24 Hours in Madrid

With over 6 million visitors each year, Madrid is known for its beautiful architecture and unique outdoor plazas. This Spanish city is well worth a visit, and if you’re not sure how to spend your first 24 hours in the city, we’ve got some inspiration for you.

Hotel check in

Whether you’re looking for a budget option or wanting to splash the cash, you won’t be disappointed. Madrid has many beautiful hotels with fantastic amenities, and finding a cheaper option in the city centre is not difficult.

One of our favourites is the Dolce Vita Hotel just minutes away from the Gran Via, putting you within minutes of everything in the city centre. With prices starting from only £59 per night, the hotel is basic but cosy, and the staff is friendly and helpful.

If you’d prefer a hotel that offers more than just a place to sleep, the best option in the city is Dear Hotel Madrid with its rooftop pool and unbeatable location just minutes away from everything you might want to do in Madrid. Prices start from £127 per night and includes access to the pool.

Shopping

Gran Vía is the main throughfare in Madrid, and it’s also where you’ll find your favourites like H&M, Mango and Zara. Though you’ll find many of these shops in the UK, shopping in them surrounded by the old buildings of central Madrid adds a certain something. But the unique shopping experiences of Madrid don’t stop there – in the Madrid Xanadú shopping centre, you can round finish up by racing down the indoor ski slope.

If you prefer the markets, start your journey at the 400-year old El Rastro flea market which is on every Sunday. Located in the La Latina district, El Rastro is full of small stands selling everything from accessories, clothes, souvenirs and bags, and takes a top spot as one of Madrid’s most popular tourist attractions. Mercado de San Miguel is another must-see, with traditional stands offering high quality tapas and delicious fresh produce.

Drink + Dine

For the best lunch you’ll ever have, head to Casa Dani, which is always bustling and the coffee is served in half pints. They also serve the city’s best Tortilla Española, serving up an average of 400 per day – cracking 2000 eggs in the process!

For dinner, Casa Benigna serves traditional Spanish food like paella, arroz negro and caramelised socarrat, which you’ll hardly find anywhere else. Better put the diet on pause!

And finally, if you’re in the mood for a highly traditional experience with tapas, your best bet is El Boquerón – don’t come here for the service, as the waiters are known for being quite surly, but the food more than makes up for it.

Discover

Madrid is well known for its many museums, and those who are interested in modern art should head straight to the Reina Sofia museum, where you’ll have the opportunity to view world famous art like Picasso’s Guernica.

For those who’d rather stay outside, the El Retiro park is the green heart of Madrid. Unlike many other Spanish cities, Madrid doesn’t offer easy access to a beach. However, the parks and rose gardens more than make up for it. Dating back to the 15th century, the El Retiro park offers opportunity for exercise, relaxation and sightseeing, with several monuments and statues scattered throughout.

Another can’t-miss experience is the churros con chocolate at San Ginés, which has been serving churros 24/7 since 1894. People especially flock here when the bars close, for a late night snack that definitely beats a midnight kebab.

Explore

Venturing somewhat outside the city, there are many wineries that offer tours of the grounds, most of them including a wine tasting and lunch. The Bodega Y Enoteca Qubél is one great example of a family-run, sustainable winery focusing on traditional Madrid wines. And tours start from only €20!

Wherever you go this summer, stay safe, and make sure that you’re getting the best rates and fee-free spending abroad by using your Caxton currency card. Apply for yours today, or top up your existing card.