Over six million people call Madrid home. The largest city in Europe, Moscow excluded, Madrid is a sprawling urban hub. It’s fast-paced, cosmopolitan and progressive. Visit today, and you might not recognize it tomorrow.

But there are some things in Madrid which never change. 12 centuries of history (and even more before the city was established as Madrid) have made the Spanish capital a cultural icon. As quickly as Madrid moves, it is a city proud of its heritage, a celebration of Spanish culture and identity.

Madrid is an eclectic mix of grand Hapsburg architecture and modern skyscrapers where designer boutiques share the streets with decades-old tapas bars. Come nightfall, quiet wine bars and Flamenco theatres meet all-night techno clubs. Our ultimate four day itinerary for Madrid showcases every aspect of this multifaceted powerhouse.

When to Visit Madrid

Realistically, in a city the size of Madrid, there’s always something happening. Unlike in many of Spain’s coastal resorts, shops, restaurants and museums are open year-round, so there’s no bad time to plan an itinerary for Madrid.

Summers in Madrid are warm. Average temperatures sit in the mid-20’s (that’s high-70’s in Fahrenheit), but it’s not unusual for them to hit 35°C (95°F) or more. This heat can be a little oppressive for ticking off all the highlights of this itinerary for Madrid.

Instead, consider visiting Madrid during the shoulder seasons. Spring (April & May) and Fall (September & October) are our favorite times to visit Madrid. The weather is warm enough to sunbathe in Retiro Park, but cool enough for shopping in Salamanca not to be unpleasant.

Getting to Madrid

Spain’s busiest international gateway, Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD), is less than 10km from the city center. It sees frequent flights from destinations around Europe along with daily services from several North American hubs. Latin America, the Middle East and Asia are also well served.

From the airport, take the Metro or bus into the city. Taxis are readily available from ranks outside the terminals- all taxis in Madrid are metered. If you prefer to use ridesharing apps, Bolt is the best option for rides from the airport.

As capital, Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain. Atocha Station is a high-speed rail hub. Fast and frequent connections operate from cities including Barcelona, Cordoba, Seville and Zaragoza. There’s also a daily international service to Marseille, France. Trains to and from the north west of Spain serve Madrid Chamartin.

Add Barcelona to this Itinerary for Madrid

Ticking off Spain’s two major cities in one trip is never a bad idea. Better still, however you decide to travel, getting between Madrid and Barcelona is easy and convenient.

If you choose to drive, the journey takes around seven hours, though you’ll want to allow a full day to make a few stops along the way. Flying will take one hour, but the train is often a faster option overall, with an end-to-end journey time of three hours.

Travel Tip: If you’re looking for advice on where to stay during this itinerary for Madrid, look no further. Check out our handy guide to Madrid’s top neighborhoods for our pick of the best hotels in the Spanish capital.

4 Day Itinerary for Madrid

Day 1

Morning- Arrive & Settle In

Even if you’ve arrived long before you can check in to your accommodation, it’s well worth dropping your bags so you’re not weighed down for the rest of the day. If you can’t, or don’t want to leave them at your hotel, there’s cheap and convenient luggage storage available at Atocha Station.

To get a feel for Madrid, take a wander down to Plaza Mayor. Grab a coffee and a sandwich from Kawaii Café– their lattes come with the coolest art– and enjoy them whilst admiring the stately 16th century buildings which surround the plaza.

Then, stroll along grand Calle Mayor to Puerta del Sol. This semi-circular plaza marks the very center of the city, making it the most appropriate place to get this itinerary for Madrid rolling.

Afternoon- Get Your Bearings

Whenever I arrive in a new city, I always like to take a ride on a hop-on-hop-off bus tour. Sure, they’re touristy, but they’re a great way to get the lay of the land and pick up a few ideas to add to your itinerary for Madrid.

This option is a particularly good choice for Madrid. You’ll be able to swap between two different routes to get a full overview of the city. It’s well worth jumping off at the Temple of Debod.

Evening

The only fitting end for the first day of any itinerary for Madrid is an introduction to Spanish cuisine at one of the capital’s most famous restaurants. Casa Lucio on Calle de la Cava Baja has been dishing up rustic Iberian classics since 1974.

Over the years, its wood-panelled dining room has been graced by names including Bill Clinton, Penelope Cruz and Spanish monarch King Juan Carlos. Fresh from the clay oven, Casa Lucio’s steaks and brisket have put them on the Madrid food map. If you’re tackling this itinerary for Madrid with a friend, their churrasco for two won’t disappoint.

We’ve saved the highlight of your first day in Madrid until last. Once you’ve eaten, head along to Teatro Flamenco. The first flamenco theatre ever to open (in the world), they offer a choice of three performances every night. Be sure to book in advance to guarantee your seat.

Day 2

Morning- Europe’s Largest Palace

Day two of our itinerary for Madrid kicks off at Palacio Real, the Royal Palace. The official residence of the Spanish royal family, and incumbent King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, Palacio Real is the largest royal palace in Europe. Covering a staggering 135,000 square-meters, it’s only marginally smaller than the Forbidden City in Beijing which is commonly considered the world’s largest palace.

The palace you see today was built in 1735, but it stands on the site of a far older building. Back in the 9th century, when the Iberian Peninsula was under Moorish control, the Emir constructed an imposing fortress, the Alcazar of Madrid, on the site.

Travel Tip: Skip the queues by purchasing your palace tickets online. For the best experience, book a guided tour which includes access to the Royal Apartments.

Afternoon- A Grand City

Make a lunch stop at FOUR Speciality Coffee, right opposite Palacio Real. One of our all time favorite cafes in Madrid, FOUR do a divine grilled cheese and some amazing coffees all prepared with locally roasted beans.

The focus of our itinerary for Madrid this afternoon is Gran Via, the city’s most famous street. Built in the 19th century, with a design set to rival the grandeur of Paris, it runs for 1.3 kilometers between Calle de Alcala and Plaza de Espana. Start from the plaza, just to the north of Palacio Real, and work your way east.

If you want to learn a little more about the street’s history, it’s well worth taking a guided walking tour. Should you choose to explore on your own, make a stop at Nomad Immersive Museum. When you reach the eastern end of Gran Via, stop to admire the beaux arts Metropolis Building, built in 1911.

Evening

No itinerary for Madrid would be complete without an evening of tapas. There are hundreds of tapas bars dotted around the city, but our top recommendation is El Viajero on Plaza de la Cebada. They dish up all the classics in their rooftop garden.

Tapas devoured, head along the street to Vinoteca Alvin. Every day in Spain should end with a glass of the local nectar; the best days end with a bottle.

Travel Tip: Leave the planning to the experts and join a wine & tapas walking tour. Savour the flavors of two of Spain’s most famous exports as you take an evening walk through the city streets, stopping at four different tapas bars.

Day 3

Morning- Spain’s National Art Museum

Every city has an “it” museum. Paris has the Louvre, London the V&A, New York the Natural History Museum; in Madrid, Prado is “it”. Every itinerary for Madrid has to include a visit, not doing so simply wouldn’t be right.

Now the national art museum of Spain, Prado has around 1,300 items on display, though its full collection exceeds 20,000 pieces. Highlights include Mantegna’s Death of the Virgin, Durer’s Adam and Eve and the Greco masterpiece Holy Trinity.

Book tickets for the Prado in advance and, for the best experience, go for the option with a guided tour.

Afternoon- Park Life

Today’s lunch stop is at another of our favorite Madrid cafes. Etual Café is an institution. Grab a coffee and a filling tostada before heading across the road to the Royal Botanical Garden.

When you emerge on the other side of the garden, you’ll find yourself in Retiro Park, easily the most serene spot on this itinerary for Madrid. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Madrid’s largest park stands on the site of a 16th century Jeronimite monastery.

While away the afternoon strolling through the 350 acres of landscaped gardens. Stop to admire the Crystal Palace, a replica of its London namesake. If you’re feeling active, join a cycling or Segway tour, or let someone else do the peddling on a tuk-tuk tour.

Evening- A Night to Remember

One of Madrid’s many claims to fame is its nightlife scene. With over 6,000 bars, Madrid comes alive after dark. This is a city that knows how to let its hair down. Wherever you go in Madrid, you can be sure of a good night out, but happening Chueca is my go-to.

Said to be the most-progressive district in Madrid, Chueca is dubbed the “neighborhood of love”. That it may be, but it’s also the neighborhood of parties. Start off at old-timey Trinity Tavern before sampling creative cocktails at Lolita Bar. If you’re still standing in the small hours, round the night off at La Mary Queen; they’re open until 5am at weekends.

Day 4

Morning- Real Madrid

A place of pilgrimage for soccer fans from around the world, Bernabeu Stadium is home to one of Europe’s top teams: Real Madrid. 36-times champions of La Liga, Spain’s highest league, Real have won more international titles than any other European team.

Book a tour of Bernabeu (formerly Santiago Bernabeu) with an expert guide to get behind the scenes. Get a glimpse of the bulging trophy cabinet, take some snaps alongside a photomontage of the current squad and pick up some gifts at the club store.

Travel Tip: If you’re not a football fanatic, this itinerary for Madrid is still for you. Instead of a stadium tour, spend the morning sampling street food specialities on a local food tour.

Afternoon- Retail Therapy

Our itinerary for Madrid comes to a close this afternoon, but not before a visit to Salamanca, the city’s most stylish neighborhood. Grab lunch at Bel Mondo. Sporting some slightly out-of-control décor, this Italian icon serves up homemade pasta and woodfired pizza to remember. Be sure to leave room for tiramisu.

Pay a visit to Las Ventas, Madrid’s largest bullring, and the National Archaeological Museum before indulging in some retail therapy. Salamanca is Madrid’s answer to Bond Street and Fifth Avenue. Big name brands include Versace, Isabel Marant, Tod’s and American Vintage.