Madrid was pretty boring... I would spend one day exploring the city, a daytrip to Toledo, and then fly/train to other parts of Spain

I absolutely loved visiting La Alhambra in Granada, and everyone should experience Barcelona

I live 5 hours north of Madrid right now in the town of Gijón in Asturias (been here since Jan). Highly recommend a free walking tour, Sandemans or Strawberry, to get a grasp of the city, since it’s so big. It’s a major city. They’re usually run by locals, who will be your best bet for recommendations on what to do that weekend 🙌🏽

El Tigre is my favorite sidrería to hit up whenever I’m in Madrid! Order a caña (or any drink like wine but a caña is like a small beer) and it’s €2.50 with a free huge plate of food. That area is also great just to go bar hopping.

Mercado San Miguel is a popular place for tapas, a bit pricey for my taste with food of ok quality.

If you stay at a hostel, pub crawls are always fun if that’s your scene. It’s also a great place to meet people.

A day trip to Toledo would be fun, but I honestly prefer Seville out of the major cities in Madrid. It’s only a few hours by train from Madrid, if you get a chance I highly recommend it ❤️

For a real local feel, up north where I live has practically 0 tourists 😂 but it’s also rainy season, so not the best time for the north.

To eat:

Chocolateria San Gines - a famous 24-hour churro + chocolate place

Museo del Jamon - can get cheap, decent sandwich here, only 2 EUR for a sandwich and beer

La Sanabresa - cheap 3-course lunch

La Mallorquina - famous bakery

Mercado de San Miguel - pricey but wide range of food

To do:

day trip to Toledo was worth it

Typical sightseeing

(I don't recall doing much besides sightseeing and going to Toledo when I was there)

Tip:

You can purchase a 10-trip ticket for trains and buses, though most of Madrid is within walking distance from each other

Ok I am studying in Madrid so these are all from that point of view.

-I would def visit the art museums bc u have the time: Prado is known worldwide but my favorite is Reina Sofia with Picasso’s Guernica.

-go to Toledo bc u have the time and it’s interesting to hear about the three religions

-I liked Segovia bc it’s the oldest city in Spain and has the history of the Roman aqueduct

-personally I liked the south a lot so I highly recommend Córdoba, Granada or Sevilla if u can do overnight stays.

-I have heard the royal palace is great but I personally haven’t been. The Almudena cathedral next to it is interesting bc it’s a modern cathedral.

-walk through el retiro and learn about the crystal palace (basically made to show off colonization)

Eat

-my fav gelato is eccolo

-try the Spanish tortilla if u like eggs! I have heard casa dani is good

-Mercado de San Miguel is good imo

-this is controversial but I don’t like the churros from San gines bc they aren’t coated in sugar. Literally anywhere else has been better imo.

-bubble tea is impossible to find except in tourist areas so if u want that, zen zoo is really good

-def follow the eating schedule of Spain if u want to avoid tourist restaurants.

Tips

-whatever u do, don’t eat Southeast Asian food in Spain... not worth it (except maybe kbbq?? Weirdly ok)

-people speak a lot less English than tourists expect from a European country

-GET A METRO CARD the metro in Madrid is absolutely amazing and well run.

-stay out late! Nightlife is until 6 or 7 am. People start going out at about 11:30-12 for bars and when the bars close, off to the clubs (don’t listen to anyone if they tell u to go to kapital!!!!)

-drink coffee! Coffee is relatively cheap at 2 euros on average. A café con leche is basically a cappuccino bc they steam the milk.

-sangria is basically mainly for tourists bc it’s like juice to Spaniards (but it’s still good ok!) be careful about drinking bc any drink will be like half alcohol.

-controversial opinion but I hate the beer mahou. Def go for estrella if u can.

-be extremely careful with ur phone and wallet. People are sly!

I’m forgetting things but have a good time!