Discover Madrid in a weekend
One of the best things about Barcelona is that it has a large number of connections to be able to escape the city from time to time and spend a slightly different weekend. An interesting destination less than three hours away is Madrid. With a great cultural and gastronomic offer, it is impossible to get bored in this city full of life and with options for all tastes. In this article we give you some ideas on how to get there and what to do there.
Madrid, a stone's throw away
The first thing you need to know is that the offer of trains from Barcelona to Madrid is very wide, since, in addition to RENFE, there are currently other companies that also offer this route, so you can find very cheap tickets. These trains usually leave from Barcelona Sants and end in Atocha, in the heart of Madrid. From there you will find many public transport options to move around the city without any problem. If you want to make the most of the weekend, we recommend taking the train first thing in the morning on the way out, so you can take a first walk before lunch. And come back on Sunday late afternoon.
Once there, a good option for a Saturday morning is a walk through Madrid de los Austrias. So, you can take a bus from Atocha and arrive in a few minutes at Puerta del Sol. From there you can stroll to the Plaza Mayor. On Calle Mayor and its adjoining streets you will find some of the most classic establishments in the city. If you get hungry near the Plaza Mayor, and you miss enjoying the markets of Barcelona, you can go to Madrid's Mercado de San Miguel, which has a very interesting gastronomic offer spread among its more than 20 food stalls.
One of the main bets of the city of Madrid in recent years is musical theater. If you are a fan of this genre, why not go to Gran Vía, Madrid's Broadway, on Saturday afternoon to see some of the most emblematic shows, such as The Lion King or The Phantom of the Opera. If you like theater, but not musicals, you can take a look at the programming of some of the best-known theaters in the city, such as La Latina or María Guerrero.
Museum, market or park?
There are also many options that Madrid offers to spend a good Sunday morning. If you are an art fan, and you tend to be a regular at Barcelona museums, you should know that Madrid also has one of the best museum offerings in Europe. The Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen – Bornemisza have impressive collections. However, there are others that are not so well known and are also of great interest, such as the Sorolla Museum or the CaixaForum, which always hosts interesting exhibitions.
If you don't feel like going into a museum and the weather is good, another option is to take a walk around El Rastro de Madrid. It is the largest open-air market in the city. Located in the popular La Latina neighborhood on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., you can find all kinds of things there. If you get hungry mid-walk, in this area you can find a more than interesting gastronomic offer. Perhaps it is a good time to stop and taste the well-known squid sandwich or simply eat some classic tapas accompanied by a good vermouth.
And if you simply feel like enjoying the outdoors in a greener environment, Retiro Park is a good alternative to walk and relax. With an area of 125 hectares, you can find some shows, as well as visit some of its points of interest, such as the Crystal Palace or the pond. And after a good walk, why not enjoy one last meal in Madrid and taste some of its typical dishes, such as the Madrid stew, perfect to warm up on a cold day, or some delicious fried eggs, the ones being especially well-known. from Casa Lucio.
As all good things come to an end, it's time to take the train back. But you will surely return loaded with a backpack full of souvenirs and perhaps souvenirs from the Rastro. Don't get overwhelmed if you haven't been able to see everything you wanted: luckily now you know that Madrid is within reach. So, what are you waiting for to plan your next getaway?
