Madrid in 4 Days: everything you need to know

Although there’s plenty to see and do in Madrid, four days are enough to take in the essentials. Here’s a practical, well-organised itinerary to help you make the most of the Spanish capital.

Start your trip right in the heart of Madrid, discovering its most iconic squares and some of its most important historic buildings.

• Take a stroll through Puerta del Sol, one of Madrid’s most iconic spots, home to Kilometre Zero and the famous Bear and Strawberry Tree statue. If you’d like to explore this starting point in more depth, you can book a guided tour of Madrid.
• From there, walk to the Plaza Mayor and stop off at the San Miguel Market, the perfect spot for an early lunch. If you’re visiting Madrid at Christmas, you’ll find a fantastic Christmas market there. And if you’d prefer a more comprehensive experience, you can book a food tour.
• Nearby, pop into the Almudena Cathedral, the city’s most important religious building. To learn more about its history and architecture, you can book a guided tour of the Almudena Cathedral.
• Next, visit the imposing Royal Palace, the former home of the Spanish monarchy. You can book your tickets for the Royal Palace or visit the Royal Palace and see all the main highlights in advance.
• As evening falls, take a stroll through the Sabatini Gardens, right next to the Palace. They’re the perfect spot to watch the sunset. You can make the most of this visit if you’ve already booked tickets for the Royal Palace.
• In the evening, there’s nothing better than rounding off the day with a great plan: one of the city’s wine and tapas tours, which you can book here.

Spend this second day exploring the cultural heart of the Paseo del Prado.

• Start the day at Plaza de Cibeles and the Palacio de Cibeles, which currently houses the town hall. You can book a tour of the Palacio de Cibeles viewing platform to see the whole area from above.
• Walk along the Paseo del Prado until you reach the Neptune Fountain, a much-photographed neoclassical monument that you’ll see if you book a guided tuk-tuk tour of Madrid.
• Continue on to the Prado Museum, where you can see some of the finest works of European art. You can book a guided tour or buy your tickets for the Prado Museum in advance. You can also visit the Prado shop if you’re looking for a souvenir.
• After your visit, have lunch at one of the restaurants near the Prado Museum.
• In the afternoon, explore Retiro Park, the city’s green lung. You can book a tour of Retiro Park so you don’t miss the highlights: the Crystal Palace, the Avenue of the Statues, featuring sculptures of Spanish monarchs, and Retiro Lake, which is ideal for watching the sunset.
• In the evening, a unique option is to enjoy one of the flamenco shows. You can book a flamenco show in Madrid at various historic venues.

This is the perfect day for a spot of shopping, exploring the modern centre of Madrid and watching one of the city’s best sunsets.

• Start at Plaza del Callao, Madrid’s ‘Times Square’, which is ideal if you’ve booked your ticket for the Madrid sightseeing bus.
• Stroll along Gran Vía, where you can go shopping, have a coffee or simply admire its iconic buildings. A great way to do this is to book a private shopping tour of Madrid.
• Head to Plaza de España and the famous Monument to Miguel Cervantes featuring Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. You can book a bike tour of Madrid to explore this area in a more active way.
• Just a few steps away is the Temple of Debod, an Egyptian gem gifted to Spain, perfect for sunset. You can walk there or book a seat on the Madrid sightseeing bus.
• To round off your visit, head up to the terrace of the Círculo de Bellas Artes, where you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the city.

On your last day, visit some of the city’s key historical monuments and museums.

• Start at the Puerta de Alcalá, one of Madrid’s best-known landmarks. It’ll be one of the stops if you decide to book a guided tour of Madrid.
• Walk to the Royal Botanical Gardens of Madrid, a peaceful spot that’s ideal for a visit in spring or autumn. If you fancy something a bit different, you can book a private bike tour of Madrid.
• Nearby is Atocha Station, with its tropical garden. Take the opportunity to have a break or enjoy a private food tour of Madrid featuring 10 tastings.
• In the same area, visit the Reina Sofía Museum, which features works by Picasso, Dalí and Miró. You can book a guided tour of the Reina Sofía Museum or book your ticket to the Reina Sofía Museum. And don’t forget to pop into the Reina Sofía Museum shop.
• To round off your trip, booking a bike tour of Madrid or a Segway tour of Madrid could be the most fun way to say goodbye.

If you’ve got fewer days, I’d recommend checking out these alternative itineraries:

• Itinerary for seeing Madrid in 3 days.
• Itinerary for seeing Madrid in 2 days.
• Itinerary for seeing Madrid in 1 day.