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19 hour layover in Madrid

We are coming off a Rick Steves tour and Will be on our way to a family wedding in July in Europe. Any suggestions for what to do? We land at 9 PM and leave the next afternoon at 4 pm. Should we just stay at the airport or go into the city to stay and enjoy the morning? Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks.

Posted by
6431 posts

I'd suggest getting a room in central Madrid that night and enjoying the morning there, returning to the airport two or three hours before your flight time (depending on what kind of flight it is). You could use the Metro system, or I think there's an airport bus to/from the Plaza de Cibeles. Or a taxi.

Obviously such a brief visit would give you just a taste of Madrid (assuming you haven't been there before), but it's better than spending the night and all morning at the airport.

Posted by
1520 posts

Hmmm, arrive in central Madrid around 10ish, just in time for dinner! Research the desired dinner experience and book a reservation. Grab the cheapest air conditioned hotel you can tolerate and then go to the one destination of your choice (leave your bags at the hotel for later pu on your way to the airport). If online tickets are available be sure and purchase in order to avoid lines and insure an early entry time. If you like art (a strength of Madrid), pick one museum. Refresh with a morning juice. Strive to be back at the airport One ish. Depending on remaining travel schedule you could grab lunch prior to heading for the airport. Return to where your bags are stashed and grab a cab.
We find keeping a concise well considered itinerary important for making the most of long layovers. We also recognize "inexpensive" and "short layover" are usually in conflict to gaining the most from our short time available in the city. We are okay with spending the money as are trying to make the most effective use of our time. We consider time to be our most valuable vacation/travel commodity. The one thing we are NOT okay with is self-created stress of getting back to the airport and being at the gate late (doin so really reduces the benefit gained from visit).
BIG TIP! Stay hydrated while on the ground cuz your meat will be in the July heat and dehydration is a real bummer (especially when you are going to be flying).
Carefully plan and enjoy!

Posted by
46 posts

Go to the Reina Sofia museum and see Picasso's "Guernica". It's a bucket list painting. (The rest of the museum is pretty cool also.)