Do you have a 12-hour layover trip in Madrid and want to know how to use the spare time? Madrid is the capital city of the Spain and the city’s airport is the busiest in the country. If you happen to have hours to spare between flights and do not want to waste time in the Barajas Aeropuerto, then you better head out and explore the beautiful city of Madrid.
Hold your horses! You cannot just walk up to a Spanish immigration officer and have your passport stamped unless you hold a foreign passport that is exempted from the Schengen visa. If you plan to spend half a day in Madrid before flying to your next destination, you may need to apply for a Schengen visa. Whether you will stay inside Barajas or you plan to step out and see Madrid, you will really need to apply for a visa. Here are the requirements that you need to prepare to get a USV Schengen visa:
- Valid passport and copies of the front and back pages
- Current passport-sized photos with white background
- Completed Schengen Visa application form
- Proof of travel such as flight booking, travel itinerary, and hotel booking – You may get a Flight Booking for Visa and Hotel Reservation for Visa just for your visa application without having to pay for the airfare or hotel booking.
- Travel Insurance – It is better to acquire this from Schengen Travel Insurance, an affordable and reliable insurance company.
- Personal Coverage Letter
- Bank Documents
- For employed travellers, a No Objection Letter is highly recommended
A 12-hour Layover Trip in Madrid:
In order to manage your time well while you are spending your layover hours in the city, the article shall give you an hourly itinerary. This way, you will be able to maximize your time at the same time still be able to make it to your next flight.
Hour 1 in Madrid:
Bienvenidos a Barajas Aeropuerto! You have just landed in Madrid, Spain and you will need about 30 minutes to deplane, line up in immigration, and walk to the metro station in Terminal 4.
All international flights arrive at either Terminal 4 or 4S which have access to Madrid’s very efficient metro or subway. The city’s subway system is open from 6:00am to 1:30am everyday. As soon as you reach the station, purchase the 1-day valid Metro Tourist Card which will allow you to hop-on and hop-off any metro station for a fixed price of €17.
Hours 2 and 3 in Madrid:
From aeropuerto, you will need to ride metro line 8 towards Nuevos Ministerios. Get off Nuevos Ministerios and transfer to the Blue Line 10 heading towards Puerta del Sur. Get off Plaza de España station and walk to the famous park of the same name.
The Plaza de España is dedicated to the famous writer, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, who wrote one of the most famous Spanish novels entitled Don Quixote. The plaza showcases the bronze sculpture of the novel’s characters Don Quixote and his right-hand man Sancho Panza. Aside from the grand sculpture, the entire plaza is a vast garden that has plenty of local trees and shrubs.
From Plaza de España, cross the road and walk towards Calle de Bailen to visit the 19th century artworks displayed in the famous Cerralbo Museum. This art museum is house in an old mansion and most of the artworks displayed here are leaning towards the eclectic side.
Hours 4 and 5 in Madrid:
You must already feel hungry or tired and want to have a quick pit-stop to regain your energy. Head back to Plaza de España station and take the Yellow Line 3 towards Moncloa.
Get off Sol station and take the exit that will lead you to Calle Preciados. As you exit, search for Calle Tetuan because that road will lead you to Casa Llbra Restaurant.
This famous restaurant is situation in a very old tavern yet it serves modern Spanish dishes. Should you decide to dine here, you must order tapas and cod in tomato sauce.
After half an hour of sitting and eating, you must now proceed to your 12-hour layover trip in Madrid. Go back to the main road, Puerto del Sol, and look for the sculpture that symbolizes Madrid. The Oso y Madroño or the Bear and the Strawberry Tree is the symbol that best represents the capital city. In fact, this same image is seen on the city’s coat of arms.
Continue walking along Puerto de Sol and look for Calle Mayor. Once on Calle Mayor, turn left in one of the narrow alleys and it will lead you to the famous Plaza Mayor. This town square was the center of politics and culture of the city in earlier times. This was the place where bullfighting was held, town councils, and many more. Now, this square is surrounded by many cafés, restaurants, street performers, and souvenir shops.
Hours 6 and 7 in Madrid:
From Plaza Mayor, walk west towards Calle San Miguel. This road will lead you to Mercado San Miguel. This historic market is now one of the more famous tourist markets in Spain.
Here you can find local wine, artisan soaps, local craft beer, tapas, and pastries. Have a taste or two of some of the local finds and enjoy the company of other touring foreigners.
Continue walking towards the west along Calle San Miguel. At the end of the street you will see the Catedral de la Almudena.
This cathedral is a special church to the king of Spain because it was blessed by the late Pope John Paul II. In fact, one of the pope’s relics is displayed inside this church. The beautiful architecture and interiors of this church is what captivates most of the tourists who visit this place of worship.
To the east of the cathedral is the grand Royal Palace of Madrid. This enormous palace has more than 2000 rooms, sprawling gardens, and wide array of armory. If you are interested to see some parts of the palace you may enter for a fee.
Hours 8 to 10 in Madrid:
From the palace, walk south along Calle de Bailen and turn left at Calle Requena. From Calle Requena veer left towards Calle Vergara and this will lead you to the Opera metro station. Before taking the metro, visit the famous Teatro Real or the Royal Theater and you will understand why the nearest metro station is named Opera.
Take the metro and ride the same line towards Las Rosas. Get off Retiro station and find the exit that will lead you to Puerta de Alcala.
This huge gate used to be the entrance to the city and represents the strong economic influence of Madrid. The gate is preserved by the government and many tourists stop by and have a quick photo of this ancient city gate.
From Puerta de Alcala walk back towards Retiro Park. This centuries old park is one of the most visited parks in the city, both by locals and tourists. You will need an hour and a half to see the entire area. Within the park are sculptures, man-made lakes, artists, and stores. Here you can ride a dinghy or rent a bike. You can even find a local artists and purchase an artwork for less than €20.
Hours 11 and 12 in Madrid:
Time to go back to the airport and get to your next flight on time. Walk back to Retiro Station and take the same line towards Las Rosas. Get off Goya and transfer to line 4 towards Pinar de Chamartin. Get off Mar de Cristal and transfer line 8 towards Aeropuerto 4.
A 12-hour Layover Trip in Madrid – See the City:
Time to take a side trip to the capital of Spain and see the grandeur of this historic city. Make sure you have all your requirements to secure a Schengen visa and that the visa that you will apply for is the USV one. Should you need further assistance to secure a Schengen Visa, you may contact us through WhatsApp (+1 201-554-8735) or leave us a message.
Spend your time productively by taking a 12-hour layover trip in Madrid.
