Madrid wears its history on its sleeve and its joy in the streets. Once a walled Habsburg town, it expanded into a capital of grand boulevards, royal pomp, and avant‑garde art. Today it’s a city of late dinners, luminous plazas, and museums that could fill a semester.

Come for the Prado and Royal Palace; stay for the croquettes, vermouth on tap, and sunsets over the Manzanares. Neighborhoods like La Latina, Malasaña, and Chueca feel like small villages—each with its own rhythm, markets, and bars where locals still argue about football and film.

Practical notes: dinner starts late (9–11 pm), many shops pause mid‑afternoon, and timed museum tickets help you skip lines. The Metro is swift, walking is a pleasure, and caution against pickpockets in busy areas goes a long way. Pack comfy shoes—you’ll happily chase this city’s tapas trail.

Madrid

Madrid is equal parts royal grandeur and lived‑in warmth. The “Golden Triangle of Art” (Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen) sits beside leafy Retiro Park; just west, the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral anchor the old city. Beyond the headliners, you’ll find century‑old tabernas and cutting‑edge bistros trading riffs on cocido and tortilla.

Top sights include the Prado Museum, Royal Palace of Madrid, Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía, and markets like Mercado de San Miguel. Football fans can peek at the new Santiago Bernabéu; night owls ascend rooftops like Círculo de Bellas Artes to watch the skyline burn gold.

Where to stay (Hotels.com & VRBO):

• Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques — Refined rooms near the Royal Palace; quiet courtyards, a rooftop plunge pool, and art‑filled interiors.
• The Westin Palace, Madrid — Historic belle‑époque icon between the Prado and Congress; famed stained‑glass dome breakfast.
• Novotel Madrid Center — Modern comfort in Salamanca, great transit links, family‑friendly rooms.
• Melia Madrid Princesa — Contemporary rooms just above Plaza de España; easy walk to Malasaña and the Palace.
• Hostal Persal — Value stay off Plaza de Santa Ana in Barrio de las Letras; perfect for walkers.
• Room007 Ventura Hostel — Stylish budget base with social vibe in Las Letras.
• Search apartments on VRBO (Madrid) — Great for families/groups near Retiro, La Latina, or Chueca.
• Browse hotels on Hotels.com (Madrid)

Getting there & around:

• Search flights to Madrid (Omio) — Nonstops from major European hubs; typical flight times: Paris 2h, London 2.5h, Rome 2.5h.
• High‑speed trains in Spain (Omio) — Barcelona→Madrid ~2.5–3h; Seville→Madrid ~2.5h; Valencia→Madrid ~1h50m. Advance fares often €20–€70.
• Intercity buses (Omio) — Budget links to Toledo, Segovia, Ávila if traveling independently.
• Airport to center: Metro L8 to Nuevos Ministerios (~15–25 min + transfers), Cercanías from T4 to Atocha (~30–35 min), or a flat‑rate taxi (~€30) to central Madrid.

Day 1: Arrival, First Tapas, and the Old Quarter

Morning: Travel day. If you land early, drop bags and revive with coffee at Toma Café (specialty roasts) or La Mallorquina on Puerta del Sol—order a warm napolitana.

Afternoon: Settle in and stroll the Habsburg heart: Puerta del Sol → Plaza Mayor (peek at the arcades) → Mercado de San Miguel (sample olives and jamón) → Calle de Cuchilleros. Step inside Sobrino de Botín, the world’s oldest restaurant, to see the wood ovens that still roast suckling pig.

Evening: A classic tapas crawl in Barrio de las Letras. Start at Casa Labra (cod fritters since 1860), continue to La Venencia (sherry bar; cash only, no photos) and Casa González (cheese and charcuterie). End with churros y chocolate at Chocolatería San Ginés. Nightcap options: 1862 Dry Bar (Malasaña) for cocktails or Angelita (wine bar with a seasonal by‑the‑glass list).

Day 2: Prado, Retiro, and Flamenco Night

Morning: Dive into the Spanish masters with a guided visit to the Prado—Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Bosch. Booking a timed slot saves you precious minutes.

Book: Prado Museum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket

Lunch: Dine next door at Arzábal Museo (superb croquettes, steak tartare, and a breezy terrace) or El Botánico (traditional raciones). For a faster bite, order a tortilla slice at Pez Tortilla in nearby Huertas.

Afternoon: Wander Retiro Park: row a boat on the lake, pause at the Palacio de Cristal’s art installation, then cross to the Puerta de Alcalá and chic Salamanca streets for window‑shopping or a coffee at Misión Café.

Evening: Feel Madrid’s duende at an intimate tablao. Essential Flamenco hosts a purist show in a vaulted cellar—close‑up guitar, heelwork, and cante that raises goosebumps.

Book: Essential Flamenco: Pure Flamenco Show in the Heart of Madrid

Pre‑ or post‑show dinner ideas nearby: La Castela (seafood‑leaning tapas; try the ensaladilla) or La Sanabresa (home‑style Spanish plates; excellent value). If you’re after a view, finish with a late gin‑tonic at the Azotea del Círculo de Bellas Artes rooftop.

Day 3: Storybook Spain — Toledo & Segovia Day Trip

Trace Spain’s medieval tapestry with an expertly led day trip. In Toledo, walk lanes where Christian, Jewish, and Muslim cultures intertwined; step inside the Cathedral’s art‑laden chapels. In Segovia, marvel at the Roman aqueduct and the fairy‑tale Alcázar perched above the Eresma valley. Many departures include lunch; if not, order cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig) in Segovia.

Book: From Madrid: Toledo & Segovia with Cathedral, Alcazar & Lunch

Expect about 10–11 hours door‑to‑door with morning departure and early evening return to central Madrid. Back in town, keep dinner easy: cocido madrileño at La Bola (book an early table) or raciones at El Anciano Rey de los Vinos opposite the Royal Palace.

Day 4: Royal Palace, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Begin with coffee and a sweet at Pastelería El Riojano (historical pastry shop) or a quick churro dip at San Ginés. Then step into Spain’s Versailles: the Royal Palace’s grand staircase, Throne Room, and royal armory reveal a world of silk walls and chandeliers. Early slots help if you’re flying out later.

Book: Madrid: Royal Palace Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket

Afternoon: Time permitting, pop into Almudena Cathedral’s plaza for photos, then walk Calle Arenal back toward Sol for a last tapa—boquerones at Bodega La Ardosa or calamari sandwich near Plaza Mayor. Collect your bags and head to the airport via Metro, Cercanías from Atocha/T4, or a €30 flat‑fare taxi.

Evening: Departure day—if your flight is later, wander Malasaña’s vintage shops on Calle Velarde or Chueca’s boutiques on Calle Hortaleza. Grab a final cortado at Hola Coffee and promise yourself you’ll be back.

Insider dining cheat‑sheet (save for later):

• Traditional: La Bola (cocido), Casa Lucio (huevos rotos), Casa Revuelta (cod), Lhardy (stew and broths at the historic counter).
• Modern tapas: Sala de Despiece (counter‑style creativity), Arzábal (by the Prado), La Castela (perfect croquettes).
• Markets & snacks: Mercado de San Miguel (gourmet stalls), Mercado de Antón Martín (global bites + specialty coffee upstairs).
• Cocktails & wine: Salmon Guru (playful cocktails), Del Diego (classic), Angelita (deep wine list), La Venencia (sherry only).

Good to know: The Royal Palace can close for state events; always check your tour’s confirmation time. Museum free hours draw crowds—arrive early or go guided. Tipping is modest; round up or leave 5–10% for sit‑down meals when service shines.

Optional add‑ons if you have more time: Reina Sofía (Picasso’s Guernica), Thyssen‑Bornemisza (from Renaissance to pop art), Temple of Debod at sunset, and a peek at the revamped Bernabéu if you’re football‑minded.

Four days in Madrid blend art‑house mornings, leafy walks, and tapas‑lit nights. You’ll leave knowing Velázquez and Goya by sight—and exactly where to find your favorite croquette. Hasta pronto.