You have the not-so-easy task of discovering Madrid in a weekend. I hope you have the most comfortable shoes in your wardrobe ready, because it’s going to be a very busy weekend.
It’s true that it’s not a mission that just anyone can do, because it’s very easy to get lost among so many monuments and leave some behind, but that’s what we’re here for.
We’re going to take you by the hand through the places you can’t leave behind on your weekend in the Spanish capital and, although it may seem impossible, we assure you that you’ll be able to return home with the satisfaction of having seen the most spectacular and typical sights of Madrid.
Weekend in Madrid
Day 1 in Madrid
Let’s imagine that your weekend consists of arriving on a Friday afternoon or evening and you have the whole of Saturday and Sunday ahead of you to enjoy the capital. So we start our first full day in Madrid, here we go!
With Plaza del Callao just a two-minute walk away and Puerta del Sol just over five minutes, I think it makes sense to start our adventure from the door of CATS Residence, at Calle del Postigo de San Martín, 3.
We walk up the street to reach our first destination; Plaza del Callao. Here we are greeted by one of the most emblematic buildings in the city; the Carrión building, although I’m sure you know it as the Schweppes poster building.
You are now, by the way, on Gran Vía, the most famous avenue in the whole country. Turn right, in the direction of El Retiro, to visit the most famous places on Gran Vía, home to the best musicals in the country.
Going to a musical or seeing a play should be on your bucket list. It’s as important as the photo you’re going to take at the Metropolis building, another place you can’t miss.
This building also marks the beginning of Calle Alcalá, another recognisable place, especially because of all the important places it contains within a few metres. A few steps away from the Metrópolis Building we find the Cibeles Fountain and everything around it, which is both well-known and spectacular.
Starting with the fountain itself, recognised as a place of pilgrimage for Real Madrid fans, as this is where the team celebrates its titles. All around it, a wide variety of obligatory stops; the Palacio de Cibeles, the Jardines del Palacio de Buenavista and the Palace itself, the Banco de España and the Palacio de Linares.
With a good photo report already on our mobile phone, we continue our walk until we reach the unique and incomparable Puerta de Alcalá. This symbol of Madrid receives us with an imperial welcome and also welcomes us to another unmissable place in Madrid; El Retiro Park.
Just opposite the Puerta de Alcalá we find the Puerta Real, one of the best entrances to the park. And once we get to the Retiro, we could spend the rest of the day here, both on its paths and trails and its many monuments. And we are going to see and visit them all.
In its 125 hectares there are some of the most famous places and monuments in Madrid. Or are you going to tell me that you don’t know the navigable pond of the Retiro. The monument to Alfonso XII with its viewpoint, the Palacio de Cristal, where you can see art exhibitions, the Fuente del Ángel Caído, the Jardines del Parterre or the Paseo de Argentina, also known as the Paseo de las Estatuas, are just some of the must-see sights.
We leave the park on the south side, looking for the Royal Botanical Garden and its breathtaking beauty. You can’t miss the opportunity to stroll through it. Once you leave it, you will be on the famous Paseo del Prado.
Here you will find Madrid’s big names, such as the Museo Nacional del Prado, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and, further north, the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza. This is known as the art triangle.
You can spend as much time as you want on your visit to the museums, although we warn you that time flies. While you’re in the area, you can stop off at Atocha station, which has become a popular place to visit thanks to its facilities. Don’t take too long, though, and let’s take Calle de Atocha to Puerta del Sol.
On our way along Calle de Atocha we will pass places that require a stop, such as the Antón Martín Market or the Plaza de Jacinto Benavente. However, if this half-hour walk seems too long because you’re running out of energy or you’re running out of time, then you can take the C3 line, which will leave you in Puerta del Sol in no time at all.
As soon as you set foot in Puerta del Sol, you’ll feel as if you’ve visited it hundreds of times before. And this is normal, because every New Year’s Eve you will see the Royal Post Office with its clock, the famous kilometre zero, the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, symbol of the city and, of course, the famous Tío Pepe sign.
And after a day as long and intense as this one, you will surely be grateful that your CATS Residence bed is waiting for you just five minutes away.
Day 2 in Madrid
Good morning, I’m sure you’re rested and more than ready for your second day in Madrid, where we’re going to discover the western part of the city centre, as well as some of the best areas to enjoy tapas in the afternoon and evening in the capital.
First objective of the day; Plaza de Oriente. On our way we will come across the Plaza de San Martín, very close to CATS Residence, and the Teatro Real, already on the square. Here we will see the equestrian monument to Philip IV, ‘The Great’ and the Lepanto Gardens.
But the real spectacle is in front of us, with the impressive and beautiful Palacio Real de Madrid. However, before you go crazy taking pictures and telling you a bit about its history, let us give you a tip, head north.
Pass through the Jardines de Sabatini, enjoy this spectacular spot, on your way to Plaza de España. The Sabatini Gardens, just in front of the north façade of the Royal Palace, are two and a half hectares of beauty and tranquillity.
Once in Plaza de España, visit the monument to the eternal Miguel de Cervantes and continue to the Temple of Debod. This temple was a gift from the Egyptian government to Spain. At the end of the day, you can return to this area to watch the sunset, either from the temple itself or from the nearby Mirador de la Montaña.
Now we are on our way to the Royal Palace, its 135,000 square metres and its more than three thousand rooms. You read that right, three thousand rooms. It used to be the residence of the royal family and now it is a must-see on your weekend in Madrid.
Of course, once you have seen the palace, you must see the other great building in this area; the Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena, known as the Almudena Cathedral. A neoclassical building that will leave you speechless. You should definitely visit the Plaza de la Armería, between the cathedral and the palace.
If you’re in good time, behind it is the Campo del Moro, a fantastic place to stroll and go for a run, disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. But don’t miss out on too much either, there are more interesting places to come.
Our next stop is none other than the famous Plaza Mayor. Another emblematic place in Madrid that we can’t resist. Neither the square nor the calamari sandwiches sold both inside and around it.
Inside, the equestrian statue of Felipe III is as familiar as the architecture of the square with its balconies and terraces. On your way to the square, you’re sure to have passed the Mercado de San Miguel, a visit we recommend for those with a restless palate.
Now that you’ve seen Madrid’s main monuments, it’s time to lose yourself in its streets and mingle with its people and atmosphere. Our main recommendation is to visit the La Latina neighbourhood, a little further south and very close to the Plaza Mayor.
Although if you go back a few steps, Plaza de España symbolises the beginning of the always lively and vibrant Malasaña neighbourhood. Next to it, the neighbourhood of Chueca, where you can enjoy a good night of dining and partying.