61/2 hour layover in Madrid
 

Arriving from Miami 0900, and our flight to Lisbon isn't until 1540. I've tried for the earlier flight, but there is no reward availability, I'm told. It might be worth a run into the city for lunch and a stroll. Anyone have any suggestions for maybe three hours in Madrid?

Assuming that your luggage is automatically checked in to your Lisbon flight try to get your boarding pass before you leave Madrid Barajas. I took similar Madrid - Lisbon flight last year (on Air Europa) and they didn't board till 20 min before departure.

Your options for public transit are: bus (goes to Atocha station which is near Prado/Reina Sofia museums) or metro. Both are 2 euros o/w. Metro goes to Nuevos Ministerios where you can transfer to go to center.

You may want to go to Plaza Espana (near Royal Palace) or Sol station (near Plaza Mayor & pedestrian shopping ares). Lots of places for lunch. We liked "La Mar del Alabardero" restaurant at Plaza Oriente overlooking Royal Palace.

You might want to consider taking a taxi to and from the city to save time. The Metro to Nuevos Ministerios takes 40 minutes each way.

With such a limited amount of time, I would only go as far as the Salamanca district, and go for a walk around Retiro Park. There are several nice restaurants in the area and it's a quick taxi ride back to the airport.

Take a look at Maribel’s Guide to dining in Madrid. She has several good suggestions you might be interested in (www.maribelsguides.com).

The experience worked out fairly well. Took the number eight metro to Nuevos Ministerios and then the train to Sol. We walked around a bit, enjoyed coffee and pastry at a tapas bar just off the square, and were back in plenty of time for the flight to Lisbon. Almost exactly one hour from the metro station at Sol to our gate at Madrid Barajas (YMMV, of course). A good use of a layover! Thanks all for your suggestions.

How long did it take to process through customs? I have an even longer layover.. I'm arriving in Madrid at 10am from Dallas with evening flight at 6:45pm.

@ SnL:

Outgoing customs- not five minutes. Incoming security - maybe ten. Almost exactly an hour from deplaning to Sol metro station, and almost exactly an hour back from Sol to our gate (K82, FWIW). YMMV, but based on my experience today, I'd feel very very comfortable with 60 minutes from Nuevo Ministerios.