Weekend in Madrid from Eindhoven

A weekend in Madrid from Eindhoven is surprisingly direct thanks to Ryanair: daily flights to Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) in just 2 hours 20 minutes. Return tickets are regularly available from 60 euro. See our full Madrid travel guide for more information on neighbourhoods, museums and sights. Note: the Prado is extremely popular; always book in advance via museodelprado.es to avoid queues.

Your weekend plan, day by day

• Friday: arrival and Gran Via Arrival at Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD). Take metro line 8 for 5 euro directly to Nuevos Ministerios in 12 minutes, or the Exprés Aeropuerto bus for 5 euro. Check in to your hotel and then head to the Gran Via: Madrid's vibrant main boulevard lined with Art Deco buildings and at the heart of the city's nightlife. Dinner in La Latina: walk down Calle Cava Baja for rabo de toro (braised oxtail) or croquetas de jamon for 3 to 5 euro per portion. A specialised address: Casa Julio at Calle Madera 37, famous for the best croquetas in all of Madrid.
• Saturday: museums, park and pintxos Start early at the Prado (15 euro, book in advance via museodelprado.es; on Mondays it is free from 18:00 to 20:00, but on a weekend you will be visiting on Saturday). Admire Velazquez's Las Meninas and Goya's Black Paintings. Then walk 10 minutes to Retiro Park: free entry, botanical garden and the large boating lake where you can hire rowing boats. Lunch at Plaza Mayor: a bocadillo de calamares (crispy calamari roll) costs around 4 euro, a Madrid favourite for generations. Evening in the Malasana neighbourhood: vermouth at Casa Camacho (Calle San Andres 4) and a round of pintxos from bar to bar.
• Sunday: Guernica, churros and departure The Reina Sofia (14 euro) houses Picasso's Guernica: Spain's most unmissable work of art. On Sundays the museum is free from 13:30 to 19:00, but queues are long; book in advance via museoreinasofia.es to be safe. After the museum: Gran Via for souvenirs and a stroll. End with a visit to Chocolateria San Gines (Pasadizo de San Gines 5, open 24 hours): chocolate con churros for 5 euro is the perfect farewell ritual in Madrid. Then back to Barajas: allow at least 90 minutes before your flight.

Insider tip: El Rastro

If your Madrid weekend includes a Sunday, El Rastro is an absolute must. This legendary flea market in the La Latina neighbourhood runs every Sunday from 09:00 to 15:00, free entry, and is considered the best Sunday morning activity in the city. Along Calle de la Ribera de Curtidores and the surrounding side streets you will find hundreds of stalls selling antiques, vintage clothing, art, curiosities and all kinds of finds. The atmosphere is unique: a blend of Madrileños, collectors and travellers all wandering together through the maze of stalls. Combine El Rastro with a vermouth at one of the terraces in La Latina afterwards, because that is the traditional Sunday ritual of the Madrid locals. Tip: arrive early (09:00 to 10:00) for the best finds and the fewest crowds.

What does a weekend in Madrid cost?

Madrid is more affordable than Barcelona, especially if you choose your food and transport wisely. A metro ride costs 1.50 to 2 euro, an espresso at the bar around 1.20 euro and a bocadillo de calamares at Plaza Mayor 4 euro. The museums together cost 29 euro (Prado 15 euro plus Reina Sofia 14 euro) if you visit on a day without a free time slot. Always book in advance to avoid queues and sold-out slots.