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It depends on what interests you and what the weather is like. Retiro Park is very nice when the weather is good, not as nice on a cold, wet day, for example.Hello Folks... a little birdie (husband) has told me that I might be spending 2 or 3 days in Madrid in the Spring... and whilst it's not part of a camino and I'm not seeking camino advise (this time), it did occur to me that there may be a few knowledgeable members that could recommend things to see and do whilst in town?
So... if you had 3 days as a tourist what would you do?
Hi, Pelegrin,Around plaza de Opera near the Royal Palace there are a lot of places to eat. To have a drink also near the Royal Palace the terrazas of Las Vistillas or the ones in Plaza de Oriente.
On Sunday morning you can visit El Rastro a popular market on the street.
Many years ago I was visiting Madrid with my brother. We met two Irishmen and had a very convivial evening, rounded off with a visit to a vermuteria. Never again. I had a hangover with a half-life of forty years, and it was several days before my brother recovered the power of speech.And make sure you visit a vermuteria, in case you missed them on the Camino. Spanish vermouth is in a league of its own, and I don't know if this trend has caught on in other countries yet.
I arrived in Madrid late Friday evening and left early Monday morning - not nearly enough time! Beautiful Fall weather the whole weekend!!
I merely googled Madrid and (somewhere!) found a self-guided walking tour that hit many of the high spots - On Saturday I wandered around and through Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral and Royal Palace and the handful of other notable historic sites in between - including a stop at Chocolateria San Gines. I wasn't in a hurry - tired a bit from my brief week on the Camino(!) - and took a bit of time to just sit on park benches and watch the crowds. My only (minor) regret is not taking the tour of the Royal Palace but the crowds were huge by the time I got there. Perhaps I should have started there - early when the lines were just forming - and continued from there.
I did manage to squeak into a Flamenco show Saturday night. Pure luck! I found a discount coupon but when I called for a reservation they told me there were sold out - but suggested I come sit at the bar in case they had any no-shows. Sat at the bar for about an hour sipping some great wine and had marvelous (better than dinner!) snacks provided by the bartender. About two minutes before the curtain went up I got called and sat RIGHT next to the stage with a couple of other stand-by patrons. Someone no doubt paid dearly for those seats and then didn't show!!
On Sunday I wandered through Retiro Park on the way to the Prado. I'll admit to NOT usually being a huge art fan, but I spent most of the day wandering through the galleries there. The sheer history of what they display is amazing. If I go back alone I'll visit the Reina Sofia, but if my wife joins my next trip I'll willingly go back to the Prado!
If you are there on a Sunday, El Rastro is not to be missed!
- Segovia + La Granja de San Ildefonso,
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All of them easily accessible in less than an hour with public transport.
Enjoy!
Annie, I assume your experience has been different?! Buen camino, Laurie
And to think I took four days to walk there!
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