Home » Destinations » Europe » Spain » Madrid » Madrid Itinerary: 4 Days
- Last Updated on December 15, 2024
Madrid is the capital of Spain, both politically and culturally. This city is the heart of the nation and the country’s best introduction to Spanish culture. Come for the fine museums and palace, stay for the tapas and friendly people. Whether you are looking to sightsee like mad, or join the locals relaxing in the Parque de Retiro, there is something for everyone here. While there are enough things to do here to keep you busy for a week, you can see Madrid’s most important sights in 4 days with this itinerary. Do the activities in the order listed to optimize your time.
Table Of Contents - Madrid Itinerary
STAR RATING KEY:
★★★ Top priority
★★ Highly recommended
★ Worthwhile
No Star – Skippable if not interested
Day 1: Madrid Itinerary For 4 Days
If you have extra time on this day, consider adding the Real Fábrica de Tapices to your itinerary.
Prado Museum (Museo Nacional del Prado)
The Prado is arguably Europe’s best collection of paintings, and a crucial stop on this 4-day Madrid itinerary. The museum boasts typical works by great masters, such as Rafael, Rubens, and Titian. However, paintings by the Spanish masters Goya, Velázquez, and El Greco are the highlight of the collection. If your time is limited, focus on works by these three artists. Buy your tickets online in advance to avoid long lines at the entrance. Get there when the museum opens to avoid the crowds.
Cost and Hours: €15 per adult. Free admission Mon-Sat 6:00pm-8:00pm, Sun and holidays 5:00pm-7:00pm. Open Mon-Sat 10:00am-8:00pm, Sun and holidays 10:00am-7:00pm.
Address: C. de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.museodelprado.es/en/
Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
This is one of the best modern art museums in Europe. This impressive collection includes works by Spanish masters Picasso, Dalí, and Miró, as well as works by other notable artists, such as Kandinsky. The highlight of the collection is Picasso’s Guernica. This huge painting is one of the most famous pieces of modern art in the world. There is a good laminated English handout you can find on nearby walls that explains the significance of the painting in a way anyone can understand. If you love modern art, you can spend several hours here. If you hate modern art, make a bee-line for Guernica and then exit. It’s worth entering just to see that one painting.
Cost and Hours: €12 per adult. Free admission during the last 2 hours Wed-Mon. Open Wed-Mon 10:00am-9:00pm (closes 2:30pm Sun). Closed Tuesdays.
Address: C. de Sta. Isabel, 52, 28012 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.museoreinasofia.es/en/
Parque El Retiro
Formerly a private garden for Spain’s monarchs, this enormous public park is the place for locals to escape the city. There are plenty of things to do here to take a break from your typical sightseeing. Good bets are: rent a paddle boat on the lake, go for a stroll around the grounds, take a nap on the grass, or people-watch on a bench. Whatever you do, make sure to take a moment to just relax. Additionally, if you like to exercise on vacation, this is a great place to do that.
Cost and Hours: Free. Open 6:00am-12:00am (closes 10:00pm Oct-Mar).
Address: Plaza de la Independencia, 7, 28001 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.esmadrid.com/en/
Day 2: Madrid Itinerary For 4 Days
Museum of the Americas (Museo de América)
The Museo de América has an interesting, wide-ranging collection of artifacts from North and South America. Given the vast area that the Spanish settled, this museum covers a lot of territory. The majority of these items come from discovery expeditions and colonial travels, but the collection ranges from prehistoric times to modern day.
Cost and Hours: €3 per adult. Free admission Thursdays after 2:00pm and Sundays all day. Open Tues-Sat 9:30am-3:00pm (closes 7:00pm Thursdays). Open Sundays 10:00am-3:00pm. Closed Mondays.
Address: Av. de los Reyes Católicos, 6, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.culturaydeporte.gob.es/
Eat Churros With Chocolate at Chocolatería San Gines
Churros (fried dough) with chocolate is a quintessential Spanish food experience. This dish is appropriate any time of day, morning or night. Chocolatería San Gines has the best churros and the best chocolate, hands down. However, one big downside is that you almost always have to wait in line. Even so, most people agree it’s worth the wait.
Hours: Open Mon-Thurs 8:00am-11:30pm, Fri-Sun 8:00am-1:30am.
Address: Pasadizo de San Ginés, 5, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.chocolateriasangines.com
Royal Palace (Palacio Real)
Spain’s Palacio Real is one of the most lavishly decorated palaces in all of Europe. A visit here is a must for any Madrid itinerary. Though the Spanish Royal Family no longer lives here, it remains a royal residence, and is used for official state functions. This 18th-century palace is enormous, with its interior covered head to toe with frescoes, paintings, tapestries, and gold leaf. Most of the rooms are available to tour on a self-guided, one-way route. Buy your tickets online in advance to avoid waiting in line.
Cost and Hours: €13 per adult. Free to visit between Mon-Thurs 5:00pm-7:00pm April-September. Open Mon-Sat 10:00am-6:00pm (palace closes 7:00pm Apr-Sept, gardens still close at 6:00pm), Sun 10:00am-4:00pm.
Address: C. de Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.patrimonionacional.es/en/
Plaza Mayor
The Plaza Mayor is the main square of the old town. Perhaps the most famous landmark in the city, it is a key stop on this 4-day Madrid itinerary. The plaza is particularly notable for its symmetric architecture and rectangular construction. This is where citizens of Madrid have gathered for centuries to watch cultural spectacles, such as bullfights and Spanish Inquisition trials/executions. Today, it is mainly left to the tourists.
Address: Pl. Mayor, 28012 Madrid, Spain
Mercado de San Miguel
This iron-and-glass marketplace by the Plaza Mayor is the ideal place to dip your toes into tapas. Best visited at night, this food hall is full to the brim with upscale counters selling Spanish favorites (think olives, cheese, ham, beer, and wine). This is a must-do experience.
Cost and Hours: Free to enter. Open daily 10:00am-12:00am (closes 1:00am Fri-Sat).
Address: Pl. de San Miguel, s/n, 28005 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.mercadodesanmiguel.es/en/
Day 3: Madrid Itinerary For 4 Days
Sorolla Museum (Museo Sorolla)
This building was the home of late Spanish impressionist Joaquín Sorolla. This museum displays the largest collection of his works in his Andalusian (southern Spain) style house. It is one of the most enjoyable art museums in the city, and won’t take up too much of your time or money. Don’t miss the traditional Andalusian garden.
Cost and Hours: €3. Open Tues-Sat 9:30am-8:00pm, Sun 10:00am-3:00pm. Closed Mondays.
Address: P.º del Gral. Martínez Campos, 37, 28010 Madrid, Spain
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
This museum holds one of the best private art collections ever. It comprises paintings of nearly every style, including medieval works, early renaissance pieces, an impressive collection of impressionism, and modern art. Expect to spend 2-3 hours here. We recommend advance booking of tickets, but it’s not as important here as it is for the Prado.
Cost and Hours: €13 per adult. Free entry Mondays (online booking mandatory). Open Mon 12:00pm-4:00pm, Tues-Sun 10:00am-7:00pm.
Address: P.º del Prado, 8, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.museothyssen.org/en/
Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales
This convent was started by Juana de Austria, daughter of King Carlos V, for the express purpose of housing noble nuns. In medieval times, noblewomen had to either be married off to powerful men to form alliances, or become nuns. This monastery is unique, because any woman who wanted to join the sisterhood had to bring a dowry. This dowry of paintings, frescoes, and tapestries is on display today in the former dormitory of the nuns. There are about 20 nuns who still live here.
Cost and Hours: €6. Open Tues-Sat 10:00am-2:00pm and 4:00pm-6:30pm, Sun 10:00am-3:00pm. Closed Mondays.
Address: Plaza de las Descalzas, s/n, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.patrimonionacional.es/en/
Puerta del Sol
Puerta del Sol is the main square of modern Madrid. It is a major metro hub, and a common place for political demonstrations. You’ll probably pass through here during your time in Madrid, whether you mean to or not. While you’re here, make sure to snap a photo with the two famous landmarks located here: the Tío Pepe sign and the statue of a bear. These may not be much to look at, but they have been symbols of Madrid for nearly 100 years.
Day 4: Madrid Itinerary For 4 Days
Day Trip To Toledo
Toledo is one of the most popular places to visit in Spain, despite its small size. It is a beautiful city on a hill less than an hour away from Madrid. Toledo enjoyed its heyday in medieval times, when it was the capital of Spain. It has seen the rise and fall of multiple empires, and each has had its influence on the city. When the country’s capital was moved to Madrid in the 1500s, Toledo’s importance abruptly decreased, and development halted. Thus, the city has not changed much since medieval times. This is precisely what makes it such a gorgeous tourist destination today. The only must-see sight is the Toledo Cathedral. Spend the rest of your time wandering the cobblestone alleyways and soaking up the charm.
If You Have Time, Add To Your Madrid Itinerary
Real Fábrica de Tapices
This factory has been weaving tapestries the old-fashioned way, on original looms, for over 300 years. The tapestries hanging in the Royal Palace were created here, with each work of art taking years to complete. You can take a guided tour of the factory and see Goya’s original cartoons that guided the weavers in the 1700s. For guided tours, book in advance on their website.
Cost and Hours: €5 per person. Open Mon-Fri 10:00am-2:00pm. Closed weekends.
Address: Calle Fuenterrabía, 2, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.realfabricadetapices.com/en/
Practical Info
Getting Around Madrid
You don’t need a car in Madrid. Most of the city is walkable. For more distant sights (or on days too hot to walk), it has an excellent metro system that is clean, cheap, and easy to use. Use google maps on your phone to navigate from place to place.
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