1 Day in Madrid!

Reina Cartagena

Considered as one of the liveliest city's in Europe, Madrid is the capital city of Spain and has everything you could ever want to create a great vacation. Madrid is a dynamic city and is a perfect place to explore Spanish culture and history. Here is how I would spend 1 day in Madrid!

Sol, El Retiro Park, Neptune Fountain, Paseo del Prado, Museo Nacional del Prado, Real Jardín Botánico, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Estación De Atocha

  • Sol in Madrid, Spain

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      Go on a night tour of tapas and really enjoy the Spanish cuisine the best way! You will have a chance to taste various Spanish delicacies from different regions.

  • El Retiro Park, Spain

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      Covering around 125 hectares and housing more than 15,000 trees, El Retiro Park or Buen Retiro Park is one of the largest parks in the city and Spain. The park is home to various monuments (such as Monument to Alfonso XII), sculptures, fountains, themed gardens, and even has an art gallery. The most well-known monument of the park is Puerta de Alcalá - a 5-arched gateway that marks the main entrance to the park. If the weather is nice, you can even rent a boat and enjoy the park views from the lake. The park becomes lovely during sunset so pick your spot in advance.

  • Neptune Fountain, Spain

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      Located in Paseo del Prado, Neptune Fountain is one of the most beautiful fountains in the city. It is a perfect spot to relax, eat packed lunch, and enjoy views of historic the Westin Palace and the Ritz hotels. I recommend having some take put from a nearby cafe called Murillo Cafe!

  • Paseo del Prado, Spain

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  • Museo Nacional del Prado, Spain

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      The Prado National Museum, or Museo Nacional del Prado, is the main national art museum in Spain. It is located in central Madrid and is reachable from various parts of the city. Established in 1819, Prado Museum is known for having the finest collection of European art that dates from the 12th century. On its walls, you will find the finest works of Spanish, Italian, and Flemish schools such as Velázquez' Las Meninas and Goya's Third of May, 1808. A little more art to enjoy!

  • Real Jardín Botánico, Spain

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      The Madrid Botanical Garden is known as the Real Jardin Botanico, or the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid. It is a massive botanical garden located close to the Prado National Museum, Reina Sofia Museum, and El Retiro Park. Founded in 1755, the botanical garden houses more than 90,000 plants and flowers, and 1,500 trees. The garden also has a herbarium with a million entries, research facilities, a library, and an archive with around 10,000 drawings and several thousand living plants. A beautiful stroll around this beautiful garden!

  • Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Spain

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      Opened in 1992 and named after Queen Sofia, Reina Sofia Museum or the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia is one of the largest museums of contemporary art in the world. Located on the Art Walk, the museum is filled with 20th-century art including works from Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, and Joan Miro. It is mainly dedicated to Spanish artists, so it is an excellent place to learn more about Spanish art. If you're an art lover like me, this would the second stop!

  • Estación De Atocha in Madrid, Spain

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      Established in 1851, Atocha Train Station was the first train station in Madrid. Today, it is one of the largest train stations in Spain. Located at the Plaza del Emperador Carlos V, Atocha railway station is within walking distance from Reina Sofía museum, Botanical Garden, and El Retiro Park. Here is the perfect place to start, to get some breakfast and start our day! The train station is well-known for its mini tropical garden which has several thousand plants from various continents. Around the tropical garden, you will find cozy cafes.