So you’ve already decided to tick off Spain from your list of places to travel! But you are now faced with the conundrum of figuring out how many days to spend in Madrid when you arrive. With so many things to see and do, planing your trip ahead of time will actually help you enjoy everything that Spain has to offer, without making you feel exhausted or overwhelmed.
With that said, there shouldn’t be a doubt in your mind about visiting Madrid. Whether you decide that it will be your first or last stop, keep in mind that the Spanish capital is a must-see.
Madrid is one of the world’s liveliest and vibrant cities. For those shopaholics, you’ll find all the high-end brands and amazing malls, and for those foodies, well let’s say that your taste buds will be begging you for more. The city’s vast historical sights and art museums will also satisfy the needs of any history buffs. And the best part, you can actually visit all these places in one day.
How Many Days To Spend in Madrid?
So if you are wondering how many days to spend in Madrid, here’s the quick answer: at least 2 days, we understand that sometimes this might not always be the case. As such, we have created three mini travel programs for you that might come in handy if you are spending one, three, or five days in Madrid.
1 Day in Madrid
Upon your arrival at Madrid’s Barajas International Airport, you can easily hop on an underground metro and head directly to the city center. This journey will take about 30 minutes. When arriving at the Puerta del Sol station, you can walk a couple of minutes southwest to your first stop: the Plaza Mayor.
This is one of Spain’s most infamous plazas and the true heart of Madrid de las Austrias. Believe it or not, this entire historic plaza was built in the 16th century during the Hapsburg Dynasty.
Following your visit to Plaza Mayor, you can head on over to the Royal Palace of Madrid. This is worth a visit if you are interested in the history of Spain’s monarchs. A few other places, within close proximity to the Palace, which might be worth checking out are the Museo del Prado, Teatro Real Opera House, and Cibeles Fountain (Madrid’s most famous landmarks).
Visiting these places will take you a good 3-4 hours, which means that by the time you are done, you are ready to try some good old Spanish cuisine. I mean let’s be honest, this has to be one of the top reasons why you decided to go to Spain anyway, no?
A really good place that we would recommend for food is the Mercado San Miguel. This historic municipal market has been around for over 100 years! Here you have the option of having traditional Tapas, international food, fresh churros, chocolates, and mouth-watering ice-cream.
If you are a foodie, we’d also highly recommend opting for the Tapas Tour – yes that is actually a thing! Checkout our Tapas Tour options below:
3 Days in Madrid
If you are spending more time in Madrid, we highly recommend going east of the city center to walk around Retiro Park. This 308-acre park is the green lung of Madrid, filled with fountains, gardens, lakes, and one particularly beautiful landmark: the Palacio de Cristal (a glass conservatory).
We also recommend going on a day trip to Toledo. This historic city is super close to Madrid, and worth seeing. Toledo was actually the capital of Madrid in the 8th century, and you can still feel the magic of the city today. Best way to get to see the most important places in Toledo would be by opting for a walking tour guided by an expert. While in Toledo, you can also sign up for cooking classes where you’ll learn the secrets to cooking Spanish cuisine.
When you are back in Madrid, don’t forget to check out the artisan shops filled with unique souvenirs that you’ll be able to gift your friends and family. If you are interested in signing up for more of a guided tour whilst visiting Madrid, we highly recommend you check out our options below:
5 Days in Madrid
If you have the luxury of time, we recommend you venture out of Madrid for a few day trips and visit some of the 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites, all about an hour’s drive from the city: Aranjuez, El Escorial, Alcalá de Henares, Toledo, Old Town of Segovia and the Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches.
You can also go on a one-day trip to La Mancha. For those nature lovers, this place offers beautiful national parks and vinyards. Fun fact: La Mancha is one of the major wine-producing regions of the world!
If you decide to simply extend your trip and stay in Madrid, you should consider attending some live flamenco performances, or even sign up to learn how to dance flamenco. Imagine going back home and showing off those moves! You can also join cooking classes and take that knowledge with you to impress your family and friends.
You also have the option of going on same-day trips to the countryside for wine tasting.
Check out our Trending Tour options below:
Wrapping Up
So, how many days will you spend in Madrid? We can assure you that once you visit Madrid your travel experience will not be the same. The city has so much to offer, and tourism agencies are able to cater to the needs and requirements you have. Whether it is a 1 day visit, or a 2 weeks holiday, you are bound to find something different to do every day. From experiencing Spain’s history, going on city walks, and enjoying a day of wine-tasting, your needs are covered.
We – at VisitMadridToday – want you to fall in love with Madrid just as much as we are. We are a young and dynamic group of individuals who bring something of our own to the table. We live and breathe this city!
Contact us today for any inquiries. Or you can directly check the available tours. Now that we’ve given you a taste of Madrid, feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. We would love to hear back from you.
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