BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: May-June or September-October. The summers get REALLY hot in Madrid, and the temperature cools off rather quickly in the late fall. A lot of the best activities in Madrid are outside, so you want to come at a time that is ideal for spending hours walking around.

WHERE TO STAY: I lived in the Chamberí neighborhood, which is really safe and pretty centrally located. If you want a more local vibe, I would opt for Chamberí. Otherwise, Puerta del Sol is where most people stay when they come to visit.

friday.

After grabbing a quick espresso and pastry at a nearby bakery, get to El Prado early to beat the crowds. It is definitely the most expansive museum in Madrid, so plan to spend a few hours browsing the galleries. Once you feel like you’re ready to move on, go nearby to Murillo Café. Their seared tuna is AWESOME. Most of the restaurants around this area are really touristy, so this will be your best option for higher quality food with a more local atmosphere around the area. Just note that they charge a little extra for bread and for sitting out on the patio.

Next, walk to Parque Retiro. This park is MASSIVE, but a few of the highlights are the paddleboats on the lake, Palacio de Cristal, Jardines de Cecilio Rodriguez, and the rose garden. You will probably spend an hour or two at the park, so you will likely be ready for a refreshment at the end. Head to my FAVORITE spot in the city, Círculo de las Bellas Artes for a rooftop view of the city and a refreshing tinto de verano.

For dinner, head to any Lateral in town. It’s my favorite restaurant in the city. My personal favorite location is the one on Paseo de la Castellana, but the one on Santa Ana will be a short walk away. My favorite items on the menu are the ham croquettes and the lateral salad. The cocktails are also really good.

saturday.

Following yesterday’s theme, start your day at Museo Sorolla. You won’t see this on many Madrid tourism lists, but for me it’s a MUST DO. It is a museum inside the late artist’s home, and you can see his used paintbrushes and sketches still lying around. After this, take the metro over to Plaza Mayor. I recommend just strolling the streets in this area and seeing what you can find. An interesting spot to poke your head in is Museo de Jamon. Once you are hungry, pick up lunch at Mercado San Miguel. You’re in Spain, so make sure you grab a glass or two of Sangria while you walk around.

Next, walk over to Palacio Real. The entrance fee is a bit high, but the palace is breathtaking. Once you finish at the palace, stroll around this neighborhood until you are ready for dinner. I recommend just using this time to relax because you want energy to go out later. For dinner, I recommend visiting Sobrino de Botin. Rumor has it, this is where Hemingway wrote “The Sun Also Rises” and if you happen to be by yourself, you can request to be seated at his table. The sangria and the roasted pork at both incredible and ESSENTIAL if visit this restaurant. Your meal will be on the pricier side for Madrid, but I literally dream about this restaurant. To finish off your meal, grab some chocolate and churros nearby at San Gines. The food is really rich, so I would recommend splitting 1 order between 2 people.

Finally, if you are in the mood to party while in Madrid, go to Teatro Kapital. Just note that most Madrileños won’t show up until after midnight and won’t go home until about 6 a.m. Cover will be expensive, but it typically comes with two drink tickets. Kapital is a 7-story club, and each floor has a different theme. My favorite is the bottom floor with the dancers and electronic music. The rooftop is also a favorite because it is open air, so you can take a break from the loud music and see the stars.

sunday.

Although you’ll be exhausted if you went to Kapital, try to get an early start at El Rastro Market. The market is massive with streets lined with scarves, leather bags, and antiques. Pick up a bite to eat while you are here as well. It’s in a less touristy part of the city, so most places nearby will be good. To finish before you head out of town, walk to Reina Sofia. It is Madrid’s modern art museum and is home to Picasso’s Guernica.

**I recently asked a local for an updated list of where to eat/drink and what to do, and she gave me a MASSIVE list. Please feel free to reach out to us if you’d like us to forward it to you!