What to do with a day in Madrid MAD ??????

[juddles]

G´day everyone,

Later this year I have a long stopover in Madrid. I arrive early morning, then have flight out morning the next day. I have no idea what to do with my time and I hate staying still.

I do not know Madrid at all. I would be happy to rent a car and drive out of the city for the day, but don´t want to get into heavy city traffic. I speak spanish so language is no problem.

I would want to stay somewhere near the airport that night for ease of departure the next day. So really need suggestions either where to drive in a car for the day, or what to do in the city (without a car).

My interests are pretty much sightseeing and food, but more about experiencing a country and its people, not so much ¨tourist¨ attractions. I get more enjoyment checking out a local supermarket than an art gallery.

If I dont get a car, how good/expensive/available are taxis for general getting-around?

Any suggestions at all are most welcome!!!

Cheers,
Juddles.

 

[albatross710]

I had a wonderful time in Toledo. The narrow streets, the old town centre.

Tourism in Toledo in Toledo, Spain | Spain.info in english

I don;t know how practical it is for a one day stopover

 

[codash1099]

Depending on your likes/dislikes, and basically my own favourites:

The Royal Palace
Temple of Debod
Plaza Mayor
Prado Museum
Grande Via

 

[juddles]

codash, how did you get around?

 

[nonpop]

I had a wonderful time in Toledo. The narrow streets, the old town centre.

Tourism in Toledo in Toledo, Spain | Spain.info in english

I don;t know how practical it is for a one day stopover

+1 to this

We did Spain over Xmas
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....trip-photos/syd-bkk-xhel-bcn-vlc-65491-7.html

If you have a day then consider a day trip to Toledo ... either rent a car and drive or take one of the many organised tours.
The drive is rather painless. We did it as an organised tour.

 

[RooFlyer]

If it were me, I'd be planning this to the minute to squeeze the max out of it. Speaking Spanish will make it a lot easier for you.

My ideal would be to check into a hotel close to the airport and leave bags there; room doesn't have to be ready. Then drive to Toledo (~ 1 hours) - fantastic microcosm of Spanish history built around a hill. Several hours there, then drive back, ditch car and do walk-around Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor etc as codash1099 suggests. (The Prado might be a bit much). Do some serious tapas-ing after dark and collapse late into bed. The next day will take care of itself.

If not Toledo, then Avila, with its medieval crenulated city wall. Or look up Segovia, with its aqueduct and its castle, the model for Walt Disney's Fantasyland Castle. At a pinch, you could do Avila and Segovia! Yes, they are 'touristy' but also simply magnificent sights and cultural experiences.

Spain was never on my hit-list until I went there several times for work. Simply gob-smacked and I went back several times under my own steam.

 

[opusman]

I definitely would not bother with a car. Get the train into town from the airport, and use the metro (or walk) to get around. Just the atmosphere on the streets around the centre (Sol) is exciting enough that you could easily just wander for a few hours and not get bored. The Retiro Park is good for a stroll around, you can even go boating on the lake if so inclined.

I would say definitely go to the Prado or Reina Sofia unless you're really not into art - but they are two of the greatest galleries in the world.
The Temple of Debod is really good actually, surprisingly interesting - although it's a little bit out of the centre.

The centre has quite a few food markets; Anton Martin is one that has been "gentrified" a bit but there are others that are a bit grittier and more real within a few metro stops of Sol.

On the top of one of the Corte Ingles buildings (department store) off of Sol there's an upmarket food court which has a place in it called Street XO, run by on of Spain's best chefs. No bookings, you just sit at the counter and order off the tapas menu. Spectacular food and definitely worth it if it's your only day in Madrid.

Toledo - well it's nice enough, I've been twice. But it's very touristy and to be honest if you have just the one day I would say there's more than enough to see and do in Madrid than to need to rush out for a day trip.

 

[amaroo]

Another vote for Toledo - excellent idea.

 

[juddles]

...drive to Toledo (~ 1 hours) ....

Toledo is grabbing my attention - have always liked steel. Seems perfect distance for a day drive and get to see a bit on the way. With return earlyish to the city, ditch car and then immerse myself in the throngs.

 

[dajop]

If going back to Madrid anyway and planning to ditch the car, I'd either see if you could just do a one way rental to Toledo (probably unlikely) and then catch the train back or just catch the train to/from Madrid. The train journey, from memory, is fast - about 30-35 mins.

 

[RooFlyer]

Toledo - Cathedral in the middle and the Alcazar on the right. Park at the base of the hill and walk up

 

[codash1099]

codash, how did you get around?

Public transport, largely. Also, for a day only, Hop on/Hop off buses can be useful.

 

[ashleyn]

G´day everyone,

Later this year I have a long stopover in Madrid. I arrive early morning, then have flight out morning the next day. I have no idea what to do with my time and I hate staying still.

I do not know Madrid at all. I would be happy to rent a car and drive out of the city for the day, but don´t want to get into heavy city traffic. I speak spanish so language is no problem.

I would want to stay somewhere near the airport that night for ease of departure the next day. So really need suggestions either where to drive in a car for the day, or what to do in the city (without a car).

My interests are pretty much sightseeing and food, but more about experiencing a country and its people, not so much ¨tourist¨ attractions. I get more enjoyment checking out a local supermarket than an art gallery.

If I dont get a car, how good/expensive/available are taxis for general getting-around?

Any suggestions at all are most welcome!!!

Cheers,
Juddles.

I had just one day in Madrid in October. Started with the hop on/off bus and did 2 circles of that then got off and went to some of the more interesting places. I wouldn't drive, the traffic was horrendous.

 

[Spongbob]

Public transport, largely. Also, for a day only, Hop on/Hop off buses can be useful.

If you use the HO/HO bus, the children's commentary is more informative than the adult commentary.

 

[Mal]

Segovia is a very nice town to visit as well Visit Segovia May be too touristy for your liking though.

 

[amaroo]

Toledo is grabbing my attention - have always liked steel. Seems perfect distance for a day drive and get to see a bit on the way. With return earlyish to the city, ditch car and then immerse myself in the throngs.

Don't drive ... excellent restaurants/bars in Toledo!