Madrid Itinerary: 5 Days in the Spanish Capital

Quick answer

This five-day Madrid itinerary focuses on the 'Golden Triangle of Art', the historic Habsburg district, and a day trip to Segovia. Expect to walk 8-12km daily, spend €100-€150 ($110-$165) per person per day including mid-range accommodation, and visit major sites like the Museo del Prado and Palacio Real. April to June and September to October provide the most temperate weather for walking between neighbourhoods like Chueca and La Latina.

Trip summary

• Duration: 5 days.
• Ideal traveller: Culture seekers, food enthusiasts, and art history fans.
• Pace: Moderate to high (significant walking on cobblestones).
• Approximate daily budget: €110–€160 ($120–$175) per person.
• Best season: Spring (April–May) and Autumn (September–October) to avoid 40°C summer heat.

Day 1: Old Madrid and the Royal Palace

Morning: Start at Puerta del Sol, the city's central point. Walk 5 minutes to Plaza Mayor to see the frescoed Casa de la Panadería. Continue 10 minutes west to the Mercado de San Miguel for a quick snack of olives or vermouth. Walk another 5 minutes to the Catedral de la Almudena.

Afternoon: Visit the Palacio Real (Royal Palace). Entry costs approximately €14 ($15). Spend two hours viewing the Royal Armoury and the Throne Room. Walk north for 10 minutes through the Sabatini Gardens toward Plaza de España to see the Cervantes monument.

Evening: Walk 15 minutes south into the La Latina neighbourhood. Focus on Calle de la Cava Baja for a tapas crawl. Visit Casa Lucas for modern pinchos or Los Huevos de Lucio for traditional broken eggs with ham.

Transport: Walking only. Walking load: 6-8km. Logic: Starting at the geographic centre allows you to orient yourself with the city's oldest landmarks before moving into the traditional dining heart of the capital.

Day 2: The Golden Triangle of Art and Retiro Park

Morning: Head to the Museo del Prado. Pre-book a 10:00 slot to see Velázquez’s Las Meninas and Goya’s Black Paintings. Entry is approximately €15 ($16). Allow three hours.

Afternoon: Cross the Paseo del Prado to the Botanical Gardens (€4 / $4.50) or walk 5 minutes to the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Afterward, enter El Retiro Park through the Puerta de Felipe IV. Walk to the Palacio de Cristal and the Estanque Grande (Great Lake).

Evening: Walk 10 minutes north of the park to the Salamanca district. Dine at Platea, a converted cinema turned gourmet food hall, or find a bistro along Calle de Jorge Juan.

Transport: Metro Line 2 to Banco de España or Retiro. Walking load: 10km. Logic: These sites are clustered along the 'Landscape of Light' UNESCO corridor, making it efficient to combine world-class art with the city's largest green space.

Day 3: Modern Art and Literary Quarters

Morning: Visit the Museo Reina Sofía near Atocha station. Focus on Picasso’s Guernica on the second floor. Entry is approximately €12 ($13). Walk 10 minutes north into Barrio de las Letras (Literary Quarter), where writers like Cervantes lived.

Afternoon: Explore the independent boutiques of Calle de las Huertas. Walk 15 minutes north to the Chueca and Malasaña districts. These areas are known for vintage shops and coffee houses like Toma Café.

Evening: Attend a flamenco show in a 'tablao'. Cardamomo or Casa Patas (near Antón Martín) offer shows starting at approximately €30 ($33). Have dinner in a traditional 'taberna' nearby, such as Taberna Maceira for Galician seafood.

Transport: Metro Line 1 to Atocha or Antón Martín. Walking load: 7km. Logic: Moving from the modern art of the 20th century into the historic literary district provides a narrative transition from Spain's visual history to its cultural soul.

Day 4: Segovia Day Trip

Morning: Take the Avant high-speed train from Madrid Chamartín station to Segovia Guiomar. The journey takes 28 minutes and costs approximately €14 ($15) each way. Take the local Bus 11 to the Roman Aqueduct.

Afternoon: Walk 15 minutes through the Jewish Quarter to the Segovia Cathedral. Continue 10 minutes to the Alcázar of Segovia, the fortress that inspired Disney’s castle. Entry to the castle and tower is approximately €10 ($11). Eat 'cochinillo' (suckling pig) at Mesón de Cándido.

Evening: Return to Madrid by train. For a late dinner, visit the rooftop bar at Círculo de Bellas Artes (entry €5 / $5.50) for a view over the Gran Vía.

Transport: High-speed rail plus local Segovia buses. Walking load: 9km (hilly terrain). Logic: Segovia is the most accessible day trip that offers a total contrast to Madrid’s 19th-century architecture with its Roman and Medieval structures.

Day 5: Local Markets and Sky-High Views

Morning: Visit the El Rastro flea market if it is Sunday (starts at 09:00 near Metro La Latina). If it is a weekday, visit the Museo Sorolla, the former home and studio of painter Joaquín Sorolla (Entry €3 / $3.30).

Afternoon: Head to the Temple of Debod, an authentic Egyptian temple gifted to Spain. Walk 10 minutes to the Faro de Moncloa, a 92-metre transmission tower with an observation deck (€4 / $4.50), or ride the Teleférico (cable car) from Pintor Rosales into Casa de Campo park.

Evening: Final dinner in the Conde Duque area. Try La Tasquita de Enfrente for high-end seasonal Spanish cuisine or panic for artisanal bread and simple plates.

Transport: Metro Line 3 to Moncloa or Line 5 to La Latina. Walking load: 6km. Logic: This day captures the leisure side of Madrilenian life, balancing crowded local markets with expansive views and quiet parkland.

Estimated costs

Prices are estimates based on 2024 data; check official sites before you go.

Reservations to book ahead

• Museo del Prado: Book at least 48 hours in advance for morning slots.
• Palacio Real: Required if you want to avoid 60-90 minute queues.
• High-speed train to Segovia: Tickets on Renfe Avant are cheaper and guaranteed when booked 1-2 weeks out.
• Flamenco shows: Popular venues like Cardamomo sell out on weekends.
• DiverXO or high-end dining: If seeking Michelin stars, book 2-3 months in advance.

Common mistakes

• Eating dinner at 19:00: Most authentic kitchens do not open until 20:30 or 21:00. Eating earlier usually means visiting tourist-orientated venues.
• Tipping like the US: A 10% tip is generous in Madrid; rounding up the bill or leaving a few euros is standard practice for locals.
• Underestimating the sun: Even in May, the sun at Madrid's high altitude (667m) is intense. Carry water and wear sunscreen.
• Forgetting the Siesta: While major museums and chains stay open, many smaller boutiques and family-run pharmacies close between 14:00 and 17:00.
• Buying a 10-trip Metro pass for one person: The 'Tarjeta Multi' can be shared between multiple people; don't buy two separate cards for a couple.

Plan your trip

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FAQ

Is 5 days enough for Madrid? Five days allows for a thorough exploration of the major art museums, several distinct neighbourhoods, and one significant day trip to a nearby city like Segovia or Toledo without rushing.

What is the best way to get around Madrid? The Metro is efficient, clean, and covers almost all tourist sites. A 10-trip 'Metrobus' ticket costs approximately €12.20 plus €2.50 for the reusable card and is valid on both buses and trains within Zone A.

Is Madrid expensive for tourists? Madrid is generally more affordable than London, Paris, or New York. A beer (caña) is typically €2-€3 and a three-course lunch (menú del día) can be found for €12-€18.

When are Madrid museums free? The Prado is free Monday to Saturday 18:00–20:00 and Sundays 17:00–19:00, but queues are very long and time inside is limited.