Madrid itinerary: 1 to 7 days
Plans for one to seven days in Madrid, day by day: the Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace first, then Puerta del Sol and the Gran Vía, the Prado, Retiro Park and its Crystal Palace, the Temple of Debod and smaller museums like the Sorolla as you add days. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 3 days
Madrid in 1 day
Day 1
Plaza Mayor, Madrid Must see
The arcaded 17th-century main square of old Madrid, with an equestrian statue of Philip III.
Mercado de San Miguel
A restored early 20th-century iron-and-glass market near Plaza Mayor, now a gourmet food hall of tapas, seafood and wine.
Royal Palace of Madrid Must see
The official royal residence, used for state ceremonies, with lavish state rooms and the Royal Armoury.
Madrid in 2 days
Day 1
Almudena Cathedral Must see
Madrid's cathedral, completed only in 1993, facing the Royal Palace, with a neo-Romanesque crypt.
Royal Palace of Madrid Must see
The official royal residence, used for state ceremonies, with lavish state rooms and the Royal Armoury.
Sabatini Gardens
Formal gardens with clipped hedges and fountains beside the Royal Palace, good at sunset.
Day 2
Plaza Mayor, Madrid Must see
The arcaded 17th-century main square of old Madrid, with an equestrian statue of Philip III.
Mercado de San Miguel
A restored early 20th-century iron-and-glass market near Plaza Mayor, now a gourmet food hall of tapas, seafood and wine.
Puerta del Sol Must see
Madrid's central square, kilometre zero of Spain's roads, with the statue of the bear and the strawberry tree.
Gran Vía Must see
Madrid's grand early 20th-century avenue of theatres, shops and ornate office buildings.
Plaza de España Must see
A large square at the end of the Gran Vía with a monument to Cervantes, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
Temple of Debod Must see
An ancient Egyptian temple given to Spain and rebuilt in a park near Plaza de España, popular at sunset.
Madrid in 3 days
Day 1
Almudena Cathedral Must see
Madrid's cathedral, completed only in 1993, facing the Royal Palace, with a neo-Romanesque crypt.
Royal Palace of Madrid Must see
The official royal residence, used for state ceremonies, with lavish state rooms and the Royal Armoury.
Sabatini Gardens
Formal gardens with clipped hedges and fountains beside the Royal Palace, good at sunset.
Day 2
Plaza Mayor, Madrid Must see
The arcaded 17th-century main square of old Madrid, with an equestrian statue of Philip III.
Mercado de San Miguel
A restored early 20th-century iron-and-glass market near Plaza Mayor, now a gourmet food hall of tapas, seafood and wine.
Puerta del Sol Must see
Madrid's central square, kilometre zero of Spain's roads, with the statue of the bear and the strawberry tree.
Gran Vía Must see
Madrid's grand early 20th-century avenue of theatres, shops and ornate office buildings.
Plaza de España Must see
A large square at the end of the Gran Vía with a monument to Cervantes, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
Temple of Debod Must see
An ancient Egyptian temple given to Spain and rebuilt in a park near Plaza de España, popular at sunset.
Day 3
Museo del Prado Must see
One of the world's great art museums, with Velázquez's Las Meninas and works by Goya, El Greco and Bosch.
Paseo del Prado Must see
The tree-lined boulevard linking the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía museums.
Plaza de Cibeles Must see
A square around the Cybele fountain, framed by the Bank of Spain and the former main post office, now City Hall.
Madrid in 4 days
Day 1
Almudena Cathedral Must see
Madrid's cathedral, completed only in 1993, facing the Royal Palace, with a neo-Romanesque crypt.
Royal Palace of Madrid Must see
The official royal residence, used for state ceremonies, with lavish state rooms and the Royal Armoury.
Sabatini Gardens
Formal gardens with clipped hedges and fountains beside the Royal Palace, good at sunset.
Day 2
Plaza Mayor, Madrid Must see
The arcaded 17th-century main square of old Madrid, with an equestrian statue of Philip III.
Mercado de San Miguel
A restored early 20th-century iron-and-glass market near Plaza Mayor, now a gourmet food hall of tapas, seafood and wine.
Puerta del Sol Must see
Madrid's central square, kilometre zero of Spain's roads, with the statue of the bear and the strawberry tree.
Gran Vía Must see
Madrid's grand early 20th-century avenue of theatres, shops and ornate office buildings.
Plaza de España Must see
A large square at the end of the Gran Vía with a monument to Cervantes, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
Temple of Debod Must see
An ancient Egyptian temple given to Spain and rebuilt in a park near Plaza de España, popular at sunset.
Day 3
Bank of Spain
The headquarters of Spain's central bank, a 19th-century building on Plaza de Cibeles seen from outside.
Plaza de Cibeles Must see
A square around the Cybele fountain, framed by the Bank of Spain and the former main post office, now City Hall.
Paseo del Prado Must see
The tree-lined boulevard linking the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía museums.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
A private collection spanning Italian primitives to Pop Art, filling the gap between the Prado and the Reina Sofía.
Museo Reina Sofía
Madrid's national museum of modern art, best known for Picasso's Guernica, with major works by Dalí and Miró.
Day 4
Buen Retiro Park Must see
Madrid's main park, with a boating lake, the Crystal Palace and a rose garden, part of a UNESCO site with the Paseo del Prado.
Puerta de Alcalá
A neoclassical triumphal gate built for Charles III, at the edge of the Retiro.
Museo del Prado Must see
One of the world's great art museums, with Velázquez's Las Meninas and works by Goya, El Greco and Bosch.
Madrid in 5 days
Day 1
Almudena Cathedral Must see
Madrid's cathedral, completed only in 1993, facing the Royal Palace, with a neo-Romanesque crypt.
Royal Palace of Madrid Must see
The official royal residence, used for state ceremonies, with lavish state rooms and the Royal Armoury.
Sabatini Gardens
Formal gardens with clipped hedges and fountains beside the Royal Palace, good at sunset.
Day 2
Plaza Mayor, Madrid Must see
The arcaded 17th-century main square of old Madrid, with an equestrian statue of Philip III.
Mercado de San Miguel
A restored early 20th-century iron-and-glass market near Plaza Mayor, now a gourmet food hall of tapas, seafood and wine.
La Latina and Cava Baja
An old district of narrow streets where Cava Baja is packed with tapas bars and taverns, busy at weekend lunchtimes and in the evening.
Gran Vía Must see
Madrid's grand early 20th-century avenue of theatres, shops and ornate office buildings.
Day 3
Museo del Prado Must see
One of the world's great art museums, with Velázquez's Las Meninas and works by Goya, El Greco and Bosch.
Paseo del Prado Must see
The tree-lined boulevard linking the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía museums.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
A private collection spanning Italian primitives to Pop Art, filling the gap between the Prado and the Reina Sofía.
Plaza de Santa Ana (Barrio de las Letras)
A tree-shaded square in the Barrio de las Letras, ringed by theatres and terraces and old tapas bars, with a statue of Calderón.
Day 4
Puerta del Sol Must see
Madrid's central square, kilometre zero of Spain's roads, with the statue of the bear and the strawberry tree.
Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando Must see
The fine arts academy and museum on Calle de Alcalá, with works by Goya, Zurbarán and Rubens.
Plaza de Cibeles Must see
A square around the Cybele fountain, framed by the Bank of Spain and the former main post office, now City Hall.
Museo Reina Sofía
Madrid's national museum of modern art, best known for Picasso's Guernica, with major works by Dalí and Miró.
Day 5
Basilica of San Francisco el Grande, Madrid Must see
An 18th-century basilica with one of the largest church domes in Europe and paintings by Goya and Zurbarán.
Teatro Real Must see
Madrid's opera house, facing the Royal Palace across Plaza de Oriente, with guided tours.
Plaza de España Must see
A large square at the end of the Gran Vía with a monument to Cervantes, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
Museum of the Americas
Spain's national museum of the Americas, with pre-Columbian art and the Maya Madrid Codex.
Temple of Debod Must see
An ancient Egyptian temple given to Spain and rebuilt in a park near Plaza de España, popular at sunset.
Malasaña
A lively neighbourhood of vintage shops, cafes and bars, centred on Plaza del Dos de Mayo; good for a drink after dinner.
Madrid in 6 days
Day 1
Almudena Cathedral Must see
Madrid's cathedral, completed only in 1993, facing the Royal Palace, with a neo-Romanesque crypt.
Royal Palace of Madrid Must see
The official royal residence, used for state ceremonies, with lavish state rooms and the Royal Armoury.
Sabatini Gardens
Formal gardens with clipped hedges and fountains beside the Royal Palace, good at sunset.
Day 2
Plaza Mayor, Madrid Must see
The arcaded 17th-century main square of old Madrid, with an equestrian statue of Philip III.
Mercado de San Miguel
A restored early 20th-century iron-and-glass market near Plaza Mayor, now a gourmet food hall of tapas, seafood and wine.
La Latina and Cava Baja
An old district of narrow streets where Cava Baja is packed with tapas bars and taverns, busy at weekend lunchtimes and in the evening.
Gran Vía Must see
Madrid's grand early 20th-century avenue of theatres, shops and ornate office buildings.
Day 3
Museo del Prado Must see
One of the world's great art museums, with Velázquez's Las Meninas and works by Goya, El Greco and Bosch.
Paseo del Prado Must see
The tree-lined boulevard linking the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía museums.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
A private collection spanning Italian primitives to Pop Art, filling the gap between the Prado and the Reina Sofía.
Plaza de Santa Ana (Barrio de las Letras)
A tree-shaded square in the Barrio de las Letras, ringed by theatres and terraces and old tapas bars, with a statue of Calderón.
Day 4
Puerta del Sol Must see
Madrid's central square, kilometre zero of Spain's roads, with the statue of the bear and the strawberry tree.
Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando Must see
The fine arts academy and museum on Calle de Alcalá, with works by Goya, Zurbarán and Rubens.
Plaza de Cibeles Must see
A square around the Cybele fountain, framed by the Bank of Spain and the former main post office, now City Hall.
Museo Reina Sofía
Madrid's national museum of modern art, best known for Picasso's Guernica, with major works by Dalí and Miró.
Day 5
Basilica of San Francisco el Grande, Madrid Must see
An 18th-century basilica with one of the largest church domes in Europe and paintings by Goya and Zurbarán.
Plaza de España Must see
A large square at the end of the Gran Vía with a monument to Cervantes, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
Museum of the Americas
Spain's national museum of the Americas, with pre-Columbian art and the Maya Madrid Codex.
Temple of Debod Must see
An ancient Egyptian temple given to Spain and rebuilt in a park near Plaza de España, popular at sunset.
Malasaña
A lively neighbourhood of vintage shops, cafes and bars, centred on Plaza del Dos de Mayo; good for a drink after dinner.
Day 6
El Rastro Must see
Madrid's open-air flea market, held on Sunday and public holiday mornings in the streets of La Latina.
Palacio de Velázquez
A brick and iron exhibition hall in the Retiro, used by the Reina Sofía museum for temporary shows.
Palacio de Cristal
An 1887 glass and iron pavilion by a lake in the Retiro, used for contemporary art installations.
Buen Retiro Park Must see
Madrid's main park, with a boating lake, the Crystal Palace and a rose garden, part of a UNESCO site with the Paseo del Prado.
Madrid in 7 days
Day 1
Almudena Cathedral Must see
Madrid's cathedral, completed only in 1993, facing the Royal Palace, with a neo-Romanesque crypt.
Royal Palace of Madrid Must see
The official royal residence, used for state ceremonies, with lavish state rooms and the Royal Armoury.
Sabatini Gardens
Formal gardens with clipped hedges and fountains beside the Royal Palace, good at sunset.
Day 2
Plaza Mayor, Madrid Must see
The arcaded 17th-century main square of old Madrid, with an equestrian statue of Philip III.
Mercado de San Miguel
A restored early 20th-century iron-and-glass market near Plaza Mayor, now a gourmet food hall of tapas, seafood and wine.
La Latina and Cava Baja
An old district of narrow streets where Cava Baja is packed with tapas bars and taverns, busy at weekend lunchtimes and in the evening.
Gran Vía Must see
Madrid's grand early 20th-century avenue of theatres, shops and ornate office buildings.
Day 3
Museo del Prado Must see
One of the world's great art museums, with Velázquez's Las Meninas and works by Goya, El Greco and Bosch.
Paseo del Prado Must see
The tree-lined boulevard linking the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía museums.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
A private collection spanning Italian primitives to Pop Art, filling the gap between the Prado and the Reina Sofía.
Plaza de Santa Ana (Barrio de las Letras)
A tree-shaded square in the Barrio de las Letras, ringed by theatres and terraces and old tapas bars, with a statue of Calderón.
Day 4
Puerta del Sol Must see
Madrid's central square, kilometre zero of Spain's roads, with the statue of the bear and the strawberry tree.
Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando Must see
The fine arts academy and museum on Calle de Alcalá, with works by Goya, Zurbarán and Rubens.
Plaza de Cibeles Must see
A square around the Cybele fountain, framed by the Bank of Spain and the former main post office, now City Hall.
Museo Reina Sofía
Madrid's national museum of modern art, best known for Picasso's Guernica, with major works by Dalí and Miró.
Day 5
El Rastro Must see
Madrid's open-air flea market, held on Sunday and public holiday mornings in the streets of La Latina.
Basilica of San Francisco el Grande, Madrid Must see
An 18th-century basilica with one of the largest church domes in Europe and paintings by Goya and Zurbarán.
Plaza de España Must see
A large square at the end of the Gran Vía with a monument to Cervantes, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
Temple of Debod Must see
An ancient Egyptian temple given to Spain and rebuilt in a park near Plaza de España, popular at sunset.
Malasaña
A lively neighbourhood of vintage shops, cafes and bars, centred on Plaza del Dos de Mayo; good for a drink after dinner.
Day 6
Palacio de Cristal
An 1887 glass and iron pavilion by a lake in the Retiro, used for contemporary art installations.
Buen Retiro Park Must see
Madrid's main park, with a boating lake, the Crystal Palace and a rose garden, part of a UNESCO site with the Paseo del Prado.
Palacio de Velázquez
A brick and iron exhibition hall in the Retiro, used by the Reina Sofía museum for temporary shows.
Day 7
Museum of Lázaro Galdiano
A collector's mansion turned museum, with paintings by Goya and El Greco and fine decorative arts.
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales
Spain's national natural history museum, with fossils, minerals and a famous Megatherium skeleton.
Sorolla Museum
The house and garden of the painter Joaquín Sorolla, kept as he left it and hung with his sunlit paintings.
Plaza de Colón
A large square honouring Columbus, with his statue on a tall column and a giant Spanish flag.
Puerta de Alcalá
A neoclassical triumphal gate built for Charles III, at the edge of the Retiro.
Watch: Madrid in 3 days
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
Tours in Madrid
When to go to Madrid
April to June and September to October bring warm, sunny days that suit walking around Madrid. July and August are very hot, often above 35°C, and many locals leave the city in August, so some small shops and restaurants close. Winters are cold and dry but sunny, and the San Isidro festival in mid-May brings street parties and concerts.
Flight prices to Madrid by month, from where you are:
From the airport
A private transfer from the airport or station to your hotel in Madrid, booked ahead at a fixed price:
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Madrid on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Madrid on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Madrid on GetYourGuide or on Viator
- Sightseeing pass: save on Madrid's top attractions with Go City
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Spain from Airalo
- Last day: leave your bags in Madrid with Radical Storage and keep sightseeing
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Madrid
- Book the Prado and the Royal Palace ahead; both have free-entry times, which bring long queues.
- Many museums close on Mondays, but the Prado and the Royal Palace stay open.
- El Rastro flea market is held on Sunday and public holiday mornings.
- Madrid eats late: lunch is around 2 p.m. and dinner rarely before 9 p.m.
- The metro is quick and covers the centre; a rechargeable Tarjeta Multi card works for every trip.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Almudena Cathedral: Fernando, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bank of Spain: Unbekannte Autoren und Grafiker; Scan vom EDHAC e.V., Public domain
- Basilica of San Francisco el Grande, Madrid: Enrique Cordero, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Buen Retiro Park: Max Alexander / PromoMadrid, CC BY-SA 2.0
- El Rastro: unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Gran Vía: Felipe Gabaldón, CC BY 2.0
- La Latina and Cava Baja: Ivan Pascual Fernandez, CC BY-SA 3.0 es
- Malasaña: Tejiendo Malasaña, CC BY 2.0
- Mercado de San Miguel: Fernando, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales: Luis García ( Zaqarbal ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Museo del Prado: Donations_are_appreciated, CC0
- Museum of Lázaro Galdiano: Luis García ( Zaqarbal ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Museum of the Americas: Luis García ( Zaqarbal ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Palacio de Cristal: vpogarcia, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Palacio de Velázquez: Luis García ( Zaqarbal ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Paseo del Prado: tnarik from Spain, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Plaza Mayor, Madrid: Sebastian Dubiel, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
- Plaza de Cibeles: Miguel Diaz from Boadilla del Monte, España-Spain, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Plaza de Colón: Σπάρτακος, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Plaza de España: Carlos Delgado, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Plaza de Santa Ana (Barrio de las Letras): Luis García (Zaqarbal), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Puerta de Alcalá: Fernando Pascullo, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Puerta del Sol: Tomás Fano, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando: Carlos Delgado, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Royal Palace of Madrid: Carlos Delgado, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Sabatini Gardens: r0x sm, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Sorolla Museum: Luis García ( Zaqarbal ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Teatro Real: Carlos Delgado, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Temple of Debod: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jiuguangw, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum: Kyle Magnuson from Los Angeles, United States, CC BY 2.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
