We have an overnight layover in Madrid.

Late May, arriving at MAD at 5:30 PM on a Sunday (I'm hoping a slightly earlier flight opens up FF availability) and departing at 7 AM the next morning.

I know this leaves me virtually no time and I certainly will not be able to *see* Madrid in a few hours, but I'd love to get a quick taste of the city.

Perhaps a quick dinner? Or maybe a hop on/hop off bus?

Any advice for where to stay? Would it be better to stay near the airport or in the centre?

It would be ideal to get a flight that arrives earlier. A taxi early in the morning will take no more than 20 mins, so I would suggest staying in the city centre that night. Late May the weather should be nice. I would have dinner somewhere near Plaza Mayor and then take a stroll around there, or sit for a drink at one of the cafes there to soak up the atmosphere.

I usually stay in the area near Plaza Santa Ana. Check Hotel Prado, Westin Palace or Villa Real.

Thanks so much cruise! Unfortunately, we're flying out post-cruise on FF miles....so we're at the mercy of the airline. Iberia has an earlier flight (12 PM departure) but no availability yet.

Thank you for the info re taxi to the airport and the hotels.

Will things be open late on a Sunday?

I would leave the luggage at the airport, spent the night in centre (Plaza Major/Plaza Oriente/Puerto Del Sol area) and then return to the airport hotel (or no hotel at all since you have to be at Barajas no later than 5 am). Restaurants will be open past midnight and night clubs - till dawn.

twiggers,

Wouldn't you consider extending your time in Madrid, at least for one more night? It's really a shame not to have more time there. Like hkto above says, Madrid is the city that never sleeps!

Keep checking with Iberia. Earlier this year I had a flight Madrid to Rome via Iberia with FF. I checked every day to see if a better time had opened and when I least expected it, it did!

hkto: Thank you! We're not clubbing people, but good to know that restaurants will be open late.

cruise: The FF rules won't allow for a longer layover....so we only have the one night I will definitely keep checking! Getting in a couple hours earlier would be nice.