Madrid has everything you need for a short getaway – world-class museums and art galleries, incredible food, beautiful architecture and a fun, lively atmosphere. It’s one of my favourite European cities and in this post, I share my personal recommendations and top tips for a four-day trip. There’s so much to do and see in Madrid that you should stay at least four days to fully experience what the city has to offer. As a major foodie, I’ve also included my personal restaurant and bar recommendations that will not disappoint. 

My suggested itinerary is designed to be flexible and adaptable, giving you plenty of ideas on what to do and see, along with the practical info you need. This travel guide also gives you plenty of time for exploring and relaxing. After all, you’re in Spain, so embrace the siesta and take it easy!

Day 1 AM: Historic Centre and Markets

On your first day, I suggest exploring Madrid’s centre on foot, where you will discover a plethora of beautiful buildings and elegant plazas (public squares). Start by heading to Puerta del Sol, the busy and bustling heart of the city. Best known for the legendary Tio Pepe Sherry advertisement, this plaza is a great place to soak up some of Madrid’s energetic atmosphere and do some people-watching. To gain a better understanding of the historic buildings surrounding you, download Rick Steves’ free Madrid walking guide. I am a big fan of these walking guides, as they’re totally free and are filled with interesting facts and trivia.

After taking some time to wander around Puerta del Sol, make your way to Plazor Mayor, where you can find a statue of King Philip III on horseback and the iconic Casa de la Panadería building, which dates back to 1590. In and around the piazza are street performers, artists, souvenir shops, cafes, bars, and a strangely large number of restaurants specializing in baguettes stuffed with deep-fried calamari. I got mine from Bar La Campana, and it didn’t disappoint.

If that sandwich sounds a little too stodgy for you, take a short walk to Madrid’s most famous market, Mercado de San Miguel. I’ll be honest, this isn’t my favourite market in Madrid because it can get very crowded. Nonetheless, it is really central and convenient, and worth popping into if you’re hungry. I particularly recommend La Casa del Bacalao, which serves up tapas-sized bites of seafood and pickled fish for €1.50-2 a piece.

Day 1 PM: Royal Palaces, Egyptian Temples, and Tapas. 

After some food, continue down Calle Mayor and make your way to Plaza de la Armería. At the south side of the square is the Cathedral of Saint Mary the Royal of the Almudena, while to the north is thePalacio Real de Madrid, a huge 19th-century palace and the official residence of the Spanish royal family. You can visit the elegantly decorated Throne Room, Banquet Hall, Royal Armory and Private Royal Apartments. Full-price tickets cost around €15 (concessions available). It’s a very popular site so I recommend booking in advance to avoid the enormous queues. You can buy Skip-The-Line tickets here and join a guided tour of the Royal Palace with skip-the-line entry.

If you don’t want to pay to go inside, you can admire the Royal Palace from the outside and relax in one of the many beautiful surrounding gardens, such as Jardines de Sabatini, or Parque de la Montaña. Interestingly, Parque de la Montaña is home to the Temple of Debod, a 2nd-century monument from Ancient Egypt, which was donated to Spain in the 1960s. You can go inside to have a look around the temple. Queues can be very long, but it’s a cool landmark to check out whether you go inside or not.

For dinner make your way to the Barrio de las Letras neighborhood. Here you will find plenty of restaurants and bars to while away the evening. One I particularly recommend is Taberna el Sur de Huertas. If you go here, be sure to get their delicious gambones al ajillo (juicy prawns served in sizzling garlic oil) – a dish so good I ordered it twice during my stay in Madrid! Remember that the Spanish tend to eat late, typically around 10pm or later, so restaurants may be relatively quiet before then. After you’ve eaten, stroll to nearby Salmon Guru or Viva Madrid to end your evening with some fun and inventive cocktails.

Day 2 AM: The National Archaeological Museum

Kick off your second day in fabulous Madrid by visiting Casa Dani in Mercado de la Paz for a nice big Spanish breakfast. There are plenty of traditional dishes to choose from here, but they are most famous for their tasty, wonderfully oozy Spanish tortilla. It might look undercooked, but don’t worry, it is meant to be served that way and you won’t catch salmonella! Do as the locals do and wash it down with an ice cold cerveza.

After eating and exploring the market, walk the short distance to the National Archaeological Museum (NAM). We stumbled across this museum by chance and ended up staying for hours. It’s HUGE and houses an impressive collection of artefacts spanning various periods of the Iberian Peninsula’s history, from prehistoric times and the Roman era to the Middle Ages and beyond. There is tons to see here, but whatever you do, be sure to check out the spectacular mosaic collection. Admission is just €3, an absolute bargain! 

Day 2 PM: Escape to a Green Oasis

After a fascinating few hours in the NAM, walk south passed the Puerta de Alcalá, and step into the beautiful grounds of El Retiro Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site covers around 350 acres and has plenty to see, including gardens with peacocks roaming around, statues, and historic landmarks like the Monument to Alfonso XIII, Velázquez Palace (closed for renovation until 2026) and the Crystal Place (closed for renovation until 2027). There are also boats to rent if you’d like to paddle around the Great Pond, the large lake in the centre of the park.

El Retiro is the ideal place to relax for a couple of hours. If you picked up some snacks earlier at Mercado de la Paz you could even have a little picnic. Olives, jamón, crusty bread, peacocks. What more could you need? To continue the nature theme, you can go into the nearby Real Jardín Botánico, a vast botanical garden home to thousands of plant species (Admission €4).

Day 3 AM – Day Trip to Toledo

While Madrid has much to offer its visitors, I recommend taking half a day to visit Toledo, Spain’s former capital until 1560. This picture-perfect hilltop city is located around an hour’s drive south of Madrid. 

There are plenty of things to see and do in Toledo, like the impressive Gothic Toledo Cathedral, where you can admire famous artworks by master painters such as Raphael and Caravaggio. Next, head to the Alcázar de Toledo, an important symbol of Spanish cultural and military history. As it is partly under renovation, entrance is currently free. Even if you’re not keen on the military museum, the Alcázar is worth visiting for its impressive architecture and breathtaking views.

Don’t miss the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz and the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, which both offer glimpses into Toledo’s past. As you wander through the city’s ancient, stunningly preserved streets, you’ll find that getting lost is a delight in itself. A slight word of warning though – Toledo can be quite steep at times, so make sure to take breaks and rest. Enjoy a traditional lunch between all that sightseeing at one of the many quaint taverns dotted around. I can highly recommend Taberna Skala, a small and cozy restaurant known for its tasty and hearty stews like carcamusa (slow cooked pork and peas).

Getting to Toledo

The train from Madrid to Toledo runs hourly from Atocha train station and takes around 35 minutes. A return ticket costs around €22-26, depending on departure times. Seat reservations are required so make sure you book in advance to guarantee a seat. This route is operated by Renfe, Spain’s national train company. If you’d like a cheaper alternative, you can reach Toledo by bus with Alsa (tickets as low as €12 return).

If you prefer a hassle-free trip where someone else handles the logistics, consider one of these top-rated tours from Madrid to Toledo: Toledo Guided Day Trip, Toledo City Tour and Wine Tasting Experience and Toledo Full-Day Trip with Optional Cathedral Tour.

If you’d like to visit multiple cities in a day, there are some popular group tours like Guided Day Trip to Segovia and Toledo, Toledo & Segovia with Alcázar & Optional Ávila Tour or Segovia and Toledo Tour, Alcazar, and Cathedral. Tours like these are a fantastic opportunity to explore several destinations in just one day, without the stress of planning every detail.

Day 3 PM: Bar-Hopping and Experiencing Madrid’s Nightlife

After a day of clambering around the hills of Toledo, take it easy once back in Madrid. In the evening, I suggest chilling out at one of Madrid’s fantastic vermouth bars. Vermouth (vermú or vermut in Spanish) is a really popular drink here, with many bars crafting their own variations. Unlike its Italian counterpart, Spanish vermouth is less bitter and typically enjoyed neat over ice. A great place to try this beverage is Taberna La Concha, located on Calle De La Cava Baja in the Barrio de La Latina neighborhood. Here, the charming, winding streets come to life in the evenings with bustling bars and restaurants, and groups of locals chatting on the pavement.

If vermouth isn’t your thing, perhaps try another of Spain’s famous tipples – sherry. La Venencia is the ideal place to try different types of sherry, from manzanilla, fino to oloroso and Pedro Ximénez. As we know, we shouldn’t drink on an empty stomach and one of the best traditions in Spain is that you usually get a small complimentary plate of tapas with each drink you buy. The rule is simple – buy a drink, get a tapas dish, and repeat. You can’t choose what the dish is, but you can certainly let the staff know if you have any allergies and intolerance.

Typical dishes includes croquettes, sardines on toast, meatballs, fried fish or a slice of tortilla. It is included in the price of your drink with the hope that you’ll stay longer in the bar, ordering more drinks (a clever sales tactic!).

Day 4: Local Markets & Food Tours

Having spent the last few days sightseeing and doing day trips, it’s time to take it easy. On your last day, you could wander around exploring different neighbourhoods and browsing the shops. Visit some of Madrid’s best food markets like Mercado San Antón, Mercado Maravillas or Mercado de la Paz to sample some local dishes and buy gifts and souvenirs.

You could do what my husband and I always do when we are in a country with incredible food – a self-organized “food crawl”. Instead of just going for the classic well-known dishes, such as patatas bravas, padrón peppers, and pan con tomate (as delicious as they are), opt for something you can’t easily find back home. Maybe treat yourself to some plump, juicy snails with chorizo at Casa Amadeo los Caracoles, or some crispy grilled pig ears served with a peppery salsa at Casa Toni. Treat yourself to a croquette at Pez Tortilla, known for their sloppy tortillas and homemade croquettes with interesting flavours, like squid ink, spinach and raisins, and pork cheeks in sherry.

If you’d like some help navigating the city’s food scene, you can join this well-ratedGuided Tapas Tour with Tastings and Drinks, which takes you to four different locations to try different tapas dishes, led by a passionate local guide. For more of a hands-on experience, consider joining a Paella and Sangria Workshop to learn how to make a traditional Spanish paella and prepare an authentic jug of Sangria.

If you’ve turned into a tapas junkie, you can do a 10 Tapas 2.5-Hour Cooking Class. This class teaches you traditional recipes such as gilda (pepper and anchovy skewers) from the Basque Country and pan tumaca (bruschetta). After mastering the recipes, you can indulge in the food you and your classmates have created.

For something sweet, you really can’t go wrong with a Basque Cheesecake. Caracola in Mercado Antón Martín makes delicious cheesecake including a fantastic pistachio version. If you’re craving something chocolatey, head to Chocolat Madrid for fresh, crispy churros and silky hot chocolate (to dunk your churros in!).

Day 4 PM: Late Night Culture Fix

Madrid is blessed with a high number of world class art galleries, many of which have late opening times and free entrance in the evening. One not to be missed is the excellent Museo Reina Sofía Madrid, which has a huge collection of 21,000 works. You will recognize some of the featured artists like Salvador Dali, Joan Miró and Pablo Picasso, whose spectacular Guernica is one of the museum’s biggest attractions. You can buy Skip-The-Line tickets here, or visit at specific times to take advantage of free entry (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7pm to 9pm and Sunday from 12:30pm to 2:30pm).

If you prefer the more traditional works of Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Titian, and Bosch, visit Museo Nacional del Prado instead. Housing a large collection of masterpieces from the 12th to 19th-century, the Prado is a real highlight of Madrid’s art scene. General admission is €15 (concessions available) and you can skip the lines by buying your Prado ticket in advance here. Prado also offers free entry two hours before closing time. Check the closing times here (they vary depending on the day).

After enjoying some world class art, walk 10 minutes to La Malontina in Barrio de Las Letras for a special final dinner in Madrid. We had one of our best meals in this cozy restaurant that offers traditional fare with a modern twist. While the food here was high quality and utterly delicious, the experience was made all the more better by the friendly staff and owners. Be sure to reserve a table as seating is really limited.

FAQ for First-Time Visitors to Madrid

1. Best Areas & Hotels to Stay in Madrid

Madrid offers a variety of accommodation to suit different budgets and preferences. While it’s a large city, its main attractions are conveniently accessible by metro, bus, or on foot. Wherever you stay, aim to be near public transport to make your visit easier. Here are some top neighborhoods to consider:

• Centro – Perfect for first-time visitors who want to be in the heart of the action, close to landmarks like the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, and Puerta del Sol.
• Malasaña – A trendy district known for its vibrant nightlife and bohemian atmosphere.
• Chueca – The LGBTQ+ district, known for its lively atmosphere and excellent restaurants.
• Salamanca – An upscale neighborhood with luxury boutiques and high-end dining, ideal for a more refined experience.

2. Public Transport

Madrid has an efficient and affordable public transport system, and many top sights are within walking distance of each other.

• Metro – The fastest way to travel across the city. Get a Multi Public Transport Card, a rechargeable contactless card that works for single rides, 10-trip tickets, and tourist passes. It’s available at metro stations, train stations, and tobacconists. Special discounted tickets are available for groups, families, and seniors over 65. Check the official Metro Madrid website for details.
• Buses: Madrid’s bus system is extensive and reliable, covering areas not served by the metro. You can use the same Multi Card for both metro and buses.
• 30-Day Passes – Ideal for longer stays, offering unlimited travel within designated zones.
• Airport Transport – There’s an extra supplement for metro trips to and from the airport. More details can be found here.

3. Best time to visit madrid

Madrid has a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild winters. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit for comfortable temperatures. Here’s what to expect:

• Spring (March to May): Mild and pleasant, with average temperatures between 10°C and 20°C (50°F to 68°F).
• Summer (June to August): Hot and dry, with temperatures often exceeding 30°C (86°F). Many locals leave the city, but attractions stay open.
• Autumn (September to November): Warm and comfortable, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F).
• Winter (December to February): Mild to cool, with temperatures between 2°C and 12°C (36°F to 54°F). Snow is rare but possible.

4. Language

Spanish is the official language. While you will find some English speakers in the tourist areas, I found that using Spanish was often necessary during my visit. Locals genuinely appreciate it when visitors make an effort to speak their language, so learning a few basic Spanish phrases can be very helpful.

• Duolingo is a great free app for learning Spanish basics.
• Download Google Translate with offline access for easy menu translations and quick phrases.

5. Safety

Madrid is generally safe, but as with any major city, stay alert in crowded areas and tourist hotspots. You should exercise the usual common sense you would in any big city:

• Keep an eye on your belongings to avoid pick-pocketing.
• Use a cross-body bag with anti-theft features for extra security. I use a handbag from Pacsafe – really recommended!.
• Avoid poorly lit or deserted areas at night. If something feels or looks dodgy, walk the other way to a busier, more well-lit area!
• Use only licensed taxis or reputable ride-sharing services like Uber or Cabify.

6. Practical Tips

• Currency: The official currency is the Euro (€). Credit cards are widely accepted, but having some cash for small purchases is recommended.
• Tipping: Not mandatory, but rounding up or leaving small change is appreciated.
• Opening Hours: Many shops and restaurants close for a few hours in the afternoon (siesta) and reopen in the evening.
• Water: Good news – you don’t need to buy plastic or bottled water in Madrid! The city’s tap water is clean, safe and excellent in quality.

Madrid really is an amazing city, and with these tips, and I am planning to revisit soon to experience more of what it has to offer. I hope this itinerary gives you some ideas of how to spend time here, or inspires you to visit in the future. If you’re spending more time in Spain, check out my other Spanish travel guides including Seville and Valencia.

Ciao for now

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow