Hello fellow travelers,
My friend and I (two women in early 30’s) will be spending 8 days in Madrid and environs in mid-August and would welcome suggestions / comments on our itinerary. Our general plan for dealing with the heat is to spend mornings outside exploring the city, afternoons inside museums, and evenings enjoying paseo/food/drink/music. I am trying to avoid over-scheduling because I know part of the pleasure of Spain is relaxing and being open to local events : ) Also, I have plantar fasciitis and need to account for rest time. Even so, I would like to know if I am missing something important or should rearrange things. I am especially interested in architectural history- not so much soccer or bull fights.
Thanks for your help!
Day 1 (Wednesday): Morning exploring opera / latina neighbourhood ; afternoon visiting palace and gardens; evening around Plaza de Oriente; probably an early night.
Day 2: Day trip to Toledo: Morning at Mezquita, Cathedral and collections; afternoon in two Synagogues and Greco’s Count Orgaz; evening train to Madrid; La Latina neighbourhood
Day 3: Morning exploring Barrio de las Lettres; afternoon and early evening at Prado; evening in Huertas neighbourhood around Plaza Santa Ana
Day 4 (Saturday): Morning walk along Calle Gran Via, Museo Thyssen; afternoon in Retiro Park; late afternoon and evening in Malasana neighbourhood.
Day 5 (Sunday): Morning flea market and archeological museum; afternoon exploring Salamanca; evening around Plaza Major
Day 6: Day trip to Segovia: Morning walk, small churches and aqueduct; afternoon Cathedral and Alcazar; evening around hotel (Opera); early night.
Day 7: Early day trip to Cordoba: Morning in Alzacar and garden; afternoon in Synagogue, Mezquita and Capilla Mudejar de San Bartolome; early evening walk around Juderia; train to Madrid
Day 8: Morning seeing Goya frescos and tomb in San Antonio de la Florida, and Temple Debod (or skip those and return to a neighbourhood we really enjoyed); afternoon at Reina Sofia Museum; evening in Lavapiés neighbourhood.
Day 9: Goodbye Madrid walk and chocolate con churros; fly home