Trip Essentials

How Many Days Do You Need in Madrid?

2 Days: The Highlights

Day 1: Royal Palace → Almudena Cathedral → Plaza Mayor → Puerta del Sol → tapas in La Latina. Day 2: Prado Museum → Retiro Park → Puerta de Alcalá → Gran Vía at night.

4 Days: Museums & Neighborhoods

Add the full Golden Triangle of Art (Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen-Bornemisza), a full day exploring Malasaña and Chueca, El Rastro on Sunday, and an evening flamenco show.

7 Days: The Complete Guide

Everything above, plus a day trip to San Lorenzo de El Escorial, the smaller museums (Sorolla, Cerralbo, Lázaro Galdiano), Casa de Campo, Madrid Río, and a Santiago Bernabéu or Metropolitano stadium tour.

Use the category pages in this guide to group nearby attractions and build a walking route for each day.