I’m an immigrant madrider and I have made my way from meeting Madrid for the first time to feeling myself like home here. That, plus the experience of the infinite number of foreign guest that we had, lets me suggest the following plan.
First and foremost get a general idea of the city, get the feel of the arquitecture and make your personal mental map of the things to see. Your best bet for this the Madrid City Bus Tour, the double-decker. Take the tour of the old quarters, don´t bother with the modern part, and just ride it from start to end without getting off, it´ll take your around 2 hours. You´ll see that Madrid is curious, fun and very easy to walk.
After the ride get off at the stop Puerta del Sol and take it easy, don´t get contaminated with the tourist rush, relax and have you’re your beer or “tinto de verano” with a delicious and well-sized toast at the tavern “En Busqueda del Tiempo”. It´ll take you a short walk from the Puerta del Sol.Once recharged walk around till lunch and remember that Spaniards have lunch at 14:30 – 15:30, after 17:00 most of the authentic restaurants close till dinner, which starts around 21:00. So, do walk around, Madrid is made for walking and if you have one day to see Madrid, don´t go to museums. And not because they are not worth it, but rather because each of them is worth at least 3 hours, and you are on the time budget. So enjoy the historical heritage of the city from outside.
Starting from Sol, head towards the Plaza Mayor, cross it exiting on Calle Toledo. From here you should go down to one of the most emblematic neighborhoods La Latina, entering it through Calle Cava Baja. Brows that area, look for Calle Almendro and return to Plaza de San Andres. Take a brief look and cool down in the Church of Sant Andres if it is open, and if not pop into the Museom of the Origins for just a quick look. Next, follow to the Plaza de la Paja, right behind the church, check out the gardens at the opposite side of the square, follow down to Calle Segovia. You will see the bridge on your left, go to it and take the stairs up. This will take you to this street Calle Ballen, which you should follow (to the right), crossing the famous Viaducto and heading towards the Royal Palace. Here take a breath, rest a little bit in the gardens in front of the Palace, then walk around the Royal Theater (Opera) and find yourself in the Plaza of Isabel II. Marvel. Now you can head to Gran Vía, taking Cuesta Santo Domingo all the way up till the Square of Santo Domingo and turning left on Calle San Bernardo till you reach Gran Vía. Here you can go for a quick window or real shopping, going in the direction opposite from Plaza España until you reach big McDonalds “living” in a gorgeously decorated building. Don´t forget to look up while on Gran Vía. If you want some more fun and modern shopping cross the road from the McDonnalds and take Calle Fuencarral. Here you´d probably like to stop by at Hakel, Campers, Hoss, Gans and a cute Japanese store among handful of others. Just FYI you will be between neighborhoods Chueca and Malasaña.
Seems like it´s lunch time already! Do eat in a traditional Spanish tavern, the traditional “menu del día” which comes with 2 courses and a drink. Don´t be repulsed by taverns that have used napkins on the floor around the bar, those are the most traditional, and they are not filthy. Most likely you will eat one of your best meals in one of those taverns. If you have thought up a place you really want to go, but it´s a bit far, take a taxi, it will save you some energy and it won´t be expensive.
After lunch it is strongly recommended to have a coffee or an afternoon drink on one of the rooftops of Madrid, which could be Circulo de Bellas Artes, Bar of the Hotel ME or another one which you might find yourself.In the evening you can plan to go for the flamenco show. If haven´t seen it, it´ll be interesting. I can recommend Casa Patas, Café Chinitas or Corral de la Moreria.
Enjoy Madrid, and remember that it is extremely safe, even late at night, that it really never sleeps, especially in the summer, you will be always surrounded by friendly and happy people. Not too many speak good English, but they will always try to help you!
PS: You can also book one of our Walking and Gstronomical Tours below
Natalia Gorobinskaya
