Madrid in 5 days
Experience Madrid in 5 days: A memorable journey through history, art, and culture.
Are you ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant Madrid region? Madrid offers a unique experience that combines history, art, nature, gastronomy, shopping, and nightlife. In this 5-day itinerary, we will guide you through the city's most iconic corners and its surroundings, so you can make the most of your visit.
Day 1: Hapsburg Madrid, La Latina, and Gran Vía.
Morning: A new day is born at the Puerta del Sol. Begin your adventure at the Puerta del Sol, where the iconic statue of the Bear and the Madroño tree welcomes you to the heart of Madrid. Fuel up with a delicious chocolate con churros before exploring the Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, and the Almudena Cathedral. Don't miss the chance to visit the cathedral's crypt and enjoy the breathtaking views from its dome.
Midday: Discover Madrid through tapas. Let yourself be seduced by the magic of the San Miguel Market, a gastronomic paradise where you can savor the best products from every corner of Spain, from the most traditional (calamari sandwiches, patatas bravas...) to the most innovative options. Immerse yourself in the charming neighborhood of La Latina to continue your tapas journey among its historic bars and modern options.
Afternoon: Temple of Debod, the best sunset in Madrid. Head to the Temple of Debod to end the afternoon with a spectacular sunset from this stunning viewpoint in the Parque del Oeste.
Night: Gran Vía, a paradise for lovers of the performing arts. Stroll down the Gran Vía and enjoy a show at one of the theaters in Madrid's little Broadway. Experiencing the Gran Vía at night is a must!

Photo: Statue of the Bear and the Madroño

Photo: San Miguel Market

Photo: Temple of Debod

Photo: Lope de Vega Theatre
Day 2: Discovering the wonders of San Lorenzo de El Escorial and its environs
Morning: The eighth wonder. Visit the majestic Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its halls, gardens, and basilica. Don't miss the library, the Pantheon of the Kings, and the Patio de los Reyes.
Midday: Dine like a king. Enjoy a traditional meal at one of San Lorenzo de El Escorial's restaurants, trying dishes like Madrid-style stew or roast lamb.
Afternoon: History and nature. If you have time, you can visit the Valley of the Fallen, a memorial monument built during the Franco dictatorship. Alternatively, you can take a walk to Felipe II's chair, an ancient Celtic altar with stunning views of the Monastery.
Evening: The king's theater. Enjoy a performance at the Royal Colosseum Carlos III Theater and stay overnight, or return to Madrid to rest from this great day. You're only 45 minutes from the capital!
*This is a suggested getaway. Before you decide, take a look at the other destinations Madrid has to offer, each with its own unique character. You'll be surprised!

Photo: The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Photo: Cuelgamuros Valley

Photo: Carlos III Royal Colosseum Theater
Art and culture in the heart of the city
Mañana: Paseo del Arte. Visita el Museo del Prado y el Museo Reina Sofía. En el Prado, no te pierdas las obras maestras de Velázquez, Goya y El Greco. En el Reina Sofía, encontrarás el imprescindible Guernica de Picasso, además de obras de Dalí o Miró.
Mediodía: El Madrid literario. Almuerza en el barrio de las Letras y descubre sus tabernas centenarias. Conoce la historia de este emblemático barrio que tuvo a ilustres vecinos del Siglo de Oro español como Cervantes, Lope de Vega o Quevedo. Si tienes tiempo, visita la Casa Museo Lope de Vega, la última morada del "fénix de los ingenios". Y sobre todo, no te vayas sin probar las viandas que ofrecen restaurantes castizos y con solera como el cocido o los callos a la madrileña.
Tarde: Relájate en el Parque del Retiro. Alquila una barca en el estanque, o una bicicleta para descubrir joyas como el Palacio de Cristal, el Palacio de Velázquez, la estatua del Ángel Caído, el Parterre...
Noche: El Flamenco es pasión. Asiste a un espectáculo flamenco en uno de los tablaos más famosos de Madrid. Cualquiera de los Tablaos madrileños te emocionarán.

Photo: Pablo Picasso's Guernica masterpiece housed at the Reina Sofía National Art Museum

Photo: Hose-Museum of Lope de Vega

Photo: The Retiro Park

Photo: Flamenco

Photo: Las Meninas de Velázquez en el Museo Nacional del Prado
Day 4: Aranjuez and Chinchón
Mañana: Visita el Palacio Real de Aranjuez, una joya del barroco español. Explora sus jardines, La Casita del Príncipe y el Museo de Falúas Reales. Admira la belleza de Aranjuez navegando en barco por el Tajo o alquila una bicicleta y recorre los jardines a tu propio ritmo.
Mediodía: Una Vega Real. Almuerza en uno de los restaurantes de Aranjuez, y no te vayas sin probar los productos de su huerta como la fresa de Aranjuez.
Tarde: Una plaza de película. Explora el pintoresco pueblo de Chinchón y su Plaza Mayor con aire medieval que ha sido escenario de grandes producciones cinematográficas. Visita la Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, el museo etnológico o descubre una bodega tradicional.
Noche: Haz que el tiempo se pare. Disfruta de una cena en un restaurante tradicional de Chinchón, probando platos tradicionales que te enamorarán. ¡La Plaza de Chinchón de noche es espectacular!
*Esta es una propuesta de escapada, antes de decidirte echa un vistazo al resto de destinos que te ofrece Madrid, cada uno tiene su alma. ¡Te sorprenderán!

Photo: Royal Palace of Aranjuez

Photo: Aranjuez gardens

Photo: Chinchón main square
Day 5: Modern Madrid and Shopping
Morning: The Golden Mile. Discover the Salamanca district, renowned for its luxury shops. Visit Serrano Street and Goya Street. If you haven't already, the National Archaeological Museum is a true gem.
Midday: Chueca is avant-garde. Have lunch at one of Chueca's trendy restaurants. This iconic gay neighborhood offers a cutting-edge Madrid.
Afternoon: The most alternative Madrid. Immerse yourself in Malasaña. Discover its vintage shops, independent design stores, and local crafts.
Night: From Madrid to the sky. Enjoy your last night in Madrid, dining at one of the trendy rooftop bars with views of the city.

Photo: Shopping

Photo: Longoria Palace in Chueca neighborhood

Photo: The best rooftop bars in Madrid
Make your trip to Madrid memorable
Additional unique activities:
Sports: If you are a football fan, you can visit the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, the Wanda Metropolitano, or the Legends Museum.
Nature: If you prefer natural spaces, don't miss an excursion to the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park.
Shows: Attend an opera at the Teatro Real, a zarzuela at the Teatro de la Zarzuela, a play, or a concert in one of the city's venues.
Shopping: Explore El Rastro, an open-air market held on Sunday mornings.
Tips:
Transportation: Use the metro to get around the city. It's comfortable, fast, and affordable.
Tickets: Book your tickets in advance for the most popular museums and shows.
Gastronomy: Try typical Madrid dishes (cocido madrileño, calamari sandwich, chocolate with churros...) and don't miss the opportunity to taste regional wines.
Weather: Check the weather forecast before packing.
Enjoy your trip to Madrid!
This itinerary is a suggestion and can be adapted to your personal interests and tastes.