Hubby and I will be spending 4 nights in Madrid in late October. We will arive on a Saturday and leave on a Wednesday. What sights are not to be missed? What is a good neighborhood to
Hubby and I will be spending 4 nights in Madrid in late October. We will arive on a Saturday and leave on a Wednesday. What sights are not to be missed? What is a good neighborhood to stay in? Is there enough time for a day trip somewhere?
What do you enjoy? There are the iconic Madrid sites like the Prado Museum, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor. There are also other museums that are quite nice, if you enjoy art: La Reina Sofia and the Thyssen. Madrid has great night life with plenty of bars and restaurants to go for drinks and tapas or wonderful meals. Day trips are also easy and abundant: Toledo, Avial, Segovia, and El Escorial. Madrid is a special city. Other places I have gone include: Tour of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Tour of the Bullring (Ventas), Museo del Traje (Clothing Museum), El Botin (World's oldest restaurant and great roast suckling pig)
Unfortunately, you are asking a very broad question that would take pages and pages to answer. I suggest you read a little bit more on Madrid and come later with more precise questions.
A day trip to Toledo is fabulous. There are tour buses that go there daily, and I only wish we had had another day there. But, do take a tour when going there. There is too much to see and you'd miss so much if a guide is not along to help you.
Toledo is probably the most frequent day trip from Madrid and it is definitely a worthy destination with many sites of interest. A second possibility is Segovia, with its impressive Roman acqueduct, cathedral and the very striking, iconic Alcazar castle. There is another excellent restaurant in Segovia, right near the base of the acqueduct, that serves the traditional and very tasty ham of the region. I don't know whether it is still possible to go up on the roof of the Alcazar but, if so, there are wonderful views over the countryside and castle itself. Hemingway's novel of the Spanish Civil War, "For Whom the Bell Tolls', was set in the Guadarrama mountains outside Segovia. It is possible to include a visit to the striking walled small city of Avila on a trip to Segovia, or the large El Escorial royal palace, but all three would be a stretch, especially with the shorter evenings of late October. Hiring a guide/driver for either Toledo or Segovia would definitely be worth it to reduce stress over driving and parking and allow for enjoying some good Spanish wine with meals.
I love Madrid !!! You can take tour from Madrid that takes you to both Segovia and Avila it costs about $85. You can have lunch included or not. There is a restaurant right at the aqueduct (bottom of the hill on the right if you face the aqueduct) tha is supposed to e world famous for sucking pig. Don't know if they are world famous but it was a great meal. Avial is a great little walled city (with the wall still intact)I spend a week in the city back a few years ago. I think the tours leave from the side of the opera house. Also there is a tour to El Escorial and the valley of the Fallen it's about $65 If you only can take one go to Segovia and Avila. I'm certain there is a day trip to Toledo also. I just haven't taken it (I have a friend that drives us there) There are probably a lot of sites I've used Viator.com or I book tours through Corte Ingles ( the department store) Have a great trip !!!
Stayed a couple years ago at the Gran Melia Fenix (part of the Sol Melia group). It was a good neighborhood - close to several museums (including Prado), major sites, good shopping. There is so much to do in Madrid that with only 4 days, unless you are high-energy, I suggest you skip the day trips and concentrate on the city. Spain has a reputation for muggings and pick-pockets. My husband and I didn't have any trouble, but I know a few people who did. Be careful (as you should in most places).
We enjoyed the location of the Hotel Preciados--and it's a very nice hotel, too. Subway station just across the little plaza--and two others within a 5-minute walk.
You need to visit www.madridman.com More info than any other site. Be sure to read about getting a limo when you land at the airport in Madrid. It is cheaper and safer than the taxies. Toledo is my favorite day trip and Puerta del Sol is my favorite safe location in Madrid. Have a wonderful time!
