Madrid 6 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & City Center Exploration

  • Accommodation: Hotel Villa Magna or Hotel Ritz Madrid (Luxury), Only YOU Boutique Hotel or The Urban Jungle House (Mid-range), Ok Hostel or Generator Madrid (Budget)
  • Breakfast: Café Federal (Gran Vía, 68) or Federal Café & Bakery (Calle del Barquillo, 23)
  • Activities:
    • Puerta del Sol: The heart of the city, where the famous “Kilometer Zero” is located.
    • Plaza Mayor: One of Madrid’s most iconic squares with beautiful architecture.
    • Palacio Real: The Royal Palace, an impressive baroque-style palace housing vast collections of art and ornate decorations.
  • Lunch: Casa Alberto (Calle de Alcalá, 42) or Mercado San Miguel (Plaza de San Miguel, s/n)
  • Transportation: Metro is the best way to get around Madrid. Get a 10-journey travel card for convenience.

Day 2: Art & Museums

  • Activities:
    • Prado Museum: Home to works by Goya, Velázquez, and El Greco.
    • Reina Sofia Museum: Showcasing Spanish art, with Picasso’s Guernica being the main attraction.
    • Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum: A collection of European art spanning from the 14th to the 20th century.
  • Lunch: Botín (Calle de Cervantes, 12) or Casa Museo Lozano (Calle de la Libertad, 4)
  • Dinner & Entertainment: Tablao Flamenco Cordobes (Calle Morería, 17), Corral de la Morería (Plaza de la Paja, 1), or Candela Flamenco (Calle de las Carretas, 6)

Day 3: Parks & Nature

  • Activities:
    • Retiro Park: A beautiful green space with the stunning Crystal Palace.
    • Temple of Debod: An ancient Egyptian temple, gifted to Spain and rebuilt at this location.
    • El Capricho (Palacio de El Capricho): A romantic neoclassical palace designed by Francisco de Sabatini.
  • Lunch: Casa Julián (Calle Velázquez, 52) or Choko (Calle Velázquez, 13)

Day 4: Modern Madrid

  • Activities:
    • Reina Sofia Museum (revisit for its contemporary art collection)
    • CaixaForum (Plaza de la Villa, 3)
    • Serrano Street (for designer shopping and trendy restaurants)
  • Lunch: DiverXO (Calle de Padre Damián, 23), or Santceloni (Calle Velázquez, 108)
  • Dinner & Entertainment: Chueca neighborhood (known for its LGBTQ+ culture and vibrant nightlife)

Day 5: Day Trip to Toledo

  • Transportation: Take a train from Atocha Station. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes.
  • Activities:
    • Alcázar (Toledo Castle): Explore this medieval castle with stunning views of the city.
    • Cathedral of Toledo: A Gothic cathedral housing relics from Christian history.
    • Jewish Quarter (El Barrio de Santo Tomé): Discover the rich history and architecture of this area.
  • Lunch: Casa Marcelo (Plaza del Ayuntamiento, s/n) or Meson de Cándido (Calle del Arenal, 23)
  • Dinner & Return to Madrid: Dine in Toledo before heading back to Madrid by train in the evening.

Day 6: Farewell Madrid

  • Breakfast: Last chance to try any dishes you may have missed!
  • Activities: Spend your last hours shopping for souvenirs, relaxing at a café, or visiting any spots you might have missed during the week.