How to spend the perfect weekend in Madrid, Spain

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Last Updated on December 27, 2023 by sydabroad

Keep reading to plan the perfect weekend in Madrid.

Madrid, the historic capital of Spain, is known for its rich culture, beauty, nightlife, and so much more. It’s one of the largest cities in the European Union. Madrid is a full vibe. If you are looking for culture, cuisine, and pretty scenery, you need to add a weekend in Madrid to your bucket list!

I had always heard amazing things about Madrid, and I absolutely love its sister city, Barcelona, but I truly fell in love with this place. I got to spend a weekend in Madrid during my summer backpacking trip through Europe. We squeezed so much in during that weekend and I am going to tell you how to make the most of your time here.

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Alright, let’s get into this travel guide on how to spend the perfect weekend in Madrid, Spain.

Weekend in Madrid – The Basics

CURRENCY = EURO

The currency in Madrid is the Euro (EUR)

1 USD = .90 Euro

Many places in Madrid will accept card payments but I find it helpful to keep some cash for small purchases. Cash on hand helps if you are out to dinner and plan to split the bill with others. In most European cities they will not split the bill with card payments.

Having small bills is also helpful if you are negotiating prices at a local market. There are also plenty of ATMs throughout the city.

LANGUAGE = SPANISH

Although Spanish is the official language, you will find that many people speak English here. It is helpful to have the Google Translate app downloaded on your phone. And if you don’t speak the language I would prepare a few basic phrases and sentences just to be polite.

PHONE & INTERNET

From my personal experience, I never had a problem with the phone and internet service. I found that many restaurants and cafes had fast reliable wifi and my accommodation did as well. If you are a digital nomad and will need to reliable internet connection during your trip, I would double-check that your hotel or hostel has reliable wifi.

DAILY BUDGET

If you’re on a backpacker’s budget, $40 to $70 should be enough to stay in a hostel, eat good meals, participate in activities, and grab a couple of cocktails during your weekend in Madrid.

A more mid-range budget would be about $100 per day.

TIPPING IN MADRID

Tipping in Madrid is not expected and is completely optional to you. You might see people leave some change on the table, and that’s pretty much the norm around tipping here. If you had great service, leave some change on the table. About 10% of the bill is fine.

IS THE TAP WATER DRINKABLE?

Yes, the tap water is very clean and safe to drink.

When is the Best Time to Visit Madrid?

The best time to visit Madrid, or Spain in general, is either in the Fall (September to November) or Spring (March to May). The weather during this time is perfect and the city usually isn’t as crowded as is it during the summer months.

However, I did visit Madrid in June and I had a blast! I thought the weather was nice, it was hot though, and I didn’t have a problem with the crowds.

Bucket List Things to Do During Your Weekend in Madrid

EL RETIRO PARK

This is one of the city’s largest parks, and it’s stunning. Retiro Park belonged to the Spanish Monarchy until the late 19th century when it then became a public park.

If you are looking to escape the city for a bit head over to Retiro Park rent paddle boats, listen to live music, and visit the Cristal Palace (more on these activities later in the guide). You can’t miss Retiro Park during your weekend in Madrid. It was so relaxing walking around all the beautiful greenery.

WANDER ALONG GRAND VIA

Calle Gran Via is a famous street in Madrid. If you want some big-city vibes, wander around here for a little bit. Grand Via is a hot spot to visit because of its famous buildings, such as the Metropolis building (a great photo spot too), the nightlife, and shopping.

WALKING TOUR OF MADRID

A walking tour is always a great way to get to know a city when you first arrive. Madrid is perfect for a walking tour because it’s a very walkable city! There are so many free walking tours in Madrid, just make sure to tip your guide at the end.

Pro-tip: Always ask your guide for recommendations. This is how to find the best hidden gems in the city!

TOUR THE ROYAL PALACE OF MADRID

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family. This Palace is massive containing over 3,400 rooms and is the largest functioning palace in Europe. The Palace is open every day (however, check for updated times), and it costs 10 euros for adults and 5 euros for children.

Pro-tip: The Palace is free to enter Monday to Thursday, 4 pm to 6 pm, from October to March. It’s also free from 5 pm to 7 pm, April to September.

PADDLE BOATS AT RETIRO PARK

As mentioned above, you can go rowing at Lago Grande inside Retiro Park. It’s a fun and affordable activity at only 6 euros during the week and 7.50 euros during the weekend. I had a blast paddling around the small lake. It was the most relaxing activity ever! These rowboats need to be a part of your weekend in Madrid!

TOUR SANTIAGO BERNABEU

Santiago Bernabeu is a football (or as Americans like to call it, soccer) stadium. It’s one of the largest stadiums in the country so if you are a sports fan I highly recommend doing a tour.

A tour of the stadium will cost between 29 and 97 USD depending on the type of tour. If anything, it’s worth passing by, or if you’re lucky enough you can catch a football game!

FOOD TOUR AT MERCADO DE SAN MIGUEL

Mercado de San Miguel (or San Miguel Market), is full of food stalls with a variety of different tapas. Tapas, or small plates, is a huge part of Spanish cuisine. Here are some tapas you have to try while in Madrid:

• Pulpo a la Gallega (octopus. It’s so good! Try it!)
• Gambas al Ajillo (shrimp)
• Olives and cheese
• La tortilla Espanola (Spanish omelet with potato)
• Empanadas
• Patatas Bravas (fried potatoes)
• Gazpacho (Spain’s most famous soup, served cold)

I seriously went to this market every day. There are so many incredible foods to try here. Come hungry and make sure you have room for plenty of Sangria!

PALACIO DE CRISTAL IN RETIRO PARK

As mentioned earlier, Palacio de Cristal (or the Cristal Palace), is a must during your weekend in Madrid! Cristal Palace was originally built in the 19th century as a greenhouse, now it’s owned by a museum and used as a place to hold temporary exhibits. This structure is absolutely stunning! It’s made almost entirely of glass and it is over 22 meters high. The best part? It’s free to enter!

TEMPLE OF DEBOD

The Temple of Debod is an ancient Egyptian temple that was dismantled and rebuilt in the center of Madrid. Crazy, right?! The temple was donated to Spain by the Egyptian government to save it from floods following the construction of the Aswan Dam. The temple is free and is open to see every day except on Mondays.

PLAZA MAYOR

Plaza Mayor is an open area right in the heart of Madrid. Here you can shop, and dine, and it’s a great place for people-watching! Just know that since it is a popular spot, restaurants around here will most likely be pricier.

LAS VENTAS

Las Ventas is the largest bullfighting ring in Spain. You can get tickets for around 23 USD. There are also guided tours available.

MUSEO NACIONAL DEL PRADO

Also known as the Prado Museum, this is an art museum located in Madrid, housing the world’s richest and most comprehensive collection of Spanish paintings. This is a great activity to do to get a break from the heat.

The Prado Museum offers free entry for two hours every day. Just check to see what they are offering during the day you plan on visiting. Otherwise, tickets are about 17 USD.

TRANSPORTATION IN MADRID

HOW TO GET TO MADRID

To get to Madrid you will need to fly into Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD). If you are coming from another European country it is also possible to arrive in Madrid via train.

GETTING AROUND IN MADRID

Madrid is a very walkable city, which is something I love about it. The only time we didn’t walk was to and from the airport. Uber is available in Madrid and there is a metro you can use as well.

The metro system runs from 6 am to 2 am and you can purchase a pass from any metro station or tourist office. Plenty of transportation options!

WHERE TO STAY DURING YOUR WEEKEND IN MADRID

When deciding on a place to stay in Madrid, I think the most important would be to stay close to the city center. There are plenty of options in Madrid including hostels, hotels, and Airbnb.

I stayed at Ok Hostel Madrid and loved it! It was in an incredible location, the staff was so helpful, and it was very clean! 10/10 recommend if you are traveling to Madrid on a budget.

Check out Hostel World and Booking.com for more options, these are my favorite sites to find accommodations in a city!

FIND A PLACE TO STAY IN MADRID

Booking.com

EAT + DRINK IN MADRID

• Salmon Guru: this is one of the top 25 bars in the world, yes the WORLD. It was a vibe, you have to visit. I got the dragon drink and wow. This was so yummy and one of the coolest cocktails ever! The dragon was literally blowing smoke!

• Mercado de San Miguel: Mentioned earlier, perfect for tapas!
• DiverXo: a three Michelin-starred restaurant
• Serafina Cocina Bar: We went here for lunch and ordered the menu del dia. This was a four-course meal complete with a bread app, Spanish wine, gazpacho, Spanish stew, and watermelon for dessert!
• Priorite Art Cafe: We stopped here for a croissant and espresso before our busy day and it was a nice breakfast.

SAFETY IN MADRID

In my opinion, Madrid is an incredibly safe city. I felt completely safe during my whole time there. Even at night. The main thing to look out for is pickpocketing. This is pretty common in Spain so keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded areas. I love traveling with my fanny pack to keep my valuables close!

MADRID PACKING ESSENTIALS

• Walking shoes
• Fanny pack
• Spanish book
• Sunglasses
• Tote bag
• Sunscreen
• Travel adaptor
• CaliCase
• Travel Journal
• Portable charger
• Collapsable water bottle
• Disposable Camera

TRAVEL TIPS FOR MADRID

• Order the Menu del Dia, (menu of the day) for lunch. This is a three-course meal that many restaurants will offer during lunchtime. This is usually a large meal for a very reasonable price! Make sure to ask for the menu del dia when looking for lunch.
• Pickpocketing is common in Spain, especially in crowded areas, bring a fanny pack or money belt.
• Meal times are generally later. For instance, lunch might not start until 2 pm, and dinner around 9 pm.
• Plaza Mayor is a tourist hot spot, which means overpriced restaurants, there are better places to eat.
• Learn a few basic phrases in Spanish before you visit.
• Before buying a ticket to a museum check if they offer free tickets on the day you plan on visiting.

I love this city! It’s filled with amazing cuisine, incredible views, beautiful architecture, and wonderful people. It’s seriously a city like no other. As always, if you have any questions about Madrid please reach out! Feel free to DM me on Instagram, comment below, or email me at sydabroad@gmail.com.

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