Madrid rewards wanderers with grand boulevards, gilded palaces, and whisper-quiet art galleries that hold entire eras. Once a modest court town, it became Spain’s royal capital in 1561—today, you feel that legacy in the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, and the “Golden Triangle of Art.” Yet Madrid is as much morning coffee as museum: it’s the easy clink of cañas at noon and tapas bars buzzing until late.

Come for Velázquez and Goya at the Prado, stay for vermouth on tap and the smell of churros at dawn. Retiro Park is the city’s green lung, a Sunday rowing ritual since the 19th century; nearby, Barrio de las Letras once inspired Cervantes and Lope de Vega. Flamenco adds firelight to the nights—an art of heelwork, guitar, and duende that Madrid takes seriously.

Practical notes: dinner starts late (9–10 pm is normal), the Metro is fast and clean, and taxis from the airport use a fixed central fare. Pack comfortable shoes—Madrid is best on foot—and an appetite for cocido madrileño, tortilla, and croquetas. This itinerary balances headliner sights with neighborhood flavor.

Madrid

Spain’s capital is a tapestry of districts—stately Salamanca, bohemian Malasaña, storied La Latina—stitched together by plazas and cafés. By day, chase masterpieces; by night, graze from bar to bar and let the city’s rhythm set your pace.

• Top sights: Prado Museum, Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Retiro Park, Reina Sofía (Picasso’s “Guernica”), Thyssen-Bornemisza, Temple of Debod, Gran Vía.
• Neighborhoods to savor: Barrio de las Letras for literary lore; La Latina for Sunday tapas; Chueca for design shops and wine bars; Chamberí for classic taverns.
• What to taste: bocadillo de calamares near Plaza Mayor, churros at dawn, cocido madrileño, torreznos, and Madrid’s excellent craft cocktails.

Getting to Madrid (flight/train options):

• From within Europe: search flights and rail (including AVE high-speed) on Omio Flights and Omio Trains. Barcelona–Madrid AVE is ~2.5–3 hours (typical €30–€80 booked ahead); Seville–Madrid ~2.5 hours.
• From outside Europe: compare fares on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. Nonstop from NYC is ~7–8 hours; West Coast ~11–12 hours with one stop; shoulder-season round trips often $550–$900.
• Airport to center: taxi flat rate to central Madrid (~20–30 minutes); Metro Line 8 reaches Nuevos Ministerios in ~20 minutes (airport supplement applies).

Where to stay (neighborhoods + bookable picks):

Base in Centro (walk to major sights), Salamanca (upscale shopping), Retiro (leafy and calm), or Chamberí (residential, great eateries). Browse options on Hotels.com Madrid and VRBO Madrid.

• Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques (near Royal Palace): refined rooms, rooftop views, and a quiet courtyard for afternoon coffee.
• The Westin Palace, Madrid (Art Triangle): historic stained-glass dome and ideal location for Prado/Thyssen.
• Novotel Madrid Center (Retiro/Salamanca edge): family-friendly, spacious, excellent transport links.
• Melia Madrid Princesa (Argüelles): modern comforts, easy hop to Gran Vía and Debod.
• Hostal Persal (Barrio de las Letras): budget-friendly, steps from tapas lanes and Sol.
• Room007 Ventura Hostel (Letras): social vibe and clean rooms in a stellar location.

Day 1: Literary Lanes, Plaza Mayor, and Flamenco Fire

Morning: Fly in—aim for a light breakfast on board so you can hit the streets energized. If early arrival allows, drop bags and grab specialty coffee at Toma Café (Malasaña) or Misión Café (near Gran Vía) for house-roasted beans and a buttery tostada with tomato.

Afternoon: Start in Barrio de las Letras: read golden quotes underfoot on Calle de las Huertas, then step into Plaza Mayor’s arcades for a bocadillo de calamares at La Campana or Casa Rúa. Wander Mercado de San Miguel to taste jamón ibérico, Galician octopus, and a glass of Albariño—perfect for a grazing lunch.

Evening: Early tapas crawl in La Latina: Bodega de la Ardosa (vermouth on tap, tortilla), Casa Revuelta (crisp bacalao), and La Castela (impeccable seafood). Then sink into a flamenco cave.

Essential Flamenco: Pure Flamenco Show in the Heart of Madrid — intimate, no microphones, all raw emotion in a traditional tablao.

Nightcap nearby at 1862 Dry Bar (classics done right) or Angelita (stellar Spanish wine list and a speakeasy-style cocktail bar downstairs).

Day 2: Prado Masterpieces, Retiro’s Calm, and a Tapas & Wine Walk

Morning: Fuel up on churros y chocolate at Chocolatería San Ginés or a flaky napolitana at La Mallorquina overlooking Puerta del Sol. Then meet your guide at the Prado—context here elevates the experience.

Prado Museum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket — see Velázquez’s “Las Meninas,” Goya’s “Black Paintings,” and Rubens up close without the wait.

Afternoon: Stroll Retiro Park: row a boat on the lake, admire the Palacio de Cristal’s glass shell, and sip iced café con leche at a park kiosk. If you’re keen, pop into the Reina Sofía for Picasso’s “Guernica.” Lunch near Ibiza street at La Castela (reservations recommended) for razor clams and pil-pil sauces, or at El Brillante by Atocha for a classic calamari sandwich.

Evening: Join a local-led tapas walk to learn the unspoken rules (and where Madrileños actually go).

Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Walking Tour – Small Group Local Bars — four beloved bars, 10+ tapas, and Spanish wines paired to the region.

If you’ve got room after, grab a creamy cheesecake slice at Cien Llaves or a late-night gelato around Gran Vía.

Day 3: Royal Palace, Old Madrid, Gran Vía Lights

Morning: Breakfast at Café Comercial (historic 1887 café) or HanSo Café for fluffy pancakes and matcha. Then step into the Bourbon-era grandeur of Spain’s royal residence with skip-the-line access.

Madrid: Royal Palace Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket — Throne Room, Royal Armoury, and tapestries that tell imperial stories.

Afternoon: Walk Plaza de la Villa and Calle del Codo to Plaza Mayor for a sunny café table. Lunch at Casa Lucio for the city’s famous huevos rotos, or at Casa Alberto (1827 tavern) for oxtail stew. Visit Almudena Cathedral, then catch the sunset at the Temple of Debod with city views.

Evening: Shop and people-watch along Gran Vía. For dinner, book El Cisne Azul (wild mushrooms grilled to perfection) or Sala de Despiece (creative, produce-driven plates at the counter). Finish with craft cocktails at Salmon Guru—playful, world-class mixes.

Day 4: Day Trip to Toledo — Fortified Hills and El Greco

Morning: Take the AVANT high-speed train from Madrid Puerta de Atocha–Almudena Grandes to Toledo (about 33 minutes). Book tickets on Omio Trains; round-trips typically €15–€30 if bought in advance. Begin at Mirador del Valle for the postcard view, then wander the walled old town’s Islamic, Jewish, and Christian layers.

Afternoon: Visit the soaring Toledo Cathedral (late Gothic splendor), Santo Tomé for El Greco’s “Burial of the Count of Orgaz,” and the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca. Lunch on carcamusas (pork stew) at La Abadía or a seasonal menu at Restaurante Adolfo. Pick up marzipan from Santo Tomé before the return train.

Evening: Back in Madrid, decompress with wine and pintxos at Taberna Laredo (Salamanca) or go casual with a tortilla slice at Casa Dani inside Mercado de la Paz. If football calls, swing by the newly revamped Bernabéu area for a glimpse of Real Madrid’s home under the night lights.

Day 5: Chueca & Malasaña, Markets, and a Farewell Feast

Morning: Brunch-hop through Chueca and Malasaña: start at Acid Café or La Desayunería for hearty eggs and specialty coffee, then browse indie boutiques and record shops along Calle Fuencarral. If it’s Sunday, dip into El Rastro flea market in La Latina for antiques and street snacks.

Afternoon: Head to Salamanca for window shopping on Calle Serrano and a late lunch at La Máquina Jorge Juan (great seafood rice) or El Paraguas (Asturian classics). Alternatively, graze at Mercado de San Antón in Chueca—pick a few stalls and build your own tasting menu.

Evening: Celebrate your last night with a warming cocido madrileño at La Bola (slow-simmered chickpeas and meats served in courses). Prefer lighter? Try Ugo Chan for modern Japanese-Spanish mashups or Arima Basque Gastronomy for txuleta and anchovies. Toast the trip on the Círculo de Bellas Artes rooftop or The Hat rooftop near Plaza Mayor, with the city twinkling below.

Local logistics tips: Load a contactless card for the Metro and buses; journeys are quick and frequent. For intercity trains and buses in Spain, compare on Omio Trains and Omio Buses. If you’re connecting flights through Europe, check Omio Flights; from other regions, try Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Optional add-ons if you have extra time: Thyssen-Bornemisza (400+ years of European art in a manageable loop), Lavapiés street art walk, or a countryside wine tasting day (Madrid Countryside Wineries Guided Tour with Wine Tasting) if you extend your stay.

Five days in Madrid is a satisfying blend of masterpieces, plazas, and late-night tapas rituals. You’ll leave knowing the city’s rhythm—from Retiro mornings to flamenco nights—and a few favorite bars you’ll dream of returning to.