Madrid, a city full of life with historic and new buildings; where nothing is opened for lunch before 1PM and the streets are still busy with walkers by 2AM. My personal favorite thing was the food. My husband's favorite thing was how alive the city was every night, even on weekdays. Even though it is a big city, you do not feel overwhelmed and it is very easy to move around. Carry an umbrella and a sweater with you in June even if the day started sunny and warm. And make sure your accommodation has A/C.
Airline: Iberia (Premium economy was not worth it per our opinion) to Barajas airport
Move by metro, cab (just hail one with the green light on on any street, you can pay by card) or cabify (app)
We stayed at Salamanca near Goya metro station
Day 1
Start at Puerta de Alcala
Walk towards Banco de Espana
See the Fuente de Cibele (where Real Madrid celebrates)
Walk the Gran Via towards Plaza Mayor
See Puerta del Sol
Eat at Mercado de San Miguel
Tour the Palacio Real (check their webpage for timed entry paid tickets)
Day 2
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia (check their webpage for paid tickets, look for the Guernica)
Walk Parque El Retiro
Shop at ZARA (La Castellana), Sfera, Dona Carmen (baby) and El Corte Ingles (worth it for beauty products and perfumes)
Mercado de la Paz (try the truffled goat cheese)
Restaurants we loved
Our favorite: Taberna de Penalver (paella de mariscos)
La Parrilla de Salamanca (chuleta de vaca vieja)
Sushita cafe (try the rice with egg)
80 grados at La Castellana (good for a group)
Restaurant L'Albufera at Hotel Melia Castilla (nice date)
Minelli (pizzas)
Other recommendations we did not have time for
Museo Nacional del Prado (look for Meninas by Velazquez)
Museo de Thyssen-Bornemisza
Sorolla Museum
La Maruca (good atmosphere, best tortillas and tarta de queso)
Balbisinia (hot chocolate)
Casa Benigna (homey and classy restaurant)
Toni2 (piano bar, be sure to arrive at opening to get in)
RIU rooftop at Plaza Espana
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