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A Week in Madrid: Exploring the Best of Spain's Capital

BETO DE ROSA

BETO DE ROSA

27 Sep 2023

Join me on a thrilling journey through Madrid, as I discover its vibrant markets, iconic landmarks, and breathtaking gardens. From the historic Puerta de Alcalá to the enchanting Jardín El Capricho de la Alameda de Osuna, this itinerary is packed with unforgettable experiences.

Trip to Madrid

Day 1
+

$0

·

$ 5

Mercado de San Miguel
Circa-1916 covered market offering local food, delicacies & events in an elegant ambiance.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
•
Free
14 - 21 min

~

Directions

Plaza de España
Leafy square surrounded by imposing buildings, with stone & bronze statue of Cervantes on horseback.
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
•
Free
12 - 18 min

~

Directions

Mercado de San Ildefonso
Happening, 3-level market with 20 stalls selling diverse, international fare, plus 3 cocktail bars.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
Free
11 - 14 min

~

Directions

Puerta de Alcalá
Triumphal arch near to Parque del Buen Retiro & rich with stone carvings & elegant sculptures.
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
•
Free
Day 2
+

$0

·

$ 5

Matadero Madrid
Former slaughterhouse housing contemporary arts center hosting exhibitions, performances & cinema.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
Free
19 - 23 min

~

Directions

San Fernando Market
Bustling market with stands selling everything from produce & butchered meats to clothes & books.
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
•
Free
12 - 17 min

~

Directions

Toledo Gate
Gate built in the Neoclassical style to honor Fernando VII, with stone arches & statues.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
•
Free
Day 3
+

$27

Real Jardín Botánico
Botanical garden with outdoor gardens & greenhouses, plus walking trails & monthly activities.
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
•
$15
8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Neptune Fountain
Neoclassical fountain in the center of a roundabout depicting Neptune on a shell-shaped chariot.
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
•
Free
5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Naval Museum
Displays on nautical science & the Spanish navy from the reign of Isabella & Ferdinand onward.
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$11
6 - 9 min

~

Directions

Cibeles Fountain
18th century neoclassical fountain depicting the goddess Cybele on a chariot pulled by 2 lions.
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
•
Free
Day 4
+

$45

·

$ 5

Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Vast 1500s complex of royal buildings housing old masters, lavish apartments & a vaulted library.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$45
51 - 62 min

~

Directions

Palacio de Cristal
Venue for art exhibitions organized by Reina Sofía Museum, modeled on London's Crystal Palace.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
Free
Day 5
+

$0

Parque Juan Carlos I
Urban oasis with a lake, olive grove, skating rink, free train rides & many modern sculptures.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
Free
Day 6
+

$0

·

$ 10

Western Park
Expansive, landscaped, 20th-century urban park with paths meandering past conifer & cedar trees.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
Free
8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Catedral de la Almudena
Baroque Catholic cathedral known for its colorful chapels, plus a Romanesque crypt & museum.
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
•
Free
25 - 30 min

~

Directions

Jardín El Capricho de la Alameda de Osuna
Manicured 18th-century landscaped gardens with sculptures, water features & a Civil War bunker.
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
•
Free

Budget breakdown: $96 In total

Activities & Food:$72
Transport:$25