Madrid in 5 days

The Spanish capital where the streets are alive until 3am and the museums rival Paris. Best time to visit: March-May and September-November. Average daily budget: $80 to $140 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Sol & Gran Vía, The beating heart. Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, shopping, street performers.

Morning: El Rastro Sunday market. Europe's largest flea market. Go early, eat churros after.

Afternoon: Explore Sol & Gran Vía, The beating heart. Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, shopping, street performers.

Evening: The Golden Triangle of Art. Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen-Bornemisza. Book Prado tickets ahead. Reina Sofía is free certain evenings.

Eat: Bocadillo de calamares (fried squid sandwich) at any bar near Plaza Mayor

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: La Latina, Tapas central. Cava Baja is the best food street in the city.

Morning: Retiro Park rowboats and Crystal Palace. The city's green lung. Free concerts inside the glass palace on weekends.

Afternoon: Explore La Latina, Tapas central. Cava Baja is the best food street in the city.

Evening: Tapas crawl through La Latina. Sunday is the day, after the El Rastro flea market. Bar-hop down Cava Baja, a caña and a tapa at each stop, standing room only, that's how you know it's good.

Eat: Cocido madrileño (hearty chickpea stew) at La Bola

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Malasaña, Indie, alternative, vintage shops, the neighbourhood that never sleeps.

Morning: Tapas crawl from La Latina to Malasaña. Mushrooms at Casa Dani, croquetas at La Croquetina, vermouth at Bodega de la Ardosa.

Afternoon: Explore Malasaña, Indie, alternative, vintage shops, the neighbourhood that never sleeps.

Evening: Sunset at Templo de Debod. An actual ancient Egyptian temple in a park, with the city's best free sunset over the western sky reflected in its pools. Arrive early for a good spot on the steps.

Eat: Churros con chocolate at Chocolatería San Ginés (open 24 hours)

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Chueca, LGBTQ+ heart of the city. Colourful, open, fantastic restaurants.

Morning: Templo de Debod - an ancient Egyptian temple in a Madrid park, gift from Egypt.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Chueca, LGBTQ+ heart of the city. Colourful, open, fantastic restaurants.

Evening: Mercado de Antón Martín - a locals-only market with a hidden flamenco tablao upstairs.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Vermouth and a tapa at Bodega de la Ardosa

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Retiro & Salamanca, Elegant, upscale, the park, the Prado, the designer boutiques.

Morning: Casa de Campo cable car - panoramic views, ends at an amusement park, costs €6.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Retiro & Salamanca, Elegant, upscale, the park, the Prado, the designer boutiques.

Evening: La Venencia - a sherry bar unchanged since 1920, no phones, no photos, no tapas.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Bocadillo de calamares (fried squid sandwich) at any bar near Plaza Mayor

Hidden gems

Templo de Debod - an ancient Egyptian temple in a Madrid park, gift from Egypt.
Mercado de Antón Martín - a locals-only market with a hidden flamenco tablao upstairs.
Casa de Campo cable car - panoramic views, ends at an amusement park, costs €6.
La Venencia - a sherry bar unchanged since 1920, no phones, no photos, no tapas.

Getting around

The metro is excellent and cheap. The centre is walkable - Sol to Retiro is a pleasant 20-minute stroll. Avoid taxis at changeover times (4pm and 8pm).

Safety

Very safe. Pickpockets work the metro, Plaza Mayor, and El Rastro. Keep bags zipped and phones away on crowded platforms. Solo travellers are common and comfortable at all hours.

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