Madrid is a city of grand boulevards, late-night suppers, and art collections that changed how the world sees painting. Once the seat of the Habsburgs and Bourbons, it remains the cultural heart of Spain, home to the Prado, centuries-old taverns, and plazas where daily life spills into the street.

From the food halls and vermouth bars of La Latina to the literary cafés of the Barrio de las Letras, Madrid invites you to linger. Expect leisurely lunches, golden-hour strolls, and evenings that crescendo with clinking glasses and spontaneous song.

Practical notes: dinner rarely starts before 9 pm, tipping is modest (round up a euro or two), and museums have weekly closures (Prado typically open daily, Reina Sofía closed Tuesdays, Royal Palace closes for state events). Pack comfortable shoes—this is a walking city—and bring an appetite.

Madrid

Spain’s capital marries royal grandeur with neighborhood warmth. You’ll see Velázquez and Goya in the morning, share tortilla pinchos shoulder-to-shoulder by afternoon, and applaud a soul-stirring bulería by night.

• Top sights: Prado Museum, Royal Palace of Madrid, Retiro Park and Crystal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Gran Vía, Almudena Cathedral, Temple of Debod.
• Don’t miss: tapas in La Latina and Barrio de las Letras, a rowboat on Retiro’s lake, sherry at La Venencia, sunset from a rooftop like Picalagartos or the Círculo de Bellas Artes terrace.
• Local flavors: cocido madrileño (hearty stew), churros con chocolate, huevos rotos, and seasonal mushrooms at old-school bars.

Getting there and around (book with affiliates): For flights within or to/from Europe, search Omio Flights. For global routes beyond Europe, compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Madrid-Barajas (MAD) to the center: Metro Line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios in ~25 minutes (~€5–6 with airport supplement), the Express Bus in ~30–40 minutes (~€5), or a flat-rate taxi (~€30, 25–35 minutes).

Arriving by train: High-speed AVE/Avlo/Iryo/Ouigo to Atocha or Chamartín runs frequently. Barcelona–Madrid is ~2.5–3 hours (from ~€20–€80 if booked ahead). Compare schedules and fares on Omio Trains or coaches on Omio Buses.

Where to stay (book with affiliates): Browse apartments on VRBO Madrid or hotels on Hotels.com Madrid.

• Classic luxury near the Art Walk: The Westin Palace, Madrid (stained-glass dome breakfast room, steps from Prado/Thyssen).
• Palatial stay by the Royal Palace: Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques (sculpted gardens, rooftop plunge pool).
• Stylish, reliable, family-friendly: Novotel Madrid Center (Salamanca/Retiro edge, great transit links).
• Upscale comfort on a quiet avenue: Melia Madrid Princesa (walkable to the palace and Malasaña).
• Mid-range in a prime, walkable spot: Hostal Persal (Plaza del Ángel, perfect for tapas in Las Letras).
• Budget-social vibe: Room007 Ventura Hostel (clean, friendly, next to great cafés).

Day 1: Old Madrid, Mercado Bites, and a Tapas & Taverns Night

Morning: Arrival day—save energy for a long, delicious evening. If you land early, stretch your legs on Gran Vía’s Belle Époque facades and duck into Toma Café (Malasaña) for specialty coffee and a warm croissant, or Misión Café for a flat white and their ricotta toast.

Afternoon: Begin in Puerta del Sol (the symbolic “kilometer zero”), then wander to Plaza Mayor’s arcades. Snack your way through Mercado de San Miguel: try bacalao fritters at El Señor Martín, a gilda and vermouth at La Hora del Vermut, and artisan cheese at MozHeart—standing shoulder-to-shoulder like a madrileño.

Evening: Kick off with a guided tapas crawl that blends food and history: Madrid Tapas & Taverns Small Group Food & History Tour. Expect classic bars, seasonal dishes, and stories that bring the city to life.

Post-tour nightcap ideas: Salmon Guru (inventive cocktails in Las Letras), 1862 Dry Bar (neo-classic cocktails in Malasaña), or a rooftop like The Hat near Plaza Mayor for an intimate skyline toast.

Day 2: The Prado, Retiro Park, Barrio de las Letras, and Flamenco

Morning: Immerse yourself in masterpieces with a skip-the-line guided visit: Prado Museum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket. See Velázquez’s Las Meninas, Goya’s Black Paintings, and Rubens in context—your guide’s commentary makes centuries sing.

Afterward, stroll the “Art Walk” and refuel at El Perro y la Galleta (cookies-and-cream nostalgia meets modern bistro) or grab a cortado at a Retiro kiosk.

Afternoon: Wander Retiro Park: the Crystal Palace glows with light and temporary exhibits; rent a rowboat on the Estanque (about 45 minutes of serene paddling). Exit through Puerta de Alcalá toward Barrio de las Letras where Lope de Vega wrote and Cervantes walked; browse indie shops and tiled taverns.

Lunch ideas nearby: La Castela (lively bar for razor clams, Russian salad, and perfectly poured cañas), El Cisne Azul (seasonal wild mushrooms and game), or Casa Revuelta (standing bar famed for hot, crisp cod bites).

Evening: Experience the soul of Spain at an intimate show: Essential Flamenco: Pure Flamenco Show in the Heart of Madrid. In a cavern-like venue, you’ll feel the cante and guitar up close—no gimmicks, just artistry.

Dine before or after the show: Botín (the world’s oldest restaurant for roast suckling pig), Casa Lucio (legendary huevos rotos in La Latina), or La Bola (traditional cocido madrileño simmered in clay pots). End with a late sherry at La Venencia—no photos, cash-only, timeless.

Day 3: Royal Madrid, Austrias Lanes, and Sunset Rooftops

Morning: Step into regal splendor with a guide: Madrid: Royal Palace Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket. Marvel at the Grand Staircase, Throne Room, and Stradivarius instruments, then stroll the Sabatini Gardens and Plaza de Oriente.

Pop into Almudena Cathedral next door for mosaics and views, then thread the narrow lanes of the Habsburg (Austrias) quarter, spotting antique signs and cast-iron balconies.

Afternoon: If it’s Sunday, browse El Rastro flea market in La Latina (go early, keep an eye on your belongings). Otherwise, choose another museum: Reina Sofía (Picasso’s Guernica and 20th-century greats) or the Thyssen for a superb survey from medieval to modern. For lunch in La Latina, try Casa Lucas (creative, market-led tapas), Taberna La Concha (vermouth and toasts), or Juana La Loca (iconic tortilla with onion confit).

Evening: Chase golden hour at the Temple of Debod viewpoint or go straight to a rooftop: Picalagartos (Gran Vía skyline and modern Spanish plates), Azotea del Círculo de Bellas Artes (panoramic terrace; small entry fee), or Ginkgo Sky Bar (music and cocktails). For a finale dinner, book Fismuler (seasonal cooking, famous cheesecake) or Lakasa (market-driven dishes and thoughtful wine list); toast the city one last time at Angelita (outstanding Spanish wines by the glass).

Extra Tips

- Dining hours: lunch 1:30–3:30 pm; dinner after 9 pm. Make reservations for sit-down dinners; tapas bars welcome drop-ins.

- Transit: Madrid’s Metro is clean and fast. Buy/reload a Multi card at stations. Most central sights are walkable—plan 15–25 minutes between major monuments.

- Rain plan: Swap Retiro boating for the Thyssen; explore covered markets (San Miguel, Antón Martín) and cafés in Las Letras and Chueca.

Optional Day Trip (swap a half day if you wish): Toledo’s medieval lanes and cathedral, or Segovia’s Roman aqueduct and fairytale Alcázar, are each ~30–35 minutes by high-speed train from Madrid (prices vary; check Omio Trains).

Final Food Shortlist (save for later): Bodega La Ardosa (since 1892; tortilla and vermouth), El Sur (comforting, budget-friendly Spanish plates), Casa Dani (market-fresh menu including famed tortilla), Cervecería Alemana (classic plaza café), and El Doble (seafood tapas and perfect draft beer).

In three days, you’ll have covered Madrid’s greatest hits—Prado, Palace, Retiro—while eating and drinking your way through its barrios like a local. Return in another season for a day trip or two, deeper neighborhood walks, and more long, laughter-filled nights at the bar.