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Just a taste of Spain
While planning a trip to Portugal, I realized it was possible to include a long layover in Madrid, Spain. That might sound crazy, and some people (including my husband and travel buddy) asked “Why?”
To that I replied, “Why not?”
It’s a long flight from the U.S. to Europe and I’m a firm believer in breaking things up and seizing every opportunity to maximize our experience. A long layover certainly doesn’t allow for the kind of exploring you might ultimately want to do, but it does give you just a small taste of a place, and perhaps a desire to return.
Soooo… With 36 hours in Spain, we literally wandered and soaked up as many of the sights and sounds of this incredible city as we could. And yes! We will be back.
[Click on images to enlarge]
Arriving in Madrid
Where to stay
With so little time, it was important to stay in a central location. We booked a room at the Atocha Hotel Madrid, Tapestry Collection by Hilton and loved it! Here’s why:
- From the outside, the Atocha Hotel Madrid is unassuming. Inside, it is clean, modern and welcoming.
- The hotel’s concierge staff were amazing! They provided us with a city map when we checked in and helped direct us toward places we wanted to go throughout our stay (including arranging our taxi to the airport when we checked out).
- The room includes a continental or buffet breakfast with so many choices of fresh fruit, meats and cheeses, omelettes and, of course, coffee made to order the way you like it.
- It was perfectly centrally located. A 15-minute walk in any direction will get you to someplace special in Madrid.
Getting around
Madrid has its own version of the Lisboa Card (if you’ve read about our time in Lisbon, you already know how much we loved that!) – The Madrid Pass.
With so little time, we decided to just walk and see the sights, but if you’re staying at least a few days, The Madrid Pass would definitely be something to consider. It includes:
- Panoramic Bus Tour
- Priority entry into the Royal Palace of Madrid and Prado Museum
- Audio Guide
- Your choice of Hop-on / Hop-off bus pass or Flamenco Show
Exploring Madrid
Something to know about Madrid… It stays up late! Flamenco shows have late start times, restaurants and cafes are bustling well into the night, and the streets are bustling with people at all hours.
With one full day in Madrid, you can cover a lot of ground. We walked more than 13 miles, up and down and all around the city, with stops along the way to eat, drink and soak up the beauty all around us. If you prefer less walking, don’t worry. Madrid has an extensive public transportation system that includes an underground metro (with a station close to the Atocha Hotel), day and night busses, and a light rail system.
From the Royal Palace of Madrid to Retiro Park
- Walk through Plaza Mayor, up to Plaza de España, then the Temple of Debod (an ancient Egyptian temple and museum)
- From there, walk through nearby Parque del Oeste (West Park) where you’ll find the meandering walking paths, a rose garden, and panoramic views of downtown Madrid and the Royal Palace. If you’re lucky, you might even get to enjoy a local musician playing for the crowds
- Next up is a walk along the Gran Via where you can do some shopping, find great people-watching, or do what we did and duck into random alleys looking for the perfect tapas or cappuccino
- At the end of the Gran Via, heading toward El Retiro Park, we found a little open-air market across from the Casa de América. The vendors offered everything from clothing to leather goods to original artwork. We stopped and talked with one of the artists and bought an etching of the Cathedral Santiago de Compostela (another bucket-list destination)
- Parque del Buen Retiro (El Retiro Park) could be an all-day adventure itself:
- Walk, bike or skate along the paths, exploring the many monuments within the park
- Rent a paddle boat and float around the Great Pond of El Retiro
- Walk by the Palacio de Cristal (Glass Palace), a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Walk along the Paseo del Prado, a tree-lined promenade in the heart of the city. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Paseo del Prado stretches from the Biblioteca Nacional de España (National Library), past the Museo Nacional del Prado (Prado Museum), and on to the Real Jardín Botánico (Botanical Gardens).
Flamenco in Madrid
What is more quintessentially Spanish than flamenco dance? Flamenco brings together storytelling, dance, passion, music, love, loss and joy.
If you purchase the Madrid Pass, you can choose to attend the Flamenco Tablao Torres Bermejas. If you elect to explore Madrid with the Hop-on / Hop-off Bus instead, don’t worry, there are plenty of opportunities to experience flamenco in Madrid.
On the suggestion of our waiter at dinner, we walked a few blocks away and purchased tickets for the late-night performance at Tablao Flamenco 1911. Included with our ticket was a pre-show cocktail and the option to purchase additional bites and drinks during the show. The footwork of the dancers was fast and precise, the emotion palpable. On stage behind the dancers was a band of live musicians, equally talented and engaging.
If you prefer to arrive prepared, browse through the many flamenco shows available on Viator.com.
Eating in Madrid
From rooftop bars to garden cafes, there is no shortage of places to stop and enjoy the flavors of Madrid. Something I learned in Madrid was the art of slowing down. Meals are meant to be savored, not rushed. They are a time for connection and being present in the moment.
As you explore Madrid, take time to pause and sample some of the foods and drinks Madrid are known for:
- Tapas | small plates, perfect for sharing and sampling. In the La Latina neighborhood, we found a cafe where we ordered potatoes with chicken and curry-mango aioli, toast with prawns and garlic gulas (aka “squiggly stuff”), and baby squid croquettes
- Chocolate and Churros | a sweet treat, perfectly paired with a cappuccino
- Croquettes | deep-fried, breaded rolls made with a variety of ingredients
- Sangria | wine mixed with fruit and brandy (or other spirits)
Final thoughts
While our day in Madrid was all about sightseeing and taking in all the flavor of Spain we could in a very short time, there is so much more to see and do. If you’re lucky enough to have time to spend in this beautiful city, you’ll find countless things to do…
- Wander through the many museums and art galleries
- Immerse yourself in the artistry of flamenco dance
- Rent a boat or a bike and enjoy the splendor of El Retiro Park
- Or just sit and sip on something flavorful while watching people bustling by on the busy city streets
But from one wanderer to another, don’t be afraid to just take a taste when the opportunity presents itself like this one did for us. We were certainly inspired to make a return trip someday, but I will be forever grateful for having this chance to catch a glimpse of Spain on this whirlwind adventure.