Pursuant to the "One Day in Denver" topic: Same deal, different city. I was faced with the prospect of a multi-hour layover in the airport, but I opted to spend the night and a take a flight the following morning. So I have from approximately 11am on a Sunday to my 11amMonday flight out. I have a hotel downtown, right next to the train station and park.
Any must-do activities? I don't want to deal with a car, so stuff accessible by bike or train. Is there like a really fancy Arby's I need to make sure and check out or something?
I am assuming Atocha is the train station?
Do you like to walk a bit and eat?
Walk to Mercado de San Miguel (next to Plaza Mayor), then once you are stuffed walk towards Puerta de Alcala and visit the Palacio de Cristal and just wander around ... Madrid is an awesome city.
Just a note, the "Lavapies" neighborhood, which is right next to the Atocha station is somewhat "eclectic", especially at night. I walked that place up and down up to 2am and even though it was sketchy at times, I never felt unsafe even with three small kids.
I love Spain. I love Madrid. If art is your thing, Madrid has a bunch of it. The Prado is full of Spanish classics. The Thyssen-Bornemisza has more variety.
Parque del Retiro is a huge park. It's fun to stroll around.
Whatever you do, though, just go to a great restaurant. There's no shortage of them. You'll enjoy the experience.
In reply to Slippery :
Near Plaza Mayor is a very old restaurant called Botin, and they have a roasted sucking pig that is amazing.
And there is always Museo del Prado. Can't go wrong with that.
In reply to alfadriver :
Yep, the oldest restaurant in the world 
:
Note that if Madrid is anything like Barcelona, restaurants start to open for dinner around 8 and 9-10 is a totally normal time to sit down.
In reply to pkingham (Forum Supporter) :
It's also in a wired time zone, Central European summer right now, which is an hour later than GMT that runs east of it....
pkingham (Forum Supporter) said:
Note that if Madrid is anything like Barcelona, restaurants start to open for dinner around 8 and 9-10 is a totally normal time to sit down.
Yes! Also, many restaurants close after 3, before reopening, if I remember right.
If they have a home match: Real Madrid- La Liga football match. Do it.
No Time
UltraDork
9/25/23 10:45 p.m.
You could do the "hop on-hop off" bus and check out the city.
The loop will probably take a few hours, but covers a good portion of the popular sites. If something looks interesting get off, check it out and then get on the next bus that comes along and watch for the next spot to get off and walk around.
We did that in Barcelona and saw a lot of interesting locations from the bus, and got off at a few spots to explore more.
As for restaurants, I used google maps to find restaurants around the hotel, then checked out ratings and reviews to pick one.
I will echo the recommendation for the Parque del Retiro, with the Palacio Cristal as a stop and the Prado next door. I also love small restaurant street food in Madrid, as many times these are the only places open in the 'Murica dinner time hours. For whatever reason the Doner shops in Madrid remain some of my favorites. Yes, I know there's amazing actual Spanish food there but still..
If you have never been to Spain - prepare to be blown away by the freshness of the meat, fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables. It's honestly unfathomable.
