mavisg

Greetings! I will arrive to Madrid airport on a Sunday evening and leave the next day at 12:45pm. I figure I will simply try to focus on amazing food and wine, plus a safe place to get some sleep. I would love to hear your suggestions for a strategy including staying at an airport hotel or in the city, where to eat tapas and churros, and where to get something really good to drink. Thanks in advance!

Bedar

We flew First/Business Clas this summer and spent time in the Iberia Lounge in Barajas where they had terrific food and drinks plus a sleeping lounge. Think you have to be in that Class to use it but must say it was the best part of flying that class!

Sassafrass

What time do you arrive Sunday evening? Is your Sunday flight domestic or international? Is the flight at 12:45 or is that the time you need to be at the airport.

Bedar's suggestion is very nice and restful, but I am assuming you have not been to Madrid and would like a brief look.

I know for sure I would not stay at an airport hotel because you would have to go to that hotel, then go into the city and back to the hotel for luggage before your flight, etc. If you wanted to have dinner in the city and a walk Sunday morning, you would have to go into the city twice.

I would grab a taxi straight away and head to a hotel near a restaurant you like or an area you would like to walk. Check in, have dinner, walk a bit. Sunday morning, have breakfast and a nice walk in a different direction. Taxi to airport.

There is a nice thing about Madrid. You may not see any of the great museums, etc., but even a brief walk can give you a sense of the elegance of the city. Plaza de Oriente is a gorgeous and right across from the Royal Palace. Plaza Santa Ana is vibrant and has lots of resaurants and tapas bars. However, the grandest of all is Plaza Mayor. It is beautiful and, IMHO, a not to be missed place. I do not recommend eating there though. We do it anyway because it is romantic sitting out in such a great location, but the food is average. Food seems to be important to you, so walk to Plaza Mayor to see it, but get suggestions for something better for food. Things are open super late. People will be in the plazas and tapas bars even at mid-night, so enjoy.

DebbieDoesDulles

For me it would depend on how late the arrival is on Sunday night, noting that planes can be a couple of hours late.

If you decide on something near the airport, Hotel Maydrit is very nice, with airport shuttle, pool and onsite restaurant. The restaurant is not open late but there is a terrific Tapas place around the corner, La Bekata (if I'm remembering the name correctly...the hotel will know). El Caprichio metro station is a few blocks away if you arrive early and wish to metro to city centre which is about a 25 min ride.

Robert2016

You should note that many restaurants are closed on Sunday for dinner. Your best bet would be to stay in the center of the city and head to the Retiro for tapas. Vi-Cool, Ten Con Ten, Viridiana, Carlos Tartiere are open for dinner, as is Arzábal (both locations). Arzábal is also great for tapas on Sunday evening. You're only problem is that you will need reservations if you want a sitdown dinner on a Sunday.

danon

Madrid is a late night city..Unless you arrive at midnight, take a taxi ( 30 euros fixed rate )
to a hotel in the center.

Robert2016

It can be quiet at midnight in the Salamanca and Retiro, with most bars and restaurants closing by 11:30. The only places open late at night would be places like Loft 39 in the Salamanca, where the lounge is open until 2:00 am Monday-Saturday, but closed on Sunday.

Café Central, the jazz venue in Plaza del Angel, just west of Plaza Santa Ana, is open until 2:30 am on Sundays, as is Bodega la Ardosa, Calle de Colón, 13.

And of course there are the cocktail bars that are open until 2:00 am and dance clubs until 6:00 am.

cruiseluv

Like others have said, unless your flight gets there around midnight, you should head to a hotel in the center. I like the area around Plaza Santa Ana which is convenient to walking to Plaza Mayor as well. What kind of food you like? If you just want tapas , you can certainly have those around there. If you want more substantial, traditional Spanish food, I recommend Casa Lucio, on Cava Baja street, near Plaza Mayor. Its open on Sundays.

kimhe

I second cruiseluv's idea, stay around Plaza Santa Ana in the vibrant and fun Barrio de Las Letras district, close to majestic Plaza Mayor and right in the heart of the city.

Excellent tapas bars and restaurants, plenty of cafés and terraces and some of the best flamenco venues in the country (i.e. the world). Here is also the best jazz venue in town, fabulous live artists every night. Plenty of hotel options.

The area: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/ma...a-de-santa-ana
http://www.gomadrid.com/sights/plaza-mayor.html

Casa Patas has been the best tablao in the country in recent years: http://www.casapatas.com/

Café Central is the best jazz venue in town. Good food also and fabulous atmosphere long into the night. http://www.cafecentralmadrid.com/

I use to stay in either Persal or Plaza Mayor:
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/persalmadrid.en-gb.html
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/plaza-mayor.es.html

kimhe

And when it comes to amazing food and wine in Madrid, there are eight restaurants with three "soles" in the Guia Repsol, the Spanish equivalent to the Michelin guide, covering Spain and Portugal: https://www.guiarepsol.com/es/gastro...locality=|4849

All the Repsol recommended restaurants in Madrid: https://www.guiarepsol.com/es/gastro...locality=|4849

mavisg

Everyone, thank you so much for your suggestions! I feel confident I will have a great time in Madrid. Muchas gracias!!