5-day itinerary

The Perfect 5 Days in Madrid

A balanced 5-day plan for Madrid, built around its top-rated sights so each day flows without backtracking — plus a bite to eat along the way. Like it? Make it your own in a couple of taps.

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Day 1The Big Highlights

  1. Morning

    Royal Palace

    Spain's grandest royal residence, a baroque masterpiece with opulent halls and breathtaking Madrid views.

  2. Afternoon

    Royal Palace of Madrid

    Explore the opulent official home of Spanish royalty, filled with priceless art and breathtaking royal chambers.

  3. Evening

    Teatro Real

    Madrid's majestic opera house dazzles with world-class performances beneath stunning 19th-century gilded ceilings.

Where to eat: LhardyA well-loved local spot.

Day 2Culture & Icons

  1. Morning

    Plaza Mayor

    Madrid's magnificent 17th-century plaza buzzes with cafés, street performers, and centuries of royal history.

  2. Afternoon

    Presidencia de la Comunidad de Madrid

    This iconic 18th-century landmark anchors Madrid's famous Puerta del Sol with regal, clock-tower grandeur.

  3. Evening

    Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza

    Explore 700 years of European masterpieces in a stunning neoclassical palace in Madrid's golden art mile.

Where to eat: Casa LucioA well-loved local spot.

Day 3Culture & Icons

  1. Morning

    CentroCentro

    A vibrant arts centre inside Madrid's stunning Palacio de Cibeles, blending exhibitions, events, and city views.

  2. Afternoon

    Prado Museum

    Home to Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco — Spain's royal art collection is simply unmissable.

  3. Evening

    Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

    Home to Picasso's Guernica, Spain's premier modern art museum is unmissable for culture lovers.

Where to eat: BotínA well-loved local spot.

Day 4Culture & Icons

  1. Morning

    Estación de Atocha

    Madrid's stunning 19th-century station hides a lush tropical garden beneath its iconic iron-and-glass roof.

  2. Afternoon

    El Retiro Park

    Stroll through Madrid's beloved royal park, with boating lakes, shaded paths, and grand monuments.

  3. Evening

    The Temple of Debod

    A 2,000-year-old Egyptian temple gifted to Spain, rising beautifully against Madrid's skyline.

Where to eat: HorcherA well-loved local spot.

Day 5Culture & Icons

  1. Morning

    Palacio de la Moncloa

    Spanish government palace set in expansive gardens, a symbol of state power and historic architecture.

  2. Afternoon

    Palacio Real de El Pardo

    Explore a stunning royal palace nestled in lush forests, once the favored retreat of Spanish monarchs.

  3. Evening

    CASA C-212-100

    A historic monument in Madrid.

Where to eat: Café de OrienteA well-loved local spot.

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Built from Madrid's top-rated attractions. Opening hours, prices, and whether a spot still delivers can change — double-check anything time-sensitive before you go.