has become a symbol of the city. Then you simply have to go shopping on Prim Admiral Street on which is located the main headquarters of the Spanish avant-garde designers. If you prefer more exotic wares, you can visit Velazquez and Serrano Streets which have some of the most exclusive shops.
Night
For dinner, you can go to the Plaza de Santa Ana to enjoy quality wine and some tapas. You will then be ready to enjoy the nightlife. Huertas Street awaits with dozens of bars and clubs to make the most of the night in Madrid.
The nightlife in Madrid is world famous for its vibrant night clubs, discos, bars and other entertainment venues. Based on your tastes you can choose a place where you can either drink and eat or dance to your heart’s content.