48h in Madrid

Trend city, tapas paradise, shoe heaven

Text: Elisa von Hof

8.30 pm, 12 hours to take-off

Packing for your city break you will inevitably wonder which shoes to pack, which dress to choose and which bag to stuff into your carry-on luggage. Tough choices! But thanks to the Mediterranean climate you’ll at least be safe leaving the sweater come April. And you won’t want to take high heels no matter the season; not to stroll along Madrid’s many cobbled alleyways… Instead make sure to pack some comfy sneakers, plimsolls or sandals. Despite the cobbles, Madrid is a saunterer’s paradise and you’ll be able to see most sights on foot bypassing the elsewhere obligatory bus.

6.30 am, 2 hours to take-off

Yawn! It’s an early start but make sure you’re awake enough to pack sun screen. If you don’t have any at home, buy some! You will want enjoy the sun not feel it singe your skin.

8.30 am, take-off

The engines are roaring and you‘re being pressed back in your seat – rejoice – here we go! You’re embarking on two wonderful days in one of the most beautiful cities of Southern Europe.

10.30 am, approaching Madrid

Did you make good use of the two-hour flight by taking a relaxing nap? Excellent! And are you already wondering where to get the best sangria? Where to find the cosiest, most secluded square? Whether there will be a place to wind-down? Yes, Madrid has all this and more to offer, just come along.

10.45 am, off the plane – into the bustle!

The airport is served by a metro line straight from the city centre. Just make sure you add the airport surcharge to your ticket at the vending machine.

11.00 am, accommodation-bound

Once you’ve dropped off your baggage at the hostel or your AirBnB accommodation (there are such beautiful designer apartments with huge comfy beds available!) the city is all yours.

11.45 am, a stroll through the Literary Quarter Barrio de las Letras

The Huertas area of Madrid’s old town is also called the Literary Quarter as the Iberian peninsula’s literary greats, such as Miguel de Cervantes, author of »Don Quixote«, used to walk its streets. Their legacy is still reflected in many of the area’s street and pub names. The main street, Calle de las Huertas, is literally paved with poetry so for once make sure to look at your feet. The area’s small side and back alleys also make an excellent destination at night. Have a Spanish beer or try the famous sangria in one of the old-fashioned taverns and don’t forget to pop into »Café Central«, Madrid’s first address for jazz fans! If you’re in the mood for some live music at night there is no better place to go than »Café Central« for proper Spanish jazz.

But for now Huertas’ cobbled alleys invite you to enjoy the shade, check out the small boutiques and pick one of the many restaurants for a spot of lunch.

Calle de Leon is a particularly good choice of street for all these things: »Ropa & Floristeria«, a trendy shop easily spotted thanks to its pink window frames, offers vintage clothing, unusual jewellery and fresh cut flowers. The smell is fantastic! Back on Calle de Huertas turn on to Plaza Santa Ana, one of the most beautiful squares in the area. Sitting under one of the big parasols and with the impressive scenery of the ME Hotel to marvel at it’s a great place to soak up the Spanish flair until well into the night.

2.00 pm, sightseeing

After a leisurely stroll through the small streets of Huertas it’s off to Madrid‘s touristic hot spots next. There are two things you cannot afford to miss: Plaza Mayor and Palacio Real.

Plaza Mayor is, as the name suggests, Madrid’s largest square. It was built in the 17th century but thanks to the ostentatious facades surrounding it, it still easily passes as majestic today. This is where all of Madrid used to come together to witness bull fights, canonizations and executions. Nowadays, people come for fairs, festivals and open air concerts.

Through the old city’s narrow streets, many of which date from the Middle Ages, it’s an easy walk to Palacio Real, the royal palace. If you choose Calle de Arenal you will pass the royal opera on your way, Teatro Real, which was commissioned by Isabella II in 1831.

Take a close look at the granite grey facade. Can you spot the small angels playing their instruments above the windows? But the opera’s beauty is not constricted to the outside; the main auditorium with its 1700 seats and ornate boxes is well worth a peek.

Christine Davis

Make your way around the opera house and you’ll find yourself right in front of the royal castle. Built in 1764 by Spanish architect Ventura Rodrigez, its close to 550 yard facade of granite and limestone is truly impressive. King Felipe and Queen Letizia do not live here, though, they reside outside the capital; the Palacio Real is only used for state ceremonies and mainly serves as a museum. Care to take a look inside? Admission is 10€ before 6pm. If you are an EU citizen, you can get in for free from 6pm.

If this hasn’t quenched your thirst for gorgeous regal buildings yet: try the royal cathedral to the right of the palace, Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena. Not quite as historic as the palace next door, it was consecrated in 1993.

Has that filled your quota of tourist masses and history lessons for the day? Excellent, then let’s go relax!

Christine Davis

»Madrid«

by Greenwich Photography

4.30 pm, put your feet up in El Retiro

Are your feet tired yet? No problem, El Retiro, the beautiful municipal park is waiting for you to relax in it and process everything you have seen so far. Once the kings’ private garden it is now the largest park in Madrid. Why not rent a rowboat and explore Lake Estanque right at its centre? Or just pick one of the small cafés on its shore and feel any stress and tension melt away into the 130 green pastures of the football pitche-sized oasis.

Once refreshed, head towards the area south of the lake and make for Palacio de Cristal, which was built in the 19th century. This gem of the park with its glass front in an iron framework hides behind old trees and stands by its own lake. Sparkling in the sunlight it invites you to check the current temporary exhibition or the miniature shrine to a collection of beautiful scarves.

Christine Davis

7.00 pm, aperitifs at Mercado de san Miguel

After two hours in the calming and tranquil surroundings of the park it’s time to dive head first into the Spanish night. Before the highly anticipated tavern tour, however, schedule a stop at one of Madrid’s hot spots of culinary endeavors: Mercado de san Miguel in the Old Town. This beautiful market hall from the early 20th century houses countless tapas stands and delis offering tastes and nibbles. The place is frequented by Madrilenians meeting up with friends for a glass or two of after-work sangria. From stuffed olives to an endless selection of sea food, from traditional paella to a glass of original Spanish Rioja, you’ll find anything you might have read about in terms of Spanish capital cuisine right here. It’s nothing less than a feast for all the senses!

8.00 pm, Cena in Plaza del Conde de Barajas

Having warmed up your taste buds at the Mercado, head back to the hustle and bustle of the old city’s alleyways. If you feel like a proper slap-up meal with other tourists opt for Plaza Conde de Barajas merely a stone’s throw from the Mercato. Restaurants like the »D' Fábula« are waiting to welcome you into their relaxed atmosphere. At midrange prices you’ll find traditional Spanish tapas dishes with a modern twist – and vegetarian options to boot.

Elisa von Hof

10.30 pm, night life in the Old Town:

Has all the sightseeing worn you out? Strolling along the Plaza del Conde de Barajas and towards its southern alleys Calle de Cava Baja and Calle de Cava Alta will soon put you in the mood for a glass of wine. The excellent selection of traditional Spanish bars and restaurants with their rustic charm will do the rest. Either of the parallel streets will take you down to Plaza Puerta de Moros where both old and young meet for some pre-gaming before making their way to the clubs and discos. If you prefer a quieter end to the evening, turn the next corner towards San Andres church and sit down under one of the trees in the square outside the church to enjoy another – reasonably priced – glass of wine and make some plans for your next day in Madrid. Buenasnoches!

10.00 am, a small breakfast with a gigantic view

Buenos días! Have you adopted the Spanish rhythm of life and slept in a bit? Fabulous! Fancy a nice cappuccino to kick-off the second day of your trip? And do you also want to tick off a few more things on your too-see list? Then make the Círculo de Bellas Artes, the imposing structure right opposite the famous Gran Vía shopping mile, your first port of call for the day. The academy of fine arts houses exhibitions, screenings, lectures as well as theatre performances and it is also home to one of the most beautiful roof gardens in all of Madrid. Admission is 4€ - a bargain considering the view. Stretch out on a white chaise lounge and enjoy a light breakfast with the vista.

»Gran Vía«

by Eric Titcombe

11.30 am, Gran Vía – a shopper’s paradise

When you’ve had enough of the bird’s eye view get down and dirty with the rest of them: Gran Vía is waiting for you! And it’s a sight that keeps all its promises: Inspired by the Champs Élysées in Paris it is lined with representative Spanish architecture from past centuries – a huge draw to visitors. 13,000 of Madrid’s 3.1 inhabitants work in the shops, hotels and restaurants along the boulevard. Take a look at all the different Art Decò elements adorning the different buildings; Parisian architecture from the Belle Époque had a huge influence on the designs on Gran Vía. Making your way north, though, you will soon see the French influences ebb away and make way for stylistic elements borrowed from North America which where the go-to inspirational source in the 1950s when this part of the street was finished.

12.30 pm, out of the trendy quarter into shoe heaven:

Use the metro station conveniently located at the end of your stroll north on Gran Vía to venture even further north into the trendy Chueca area and check out Calle de Fuencarral with its tiny boutiques and stylish shops. And once you have explored these to your heart’s content, turn into Calle Augusto Figueroa: shoe heaven on earth! This small street leading straight into the heart of Chueca will make your wildest shoe related dreams come true. Silver sandals? Plattform sneakers? Sequenced espadrilles? You’ll find them in Calle Augusto Figueroa!

2.30 pm, a late lunch in Plaza de Chueca

Should all the shopping have made you hungry you’ll be delighted to hear that Plaza de Chueca »right next door« with plenty of restaurants is the perfect destination for a great meal in a relaxed atmosphere. Pick your favourite spot under one of the huge parasols and enjoy some wine and tapas. Make sure to try the famous Tortilla de Patatas, an omelet with bits of potato. With a lovely salad and a serving of crisps – which also accompany each glass of wine and sangria in these parts – you’ll soon be enjoying a typical Spanish lunch.

4.00 pm, on a bus down boulevard Paseo del Prado

Fed and watered and well relaxed, why not make your way back down to Gran Vía, maybe with a nice ice cream cone in your hand? Plaza de Chueca sports excellent ice cream parlors offering unusual flavours. Pick your favourite hand-made delicacy!

Gran Vía’s south end leads onto the busy roundabout of Plaza de la Cibeles which is home to representative buildings owned by Banco de España as well as the Centro Cultural and other imposing structures. Hop on a No. 27 bus which will take you north along the city’s central axis Paseo del Prado straight to the Estadio de Santiago Bernabéu, home to Réal Madrid CF. Travelling south instead, the bus will take you to Madrid’s multi-cultural area Lavapiés.

5.30 pm, a stroll through the multicultural part of town – or Modern Art

If you are taking the No. 27 bus south, disembark at Plaza Emperador Carlos V for the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid’s centre for modern and contemporary art or to explore the colourful streets of Lavapiés. Make sure you cover Calle de Argumosa with all its international restaurants and bars. It’s the perfect spot for an aperitif.

»Paseo del Prado«

by Tony Hisgett

7.30 pm, dinner in Plaza Platería Martinez

When the noise and bustle of Lavapiés get too much, make your way back north along Paseo del Prado. Are your feet getting sore? Are the bags full of new shoes bought in Chueca getting heavy? Let your second day in the city come to a relaxing end in one of the typical Spanish restaurants in Plaza Platería Martinez just off the Paseo. Pick another reasonably prized tapas dish or meal of the day and listen to the square’s fountain babbling happily while you wait to be served.

10.00 pm, a nightcap in Huertas

Full and happy and relaxed, turn off Plaza Platería Martinez into Calle Huertas leading straight to Plaza Santa Ana which you visited yesterday. Fancy a little nightcap to put a cherry on the top of a beautiful day? One of the many bars along your way back to the city centre will offer what you’re looking for, be it a Mojito or one last glass of Spanish wine. Buenasnoches!

el Paseo del Prado

Christine Davis

8.00 am, adiós, Madrid!

How the two days in Madrid have flown by! Did you have a good time? Have you maybe even decided to stay on? Or at least come back soon? Fabulous! There are so many wonderful things left to explore like the popular flea market el Rastro which is held on Sundays or the Museo Nacional del Prado and the home of Madrid’s Haute Couture, Calle de Serrano, in the north of the city. Have a safe trip home and don’t be a stranger!