Hola! Welcome to the Madrid travel guide. Below is the itinerary organized by the order of visit. Feel free to take it away if you are a lazy person.
Accommodation: We stayed at the Hotel Opera, located in the city center and within a few hundred meters of attractions such as the Royal Palace and the Puerta del Sol square. A city walk is all you need.
⏰ Spanish Schedule: Lunchtime is around 2-3 PM, and dinner starts at 9-10 PM. Nightfall is typically around 8-9 PM. Spaniards tend to have a late dinner.
🚗 Transportation: We primarily used taxis. The local taxi app we used was Cabify.
🌟 Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1
Puerta del Sol Square – Plaza Mayor – San Miguel Market – Debod Temple
- Arrived at the hotel at 2:30 PM; left at 3:30 PM. First, we went to Puerta del Sol Square, took a photo with the Raspberry and Bear statue, and explored the nearby commercial streets.
- Walked a few minutes to Plaza Mayor, a historic central square where many festivals and events have been held.
- Next was the San Miguel Market, a must-visit for seafood lovers. We indulged in tapas of salmon, oysters, and scallops.
- Finally, we caught the evening sun at the Debod Temple, enjoying views of the Madrid Royal Palace from the park.
Day 2
Moorish Gardens – Royal Palace of Madrid – Salamanca District Shops – Cielo Sky Bar (Night View)
- Started early to experience the city’s morning. Visited the Moorish Gardens first, offering a serene atmosphere and excellent angles for photos of the Royal Palace.
- Climbed the slope to reach the Royal Palace (pre-purchased tickets required). The blend of Spanish traditional royal architecture and Baroque style was breathtaking.
- After lunch, we explored the affluent Salamanca district, following a list of recommended small shops. A satisfying shopping spree later, it was already past 8 PM.
- Took a taxi to Cielo Sky Bar, located on the 26th floor of Hotel Riu. Purchased tickets at the hotel’s front desk, and we took the elevator directly to the 26th floor to capture the city’s night views.
Day 3
Prado Museum – El Retiro Park
- Arrived at the Prado Museum at 10 AM (pre-purchased tickets). Having been impressed by the religious paintings from the Renaissance period in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, we were equally captivated by the artistic feast at the Prado. Admired masterpieces like “Garden of Earthly Delights” and “La Maja.”
- Afterward, we headed to El Retiro Park. The two locations are very close, just a few hundred meters apart. Enjoyed a leisurely stroll and even had the opportunity to row a boat, perhaps catching a candid photo for a newspaper.
- Ended around 3 PM and then took a small train to Barcelona.
Feel free to reach out if you have more translations or any other requests!