As the capital, Madrid is obviously a major draw for an amazing city break while visiting Spain. It’s one of those cities that just gets better the longer you stay and get under the skin of what makes Madrid so special. You’ll find not only big-hitting sights like Retiro Park, the Reina Sofía Museum, and the Royal Palace of Madrid, but also hidden gems, amazing foodie spots, and markets that make the city so special.
This all being said, planning a trip and Madrid itinerary can be daunting. It’s a big city, with heaps of things to do. So, after visiting Madrid heaps of times, we wanted to share some of the very best ways to explore Madrid, see all the main sights and discover those hidden gems that make the city so amazing.
Take a look below at our ultimate Madrid itinerary that will get you exploring all the best things to do and places to see in the city. Also, to make this easy for you, we’ve planned this as a 5-day Madrid itinerary. Though you can flex this in any way you wish. Staying longer? Add more spots. Staying a shorter time in Madrid? Pick and choose the key places you love.
You’re going to have the best time visiting Madrid!
Day One On Your Ultimate Madrid Itinerary: Galleries and Grandeur
Day one in Madrid, and we’re diving right into the city’s incredible art scene. First off, you will want to explore the Landscape of Light (Paisaje de la Luz). It’s one of Madrid’s UNESCO World Heritage
Sites that spans almost two square kilometres. It’s incredible.
Start your day with a visit to the iconic Prado Museum, right in the heart of Madrid. It’s one of Europe’s most prestigious museums to visit and houses thousands of masterpieces that are known the world over. Now, you can easily spend all day within the Prado Museum, but we’d prioritise three hours and really choose the rooms you want to explore. Top tip: make sure to spot Velázquez’s Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez. It was painted in the 1600s and is huge! Try to find the red jug within the painting itself;
For lunch, head over to Restaurant La Campana, or one of the heaps of traditional restaurants at Plaza Mayor, for one of their iconic fried calamari sandwiches (bocadillo de calamares). They’re amazing, especially with heaps of aioli. It’s one of the best things to do in Madrid when you’re craving a hearty lunch, and it’s perfect with a glass of Spanish wine.
After filling up, head on over to the Reina Sofía Museum. Now, the big draw for this museum is the work of Picasso, entitled Guernica. He painted this back in 1937 whilst living in Paris. It’s amazing to see, especially considering it took him over 35 days to paint!
Looking for a smaller museum? Then get yourself over to the Museum of Romanticism (Museo del Romanticismo). It’s the perfect add-on for an ultimate Madrid itinerary if you fancy a more intimate museum experience. You’ll be able to see works by Francisco de Goya and so many more. It’s all within a historic house and so easy to visit, especially if you’re in the Malasaña or Chueca areas of Madrid.
Now, there are heaps of other amazing museums and galleries in Madrid that you can cram into your day. But honestly, take it slower. There’s nothing worse than having museum fatigue and feeling stressed on your trip to Madrid.
For dinner, book a table at Bodega de los Secretos. It’s a subterranean wine cellar that dates all the way back to the 1600s and is the perfect introduction to great food in Madrid. We love their dishes, and it really is an incredible place for an evening in Madrid.
Day Two On Your Ultimate Madrid Itinerary: Flavours and footsteps
After a full day of museums, today’s ultimate Madrid Itinerary is all about food and sightseeing! After all, you can’t do all the best things to do in Madrid on an empty tummy!
Starting your day, head straight over to Mercado de Vallehermoso. This place is such a local gem in Madrid and one of the city’s iconic food markets for fresh produce. Think less prepared food and more raw ingredients. That said, for a sweet treat, stop off at Le Creperie, which makes the best crepes this side of Madrid.
Cooking tonight? Well, you have to stop off at Gómez Ortiz Brothers Chicken Shop. This place might just be one of Madrid’s most famous food stalls for poultry and regularly supplies Michelin-starred restaurants in the city. If you’re staying with friends and family, it’s the perfect place to pick up foodie supplies.
Oh, and don’t forget to stop off at Batch. They stock some of the city’s best natural wines. They really know their stuff!
Also, the wider neighbourhood of Chamberí is the perfect place for a stroll. You see, it’s a traditional district with an affluent history, which shows in its amazing architecture. Afterwards, don’t forget to head to explore the wider Plaza de Olavide, in Trafalgar. It has the most wonderful terraces and the perfect spot in Madrid to meet up with friends and just chill with the locals (with tapas and wine in hand, of course)
Getting peckish? Head on over to San Miguel Market (Mercado de San Miguel), which is perched just shy of Plaza Mayor. With well over 100 years of history, San Miguel Market has come to represent some of the very best Spanish foods, international flavours and treats right in the heart of the city. It’s totally informal, busy at weekends, and the kind of place that’s perfect to stroll around and gorge at all the stalls that take your fancy. We love Las Brochetas de Alcaravea. Yaya loves their brochettes of octopus, all cooked fresh in front of you.
Want a more traditional Spanish bar lunch within the market, head to the stall called Madrí. They have the crispiest patatas bravas and their jamón ibérico is delicious. All washed down with a local Madrid beer!
Fancy working off some of that lunch? Take a stroll around nearby Plaza Mayor and walk the neighbourhood around Opera station in Central Madrid. It’s the perfect place to shop, explore local cafes, or even just wander with no huge plans.
That being said, you can also take a longer stroll to La Latina. It’s such a vibrant and historic neighbourhood of Madrid and one of the best things to do if you want an amazing tapas scene. You see, there are so many bars, restaurants and eateries lining the streets of La Latina. We love Watts Cantina for their pancakes and coffee. Though, if you want some traditional tapas, head on over to Ástor Gastro Place or Casa Lucio. They’re all within walking distance of each other. Though, don’t stress if you miss these; you will find hundreds of amazing foodie and tapas spots along your strolls in La Latina.
Visiting on a Sunday? La Latina is a great place to visit if you’re planning a weekend trip to Madrid, as it has a famous El Rastro flea market that is so much fun! Best of all, it’s got heaps of winding streets and they date back centuries. This whole area is steeped in history, with some of it even going back as far as the Middle Ages. Plus, you’ve got places like Las Vistillas Gardens and the festival of La Paloma, which are well worth catching during a visit to Madrid.
Want a great place to watch the sunset over Madrid? Head to the rooftop bar, Azotea del Círculo. They serve up a fiery Mezcaloni cocktail and their wine selection is so good. Just be sure to book a table in advance; it fills up very fast at peak times of the year.
Day Three On Your Ultimate Madrid Itinerary: Parks and Palaces
After a full day of delicious culinary adventures on day two of your ultimate Madrid itinerary, today is going to be all about the city’s beautiful parks and cool neighbourhoods to explore.
Today, we’re starting off with a visit to El Retiro Park (colloquially known as just El Retiro), one of Spain’s most famous parks to visit. Long before it became a public park, the Spanish Royal Family called this area home. It’s such a special place, and it’s totally free to stroll around. Plus, it’s all part of the UNESCO World Heritage Landscape of Light (Paisaje de la Luz) area of Madrid that we mentioned earlier.
Once here, be sure to stroll through the formal gardens of Plaza Parterre and head into the beating heart of the park itself. Along the way, you’ll pass by Estanque Grande del Retiro (the central lake of the park that’s right next to the iconic monument to Alfonso XII. Best of all, you can actually rent a small paddle boat and make your way across the lake at your very own pace. It’s beautiful and so relaxing.
Also, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the reopening of the Crystal Palace. This is hopefully happening next year, and it’s the most wonderful place to visit. That being said, if you can’t make it inside, make sure to take a peek from the outside. The structure is beautiful.
If you love formal or landscaped gardens, head straight on over to the Rose Garden within El Retiro itself. This place is beautiful, especially when the roses are in full bloom.
In the afternoon, head straight on over to the Royal Palace of Madrid, the largest in Western Europe and one of the most iconic palaces in the Western World. It’s so amazing, and best of all, you can either head on a self-guided tour or join a Royal Galleries guided tour to make the most of your visit. Now, tickets can sell out at peak times, so make sure to book ahead and secure the time slot that best suits your Madrid itinerary. Visits will take around two hours.
Plus, right next door to the Royal Palace is Almudena Cathedral, which is the prestigious seat of the Archdiocese of Madrid. Although the cathedral itself was only finished in the late 20th Century, there’s been a religious building on this site for nearly one thousand years. It’s steeped in history.
Once inside, you’ll be able to see the Main Altar and the beautifully painted square cupola (on the ceiling). It’s amazing to walk around and admire the stunning architecture and history. What most visitors don’t realise is that you can actually visit the Neo-Gothic crypts! There is a small fee to enter, and only a small allotment of people are allowed each day on these guided tours. So, if you’d like to head inside the rarely visited crypts, make sure to head to the Cathedral’s official website and book a spot in advance.
Looking for a Michelin-starred restaurant in Madrid? Make sure to book a table at Èter. This place is incredible, and their menu focuses on regional foods and dishes, with a flair for sustainability and design. Plus, they have the most amazing tasting menu with seasonal dishes that change each and every day. The whole team create an experience you won’t forget.
Day Four On Your Ultimate Madrid Itinerary: Sights & Siestas
As you’ve had a packed Madrid itinerary, today is all about slow travel in Madrid. Have a lay-in, a slow morning and stop off at Toma Cafe (there are three in Madrid) for one of the best brews in the city. It’s an intimate little coffee spot, but their coffee packs a punch. We love their cold brews.
Sufficiently caffeine-fuelled, you’re going to head over to the Monastery of Las Descalzas Reales. It’s, again, in the heart of Madrid, and it’s the most serene, beautiful and peaceful oasis to explore. Once here, you’ll be able to stroll around the cloisters and visit the church with its stunning frescos to see. Visits take around two hours.
Plus, nearby, you can visit the Royal Monastery of La Encarnación. It’s really easy to explore and well worth it for the religious history of the city. Plus, you’ll be able to see beautiful frescoes in the main chapel. They were painted by Francisco Bayeu and are some of the most beautiful frescoes to see in Madrid.
For sunset, make sure to visit the Temple of Debod. It’s a 2,200-year-old Egyptian temple that was gifted to Spain and sits proudly in Cuartel de la Montaña Park. It’s incredible to see and quite surreal to see an iconic piece of Egyptian history right in the heart of Madrid.
For dinner, head over to OSA. It’s a Michelin-starred gem and one of the best things to do in Madrid if you want an unforgettable tasting menu. It’s not in the heart of the city, but well worth the short cab ride for the incredible dishes. Their menu focuses on good, seasonal dishes, all created within an open kitchen that gives such an immersive experience for dinner.
Day Five On Your Ultimate Madrid Itinerary: Lounging and Lookouts
Your final day on our ultimate Madrid itinerary is all about relaxing! No one wants to leave a trip totally exhausted, so this day is all about you! Chill out in Madrid and enjoy the relaxing charm that the city offers. After all, Madrid isn’t all about the hustle and bustle.
After a lazy morning in your hotel, head straight out to explore Casa de Campo, an expansive park in the city. In fact, it’s one of the largest parks in the city and has heaps of trails, routes and, of course, the Madrid Amusement Park if you want some thrills with all the family! You can easily spend a whole day here; it’s that big! Top tip: you’ll get some epic views all over the region from Garabitas Hill Viewpoint. Stunning.
Then, to finish your trip to Madrid, you’re going to take a stroll around Las Salesas. This is the kind of neighbourhood in Madrid that’s filled with smaller brands, local boutiques and individual sellers. You’ll find some of the best higher-end boutiques and expert retailers that focus on their crafts and skills.
Oh, and to end your visit on a sweet note, head over to Chocolatería San Ginés. This place has been going since the 1800s, and they serve the thickest hot chocolate and crunchy churros. It’s such a treat and the perfect send-off after visiting Madrid.
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