Spanish capital of nightlife, gastronomy, socialising, museums and design, Madrid is a city full of spectacular and luxurious attractions, capable of offering its visitors truly unique experiences.
You can start your 3 days in Madrid by walking through the streets of its lively historic centre, visiting its famous museums, traditional markets and parks.
Or you can sit at the table in one of the many taverns or bars in the city, to appreciate the wide variety of tapas and patatas bravas or taste the excellent Spanish wines.
Among the many tourist attractions to see, I will reveal the unmissable destinations.

Unusual Madrid
Before visiting the lively historic center, I recommend starting your visit to Madrid with the Templo de Debod, an ancient Egyptian temple transported to Spain, on a hill in the Parque del Oeste in the western part of the city.
To prevent it from being submerged under water during the construction of the Aswan Dam in the 1960s, the Egyptian government decided to donate it to Spain as a sign of gratitude for the help provided in safeguarding the archaeological treasures during the construction of the dam.
Today it is one of the most evocative monuments in the city and if you can, go at sunset time, where you can admire a splendid view from the temple terrace.
Another unusual place to see during your weekend in Madrid is the tropical garden in the old Atocha train station in the city centre. It is one of the most unusual and fascinating botanical gardens in the world, and represents a stunning fusion of nature and architecture.
The imposing iron and glass structure of the old station now houses more than 7,000 plants from different parts of the world, mainly from tropical and subtropical climates. An overwhelming journey between suspension bridges, ponds with fish and a waterfall.
In the enormous central greenhouse, over 25 meters high, there are the most impressive and spectacular plants. I really appreciate this fusion between nature and architecture in a building that has been given a new life.
And to make your tour of unusual places even more unique, remember to have dinner at the Amazonico restaurant in the Salamanca neighborhood. The venue has a tropical design with a vibrant atmosphere where you can enjoy fusion cuisine inspired by Latin America, with dishes such as ceviche, grilled fish and exotic cocktails.

Madrid and the historic center
Returning to the center of Madrid, the time has come to discover Plaza Mayor, the main square of the city. Plaza Mayor is a vibrant place surrounded by historic buildings with arches and balconies. The square is rectangular and all the streets that flow into it are associated with a profession. It's a great place to enjoy an outdoor coffee or to sample traditional Spanish cuisine at one of the restaurants in the square.
Puerta del Sol is also considered one of the most emblematic places in Madrid. Teeming with life at every hour of the day and night, it is also called kilometer zero as it represents km 0 of the Spanish road network. In this square there is the clock that regulates the time for the whole of Spain and the statue of the bear and the strawberry tree that symbolize the fertility of the land and the city's aristocracy.
Before leaving Puerta del Sol, I recommend a tasty break at Chocolatería San Ginés , a historic café famous for its churros with thick hot chocolate.
If you are looking for a particular structure to stay in, I have the one for you. I am referring to the Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá in Cuesta Santo Domingo, located in a nineteenth-century palace with a lush private garden. This hotel boasts an interior design inspired by the famous works of Diego Velázquez and has a seasonal rooftop pool with panoramic city views.
A truly exclusive structure, for an unforgettable stay where you can leave your comfortable and luxurious travel bags in the luggage storage, so you can continue to explore the city and enjoy its infinite beauties.
Still in the center of Madrid, if you want to get a taste of how the rulers live, you can visit the majestic rooms of the Royal Palace , the official residence of the Spanish sovereigns. Here you can admire the regal furnishings and stroll through the beautiful surrounding gardens.
Visiting Madrid also means getting lost on foot in the streets of the historic center.
Among these you will find yourself several times in the Gran Via, known as the "Spanish Broadway".
Gran Via is one of the main streets of Madrid, full of theatres, shops, restaurants and nightlife. It's a perfect place to take a walk, shop and enjoy the energy of the city.
Staying on the Gran Via, I suggest a stop at Vinitus , an elegant restaurant where you can taste numerous creative and traditional tapas accompanied by an excellent selection of wines.
When we think of Madrid, our imagination evokes flamenco. Your evening must include a show at the Cardamomo venue where part of Spain's history is told through the rhythm and passion with which dancers and musicians convey strong emotions.

Cultural Madrid
During your weekend in Madrid, I recommend you visit some of the most famous museums in the world. Among these is the Prado museum which boasts a large collection of Spanish, Italian and Dutch works of art, including masterpieces by artists such as Velázquez, Goya and El Greco.
If you are passionate about modern art, you cannot miss the Reina Sofia museum which houses Picasso's famous work “ Guernica ”, as well as other significant works of the 20th century.
For an original and curious visit there is also the Jamón museum dedicated to Spanish ham, where you can learn all about the jamón tradition, see displays of equipment and tools used in production and, of course, taste different varieties of cold cuts.
Another curious museum is the Turron museum to discover the history and production of turron, a Spanish dessert made from almonds and honey, and buy different varieties to take them home.
After all these museums I recommend you rest at Retiro Park , a green oasis in the heart of Madrid, where you can take a relaxing walk, rent a boat to sail in its central lake or take photos of the famous monument of Alfonso XII or the Palace crystal.

Authentic Madrid
In your 3 days in Madrid, you cannot miss visiting the markets which, in addition to being the temple of Madrid gastronomy, are fascinating places to shop and immerse yourself in the lively and authentic atmosphere.
The San Miguel Market impresses with its elegant iron structure dating back to the early 20th century and is an ideal place to taste Spanish culinary delights: from Iberian ham to Galician seafood, passing through the most delicious cheeses from Asturias and Basque Country.
The market attracts around 10 million visitors every year.
In the Malasaña neighborhood there is the Mercado de San Ildefonso , a gourmet market offering a wide selection of street food, tapas and drinks. It's a lively place, perfect for enjoying a variety of flavors in a casual setting.
I also recommend you visit Platea Madrid in the Salamanca area. It is a gastronomic space within a renovated 3-story theater that has retained El Escenario , the stage on which numerous musical performances and cultural events take place.
I really like old buildings that maintain the original structures redeveloped with details that recall industrial environments.
The surprise of this former theater is the Canalla Bistrot restaurant where the tables are located in what was the balcony of the theater. The location is truly unique, and maintains the building's original mission to entertain the viewer. In fact, you can enjoy an excellent dinner prepared by starred chefs, and admire the show on stage in a lively and fun atmosphere.
During your 3 days in the Spanish capital, remember to go to the My Style Bags store, in Calle Claudio Coello n. 16, where you can admire the new delightful collection of chic and customizable travel bags perfect for every weekend.
Madrid is a cosmopolitan city, which has much to offer from a historical, cultural and landscape point of view.
A perfect destination to spend a weekend, have fun in style and enjoy a wide gastronomic offer. So pack your bags: Madrid awaits you!