Madrid’s story stretches from Moorish fortifications on the Manzanares to Bourbon boulevards and bold modernism. Today the capital pulses with late-night life, polished galleries, and a devotion to food that turns every neighborhood into a tasting menu. Base yourself in Adelfas—an unpretentious enclave hugging Retiro’s east side—for easy metro links and a local, residential feel.

Fun facts: Madrid sits higher than most European capitals, which gifts it those luminous blue skies painters adore. Lunch is late, dinner is later, and ordering a caña (a small beer) is often the fastest way to blend in. Tap water is excellent, contactless payments are ubiquitous, and free museum hours can stretch your euros when traveling on a budget.

Practical notes: The metro is clean and fast; load a Multi card and consider a 10-trip pass to keep costs low. Keep valuables zipped in busy areas like Sol and Gran Vía. For food, hunt the “menú del día” (fixed-price lunch) and neighborhood markets—delicious, generous, and wallet-friendly.

Madrid

Adelfas sits in the Retiro district, a few metro stops from Atocha and steps from the lawns and lake of El Retiro Park. It’s a quiet, lived-in base where corner bakeries, traditional bars, and leafy streets meet Madrid’s grand museums in minutes. You’ll move easily via Metro Line 1 (Menéndez Pelayo), Line 6 (Pacífico/Conde de Casal), and Line 9 (Sainz de Baranda).

Highlights you’ll hit this week include the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, the “Golden Triangle of Art” (Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen), buzzing markets (San Miguel, Antón Martín, San Fernando), and a full-day foray to the medieval splendors of Toledo and the Roman drama of Segovia.

• Getting to Madrid: Fly into Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD) or arrive by train/bus within Europe. Compare options on Omio (flights), Omio (trains), and Omio (buses). Sample times/costs: Barcelona–Madrid by AVE high-speed train ~2.5–3 hours (~€20–€70 advance); Seville–Madrid ~2.5–3 hours (~€25–€70); many European flights 2–3 hours (~€40–€150 off-peak).
• Airport to Adelfas: Metro Line 8 → Line 6 to Pacífico (~50–60 minutes; airport supplement applies), Cercanías train to Atocha then Metro Line 1 to Menéndez Pelayo (~40 minutes), or a flat-rate city taxi (~€30 inside the M-30).
• Where to stay: Search Adelfas/Retiro, Ibiza (Retiro), Barrio de las Letras (walkable to museums), La Latina (tapas, historic lanes), or Malasaña/Chueca (nightlife, boutiques). Browse apartments on VRBO Madrid or deals on Hotels.com Madrid.

Day 1: Arrival, Adelfas Stroll, and Flamenco Night

Afternoon: Arrive and settle in your Adelfas stay. Stretch your legs with a gentle walk to El Retiro Park—circle the Estanque (boating lake), peek into the glassy Palacio de Cristal, and watch madrileños picnic and play music as the sun dips.

Evening: Kick off with a classic tapas supper near the Ibiza/Retiro area. Try La Castela (razor clams, mushroom revueltos) or La Raquetista (artichokes, oxtail croquettes); both are beloved, stand-up-and-savor style. On a tighter budget, grab a hearty bocadillo de calamares at El Brillante by Atocha or split a few raciones at Mercado de Antón Martín’s food stalls.

Then slip into a fiery flamenco cave atmosphere:

Essential Flamenco: Pure Flamenco Show in the Heart of Madrid — an intimate, no-frills performance focused on puro cante and dance. Ideal on Night 1 to feel Madrid’s rhythm.

Budget tip: Dine standing at the bar (barra) to save on sit-down service and order seasonal “raciones” to share.

Day 2: Old Madrid, Plaza Mayor, and the Royal Palace

Morning: Coffee and napolitana pastry at La Mallorquina on Puerta del Sol—a century-old institution. Walk to Plaza Mayor to admire the arcades, then duck into San Miguel Market for an early snack (olives, croquettes, and Montanera ham cones are good-value bites if you avoid the fanciest stalls).

Afternoon: Cross Almudena Cathedral’s steps to the Bourbon opulence next door with a guided visit that maximizes time and context:

Madrid: Royal Palace Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket — see throne rooms, the Royal Armory, and frescoed ceilings while skipping queues.

Evening: Tapas-hop La Latina along Cava Baja: Casa Lucas (creative tostas), La Perejila (andaluz flavors and sherry), and Taberna Tempranillo (Rioja-heavy wine list). Finish with a digestif in Plaza de la Paja beneath medieval walls.

Day 3: The Prado, El Retiro, and Barrio de las Letras

Morning: Dive into masterworks with a small-group expert so you see the essentials without fatigue:

Prado Museum Small Group Tour with Skip the Line Ticket — Velázquez, Goya, Rubens, Bosch, and stories that tie them together.

Afternoon: Walk up into El Retiro again, this time with picnic supplies from Mercado de Antón Martín (Yokaloka for sushi rolls, Madreamiga for bread, and pick up fruit and jamón). Laze by the Fallen Angel statue or rent a rowboat on the lake.

Evening: Wander Barrio de las Letras, where Lope de Vega and Cervantes once lived. Affordable dinner at El Sur (well-loved for patatas con mojo and oxtail stew) or Casa Alberto for Madrid stews and vermouth. Churros con chocolate at San Ginés if you still have room.

Money-saver: If you skipped the morning tour, the Prado is free 6–8 pm Mon–Sat (5–7 pm Sun/holidays). Go early to line up.

Day 4: Full-Day Excursion to Toledo and Segovia

Trade city bustle for two UNESCO gems in one efficient outing that includes major monuments and the fairy-tale Alcázar.

From Madrid: Toledo & Segovia with Cathedral, Alcazar & Lunch — trace Jewish, Muslim, and Christian layers in Toledo’s lanes; then gaze up at Segovia’s Roman aqueduct and step into its cliff-top Alcázar. Expect an early start near central pick-up points and a return by evening.

Dinner back in Madrid: Keep it simple and local near Adelfas with classic tavern fare (Spanish tortilla, ensaladilla rusa) or head to Mercado de San Fernando in Lavapiés for budget-friendly global stalls and craft beers.

Day 5: Gran Vía, Chueca & Malasaña — Shopping, Views, and Casual Eats

Morning: Espresso at Toma Café (Malasaña), then ramble Gran Vía’s 20th-century facades and theater marquises. Pop up to a rooftop terrace for skyline photos (several department stores and hotels have affordable miradores with a drink).

Afternoon: Chueca’s boutiques await—find Spanish sneakers, independent designers, and gourmet tinned seafood. Lunch at Mercado de San Antón: budget-friendly counters for croquettes, grilled fish, or a quick menú del día upstairs.

Evening: Casual tapas crawl: Bodega de la Ardosa (anchovies, tortilla by the slice), then Pez Tortilla for modern tortillas and croquettes with craft beer. If football is your thing, time a self-guided visit up near the renovated Bernabéu before dinner; even the exterior light show is a spectacle.

Transit tip: Your Multi card works on metro and buses; 10-trip passes typically net rides for roughly €1.2–€1.4 each.

Day 6: Atocha, Reina Sofía, Street Art in Lavapiés, and Madrid Río

Morning: Coffee at Hola Coffee (Lavapiés) and a quick bite at a neighborhood bakery. Explore Atocha’s tropical garden concourse, then stroll to Embajadores for bold street art and galleries. Lunch at San Fernando Market: try arepas, Galician empanadas, or a plate of callos a la madrileña.

Afternoon: Walk or bike along Madrid Río under the Arganzuela bridges, then cut to Matadero Madrid, a cultural complex in a former slaughterhouse with rotating exhibitions and design shops.

Evening: Reina Sofía’s free hours (typically 7–9 pm Weds–Sat; shorter on Sun) showcase Picasso’s Guernica and works by Miró and Dalí. For dinner, sample Lavapiés’ international flavors—Senegalese thieboudienne, Moroccan tagines, or North Indian tandoori—often at prices kinder than the center.

Budget tip: Thyssen-Bornemisza’s permanent collection is free on Monday afternoons; consider swapping days if you’re an art lover.

Day 7: Slow Morning in Adelfas, Planetarium, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: Ease into the day with a neighborhood café con leche and a slice of tortilla. If time allows, wander to Parque Enrique Tierno Galván for city views and check showtimes at the nearby Planetarium. On Sundays, El Rastro flea market (La Latina) is the city’s most atmospheric souvenir hunt; otherwise, browse Barrio de las Letras for bookstores and artisan shops.

Afternoon: Departure day. For trains or buses to your next European stop, compare on Omio (trains) and Omio (buses). For flights, see Omio (flights). Aim for the airport 2–2.5 hours ahead; metro and Cercanías are most predictable during weekday traffic.

Optional Night Out: Flamenco with Dinner

Prefer a dinner-and-show combo in an ornate tablao inspired by the Alhambra? Consider:

Flamenco Show & Special Menu at Torres Bermejas in Madrid — a historic venue with carved wood, tilework, and a set menu for a one-stop evening.

Where to Sleep (Budget-Savvy Ideas)

• Adelfas/Retiro: Quiet, leafy, and close to the park and museums—great for families and runners. Search apartments on VRBO Madrid.
• Barrio de las Letras: Walk to Prado and tapas lanes of Huertas; nightlife nearby but still mellow. See hotel deals on Hotels.com Madrid.
• La Latina or Malasaña: Character-packed streets, strong value, and easy metro links. Compare both platforms for the best price-to-location balance.

Eating on a Budget (and Eating Well)

• Menu del día: Many neighborhood restaurants offer a 2–3 course lunch with bread and drink for a friendly price—scan chalkboards around Retiro, Lavapiés, and La Latina.
• Markets: Mercado de San Fernando (value), Antón Martín (variety), and San Miguel (go early or cherry-pick lower-priced stalls).
• Classic bites: Bocadillo de calamares around Plaza Mayor, cocido madrileño in cooler months, and seasonal artichokes or mushrooms in Retiro taverns.

In one week you’ll have lived Madrid from a neighborly base: royal salons by day, flamenco by night, and park picnics in between. Your day trip adds medieval lanes and Roman grandeur without blowing the budget. Expect to leave with a full camera roll, a few new tapas favorites, and an itch to return.