MADRID IN 3 DAYS

Madrid is a city where you can settle in and get to know it more thoroughly since there is a lot to see and nearby areas to go by train and learn even more, but it has the versatility of being able to adapt to going for just a couple of days. Nonetheless, it is better to go for at least 3 or 4 days.

We leave you an express guide to organize yourself and explore it in just 3 days and not miss anything:

To stay we recommend: Salamanca or the Retiro / Ibiza area.

DAY 1

If you are going to go for only a few days, it is best to start very early so that you can do everything at a slower pace.

A nice route is to start along the Paseo de la Castellana, towards the Fuente de Cibeles, then through the Puerta de Alcala and enter the Retiro Park. You can buy sandwiches and some snacks and have a picnic on the park's grasses or have lunch in Florida Park, a very cool spot.

The Retiro Park is 125 hectares (with a perimeter of 4.5km) therefore there is a lot to see and walk. We recommend doing it at a calm pace, stopping and resting at different points to really enjoy the ride. A must stop within the park is the Palacio de Cristal.

If you leave the Park straight rom of the Palace you can see the Fuente de Neptuno, take the Paseo del Prado and if you are interested in art enter the Prado Museum (one of the most important ones). Right there you'll see the Giardino Botánico Reale.

When you leave you can pass through another of the best-known neighborhoods: Barrio Las Letras. This neighborhood recalls the Madrid where the great writers of the Golden Age of Spanish literature lived. That's why you will see many of this famous authors in the names of its streets (Cervantes, Moratín or Lope de Vega). There, you will find some of the emblematic buildings of Madrid, since the neighborhood is framed by some iconic museums: the Prado and the Thyssen. Something fun to see here is "El Callejón de Álvarez Gato", composed of deforming mirrors and an original style.

After, you can walk through the streets and reach the Lavapies neighborhood, located in what would be the Embajadores neighborhood, and walk along its Calle Real and the square. On weekends the famous Rastro market takes place (it's like a Flea Market with antiques and other vintage pieces).

In the afternoon/evening you can go to Malasaña, which offers thousands of proposals to eat and drink. Malasaña is also linked to the "Movida", the cultural and social revolution that emerged in Madrid during the 1980s and which had its epicenter in this neighborhood. Due to its history, it is the neighborhood with the most bohemian and modern residents of the city. Madrid reference of retro fashion and underground culture. Another good spot to stop if you like a place with more movement but probably more noise at night.

There is a party that takes place in June (find out the date, it changes every year) that encourages free art and every year it fills the streets of Malasaña with color: Pinta Malasaña. Every year everyone has the freedom to express artistic initiatives on the walls, glass, floors or street furniture of the neighborhood.

#GuestTravelTips: If you can, go back to the Puerta de Alcalá at night, it is very nice to see it illuminated!

DAY 2

We recommend starting the day in La Latina, one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Madrid. This neighborhood is distilled by the coming and going of people, boutiques, bars, lots of gastronomy... It is located within the Austrias neighborhood, so it has a lot of history and historical monuments. El Rastro market is also a few blocks from here so if you didn't make it the day before you can go today (check to see if it's open).

If you go through the neighborhood, you arrive at the Plaza Mayor and here you have the Mercado San Miguel and the famous Museo del Jamón a few blocks away. Other must see spots; we recommend having lunch in one of them or in one of the surrounding restaurants. You can buy a few things in both of them and just lay and eat at the Plaza Mayor.

From there it is best to go to the Plaza de Oriente, the Teatro Real and cross to El Palacio Real and the Almudena Cathedral. The view from up there is impressive; and if you can, the best thing is to go down there and walk through the gardens, ideally passing through La Rosaleda and then going to the Sabatini Gardens from where you will have the iconic view of the Palace from below and its fountain.

An ideal plan if sunset is coming is from the Sabatini Gardens, go to the Plaza de España which is a few blocks away and from there go up to the Templo de Debod and see the sunset from up there, stunning views of the city and the illuminated temple.

This ancient temple, more than 2,200 years old, was a gift from Egypt to Spain for the help it provided at the time to save Abu Simbel from the waters of the Aswan High Dam.

#GuestTravelTips: We recommend going up at night because it's much nicer! And we can then go to eat and have some drinks at Rooftop Riu Plaza España.

DAY 3

You could start the day by going directly to the Chueca neighborhood. Here you will find squares, unique buildings, museums, bookstores, markets, hotels and many bars and restaurants.

We recommend walking through the neighborhood until you reach the iconic Gran Vía. From there, walk towards the Puerta del Sol, and if you can, go up to the Círculo de Bellas Artes and see the iconic view from above.

If you didn't get the chance to go to the Museo del Jamón the day before, you can also go now since its a few blocks from Puerta del Sol. Although we recommend going to Galería Canalejas, a luxurious food hall some blocks away.

#GuestTravelTips: To close the day, go to the Salamanca neighborhood and explore it shopping along the emblematic Serrano Street. Where are all the massive stores and all the luxury ones are located.

With all this you will already have a general view of the city. But other experiences that you could do if you have more time/days are:

If you like soccer, book in advance to go to the Bernabeu (Real Madrid's stadium) to watch a game. It is a great experience.

Go for the day to TOLEDO. An ancient Spanish town, very pretty. It's worth it and it's a different experience. If you do this, leave very early so you can return after noon and have time for whatever you have left pending in Madrid.

Barrio Princesa: From the Plaza de España to Moncloa, many tourist attractions and the possibility of visiting an authentic Egyptian temple.

#GuestTravelTips: The best way to get around if you don't want to walk so much is to rent electric skateboards that you can rent through different apps and leave them at different points in the city.

Another option in case you need to rent a car is through apps (like bikes or skateboards apps, but for cars). The best known are: Car2Go, Emov, Zity and Wible. They tell you which ones are parked nearby, you unlock it, you get on to go wherever you want and you park it wherever you want. When you stopped using it, you lock it again. It's very cheap, sometimes cheaper than a taxi or Uber, and you have more freedom. Always check how much charge they have (they are electric) to see if it will last for you depending your distances. If you load the charge they give you credits, otherwise you just park it and the app staff comes to load them after.

If you need an express guide with all main neighborhoods and districts, click HERE. For our favorite restaurants, HERE.