My experience and favourite hotspots for a weekend trip to Madrid!
Whether you're going on a city trip to Madrid or planning to stay in the capital of Spain for a longer adventure, we are fan of this metropolis! In this blog, Kate will take you along the must-visit sights.
For my birthday, I went on a weekend trip to Madrid with my parents. We took the train (for €15 per person!) from Valencia, and in just under two hours, we arrived in the sunny capital of Spain.
We had rented an apartment right in the city centre, in the Justicia neighbourhood. This area is known for its chic boutiques, beautiful buildings, and trendy eateries. Within a 10-minute walk, you can reach Puerta del Sol, where you can find all sorts of charming shopping streets and restaurants. After checking into the apartment, we immediately set out to explore the city and, of course, visit all the famous sights the city is known for!
Plaza Mayor & Mercado De San Miguel
First, we visited Plaza Mayor, a beautiful square surrounded by restaurants. After some strolling around the city, it was time for lunch. We decided to go to Mercado De San Miguel. It's a market hall located right in the old centre of Madrid, offering delicious tapas and drinks. Locals also come here to do their shopping. Just keep in mind that the market hall can get crowded. After a bit of searching, we finally found a good spot to have lunch. Mercado De San Miguel is definitely a must-visit when you're in Madrid!
Almudena Cathedral and the Royal Palace of Madrid
On the same day, we also visited the stunning Almudena Cathedral and the Royal Palace of Madrid. The cathedral is free to visit and should definitely not be missed! Its official name is Santa María la Real de La Almudena and it was built in 1883. The ceilings are hand-painted in vibrant colours, and the doors are made of bronze.
After visiting the cathedral, we walked to the Palacio Real, the royal palace of Madrid. Besides being the largest palace in the world, which is impressive on its own, it is also situated in a beautiful setting right in the city. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time that day to take a guided tour, but this unique experience is definitely on the agenda for a possible future trip to Madrid!
After exploring all the wonderful sights of the city, it was time to grab something to eat and stroll back through the charming neighbourhoods and shops. We had a meal in the old city centre and then made our way back to the apartment. The next day, I had another busy itinerary planned for my parents and me, and after a hearty breakfast, we set off again.
Plaza de Cibeles
Firstly, we visited Plaza de Cibeles. It's a large square with a fountain and a beautiful statue of the Roman goddess of fertility, Cybele. This fountain is often seen as the symbol of Madrid and stands in front of the City Hall, called Palacio de Comunicaciones. This City Hall was used as a post office for many years.
Parque del Buen Retiro
Behind Plaza de Cibeles lies the stunning city park called Parque del Buen Retiro. The park is very well-maintained, and you forget for a moment that you're in the busy capital of Spain. There are nice spots to grab a drink and something to eat, and street musicians fill the air with music.
After enjoying some drinks on the terrace, it was time to go because we had to catch the 7:00 PM train back to Valencia! I was completely amazed by this beautiful and vibrant city, and I would definitely recommend staying here for a longer period of time.
Do you want to discover all the hotspots of the Spanish capital too? Take a look at our vacancies in Spain and who knows, maybe you can soon add your own favourites to this list! 🚀