Madrid wears its history lightly—Habsburg plazas and Bourbon boulevards flowing into leafy parks, galleries of Old Masters, and nights that linger over conversation and vermut. Founded as a fortress town, it became Spain’s capital in the 16th century and has been perfecting the arts of strolling and savoring ever since.

Fun fact: Spain’s Kilometer Zero sits in Puerta del Sol; every road radiates from this brass plaque. Madrid also eats late—lunch 1:30–3:30 pm, dinner 8:30–11:00 pm—so your days stretch nicely into blue-hour photography and lively plazas.

Practical notes: The Metro is clean, safe, and efficient (airport to center in ~30–40 minutes). Book popular sights ahead, watch for pickpockets in crowded hubs, and expect many shops to close midafternoon on Sundays. Tap water is excellent; tipping is modest (round up or leave 5–10% for great service).

Madrid

Expect a city built for flâneurs: the elegant Paseo del Prado, the triangular constellation of the Prado, Thyssen, and Reina Sofía museums, and neighborhood “barrios” with distinct flavors—Austrias for palaces, La Latina for tapas, Malasaña for indie coffee, and Retiro for rowboats and shade.

Top sights include the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía’s early 20th-century skyline, El Retiro’s Crystal Palace, and sunset at the Templo de Debod park (a photography favorite). Food-wise, think market grazing, traditional tabernas, and creative bistros—budget-friendly set lunches (“menú del día”) abound.

Where to stay (midrange-friendly picks + splurges):

• Search thousands of stays: VRBO Madrid | Hotels.com Madrid
• Hostal Persal (value, prime for walkers near Plaza Santa Ana; basic, clean, quiet rooms)
• Room007 Ventura Hostel (budget social option in Barrio de las Letras; private rooms available)
• Novotel Madrid Center (reliable 4-star near Retiro; spacious rooms, good for couples or families)
• Meliá Madrid Princesa (modern comfort by Plaza de España; indoor pool and sleek design)
• The Westin Palace, Madrid (historic dome, classic service; opposite the Prado)
• Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques (sophisticated hideaway near the Royal Palace, with rooftop views)

How to get to Madrid (MAD):

• Flying within Europe: compare fares on Omio (flights). Typical times: Paris 2h, London 2h30, Rome 2h30. Expect $60–$200+ depending on season.
• Flying from outside Europe: search long-hauls on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Nonstops: NYC ~7–8h, Miami ~9h, Mexico City ~10–11h, many Latin America links.
• Trains within Spain: use Omio (trains) for high-speed AVE/Avlo: Barcelona–Madrid ~2.5h ($25–$90), Seville–Madrid ~2h30 ($30–$80), Valencia–Madrid ~1h50 ($20–$60). Buses can be cheaper via Omio (buses).

Day 1: Arrival, Barrio de las Letras wander, and a tapas & wine walk

Afternoon: Land at Madrid-Barajas (MAD). Metro Line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios then transfer to your stop (30–40 minutes, ~€4–€6 with airport supplement). Taxis have a flat city-center fare (~€30). Check in, drop bags, and loosen up with a stroll through Barrio de las Letras—cobblestones, literary quotes inlaid into the streets, and pretty plazas for photography.

Coffee/merienda stop: Chocolatería San Ginés (since 1894) for churros con chocolate; or Toma Café (Malasaña) for specialty roasts; or La Mallorquina (Puerta del Sol) for a buttery “napolitana.”

Evening: Ease into Madrid’s food scene with a small-group tapas tour featuring local wines—perfect for orientation, stories, and discovering true Madrileño bars.

Featured activity: Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Walking Tour – Small Group Local Bars (about 3 hours; ~$85–$110). Expect 4+ stops, 10+ tapas, and regional wines while learning bar etiquette and history.

After-tour suggestions: If you want more, try La Casa del Abuelo (garlic prawns sizzled in olive oil), Casa Revuelta (golden fried cod), or a quick calamari sandwich at La Campana by Plaza Mayor. For a nightcap, sip vermut on tap at Bodega de la Ardosa.

Day 2: Royal Madrid, the historic quarter, and a flamenco night

Morning: Start with pastries at La Mallorquina or specialty brews at HanSo Café. Then dive into royal grandeur with a guided, skip-the-line visit to Spain’s official residence—sumptuous halls, the Royal Armoury, and views over the Sabatini Gardens.

Featured activity: Madrid: Royal Palace Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket (90–120 minutes; ~$40–$65). Ideal for context and efficient entry.

Afternoon: Wander Plaza de la Villa, Calle Codo, and Plaza Mayor for classic Habsburg architecture and great street photography. Lunch ideas: El Sur (well-priced Spanish staples and friendly vibes), Casa Lucas (inventive small plates in La Latina), or Casa Revuelta (stand-up cod and cañas). Later, relax in El Retiro—row a boat on the lake or photograph the Crystal Palace’s reflections and the stately Puerta de Alcalá.

Evening: Experience flamenco in an intimate venue—percussive footwork, guitar that crackles, and vocals that pull you in.

Featured activity: Essential Flamenco: Pure Flamenco Show in the Heart of Madrid (~60–75 minutes; ~$30–$45). A focused, no-dinner format that delivers the art up close.

Pre- or post-show bites: Juana la Loca (La Latina) for a famed tortilla pincho; La Perejila for Andalusian touches; or Taberna Tempranillo for a glass from a deep Spanish wine list. For rooftop photos and a digestif, aim for a Gran Vía rooftop after sunset.

Day 3: Countryside wine tasting in the Madrid DO (full day)

Breakfast: Grab a croissant at Acid Bakehouse or coffee at Toma Café before setting out. Today is leisurely by design—and matches your love for wine tasting and unique experiences.

Featured activity (full day): Madrid Countryside Wineries Guided Tour with Wine Tasting (typically 6–8 hours; ~$120–$160).

Explore family-run bodegas in the Tagus Valley or Vinos de Madrid region, taste garnacha and malvar, and learn about clay amphorae and barrel aging. Expect multiple tastings with light tapas and scenic vineyard backdrops for photography. Pickups are generally central—confirm time and point after booking.

Dinner back in the city: Unwind with a relaxed meal in La Latina: Casa Lucas (reservations smart), La Musa Latina (modern casual), or a grazing session at Mercado de la Cebada’s bars before an early night.

Day 4: Easy nature walk, last photos, and departure

Morning: Stretch your legs close to town for a low-effort “hike.” Head to Lago or Casa de Campo Metro (Line 10). Walk a gentle 5–7 km loop around the lake and up to Cerro Garabitas for skyline views—excellent for wide-angle city shots. Terrain is easy dirt paths and park roads; bring water. Prefer something quieter? Dehesa de la Villa offers pine-scented trails and birdlife with rolling viewpoints.

Breakfast options: Federal Café (Conde de Barajas) for eggs and flat whites; HanSo Café for Japanese-inspired pastries; or La Casa de las Torrijas (since 1908) for classic Spanish-style French toast.

Afternoon (departure): If time allows, pop into the Thyssen-Bornemisza for a 60–90 minute highlights route (from Dutch masters to 20th-century icons). Quick lunch near Atocha: Mas Al Sur (fast, tasty Spanish plates), El Brillante (iconic calamari sandwich), or Arzábal Reina Sofía (splurge-worthy terrace). To the airport: Metro Line 8 (~30–40 min), Airport Express Bus 203 (~€5, 35–45 min), or taxi (~€30, 25–35 min).

Optional swaps to match your pace and interests:

• Art lovers: replace part of Day 2 afternoon with the Prado highlights (Velázquez’s Las Meninas, Goya’s Black Paintings). Prebook to minimize waits.
• Football fans: tour the Bernabéu museum and stadium for trophy-room photos and club history.
• Cercedilla mountain stroll (requires more time): on another visit, take Cercanías C-8 from Atocha to Cercedilla (~1h20; check Omio (trains)) and follow the easy “Senda de los Miradores” for Sierra de Guadarrama views.

Another excellent guided option if you want a one-day city deep-dive:

Madrid in a Day Tour: Royal Palace, Historic Center & Prado Museum (full-day; pacing is faster—choose this if you prefer a curated overview). (Note: we kept your core plan more relaxed.)

Booking & transit tips: For European flights and trains, compare on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). From outside Europe, use Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Madrid Metro runs ~6:00–1:30; buy a rechargeable Multi card and consider a 10-trip pack for value.

At-a-glance dining favorites for the trip:

• Breakfast/coffee: Toma Café (Malasaña), HanSo Café (Noviciado), Federal Café (Conde de Barajas), La Mallorquina (Sol)
• Lunch (good-value menú del día): El Sur (Huertas), Mas Al Sur (Atocha), Taberna Laredo (Salamanca; pricier but excellent)
• Tapas classics: Casa Revuelta (bacalao), La Casa del Abuelo (gambas al ajillo), Juana la Loca (tortilla)
• Sweet breaks: Chocolatería San Ginés (churros), La Casa de las Torrijas (since 1908)

Photography cheat sheet: Sunrise—Plaza Mayor arcades and an empty Puerta del Sol; Late afternoon—Retiro’s Crystal Palace and the lake; Sunset—Templo de Debod park and Sabatini Gardens; Blue hour—Gran Vía facades from Callao. Bring a fast prime for low light and a small tripod if you shoot at night.

Budget notes (target ~50/100): Use menú del día for lunches (€12–€18), mix in market bites, and save splurges for one or two dinners. Most museum entries are €10–€18; Metro rides ~€1.5–€2; taxi airport flat fare ~€30.

For foodies who love to cook: If you’d rather swap one evening for a hands-on class, consider a paella workshop with bottomless wine.

Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with Bottomless Wine Pairing

Summary: Four gentle days give you Madrid’s essentials without rush—royal grandeur, neighborhood tapas, an evocative flamenco night, vineyard tastings in the countryside, and peaceful morning walks. You’ll leave with full memory cards, new favorite wines, and the sense that Madrid rewards unhurried travelers.