3 nights in Madrid
 

My husband, myself and 2 teens will be in Madrid for 3 nights June 8-11. This will be the final city on our Spain trip. We start in Barcelona, head to Seville, Cordoba and then Madrid for 3 nights. I have finalized all of our other cities and now ned to plan Madrid. Looking for advice on things to do. We like history, culture, hanging with the locals, shopping a bit and are pretty active. We are NOT really into museums or art. I have decided that if there is not enough that interests us for that long in Madrid, we will take day trips to Segovia and Toledo.

Looking for advice on Madrid, Toledo, and Segovia. Any sights, restaurants, must do's etc. Also, want to pre book anything that must be done ahead of time.

Thanks!

Segovia is famous for it's cochinillo, suckling pig so try to make a reservation at a restaurant that serves it.

Stay at the Hotel Adler in Madrid :)

If you have 3 nights, it will give two days for two day trips.
Madrid is with much more than museums , but if the city is not of interest
to you, Toledo and Segovia should keep you busy.
Train tickets to Toledo sell out quickly.

..is much more..

We are there june 1 to 4
So following

Unbelievable! Madrid is a vibrant city with great restaurants and a nearly endless variety of things to do. Too bad you only have 3 days. That's hardly enough time to make a dent.

And June is not the time to consider suckling pig.

Can anyone suggest anything other than museums or art to do and see in Madrid. We plan on taking a tour of the stadium and walking around and exploring the city and taking it all in. When I was planning Barcelona, I was getting an abundance of recommendations of things to do and see. With Madrid, like on this thread, noone can seem to recommend anything specific.

I would greatly appreciate anything at all including restaurants, sights and anything else that a tourist should see in Madrid. I have researched on my own as well but unlike with the other cities, its just not as easy to make my itinerary. I also have RS guide book.

@Robert2016 any help with this?

Explore the real La Latina
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...399999956&z=17

Tips for Segovia
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...750000026&z=16

From what I understand the Adler Hotel has ceased operating.

We enjoyed Retiro Park, the Royal Palace and the Museo Cerralbo. You might also consider the Naval Museum and the National Archaeological Museum (you say you're not interested in museums but are interested in "history," which is often accessible in museums, so I find that a bit contradictory).

We went on a food tour with Devour Tours in Seville. They have offerings in Madrid, too, that might appeal to you. In fact, walking tours in general may appeal to you. I don't have any specific companies to recommend, but just do a search online....

We did the Royal Palace - is that a museum :)? But I always think mainly of the art museums when I recommend sites in Madrid. There is a huge flea market on the weekend, I think, if you are into looking for treasures and dodging pick-pockets.

I appreciate that "museums" aren't everybody's cup of tea--at least after reading any number of people claim they aren't on these forums--but I'm always surprised when someone writes off all museums. I mean, there's such a wealth of diversity, not just subject matter, but in how they are presented.

I think one mistake some people make is attempting to see the entirety of a museum in one visit. My brain goes numb in the even the best of museums at about the two-hour mark. So, if I hit a wall at that or any other point, I leave. If and when it starts to feel like a slog, it's time to find another activity or, in the very least, to take a break.

Yes, the Hotel Adler is no more. It was sold last December to the Luksic Family (Chilean-Croatian) and closed, supposedly to be reopened as home to a major fashion house, and possilby offices.

Have you read Maribel's Guide to Madrid (www.maribelsguides.com/mg_madrid.pdf)? You should find it very useful in planning your time in the city.

There is also the official tourist website (www.esmadrid.com/en) that will keep you up-to-date on what's happening in Spain's capital city.

Like other big cities, Madrid has many different areas
- beautiful Retiro park and upscale Salmanca district just north of the park
- the Palace and the Opera situated at the elegant Plaza de Oriente
- bustling Plaza Mayor and surrounding streets including Cava Baja ( tapas!)
- central Plaza de Cibeles att the top of the wide, leafy Paseo del Prado (museum triangle)
- El Sol and Gran Via ...big stores , crowded,
- plaza Santa Ana , lively any time, full of bars and restaurants
- and even Madrid Rio project ( yes, Madrid has a river) , an area of
parcks and sports facilities at the south of the city where bridge
Puente de Toledo ( built in 1730) crosses the river .

just for starters.

Go to a bullfight. Go to a flamenco show. These two things are the essence of Spanish culture !

@danon thank you, I wrote those down!
@indyhiker- yes, I contradicted myself! I should say we are not into art, I guess. We are looking forward to sagrada Familia and the history of that, San pau recinte modernista, the naval museum in madrid looks very interesting as well. Thank you for all of your reccomendations!

I see that the royal palace is free from 6-8 pm. Is it ok to go then or should we expect very long lines at this time? Also, I see that museo cerralbo is close to royal palace and is also free on thursdays from 5-8. Would you advise to go to museo cerralbo from 5-6ish and then head over to royal palace. We would do this on Thursday when both are free.

Are there headsets to pick up at both of these places? Any dinner recommendations close by for when we are done? FYI we are staying in Madrid city center area.

Thanks again!! This is very much appreciated!

Naval museum is very good (for those interested in Spanish history)
When we visited the entrance was free,
but they asked to see some ID.
The Aromory inside the Palace is not be missed (history , again)

See flamenco in one of the best flamenco venues in the world in the flamenco capital of the world. Flamenco comes from the South/Andalucía, but everyone has to conquer Madrid to get to the top. I recommend Casa Patas, Cardamomo or Corral de la Morería. Could easily be the highlight of your trip: http://casapatas.com/
http://www.corraldelamoreria.com/en/index.html

Take the Madrid Cable Car into the huge and Casa del Campo park behind the Royal Palace: http://teleferico.com/en/tour

Casa del Campo is amusement park, zoo, the lake, wildlife and huge greens: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-.../casa-de-campo
http://www.madridtourist.info/casa_campo_park.html

Go for tapas in one of the many wonderful and very different central districts in Madrid. A couple of suggestions:
https://tapastalk.wordpress.com/tapas-bars/
Some of the best tapas bars and restaurants in town are just east of the wonderful Retiro park: https://www.chowhound.com/post/tapas...-retiro-816647

In the upscale Salamanca district, just North of Retiro: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/madrid/...oi-eat/1320802

Fun, laid-back, eclectic and vibrant La Latina: https://www.timeout.com/madrid/thing...rios-la-latina