Short Break to Madrid?

shadow_boxer · 29 Apr 2014 at 11:30

Hi guys. Obviously I've done a search but the latest thread is a good 4 years old so thought I'd ask again. My wife and I are off for a short break to Madrid in mid-June. We'll be staying quite central by Plaza Mayor. Anyone recommend things to see and do in particular? We'll be there for 6 nights so wouldn't mind a day excursion as there are a few to choose from.

On our list of places to see already (from our very brief Googling) are the Prado and Thyssen Museums, maybe Bernabeu tour, Royal Palace and generally exploring and taking in what we can.

As for the day trips from what I can see the main three are Toledo, Segovia and El Escorial with the possibility of combining the latter two into a single day trip. Any I'm missing any and what would you recommend? Is doing both in a single day too much?

One area we struggle with is finding/choosing places to eat. Any recommended places from first hand experience or otherwise in and around the central areas that aren't too touristy or busy.

Any other general advice welcome.

Thanks

Clav · 29 Apr 2014 at 12:33

Well I can recommend Toledo, it's a great day out. A real mish-mash of Christian and Moorish history/architecture as it was conquered and re-conquered. Also a really beautiful spot. Bernebue is horrendously expensive but maybe worth it if you are a big footy fan.

I enjoyed a day in Madrid Zoo, I mocked the people hiring golf carts to drive around it but after 6 hours or so walking around it my feet were ready to fall off.

Foodwise, literally anywhere will serve good food, just stay away from ex-pat places serving €3 frys all day

I do recommend a visit to the Mercado de San Miguel, which is quite central (really close to Plaza Mayor and Royal Palace). It's a massive food and wine market.

DB_SamX · 29 Apr 2014 at 12:50

I am going this weekend and we have a tapas lunchtime tour of the city planned - 55euros. Will report back on how good it is.

Cosimo · 29 Apr 2014 at 12:55

Another vote for Toledo and Madrid zoo.

Pipe & Slippers · 29 Apr 2014 at 13:45

Make sure you see the painting of Saturn in the Prado - very haunting. You can get in free/discounted if you go late in the day but it tends to be really crowded then. Pick up a map/leaflet inside and it helpfully highlights all the "must sees"

The Parc del Retiro was very nice if the weather's good...spent about 4 hours flopped out there gently sipping beer in a cafe and nibbling food....and liked it so much we went back the next day. When we were there (last May) there was also an art exhibition in some of the buildings that was worth a look - the one with the bones stank!

We tried quite a few tapas bars - there's a high concentration of them in a particular part of town that's quite near the centre (I can't remember exactly) - for food and drink just try loads of places...go in, have a drink, if you like it, get some scoff, if you don't move on

kkelly · 29 Apr 2014 at 13:48

Parc del Retiro, is great if the weather is nice, the Metro is easy to use and quite cheap I think 12 euros for 10 trips.

vodafone sol, is the City Centre on Metro I think, there are loads of shops and bars in this area just watch your pockets

(You can visit the only Bear in Madrid here :-)

)

Pipe & Slippers · 29 Apr 2014 at 14:22

Oh yes - one thing about the metro is that it's often quite a hike from one platform to another if you are changing lines. We got the metro from the airport and just had wheeled hand luggage - by the time we got to the hotel we were knacked

Good value though