GUEST AUTHOR: Aida Loggiodice, Spotahome Student Ambassador
Are you visiting the famous Spanish capital city but unsure of what to do? Here’s a 10 day guide trip to Madrid including opening times and information on how to get there by metro/bus. Check it out below:
Day 1
Parque del Retiro
How to get there: Line 2- Retiro
This park, located at the heart of the city, is one of the largest and is well-known for its little lake with rowing boats so go ahead and hire a boat for 45 minutes or bring a towel and enjoy the Spanish sun instead, just don’t forget the sunscreen! Inside the park, the Palacio de cristal is definately worth a visit.
Chueca
After visiting the park, take a walk through Chueca, a neighborhood of downtown Madrid famed for being the city’s liveliest and gayest. There is always something fun to do here whether it’s visiting Mercado de San Antón to try out some local food or take a curious stroll through the neighborhood’s many shoe shops!
Day 2
“El Rastro”- Flee Market
Plaza de Cascorro y Ribera de Curtidores
Sunday's: 8:00-15:00
This famous market is well-known for selling antiquities and vintage-style items every Sunday of the month and every national holiday. A great experience for locals and tourists alike. The market spans a huge area and is bound to keep you entertained for a few hours at the very least.
Day 3
Gran Via
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
Paseo del Prado 8
12:00-16:00
Monday is a great day to visit the Thyssen-Bornemisza museum. Why? Because access to its permanent collection is free for us students if you go between 12-4pm! So go ahead and enjoy some old as well as contemporary art and brag about it on Insta since pictures are allowed (as long as you don’t use flash!).
After your visit to the stunning museum, walk to the Gran Via and take a stroll through one of the city’s most iconic streets or do a little shopping. Definitely some more instagrammable moments here if you are interested.
Day 4
Museo del Prado
Calle Ruiz de Alarcón 23
10:00-20:00
Caixa Forum
Paseo del Prado, 36
10:00-20:00
The Prado Museum hosts some of the world’s most famous paintings and it’s a definite must-see.
Free for students always and every day, the Prado Museum is also free for adults if you’re visiting from 6 to 8pm. And once you’re done admiring the artworks, walk across the street to one of the city’s lesser-known but still beautiful exhibitions: the Caixa Forum, free for students as well since it’s sponsored by a Spanish bank.
Day 5
Museo Reina Sofia
Edificio Sabatini, C/ Santa Isabel, 52
10:00-21:00
Reina Sofia museum is Madrid’s third and last art museum on this guide but you definitely do not want to miss it if you enjoy modern art. Like the Prado, it is free for students all the time but free for everyone else from 7-9pm.
After this, walk or take the metro to the Cybeles Palace, the city’s old post office that is now home to Madrid’s cultural center.
Palacio de Cibeles
Plaza de la Cibeles 1
10:30-13:30//16:00-19:00
Day 6
Palacio Real
Calle de Bailen
10:00-20:00
Templo de Debod
10:00-14:00,18:00-20:00
Fancy having a coffee with the Spanish King and Queen? Visit the royal palace from 4-6pm for free if you study somewhere in the European Union! And after, visit Debod’s Temple, an Egyptian temple dating back to the 2nd century BC. Truly a sight to see since it’s the last thing you’d expect to see in a European capital.
Day 7
Zoo Aquarium Madrid
10:30-24:00
After six days of city hustle I always fancy a little off-time with nature. What better way to disconnect than to visit a beautiful zoo & aquarium on the outskirts of the city? Still easily reachable by metro, this zoo/aquarium brags of a great number of species all extremely well taken care of. Give it a chance- the panda exhibition makes it all worth it!
Day 8
Toledo
Toledo is a gorgeous ancient city set on a hill just short of one hour away from Madrid. Its mix of Arab, Jewish and Christian monuments render it a marvel in today’s world and one worth taking a bus or train to see. Both are inexpensive options and easy to reach: either take the Bus from Plaza Eliptica by taking the metro lines 6 or 11 or take the train from Atocha by taking the metro line 1 there.
How to get there:
Line 6/11- Plaza Elíptica (TAKE BUS)
Line 1- Atocha (TAKE TRAIN)
Day 9
Segovia
Also a historic city much like Toledo, Segovia is located just forty five minutes away from Madrid and is easily accessible by a train from Cuzco or a bus from Moncloa. Famous for its historical buildings, it is a lovely city to spend the day in and try out the local food specialty “Cochinillo de Segovia”, a roasted suckling pig dish that makes me hungry just even thinking about.
How to get there:
Line 10- Cuzco (TAKE TRAIN)
Line 6- Moncloa (TAKE BUS)
Day 10
Parque Warner
11:30-24:00
Are you a fan of water or amusement parks? Then the Warner Park is the perfect place for you to go and continue to get a break from the big city hustle! The easiest way to get there is by the Cercanias light rail network and even though it’s far from the city center, I can assure you it’s worth it if you enjoy crazy adrenaline rush-inducing roller coasters or just sweet meet-ups with the Looney Tunes characters. If you’re visiting the park over the summer make sure to check out the new water attractions and artificial beach!
How to get there:
Cercanias C3- Parque de Ocio
I hope you enjopy this wonderful city!
Do you have any other recommendations not to miss in Madrid? Please comment below, we would love to hear about it.
Are you going to live in Madrid and still need a home? Check out Spotahome.com to find the perfect match.