Madrid wears its history like a well-loved jacket—stately on the outside, spirited at the seams. From Habsburg plazas to Belle Époque boulevards and bold contemporary art, the Spanish capital moves at a late-supper, long-conversation pace that invites you to linger.

Founded as a 16th-century royal seat, Madrid today is a mosaic of barrios: elegant Salamanca, bohemian Malasaña, literary Las Letras, and tapas-humming La Latina. The “Art Triangle” (Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen) rivals any on earth, while the Royal Palace still stages state ceremonies beneath glittering chandeliers.

Practical notes: dinner is late (9–11 pm), shops often break for lunch, and nightlife runs deep into the night. The Metro is fast and clean; ride-share and taxis are plentiful; and day trips by high-speed train are a breeze. Pack comfortable shoes—this is a walking city where every corner reveals a vermouth bar, a tiled facade, or a new favorite bakery.

Madrid

Where to stay (budget ~73/100): Mix comfort with a few splurge nights. Search broad options on VRBO or Hotels.com, or consider these vetted picks:

• Novotel Madrid Center (Salamanca): Big rooms, excellent breakfast, easy Metro—great mid-range base.
• Hostal Persal (Las Letras): Value stay steps from Plaza Santa Ana and tapas-filled streets.
• Room007 Ventura Hostel (Las Letras): Social, clean, and central—good for solo travelers.
• Melia Madrid Princesa (Argüelles): Modern comforts near the palace and Debod Temple sunsets.
• Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques (Austrias): Former palace with a lovely rooftop—ideal for a 2–3 night splurge.
• The Westin Palace, Madrid (Paseo del Prado): Classic stained-glass dome lobby near the museums.

Getting to Madrid: For long-haul flights, compare fares on Trip.com Flights (useful for non-Europe departures). Within Europe, check Omio Flights for low-cost options (e.g., London–Madrid ~2.5 hours, often $60–150). From Madrid Barajas (MAD) to center: Metro Line 8 (~30 mins), Cercanías C1/C10 to Atocha (~25 mins), or flat-fare taxi (~€30).

Days 1–3: Old Madrid, Royal Splendor, and First Tapas Crawl

Start in the historic core—Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and the arcaded streets of Habsburg Madrid (Madrid de los Austrias). Warm up with churros at Chocolatería San Ginés, then wander to the 18th-century Royal Palace and its Sabatini Gardens.

For an engaging deep dive, join a skip-the-line palace tour. Guides bring Bourbon dynasties, velvet-clad salons, and the Royal Armoury to life—ideal for history lovers.

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  Madrid: Royal Palace Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket

Eat your way through nearby markets: Mercado de San Miguel for a graze (oysters, croquetas, jamón), or Mercado de la Paz for the legendary Spanish tortilla at Casa Dani. For sit-down lunch, try El Cisne Azul (wild mushrooms, seasonal game) or La Castela (razor clams, house vermouth).

Dinner ideas: Sobrino de Botín (the world’s oldest restaurant, roast suckling pig), Casa Lucio (famous huevos rotos), or modern Spanish at Sala de Despiece (counter dining; book ahead). Nightcaps: La Venencia (old-school sherry bar—no photos), 1862 Dry Bar (classic cocktails), or award-winning Salmon Guru (playful, inventive drinks).

Coffee/breakfast picks: Toma Café (Malasaña, specialty roaster), HanSo Café (Asian-inspired pastries), La Duquesita (heritage pastry shop). Sunset tip: climb to the Templo de Debod overlook for golden-hour city views.

Days 4–6: The Art Triangle, Retiro Rowboats, and Literary Quarter Wine Bars

Dedicate a day to the Prado’s Goya, Velázquez, and Bosch—then stroll the leafy Retiro Park, gliding a rowboat across its lake beneath the Alfonso XII monument. Continue to Reina Sofía for Picasso’s “Guernica,” and the Thyssen for an art-history-through-the-ages sampler.

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  Prado Museum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line

Spend an evening in Barrio de las Letras (the Literary Quarter), where Cervantes once walked. Sip Spanish wines at Angelita (stellar by-the-glass list) and nibble gildas and anchovies at classic taverns. For rooftop views, try Azotea del Círculo (Gran Vía skyline) or Picalagartos.

Foodie highlights: Taberna El Sur (affordable Andalusian tapas), La Trainera (old-school seafood), and Casa Revuelta (golden bacalao fritters by Plaza Mayor). For a sweet intermission, grab a slice of Madrid’s famed tarta de queso (cheesecake) at trending pastry bars in Chueca and Malasaña.

Days 7–9: Malasaña, Chueca, Chamberí—Markets, Street Art, and a Food Tour

Explore the indie boutiques and murals of Malasaña, then the stylish storefronts of Chueca. Delve into Chamberí for the Sorolla Museum (sunlit Valencian seascapes) and the ghostly Andén 0 (a beautifully preserved 1919 metro station).

Fuel the adventure with a guided food tour through the historic center—perfect for discovering bites you might miss: cecina, artisan cheeses, Madrid-style callos, and vermouth on tap.

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  Madrid Historic Centre Food Tour (10+ Tastings)

Lunch ideas: graze at Mercado de Antón Martín (international stalls), try croquettes at Casa Julio, or order mushrooms “a la plancha” at El Cisne Azul. For dinner, Sala de Despiece showcases produce-driven Spanish cuisine in theatrical form—book a counter spot if you can.

Nightlife: begin with sunset vermouth at El Viajero (La Latina rooftop), then bar-hop along Cava Baja. Clubs to consider: multi-level Teatro Kapital near Atocha or the late-night temple Fabrik for big-name DJs (check schedules).

Days 10–12: Epic Day Trips—Toledo, Segovia, and a Taste of Castilla

Break up the city days with easy train adventures. For transport, compare Omio Trains and Omio Buses for times and fares.

• Toledo: High-speed Avant from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha to Toledo (~33 mins; ~€14–25 one-way). Explore the cathedral’s El Greco works, Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, and the hilltop viewpoints. Try marzipan at Santo Tomé and carcamusas stew in a traditional tavern.
• Segovia: Fast trains from Chamartín-Clara Campoamor to Segovia-Guiomar (~28–35 mins; ~€10–25 one-way), then a short bus/taxi to the aqueduct and fairy-tale Alcázar. Feast on cochinillo (roast suckling pig) at a classic asador like those near the aqueduct.
• Ávila or Cuenca (optional): Ávila’s intact medieval walls (regional train ~1.5–2 hrs). Cuenca’s “hanging houses” and rocky landscapes (AVE ~1 hr from Atocha to Cuenca–Fernando Zóbel).

Prefer a guided day out? Choose one comprehensive Toledo/Segovia coach tour on a free day or keep it DIY by train; either way, you’ll get UNESCO history, Roman engineering, and hearty Castilian cuisine.

Back in Madrid, unwind at Madrid Río (riverside paths under the restored Manzanares bridges) or take on the glass skywalk at the 360º Rooftop (Riu Plaza España) for an adrenaline-tinged city panorama.

Days 13–15: Flamenco, Lavapiés Flavors, Stadiums, and Farewell Feasts

Explore multicultural Lavapiés—Indian thalis, Ethiopian injera, and inventive tapas tucked into colorful streets. Swing through Matadero Madrid, a contemporary arts complex in former slaughterhouses, then stroll the river parks and bridges.

By night, feel Madrid’s pulse at a live flamenco performance—palmas, cante, and percussive footwork in an intimate theater setting.

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  Authentic Flamenco Show at the Madrid Theater

Football fans can tour the revamped Santiago Bernabéu (trophy rooms, pitch views) or visit Atlético’s Metropolitano for a peek at modern stadium design. For an unforgettable final dinner, book Botín or go for Madrid’s winter comfort classic, cocido madrileño, at a historic casa de comidas.

Cap your trip with a sweeping city overview on a panoramic route if you missed any highlights, snapping skyline photos and marking favorites for next time.

Optional: City Overview by Bus

Early in your stay, a quick lap around the city offers superb orientation for first-timers and photographers.

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  Big Bus Madrid Panoramic City Tour

Local Logistics and Money-Savers

• Metro & Buses: Run roughly 6:00–1:30. Consider a Tourist Travel Pass for unlimited rides over several days; top up a reusable “Multi” card at stations.
• Dining hours: Lunch 2–4 pm, dinner 9–11 pm; book popular spots. Many classic bars stand at the counter for faster service and lower prices.
• Free museum windows: Prado and Reina Sofía offer late-afternoon free hours—arrive early to queue.
• Arriving/Departing within Europe: Compare trains/buses on Omio Trains and Omio Buses. For regional flights, check Omio Flights.

Coffee & Breakfast short list: Toma Café (Malasaña, flat whites), HanSo Café (matcha pancakes, Japanese cheesecakes), Misión Café (sourdough toasts), La Duquesita (heritage pastries), El Riojano (19th‑century tearoom).

Tapas & Dinner short list: La Castela (razor clams, croquetas), El Cisne Azul (mushrooms), Casa Lucio (huevos rotos), Sobrino de Botín (roast meats), Sala de Despiece (modern Spanish), Casa Dani (tortilla), Casa Revuelta (bacalao), Angelita (wine bar), La Trainera (seafood).

For an efficient art-and-history arc, pair a palace tour with Prado highlights, add a food tour to map your favorite bites, and save a late night for flamenco. Madrid rewards curiosity and long walks—then says “stay for one more tapa.”