Travelling abroad to see a friend and she hasn't booked time off work

As someone who geta viaitora from abroad often, this is how it is. As pps I would have no leave left if I took timw off for everyone their whole visit.
Explore on your own, spend friday eve and weekend together and that's it. Nice trip.
Alao baffled why one would think public holidays are the same everywhere. In many places, if not all, they don't move to Monday but are simply on the date that is important.

I think 2 days hanging out together and 2 on your own is a nice balance. Spending every waking moment together would be a bit intense.

I'd use the days alone to knock over the really touristy (and perhaps pricey) things that she has probably already done a million times.

Some kind of tour on day 1, as recommended by pps, is always a great way to familiarise yourself with a new place.

Yes YABU. A grown woman, working, able to book a flight and visit someone abroad and you want them to hold hand throughout your holiday. 1 day would be enough for me to spend with an adult. She's really generous to spend 2 full days with you. Find something else to do for the other days.

YABVU. What made you think Spain was a mini Britain with the same holidays?
Come on how old are you?
Went to Madrid as a teen and there's so much to do and see there. You are lucky to get free lodging, you should appreciate that and I hope you'll treat you very accommodating friend to meals etc as a thank you.

You have unwittingly made a few common assumptions here but I’m sure you’ll have a nice time. You’ll def see each other around the visit, dinners etc. We live overseas and we just don’t want to use up all our free time doing stuff we’ve already naturally seen tons of times - so do get on Viator and book a day trip/tour guide for those bits, or use Google maps. I’d also suggest if what you really wanted was a short holiday with your friend, then next time ask if she fancies going/meeting anywhere in particular, perhaps equidistant for you both or that involves just the first night in Madrid - I doubt she sees a holiday being in her home city and this way you both feel it’s worth taking some time off. That all said I do take a a couple of days off when my best friend visits as we only see each other once a year and we live much much further apart so more costs involved, we do meet up though in other cities sometimes though and she is very happy to entertain herself too if I have work stuff on.

Honestly you might find it's the perfect mix of alone time and friend time! I bet you have a blast!

You’ve not really spoken since booking the flights!? How close are you to this person, it doesn’t sound like you’re super close?

OP, please don’t be intense. Of course this person wouldn’t be expected to use her leave to babysit you. I’m sure she’d expect a grown adult to be able to entertain herself.

Madrid is an amazing city. Dh and I went there years ago. You’ll have a great time as there is so much to do. The Royal Palace and gardens are spectacular.

They are advertised as free and no obligation to pay but you are invited to make a donation if you enjoyed the tour. The guides are often uni students studying arts, history or something similar but they really make it interesting and entertaining and you really want to tip them. I’ve been on approximately 20 tours and never disappointed.

Whenever I’m in a new city alone I turn up to a free walking tour and usually meet/chat with other solo travelers.
Tours typically go for 2-3 hrs. Just google free walking tours.
Often different ones are on in the morning and afternoon.
If you do this on the Friday you will get your bearings of the city and the guides will often point out other places of interest worth visiting.

Public holidays happen everywhere, no idea why anyone would think they are the same dates as UK

There’s so much to do in Madrid if you want to do stuff!! You are being unreasonable- you can do touristy stuff fri and mon and spend quality time w her on the weekend

maybe she thought you wouldn’t actually go. It all sounds a bit…intense.

You want her to use her annual leave to show you around? Bloody hell, where's your initiative?

I've also found out, it's not a bank holiday in Spain

Aren't bank holidays a British thing? I live abroad and have had to explain the concept to people from other countries -but I genuinely don't know and am interested now!

YABU. Enjoy the luxury of two days in Madrid to fill with whatever you want to do. The worst guests are those who come expecting to-be entertained constantly, with no ideas of what they want to do and no ability to entertain themselves.

Sounds alright to me. The Friday can be get your bearings day. Get unpacked, go for a little walk, relax and have a drink. On the Monday you can pack at leisure and make her a nice dinner for when she gets hime from work to say thanks.

YABU

Sorry OP but it drives me absolutely crackers when people do this - we have so many people come and visit us and I could never take leave as I would never get to take a holiday with my own family. I assume you are getting free board and lodgings at hers in a very awesome country?

Do at least one of the open top bus tour routes. Spend an hour studying Picasso's Guernica. Get a drink and people watch in the Plaza Mayor. Stroll through El Retiro park - don't miss the statue of Lucifer, the fallen angel.

So much more. If you like art, Madrid has enough galleries to keep you occupied for days.

Book an experience with air b and b if you feel
Lonely like a walking tour

I think this is fine. I have so many people visit me I couldn't take time off work for them all or I'd use up my entire holiday allowance. Your friends presumably wants to save her holiday for when she can go away somewhere. You'll see her for two days and you can sightsee by yourself the rest of the time. Madrid is lovely, you'll enjoy yourself easily.

You're very unreasonable. She's gracious enough to allow you to stay at hers, for free, and she has a employer she's responsible to, and she simply may not be able to take the time off without causing issues with her boss. If you aren't able to have an amazing time enjoying Madrid on your own during the day, I'd assume you can't handle being on your own at all, and in that case, stay home.

It'll be an adventure. Look up things to do in Madrid and do them!