Madrid: Planning to Enjoying Your Trip

Last summer I spent 3 days in Madrid with a few friends. It was a great adventure and one I think many people will enjoy. These are a few tips that I think will help anyone who plans to go to Madrid.

Photo credit: www-db.in.tum.de

1. Planning

If you are traveling with a group of friends, like I was, take the time before you arrive to meet up and discuss expectations. There will be some who want to spend all day in museums and others who prefer to walk around or sample tapas. Meet with an open mind and be ready to split up for part of the day. For us, it worked best to meet up each evening at a new tapas place or restaurant and hang out discussing what everyone did during the day.

2. Accommodations

Since we were a group, hotels and hostels were not the most budget friendly options. We searched a few apartment rental sites and found a place that met our needs. Added bonus- you get a fully equip kitchen so you don’t have to eat out every meal. This is a great way to save money when traveling.

3. Free Stuff

Most people who travel have a limited budget. Read up on the sites and find what interests you and then take advantage of freebies. Personally, I loved the Prado and think it is one of the most worth-while museums in Madrid but I didn’t pay a cent to see it! It is free for the last 2 hours of each day so if you plan it right, you can end everyday there and get to see almost everything! In any case, I find spending more than 2 hours at a time in a museum is too much for me so this was a great way to see everything and not get tired of it all.

Another great place that is totally free is Plaza Mayor. This is the center of everything in Madrid. There are bars, restaurants, and tons of people watching. If you are on a budget, you won’t want to buy dinner here as it is overpriced, but it is still worth visiting for the atmosphere. Around the corner is a flea market type place where you can buy all of your souvenirs for reasonable prices.

The Naval Museum. Ok, the only reason I really went here is because it was free and close to the Prado but it was actually very interesting! We all know Spain and the navy have a huge connection (think the Armada) and this museum does a great job of giving you the history and adventure of it all. They also have some cool models and I am sure anyone traveling with kids will like this place.

No matter what you do, you are sure to have a great time in Madrid!

Antonio is originally from Italy and currently writes blog articles for a variety of sites. From travelling to gambling articles on http://www.luckynuggetcasino.com/au/online-pokies/, Antonio enjoys the diversity and challenges of writing.