Tourist Destinations World Travel Guides
Looking for the perfect place for a weekend getaway? Look no further than sunny, exciting Madrid. Home of the famed Prado Museum, Madrid is filled with breathtaking art, colorful nightlife, and yummy eateries.
You do not have to be an art lover to appreciate the Madrid art scene. Have a blast learning about some of the Spanish masters or check out the Royal Palace and Armory and its collection of historic (and a bit intimidating) weaponry.
With so much to see and do in Madrid, you will not be bored when you visit. Fill your itinerary with sightseeing, shopping, eating, and living it up with the locals and other tourists. Gather the family, the girls, the guys, or even your co-workers for a great trip. You can plan your tour and book all the tickets online with websites like Bookmundi.
While you are enjoying your weekend trip to Madrid, leave your things in a luggage locker for safekeeping. Pickpockets abound in Madrid so you do not want to set yourself up as a target. Be hands-free as you tour! Then, check out these amazing attractions.
Royal Palace of Madrid
The official residence of the royal family when they are in Madrid, the Palacio Real de Madrid, is mainly used for state ceremonies. It is the biggest royal palace in Europe with 3,418 rooms. Order your tickets online and skip the long lines.
When you are visiting the palace, be sure to check out Giaquinto’s fresco that has been painted on the ceilings. Bring your camera for some fantastic photos to post to your social media to make your friends jealous of your weekend trip to Madrid!
Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
Locals simply call it Las Ventas. This iconic bullfighting ring is the largest in Spain and was opened in 1931. Grab your tickets and head over to the Salamanca district. Sign up for one of the guided tours and experience the vastness of Las Ventas.
While bullfighting is very controversial, you do not have to attend one of the fights to get to see Las Ventas. You can get a behind-the-scenes look at this amazing bullfighting stadium and marvel and the amazing architecture.
The stadium sees more than just bullfighting; many awesome concerts have been played here including Coldplay, AC/DC, Diana Ross, and the Beatles.
Buen Retiro Park
Simply known as El Retiro by the locals, it is the largest park in Madrid and was once owned by the Spanish crown. It was turned into a public park in the late 19th century and is the perfect place to soak up some sun and relax.
Visit the Crystal Palace with its display of European art, rent a rowboat, and row your worries away on Lago Grande, pack a picnic, and lounge under a large shade tree. You can take a virtual tour before you get to Madrid so you know what to expect.
Temple of Debod
Check out an Egyptian temple in the middle of Madrid! The Temple of Debod is an ancient Egyptian temple that once resided in Aswan, Egypt. It was then disassembled and brought to Madrid as a gift from the Egyptian government.
Read up on the incredible history of the temple before visiting. While you are exploring this somewhat eerie place, be sure to take a stroll through the inner crypts and snap some photos of the only Egyptian temple in Spain.
Plaza Mayor
Spend time exploring the heart of Madrid and the Plaza Mayor. This public square was once the center of the oldest part of Madrid. The square was built when Philip III reigned and is only a short distance from Puerta del Sol.
Sit at an outdoor café and watch as people wander by, visit the Arch of Cutlers, and stand next to the bronze statue of Philip III. This statue is about 400 years old! Wander through the Plaza Mayor and then head over to Puerta del Sol.
Puerta del Sol
Puerta del Sol is not quite as famous as Plaza Mayor, but still an absolute must-see during your weekend trip to Madrid. This public square is one of the busiest places in the entire city so it is best to visit early in the day or wait and go near the end of the day.
The square is home to the famous Twelve Grapes clock. Its bells ring out and mark the tradition of eating a grape for each of the 12 strikes at midnight on December 31st. Sit with your morning coffee and watch as locals and tourists enjoy the sights in the square.
Gran Via
Stroll along this famous street filled with unique boutiques, adorable cafes and bistros, and quaint art galleries. The street stretches from Plaza de España to Calle de Alcalá. This must-see thoroughfare was built between 1910 and 1929.
Gran Via is home to many of the iconic buildings in Madrid. You can easily spend an entire day here, but if you are only here for a weekend, pace yourself and plan to only spend a short time exploring the Gran Via.
Legends of the Prado Tour
No trip to Madrid is complete without a visit to the Prado Museum, but the vastness of this art museum can leave you floundering and wondering what to look at first! Instead of wasting time wandering around, sign up for the marvelous Legends of the Prado Tour.
This free tour is offered during the times that admission to the Prado Museum is free, so you will only have to tip your guide at the end of the tour. Your guide will take you on an adventure and introduce you to many of the Spanish masters.
Walking Tours
Madrid is brimming with tour companies offering all kinds of tours through the city, each one unique. Walking tours are a great way to see more of the city in a shorter amount of time, which is perfect when you are only visiting for the weekend.
The Graffiti Tour opens your eyes to a unique art scene in Madrid, street art that is colorful, meaningful, and makes fantastic backdrops for selfies. Your tour guide will introduce you to this incredible art medium and show you the most amazing murals.
If you only have a weekend, these are a few must-see spots that need to be on your itinerary. Your weekend trip to Madrid will be jam-packed with fun, excitement, great food, and amazing entertainment.
