Madrid
We visited Madrid as part of a two-week trip to Spain with four stops (Madrid, Valencia, Alicante, Barcelona) in March 2025. It rained a lot and felt moody which I really liked because it felt like an invitation to sit down, have a cup of coffee, and read. Madrid and Barcelona are very different from one another and I was glad we visited both on this trip!
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Museo Nacional del Prado: This is a big museum and can get busy! We enjoyed seing works by Velázquez and Goya. The collection at the museum originated from the Spanish royal collection and the museum has sculpture and decorative arts in addition to paintings. You will want to purchase your tickets online in advance.
Real Jardín Botánico: We were a bit early for our timed tickets at Prado so decided to go to the gardens. We are so glad we did! Even though it started hailing unexpectedly while we were there, we enjoyed wandering around!
Royal Palace of Madrid: The palace is beautiful and is a fun experience since it is the actual residence of the royal family. The rooms are stunning and you will see a lot of artifacts and Spanish history. You will definitely want tickets and be aware that when you arrive, there are two lines - one for people who have tickets (left) and one for people who do not. It isn’t well marked and we only learned after someone came out and made an announcement about it.
Parque de El Retiro: This is a lovely place to walk or sit and people watch. You can rent little boats, watch street peformers, and sit and have a little treat. A beautiful spot to visit.
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San Miguel Market: We haven’t really met a lot of markets we don’t like…this one included. There are a lot of food stalls and we visited soon after arriving in Madrid so it was an easy spot to grab a yummy snack.
Alex Cordobés: This was highly recommended by foodies we trust and was a HIGHLIGHT of our food experiences. They serve tarta de queso - a basque cheesecake that is creamy and crustless and delightful. There is a huge line outside of the shop and it feels like a boutique experience because there is not any signage about what they offer or how much it costs! But, they have small and large sizes and we got traditional and chocolate and both were delicious.
Slow Coffee: We passed by this cafe and knew we wanted to come back. The people and staff were incredibly friendly. Mike had a decaf latte, I had a dirty chai and we shared two delicious tostadas - just super simple, made with good ingredients, and so yummy. We went back for breakfast and had more of their tostadas and yogurt and granola. It is a tiny spot with only a few tables but is delightful.
San Gines:It is hard to argue with a 24-hour spot for churros. We had to wait a few minutes for a table but it was worth the wait. They have tables inside and out and have a large lower level which is where we were seated. We had churros and a glass of wine (€3.80) - no complaints!
Obrador San Francisco: We happily stopped into this gorgeous shop to get bread and croissants and then grabbed cheese at the shop next door.
Cultivo: We got delicious manchego here. I will say it was a bit intimdating because unlike our experiences most places, the owner wasn’t speaking English to us and you do have to communicate how much you want.
Lateral: We had an easy dinner here - enjoyed several dishes and had great service!
Pan Y Pepinillos Cafe: I honestly felt like my heart might burst being inside this cafe. I loved it so much. We walked by it earlier in the trip and I wanted to return. I am so glad we did. The inside was a dream -cozy like you were in a living room. Real candles. REAL CANDLES! The coffee and food, and tiny table were all perfect.
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Captain Candy Shop: Our son was drawn into this shop because of the incredible merchandising. From very far away, it was easy to spot overflowing, colorful candy barrels with a variety of treats. You grab a paper bag and walk around dropping your finds into your bag and then pay by weight on your way out!
Mercado Barcelo: We enjoyed exploring this market (stalls and food) and a stationery store nearby!
Real Fábrica Española: This was one of my favorite shops in Madrid. Lots of housewares, foods, scarves, and blankets! Loved it!
Malababa: Stunning leather goods and jewelry.
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Tickets
Many of the popular sightseeing spots require tickets. Once you book your flights to go, it is worth mapping out your days around the places you are most excited to see.
Overall Vibe
Madrid felt dark and moody in March and I really loved it. I know not everyone loves cities and rain can be a bit of a drag but I found the city walkable, people friendly, and loved our time there.
Accomodations
We stayed in an Airbnb located in the Barrio de los Austrias, the most beautiful and historic part of Madrid - the neighborhood is called La Latina, one of the areas in the center of Madrid that has best preserved its traditional appearance. The host met us with pastries, a baguette, and wine. What a delightful start to our time in Madrid!
