Madrid Airport Layover Time isn’t Lost Time
Everybody despises layovers at the airport. Few things can be as annoying as waiting at the airport for the upcoming flight. However, what if you could make your layover a memorable part of your journey? Is your layover short? Do you have a long waiting time in front of you? Check out how you can get the most out of your stopover experience.
Short Layovers mean “Go Explore MAD Airport”!
During a short layover (up to 3-4 hours), Suarez International Airport has all the necessary amenities that can make your time well spent. What are your needs? Which are your personal preferences? Madrid Airport caters to almost everything!
“Shop” Yourself Out!
No matter the terminal, Madrid Airport has to show a large variety of shops. With international brands and local providers, global chains, and boutique stores, Madrid Airport has everything you might need to live the ultimate shopping experience. Are you on a budget? Still, you can do some massive window shopping and get to know all the latest trends. Are you a “duty-free fan”? Duty-free areas, lying at all 4 terminal buildings, will take your breath away!
Whet your Appetite with Spanish tapas!
The options aren’t as unlimited as around the city of Madrid, but you’ll find plenty of dining and drinking alternatives scattered around the terminals. Bars, restaurants with local food, and eating places with international cuisine, along with fast-food chains, are at your complete disposal.
Our Tip: Download the Aena App and use the Food to Fly airport service. Place your order in advance and pick it up at the airport without wasting even one minute!
Do your Online Tasks
Suarez International Airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout the entire T4 premises, along with the boarding areas, the dining zones, and the lounges of T1, T2, and T3. What’s more, public computers are at the passengers’ disposal at designated areas of the airport. Thus, what are you waiting for? Tie up your work loose ends, organize your emails, dive into your social media, or watch your favorite series. The choice is yours!
Say your Prayers
Regardless if you are a religious person or not, you can visit the airport prayer rooms to pray or simply find your inner peace during your Madrid layover. Chapels are to be found at level 2 of T1, floor 1 of T2, and floor 2 of T4. Moreover, a mosque lies on the second floor of T1 and T4, while multi-religious prayer rooms are located on level 2 of T1 and T4.
Spoil yourself Properly
Make the most of your spare time at Madrid Airport and rejuvenate yourself. Do a mani-pedi, have your hair done, or choose one of the special beauty treatments on tap at the airport beauty salons.
Polish your Mind at MAD Airport
Discover which exhibition is currently displayed at the airport and enjoy a “cultural” airport layover. The exhibition area is located on the way from Car Park 2 to the T2 and hosts various art exhibits, from sculptures to photo collections, etc.
Let the Children Play
…and enjoy a quiet time by yourself before the upcoming flight! Children’s playgrounds are placed at every terminal. Most of them are to be found at T4, but the options at the other 3 terminals are satisfying too.
Our Tip: Have you just checked in your stroller, and you are wondering how you are going to move around the airport? You shouldn’t worry. Just go and find the designated airport area where baby strollers can be picked up free of charge.
Wind down at Barajas Airport
If you want to enjoy an unwinding stopover at Barajas Airport and feel relaxed and well-rested, let one of the 6 airport lounges do the trick! The luxurious, cozy, and quiet lounge areas offer premium services, from food to electronic devices or even shower amenities.
Sleep Tight!
There is nothing more refreshing than enjoying a restful sleep becoming your outward flight. You can sleep throughout the airport facilities, although the majority of seats are not close to comfortable (wooden, with armrests, etc.) Alternatively, you can use the airport’s Air Rooms, situated at the underground level of T4, before the check-in area. The Air Rooms are available 24/7 and can be booked either by day or for day use (up to 6 hours).
Our Tip: Do you want to just take a quick shower? You can opt for the Air Rooms’ shower package, which allows you to use the shower facilities as well as enter their lounge area for a limited time of 30 minutes.
Long Layovers Allow you to Meet Madrid!
To begin with, how long must a “long” layover be to leave the airport behind and head to the magnificent city of Madrid? If you want to enjoy your city tour, you should have at least a 7-hour stopover at Barajas Airport. The airport isn’t located very far from Madrid downtown. However, as check-ins require a 2-hour before the flight arrival at the airport, the 7-hour time allows you to move around the city stress-free. Hence, if you are ready to explore the Spanish capital, store your luggage at the storage areas of T1, T2, and T4, and go!
Book a Tour
The ideal way to visit the majority of the must-see attractions of Madrid without hassle and stress is to book a tour. You’ll find plenty of organized day trips from the airport, both tailored and in a group. Do your research and just pick the one that you single out.
Our Tip: Forget all about monuments and history and opt for a Food tour! You can make your reservation, and taste all the beyond-compare Spanish dishes and flavors.
Visit Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Mercado de San Miguel
Do you like to make your own journey schedule? Go for your personally organized tour to Puerta del Sol, the square that houses the famous Kilometré Cero and the well-known statue, the Bear and the Strawberry Tree. Continue your way to Plaza Mayor and admire Casa de la Panaderia, the 237-balconies building. Plaza Mayor is also ideal for relishing a meal or a refreshing drink. Finally, you should head to Mercado de San Miguel, the legendary gourmet market, and take a to-go delicious snack.
Get Acquainted with Madrid Art Heritage
If art is your passion and you are looking to visit some of the most interesting museums, you should travel from Madrid Airport to Atocha Train Station. Arriving there, you can hop over to Madrid’s top 3. Reina Sofia hosts some of the most important works of Dali and Picasso, including Guernica. After finishing your visit, you can move to Prado Museum and explore the world’s biggest collection of paintings made by Spanish artists before ending your tour to Thyssen-Bornemisza, where many of Caravaggio, Manet and Van Gogh masterpieces are displayed.
Plaza de Cibeles and Parque el Retiro
Plaza de Cibeles is known for two things: the famous monument and the amazing views from the roof of Cibeles Palace. Admire all the nearby areas from above and then head to Retiro Park. On your way, you’ll have the chance to walk by the Puerta de Alcalá monument, one of the city’s doors. At Retiro park, you can choose between wandering around the beautiful gardens, visiting the Crystal Palace, and renting a boat at the park’s lake.
Gran Via and Círculo de Bellas Artes
If you want a more contemporary tour, Gran Via is the perfect Madrid area for you. The major shopping city street is surrounded by classic buildings, yet it is full of life and modern details. One of those neoclassical buildings is the Círculo de Bellas Artes. From its rooftop, you can enjoy a meal or a drink, indulging in the stunning views of the city.
The Amazing Palacio Real
You can choose between including Palacio Real to one of the above-mentioned tours, or decide to visit it in-depth. The largest European palace has 3000 rooms and luckily, its interior is accessible. However, please note that you’ll have to spend 1 to 2 hours to visit the entire Palace. After admiring the interior, you should head to the Palace’s Gardens (Jardins de Sabatini and Jardins Campo del Moro).
The Football Lovers’ Top 1 Attraction in Madrid: Bernabeu Stadium
Whether you are a football lover or not, Bernabeu Stadium, the stadium of Real Madrid, will amaze you. Take a tour of its interior, from the football field to the dressing rooms, and let the football fever take over!