Madrid has reigned as Spain’s capital since 1561, a city where royal grandeur meets modern street life. Here, world-class museums (Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen) cluster a stroll apart, tiled taverns pour vermouth, and neighborhoods like La Latina and Malasaña pulse late into the night.

Food is a sport in Madrid: crispy calamari sandwiches near Plaza Mayor, cocido madrileño for comfort, and tapas bars that have stood for a century. Sundays belong to El Rastro market and golden-hour views at the Temple of Debod, beloved by photographers.

With your adventurous vibe and a mid-range budget, we’ll blend bucket-list sights, local markets, hands-on cooking, and a train escape to Valencia—the birthplace of paella—for a beach-and-boat day on the Mediterranean. Expect efficient logistics, great eats, and nights that hum.

Madrid

Madrid is Europe’s late-night capital: long lunches, longer sunsets, and streets that don’t sleep. You’ll hop between royal plazas, leafy parks, and intimate taverns where time slows over a caña and a plate of jamón.

• Top sights: Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Prado Museum, Retiro Park, Gran Vía, Cibeles, Barrio de las Letras.
• Local flavor: Tapas in La Latina and Lavapiés, vintage browsing in Malasaña, sherry at La Venencia, mushrooms at El Cisne Azul, and churros at San Ginés.
• Markets to love: Mercado de San Miguel (iconic), Mercado de Antón Martín (local favorite), Mercado de la Paz (classic). Sunday El Rastro is a must for treasure hunting.
• Photography gems: Sabatini Gardens, Temple of Debod at sunset, Plaza de la Villa’s medieval corners, and the Cibeles–Alcalá axis.

Where to stay (Madrid):

• Hostal Persal — Value stay in Barrio de las Letras; walk to Plaza Mayor and Prado.
• Novotel Madrid Center — Reliable mid-range near Salamanca/Retiro, great transport links.
• Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques — Refined option steps from the Royal Palace (splurge night).
• The Westin Palace, Madrid — Belle Époque icon with a stained-glass dome lounge.
• Room007 Ventura Hostel — Budget-friendly and social in Las Letras.

Browse more stays: VRBO Madrid | Hotels.com Madrid

How to get to Madrid: Fly into Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD). Compare European flights on Omio and long-haul options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you’re already in Europe, high-speed trains arrive at Atocha—search schedules on Omio Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, Historic Core, and a Tapas Night

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs around Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor. Pop into Mercado de San Miguel for small bites—try croquetas, gildas, and a glass of cava as a warm-up.

Evening: Kick off with a guided tapas crawl that folds in history and top bites.

Recommended activity: Madrid Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour
Discover Madrid’s tapas scene with a local expert.

If you prefer DIY, graze along Cava Baja: Casa Lucas (creative tapas), Taberna La Concha (vermouth), and La Perejila (Andalusian flavors). Sweet finish: churros con chocolate at San Ginés.

Day 2: Prado, Retiro Boats, and Nightlife

Morning: Coffee at Toma Café (Malasaña) or La Mallorquina (try the napolitana). Visit the Prado Museum—target Velázquez’s Las Meninas, Goya’s black paintings, and Rubens. Stroll the Literary Quarter’s verse-lined sidewalks.

Afternoon: Picnic in Retiro Park and rent a rowboat on the lake for postcard photos. Nearby lunch ideas: Arzábal (classic tapas with a leafy terrace) or La Castela (excellent seafood tapas—arrive early).

Evening: Nightlife sampler. Start with cocktails at Salmon Guru (innovative), then head to Malasaña’s 1862 Dry Bar for a classic. For live music, check Café Berlín (jazz/funk) or big-name concerts at WiZink Center.

Day 3: Royal Madrid and Sunset Vistas

Morning: Tour Spain’s grandest residence.

Recommended activity: Madrid: Royal Palace Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket
Glide past lines and unlock royal salons, frescoes, and armories.

After, see Almudena Cathedral and the Sabatini Gardens.

Afternoon: Lunch near the palace: Casa Revuelta (legendary fried cod) or El Anciano Rey de los Vinos (Castilian plates). Wander the Mercado de la Cebada in La Latina, then explore hidden medieval corners at Plaza de la Villa.

Evening: Iconic sunset at the Temple of Debod viewpoint. Dinner options: El Cisne Azul (mushroom-focused, superb), Casa Macareno (old-school tavern feel, Malasaña). Nightcap: sherry at La Venencia—no photos, all atmosphere.

Day 4: Full-Day Toledo & Segovia (UNESCO stunners)

Make this your “prettiest sights” day: two historic cities that showcase Spain’s layered past—Roman aqueducts, medieval alleys, synagogues, and cathedrals—without the hassle of self-navigation.

Recommended activity: From Madrid: Toledo and Segovia Guided Tour With Tickets & Lunch
Award-winning day trip with guides, entries, and lunch included.

Expect morning departure and evening return to Madrid. Rest up back in the city with a casual bite—Bar La Campana (calamari sandwiches) or Taberna El Sur (comforting raciones).

Day 5: Markets, Shopping, and a Hands-On Cooking Class

Morning: Market hop. Start at Mercado de la Paz (classic produce and bocadillos), then ride the metro to Mercado de Antón Martín—try Yokaloka (remarkable market sushi) or Madreamiga for pastries. If it’s Sunday, don’t miss El Rastro flea market (9am–3pm) around La Latina.

Afternoon: Join a cooking class to master Spain’s most famous rice dish—great for foodies and photographers.

Recommended activity: Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with Bottomless Wine Pairing
Hands-on, social, and delicious.

Evening: Rooftop views at Azotea del Círculo or CentroCentro (Palacio de Cibeles). Dinner in Chueca: Bocaíto (classic tostas) or Fayer (Argentine-Israeli grill) if you want to switch it up. Late: La Riviera for indie gigs or BarCo for live sets.

Valencia

Valencia blends golden beaches, futuristic architecture, and rice paddies that feed Spain’s most famous dish. The dried Turia riverbed is now a green ribbon of parks leading to the City of Arts and Sciences, a photogenic wonder by Santiago Calatrava.

It’s a city for sunseekers and food lovers: paella over orange-wood fires, horchata with fartons, and seafood by the marina. Your mission here: a proper beach-and-boat day.

Where to stay (Valencia): Base in Ruzafa (cool cafés and nightlife), El Carmen (old town), or Malvarrosa (by the beach). Browse: VRBO Valencia | Hotels.com Valencia

Getting there (Madrid ⇄ Valencia): Take a high-speed train (Renfe, Iryo, Avlo) from Madrid Puerta de Atocha–Almudena Grandes to Valencia Joaquín Sorolla, ~1h50–2h. Typical fares €20–€60 each way if booked ahead. Compare departures on Omio Trains (buses on Omio Buses if you prefer).

Day 6: Valencia Boat Day + Beach Time

Morning: Early AVE/Avlo/Iryo train to Valencia. Drop bags and head to the Marina. Coffee at Bluebell Coffee Co. (Ruzafa) or Federal Café (near City Hall) if you want a hearty start.

Afternoon (Boat Day): Join a catamaran cruise from the Marina for swimming and coastal views (2–3 hours), or head to Albufera Natural Park for a traditional wooden-boat ride on the lagoon amid rice fields and herons. Lunch by the sea: La Pepica (historic seafood and paellas) or Casa Carmela (wood-fired paella, book ahead). Beach time at Malvarrosa/Patacona—wide sands, ideal for a lazy swim and great photos.

Evening: Sunset stroll on the promenade. Dinner in Ruzafa: Nozomi (top-tier sushi) or El Almacén (Mediterranean small plates). For drinks, Radio City (El Carmen) mixes locals and travelers; casual beach bars are lively in summer.

Day 7: Central Market Bites, Train to Madrid, Departure

Morning: Breakfast at Mercado Central—fresh fruit cups, jamón, and Spanish tortillas right from the stalls. Try horchata at Horchatería Santa Catalina in the old town.

Afternoon: Late-morning train back to Madrid (~1h50). If time allows before your flight, quick lunch near Atocha at Taberna El Sur (fast, tasty) or a final stroll through Retiro. Depart from MAD in the afternoon. For flights, compare on Omio (within Europe) or Trip.com/Kiwi.com.

Optional Add-Ons in Madrid (fit where you like)

• Eco Tuk Tuk overview ride: Efficient city orientation early in the trip. Welcome Tour to Madrid in Private Eco Tuk Tuk

  

• Flamenco night: For a classic tablao experience near Gran Vía: Flamenco Show & Special Menu at Torres Bermejas in Madrid

  

Budget tips (50/100 budget): Use menu del día lunch deals (€12–€18), ride the metro 10-ride card, book trains early on Omio, and balance splurge dinners with market grazing nights. Free museum hours often apply in the evenings—check schedules on arrival.

Alternative day trip if you skip Valencia overnight: Prefer staying Madrid-based? Swap Days 6–7 for a one-day three-city sprint: Three Cities in One Day: Segovia, Avila & Toledo from Madrid

—but for your beach/boat goal, Valencia is the better fit.

Final lodging note for Valencia-night logistics: If you’d rather keep all nights in Madrid, you can still do Valencia as a long day: early train down, catamaran/Albufera + beach, and a late train back (~1h50 each way).

Summary: In seven days you’ll taste Madrid’s tapas culture, see royal and artistic icons, dig into markets, and learn to cook paella—then trade cobblestones for Valencia’s sand and a breezy boat day. It’s an adventurous, photo-rich loop that balances must-see landmarks with local moments and great food.