Honeymoon Highlights: How to Spend 48 Hours in Madrid

(This post is still under construction, but the itinerary stands! Check back soon for the full details and narrative.)

Visiting Madrid for the first half of our honeymoon was amazing. I enjoyed Madrid more than Paris, where we spent the second half of our honeymoon. This was primarily because we found the pace quieter and less frenetic. Madrid is a beautiful city and very walkable.

We stayed at the Madrid Airport Hilton. I had low expectations at first, given it was one of those hotels by the airport. However, it was ideal. Our room came with a full jacuzzi

Day 1

After checking into the hotel, freshening up and making use of the executive lounge, we went into the city, getting dropped off by cab at the Fountain of Cibellus.

From there we walked toward the Prado museum, making sure to check out the Fountain of Neptune on the way.

We spent a couple hours at the Prado, but to be honest, at first, Jis and I were not vey impressed based on the hype that this museum gets. It’s mentioned in the guide books as a “must see” and even my coworkers said it was a great museum that we shouldn’t miss, as it is world-renowned. Perhaps it was because we had very high expectations that it ended up being less impressive.

However,  we still enjoyed it, though we were more impressed by the Reina Sofia museum, which we visited later in the afternoon. I think this is primarily because we felt there was more variety in the art on display at Reina Sofia compared to the subject matter displayed at Prado. Either way, we wanted to visit both museums since they are major landmarks in Madrid.

We also visited the Jardin Botanico and enjoyed tapas in the Barrio de Las Letras neighborhood.

In the evening, we caught the sunset from the rooftop of the Circulo de Belles Artistes. This commanded a gorgeous panoramic view of Madrid, and is definitely a trendy hotspot for youngsters.

Day 2

Palacio Real

Plaza del Sol – The Puerta el Sol Square with the bear and tree statue (the emblem of Madrid). Very good shops for souvenirs in Plaza Mayor nearby.

Plaza Oriente

Plaza Mayor

Chocoloteria San Gines

Flamenco Show at Cardomomo

Passionate rhythms and soulful melodies of this traditional art form ignite the senses and stir the soul. Amidst the fiery footwork and haunting melodies, you and your beloved will be swept away on a journey of emotion and expression, leaving you breathless and exhilarated.