Madrid wears its history in bold letters: Habsburg plazas, Bourbon boulevards, and the “Golden Triangle of Art” that shelters masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and Picasso. Yet it’s the city’s daily rhythm—vermouth at noon, tapas that arrive with your drink, late dinners in hidden taverns—that wins hearts.

Expect friendly prices if you eat like a local, especially at mercados and neighborhood bars. Time your museum visits for late-afternoon free hours, grab a “menú del día” for value-packed lunches, and ride the Metro for fast, cheap connections. Dinner starts late; embrace it.

Practical notes: Madrid-Barajas (MAD) is well connected; the Metro and airport bus make arrivals easy. Pickpockets target crowded areas around Sol and major sights—stay aware. Most places accept cards, but small bars may prefer cash. Español helps, but Madrileños are patient with visitors.

Madrid

Madrid is a city of plazas and conversations—where you linger over coffee, browse a market, then catch sunset from a rooftop. Its neighborhoods each have a mood: elegant Salamanca, bohemian Malasaña, lively La Latina, global Lavapiés.

Top sights include the Prado, Reina Sofía (home to Picasso’s Guernica), the Royal Palace, Retiro Park and its glass pavilion, and football-crazy Santiago Bernabéu. Food is a highlight: crispy calamari sandwiches by Plaza Mayor, tortilla at historic taverns, and churros at midnight.

• Stay on budget: Hunt “menú del día” (weekday set lunch), free museum last-entry slots, and tapas streets like Cava Baja (La Latina) and Calle Jesús/Huertas.
• Local tip: Order “una caña” (small beer) or “un vermut de grifo” (vermouth on tap) and let the tapas flow.

How to get there (choose what fits):

• Flights to MAD: Compare long-haul options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From elsewhere in Europe, check Omio flights.
• Trains within Europe: AVE high-speed from Barcelona (~2.5h) or Seville (~2.5h). Search times/fares on Omio trains.
• Airport to city: Metro Line 8 (supplement applies), or 24/7 Airport Express bus to Atocha (~€5, ~40 min).

Where to stay (budget-forward picks + great value):

• Browse apartments on VRBO Madrid or hotels on Hotels.com Madrid.
• Room007 Ventura Hostel (budget, social, Huertas): See details.
• Hostal Persal (value, steps from Plaza Santa Ana): See details.
• Novotel Madrid Center (reliable mid-range, Salamanca/Retiro side): See details.
• Melia Madrid Princesa (upper-mid, near Plaza de España): See details.
• The Westin Palace, Madrid and Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques (splurge favorites if you upgrade): Westin Palace | Gran Meliá Palacio.

Day 1: Old Madrid First Tastes + City Orientation

Morning: Travel day. Land, drop bags, and grab a quick fuel-up at La Mallorquina (since 1894) on Puerta del Sol—order a “napolitana” pastry and café con leche. If you’re in Malasaña, Toma Café roasts excellent beans; try the flat white.

Afternoon: Stroll Sol → Plaza Mayor (peek at the arcades) → Mercado de San Miguel to graze: aceitunas, croquetas, and a tapa-sized “ensaladilla rusa.” Then hop an engaging overview ride on the Welcome Tour to Madrid in Private Eco Tuk Tuk (2 hours)—it’s a fun, unique way to map the city’s neighborhoods and top sights without aching feet.

Welcome Tour to Madrid in Private Eco Tuk Tuk

Evening: Tapas in La Latina: along Cava Baja, try Bodega de la Ardosa (historic vermutería and stellar tortilla), Casa Revuelta (hot cod fritters), and Taberna Tempranillo (Spanish wines by the glass). For a budget classic, the calamari sandwich at Bar La Campana by Plaza Mayor is crisp, cheap, and very Madrileño. End with late-night churros at Chocolatería San Ginés—open late and perfect for jet lag.

Day 2: Golden Triangle of Art, Retiro Park, and Flamenco

Morning: Coffee at HanSo Café (excellent pour-overs and Japanese pancakes) or Misión Café near Conde Duque. Then head to the Prado for a guided highlights visit—seeing Velázquez’s Las Meninas and Goya’s Black Paintings with context makes a huge difference.

Prado Museum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket

Budget tip: The Prado’s free last-entry window is usually Mon–Sat 6–8 pm, Sun 5–7 pm (arrive early; hours can vary by season).

Afternoon: Picnic in Retiro Park (grab empanadas or bocadillos from a nearby bakery). Visit the Crystal Palace and the Retiro boating lake. Swing by the tropical garden inside Atocha station—lush and free. For a late lunch, try El Brillante near Atocha (another Madrid-style calamari roll) or sit down at Taberna El Sur in Huertas for an affordable menú del día.

Evening: Experience the heartbeat of Andalusian art at an intimate venue right in the center. The room is small, the stage is close, and you’ll feel the stomp of the baile and the cante.

Essential Flamenco: Pure Flamenco Show in the Heart of Madrid

Post-show, wander to La Venencia (sherry-only, no photos) for a taste of old Madrid, or keep it simple with a caña and olives at a corner bar.

Day 3: Royal Madrid, Old Town Walks, and a Tapas History Crawl

Morning: Coffee at Cafelito (Lavapiés) or La Bicicleta (Malasaña). Walk past Plaza de Oriente and the Almudena Cathedral to the Royal Palace of Madrid. A guided visit brings the Throne Room, Gasparini Room, and the Royal Armory to life—and skip-the-line saves time.

Madrid: Royal Palace Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket

Afternoon: Work your way through the Habsburg quarter: Plaza de la Villa, Mercado de la Cebada (La Latina) for a budget lunch—try counter stalls for tortilla, stews, and seasonal produce. If it’s Sunday, detour through the open-air El Rastro market (mornings in La Latina) for vintage finds and street snacks.

Evening: Bring your appetite and curiosity on a small-group tapas crawl that weaves history with bites at beloved bars. It’s ideal for foodies wanting context plus crowd-tested stops.

Madrid Tapas & Taverns Small Group Food & History Tour

After the tour, if you still have room, pop into Casa Toni for classic offal skewers (for the adventurous) or end sweetly with artisanal ice cream at La Pecera.

Day 4: Neighborhoods, Markets, and a Rooftop Farewell

Morning: Coffee and tostada at La Rollerie or a quick-standing breakfast at a bar near your stay. Explore Lavapiés street art and multicultural eateries, then duck into Mercado de Antón Martín for an early lunch—try Yokaloka (sushi bar with cult following), Madame Framboise for pastries, or a simple Spanish plate at one of the traditional counters.

Afternoon: Last stroll along Gran Vía for architecture and window-shopping. If time allows, take in a skyline view from the Círculo de Bellas Artes rooftop (modest entry fee) or walk the landscaped Madrid Río park by the Manzanares. Head back, pick up your bags, and depart.

Evening (if you have a late flight): Quick bites near Sol include Casa Rúa (calamari), El Sur (budget-friendly Spanish dishes), or a final vermouth and pincho at a neighborhood tavern. If you skipped the Prado tour earlier, consider Reina Sofía’s evening free window on select days—fantastic for seeing Guernica without extra cost (verify current hours).

Getting around: Buy a rechargeable “Multi Card” and load 10-trip tickets for Metro/bus to keep costs down. Most central sights are a 10–20 minute walk apart; Sol, Ópera, Atocha, and Banco de España are handy Metro hubs.

Optional upgrades or swaps (time- and budget-permitting): Santiago Bernabéu tour for football fans; a paella workshop; or a full-day trip to Toledo/Segovia. If you add a second museum, consider the Thyssen (free hours on Mondays for the permanent collection).

Booking reminders:

• Long-haul or multi-city flights: Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Within Europe: Omio flights, Omio trains, or Omio buses.
• Stays: VRBO Madrid or Hotels.com Madrid plus the specific budget-friendly options above.

Money-saver checklist: use menú del día (€12–16) for your main meal; time museums for free slots; ride Metro or walk; share raciones (larger tapas) instead of ordering separate mains; carry a refillable bottle (many fountains in parks).

In four easygoing days, you’ll taste Madrid’s best: masterworks at the Prado, the pomp of the Royal Palace, a flamenco night, and markets where locals actually shop. Come hungry—and leave with a new appreciation for the art of an unhurried afternoon.