Madrid Travel Forum

I have 3 days in Madrid -- can you seasoned travelers tell me what is a must for that time period? I thank everyone in advance!

Just outside Madrid is the Valley of the Fallen - ~Franco had this church built inside a mountain - its awesome

Also the Monastery of El Escorial - sort of a Palace as well. Poss to do both sites in 1 day comfortably

Then there's Segovia which is in the mountains

For Sunday morning the Rastro Flea market, plus the collectible sellers in Plaza Major. In the evening Plaza Major (you never know what kind of show will be on that night) The Palace and Armory. For museums, the Prado is a must, the Reina Sophia is wonderful and the Thyssen Borenmizma is a gem. Cruise through the Parc Retiro and the check out the crystal palace. The Temple Diebold was surprisingly cool to visit. A 3/4 day trip to El Escorial is a must do. Hot chocolat and churros at St. Gines by Plaza Major. Get a copy of whatsonmadrid (in think there is a website) There are free evening concerts by the park just east of the Palace on a regular basis. If you can, attend a Zarzuella, this is Madrid light opera. You don't need to know Spanish to enjoy it. Karl

madrdmark

I'm printing this all out -- thanks!

Australia and now Spain - you get around - LOL

Suggest you might like to do a day trip to Toledo, which is a 45 minute fast train trip. Just an amazing city. In Madrid the Prado is a must see and also the Royal Palace and next door the cathedral. Add in Plaza Mayor as well. Very walkable city (old part) and don't forget to have a paella - suggest the Museo del Jamon.

Museo del Prado is a must. Now there is a temporary exhibition of the great painter Joaquin Sorolla that includes the big murals he painted for the Hispanic Society of New York. Don't miss it! You can book the ticket at:
https://www.gtp.es/prado/oberonweb_venta/
The ticket for the exposition allows you to visit also the permanent collection.

In the same area you have Thyssen and Reina Sofia Museums and CaixaForum. Parque del Retiro is the perfect place to rest after visiting any museum.

must sees in 3 days huh, tough question ::) Without knowing your interests...

Pardo museum ,one of the worlds best museum.
parque del Oeste, where the temple of Debod (2C BC) from Egypt is located, nearby at Parque del Pintor Rosales, there is the cable car (teleferico) takes you to Casa de Campo and the big attractions park,zoo,and aquarium of Madrid are there, plus impressive views of Madrid from 1000 feet up.
Plaza Mayor and the cava baja and cava alta areas as well as Arcos de Cuchilleros, for old Madrid look.
royal Palace
Cathedral of Almudena
Plaza de Oriente and the royal theater
the best typical shopping area around Calle Mayor, Carmen and Preciados at Gran Via,city center of Madrid around the plaza mayor.
Puerta del Sol
Parque del Buen Retiro (park)

These would be my first time permitting in your time there.

Hope it helps

Sirgaw!! We meet again! You will be happy to know your monster spiders DID NOT get me (are there creepy-crawlers I have to worry about in Spain?)

>(are there creepy-crawlers I have to worry about in Spain?)

Yes there are - VERY large spiders that have horns, kick dirt with their feet and then say mooooooo

Yes, there are creepy crawlers in Espana, but check with the Spanish women as they know how to tame a Spanish guy. ;-)

If that is the worst of Espana creepy crawlers, I think we are on solid ground -- coming from the land of every nationality you can think of, us Norte Americanas have learned...

I like Sirgaw kind, and you just use your cape or piece of cloth to tell them goodbye ::)

Y'all are so sweet, can't imagine wanting to use my cape to say good-bye! (but will have it on the ready...)