The capital of Spain is one of the great European cities, with an impressive tourist offer, which invites you to get to know its neighborhoods and its people. This itinerary of 7 days in Madrid, will let you deep dive into different parts of, such as, Reina Sofia Museum or Santiago Bernabeu.
But also you will get to know lots of hidden gems!
Are you ready to have a blast in Madrid?
THE BEST 7 DAY PLAN IN MADRID
Why you should explore Madrid in a week?
If you are still not sure why you should spend approximately a week in Madrid, this 7 days itinerary will show you all the reasons why Madrid is worth visiting:
1. It has internationally recognized museums, called the Art Triangle: the Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen Bornemisza museums where you can find the works of Spanish artists such as Picasso or Goya.
2. Gastronomy is another plus point for going to Madrid. Spanish cuisine is Mediterranean, but in recent years it has evolved and grown exponentially. The capital offers a wide variety of local and international dishes and a fusion between Spanish and international cuisine.
3 . If you like soccer, definitely you should go to Madrid. In the city, there soccer craziness is huge, and people go hard for Real Madrid and Atletico de Madrid.
4. And another reason could be all the activities and parties you can attend in Madrid. The Spanish capital has incredible nightlife and offers many shows throughout the week.
Ready to discover all the hidden corners of Madrid in this ultimate 7 days itinerary?
FIRST DAY OF THE ITINERARY IN MADRID
To kick off your adventure in this 7 days itinerary in Madrid, head straight to Puerta del sol: this is a place where you will have many shops, restaurants, and establishments , but you can also see the historical buildings of the city.
Then, from Puerta del Sol, take a 10 minute stroll to one of the most known neighborhoods: Chueca. This is the epicenter of the LGTBQ+ community in the Spanish capital and is also a symbol for the rest of the nation.
The neighborhood stands out a loooot in June because of the celebration of gay pride. But anyway it offers things through the year: While you are there, you can also enjoy different galleries and theaters within the neighborhood.
An area that you should know in Madrid is the Malasaña neighborhood, 15 minutes from the Chueca neighborhood; known for its Plaza del 2 de Mayo and its streets full of artistic graffiti, this neighborhood has a cool, bohemian vibe. It’s also a great spot to grab a drink at night or to go to a party in Madrid.
Next stop, Mercado de San Miguel: An essential stop for foodies and food lovers! This market mixes classic Spanish tapas with tasty treats from around the world. Here you can drink, and eat sweet, and savory, main dishes, desserts, local food, and international food… It’s just a 15-minute walk from Malasaña and 10 minutes from Puerta del Sol!
By the way, do you like soccer?
You will love this place, Plaza de Cibeles: Its fountain is super famous because that’s where Real Madrid celebrates their big wins! It’s a 20-minute walk from the San Miguel market, but you can also take the metro on Line 2 if you don’t want to walk.
SECOND DAY PLAN IN MADRID
Visiting Madrid without knowing the art triangle would be a crime, so …
The first Museum is Reina Sofia: Here you will find Picasso’s Guernica along with other works by Spanish artists like Joan Miró. The museum features pieces from many famous Spanish painters across different art movements, very worthy to visit!
On the other hand, if you would like to see pieces by Hopper, Caravaggio, Monet, Van Gogh, … you should visit the Thyssen Museum – Borzemisa. It is immense, with more than 600 pieces. Get your tickets here
And last but not least, Madrid also has the Prado Museum: you can enjoy the masterpieces of Velázquez, Goya, Rubens, and more. The Prado is a cultural treasure and an essential visit.
Five minutes from the Prado museum it looks like a normal park but it is not: El retiro of Madrid. In it, you can visit the Crystal Palace, take a boat ride,… there are many activities within the park; What’s more, on Sundays there is usually a music band playing. Oh and it’s free!
Take the opportunity to visit the Velazquez Palace: it is located within Retiro Park and depends on the Reina Sofia museum. In this place, there are exhibitions of contemporary art. A lot of tourists miss this spot, but trust me, it’s totally worth spending a few hours at El Retiro Park as part of your Madrid’s itinerary.
The Royal Palace of Madrid
If it is your first time visiting the city, during this 7 day itinerary in Madrid, it is also worth seeing the Royal Palace from the inside, as it offers a historical experience of both the city and the history of the nation.
Did you know it is one of the largest palaces in the world?
Of course it has undergone many modifications over the centuries! But the curious thing is throughout its history, only a few Spanish kings have used it as an official residence (the president of the republic did, though). In fact, the current King of Spain doesn’t live in the royal palace!
Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for the garden, which is open until 7 p.m. Most of the day, access is not free, but it is possible to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid for free, from Monday to Thursday, 5 pm to 6 pm. Buying tickets is best done online through the website.There are different ticket prices and there is also the possibility of hiring a guide.
From the Thyssen Museum it is approximately 25 minutes stroll. Also, you can go by metro (line 5 and 2) and by bus.
Spoiler: if you would like to get to know more about Madrid, from the Royal Palace just in 15-minute you can visit the Campo del Moro Gardens: it is open every day and access is free. It’s a garden that was created by King Philip II and it’s quite pretty, to be honest.
FOURTH DAY PLAN IN MADRID
The first few days we visited the famous Museums, monuments and spots in Madrid, but what about the lesser-known places? Let me tell you about Madrid’s hidden gems! I’ve got everything covered in this 7 day itinerary plan in Madrid 😉
Liria Palace is one of Madrid’s hidden gems and a super cool place to visit. Recently opened to the public, this palace is full of amazing art and history that not many people know about. It’s like a secret treasure waiting to be discovered. It used to belong to one of Spain’s great aristocratic families, the Duchy of Alba.
At Liria Palace, you can see the family’s personal collection, which includes Hellenistic art, a unique library, and Italian paintings. It’s one of the most underrated places in Madrid (maybe cause it’s not very known yet) and if you like art, it’s just as important as the Prado and Reina Sofía Museums.
With the Madrid City Card, the ticket costs 13 euros, but make sure to book your visit to Liria Palace online in advance because they usually have small groups!
Next stop…near the Atocha station, there is a recently created urban art Museum called “La Neomudejar”. It is certainly not the mainstream or classic style of art that we can see in the main museums of Madrid, so it is worth visiting.
Next, there’s the Puerta de Alcalá, a national monument with a special significance for Madrid locals. It used to be part of the city’s defense wall and has been modified over time. The gate you see today was built in the 17th century. It’s worth exploring the area!
FIFTH DAY OF THE ITINERARY IN MADRID
Throughout this week-long itinerary in Madrid, the goal is to explore the city at your own pace, without the need for a guide. Make sure you include these fantastic locations on your plan!
What places can’t you miss in Madrid?
The Temple of Debod
Do you like Egyptology? Did you know that Madrid has an Egyptian temple? Surely you have seen this wonder in a documentary or on social networks. It’s worth going just to take some photos inside! It is near the Plaza de España (Calle Ferraz). Admission is free.
Cerralbo Museum
After learning more about Egyptology, a few minutes from the Temple of Debod is the Cerralbo Museum, which is a museum little known to tourists. It is a Palace where various works and pieces of art from an aristocratic family are exhibited. Admission costs 3 euros except on Sundays, which is the day of free access to the Museum, and on Thursdays, from 5 to 8 in the afternoon; It is closed on Mondays.
Cathedral of Almudena
And, to continue with more art, there is the Almudena, the Cathedral par excellence of the Spanish capital, and one of the best known internationally. This place, in addition to being a place of worship, is also a historical point of the city. Inside the Church, there is a museum, which is worth visiting 🙂
San Antonio de la Florida
If you still want to see more unknown but very beautiful places in Madrid, no problem 😉 You should visit the Hermitage of San Antonio de la Florida. Located in the San Antonio de la Florida Glorieta, it can be reached by bus (41 and 46) and by metro (lines 5 and 10). However, from Almudena, you can walk since it is 15 minutes.
SIXTH DAY PLAN IN MADRID
What better way than to get to know Madrid’s passion for soccer?
Even if you don’t like soccer, it is a different experience, since Madrid is also known for the milestones achieved by its soccer teams, Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid. This is why I believe it should be in your 7 day itinerary plan in Madrid:
The Santiago Bernabeu is the home of Real Madrid and is surely the best-known worldwide. The tour of the stadium is worth taking, and it is not very expensive, it costs 25 euros per adult if you buy it online (it is better to book and if you buy the Madrid Card you have a 3 euro discount). There is the option of going with a guided tour.
On the other hand, there is Atletico de Madrid. The Museum of this great team is as interesting as the previous one. It is located in the Civitas metropolitan stadium, located on Avenida Luis Aragonés street. The ticket costs 22 euros online but with the City Card they give you a 10% discount and they also offer audio guides in different languages.
LAST DAY OF THE 7 DAY ITINERARY IN MADRID
The last day is to visit, in my opinion, a place that is not so recognized but is worth knowing: the Museum of Romanticism, where the lifestyle of the bourgeoisie in the era of Romanticism is represented. It contains a collection of paintings, dating back to the 19th century. If you would like to see paintings by Francisco de Goya, without a doubt, this is your place.
If you still have free time, what can you add into this 7 day itinerary in Madrid?
If you want to make the most of the last day, take note!
Telefonica Foundation space, which offers technological and avant-garde exhibitions. Located on Calle Fuencarral 3, it can be reached by metro (lines 1 and 5) or by bus (1, 2, 46, 74, 146, 202, N16, N18, N19, N20, N21).
But, above all, what is very cool about Madrid is the Rastro: it is the market of the Spanish capital, which only exists during weekends and holidays. If it happens to be a Sunday, go for a walk there, since it is an emblematic phenomenon of Madrid.
FAQs about Madrid’s itinerary plan
How to get to Madrid?
Madrid has very good international connections so the best option is to fly to Madrid and land at the Adolfo Suarez-Barajas airport.
From there, you can go to the center by metro or by bus or there is also the possibility of going by taxi or Uber.
What is the weather like in Madrid?
There are two seasons to take into account: winter and summer. In both, temperatures can be extreme depending on the year. Furthermore, in winter, the city is usually more saturated since Christmas in Madrid is very popular.
In summer, on the other hand, it is very hot, but, indeed, the crowds are usually smaller (especially from August 15 to the first week of September, since locals go to the beach ;);) ).
Which area of Madrid is best to stay in?
Madrid has hotels with different prices, some affordable and others… not so affordable.
That’s why planning this part can be the most complicated. But don’t worry, there you have a list of the best hotels to stay in Madrid.
The hotels I mention below are mostly centrally located but you can still get away from the center and use public transport in the Spanish capital if you want the price to be more affordable.
In any case, depending on the time of year, prices can rise considerably, such as during Easter, Christmas, or summer. Madrid is always receiving tourists! So plan ahead to get the best!
Pricey hotels first, which are: Novotel Madrid Center, One Shot Luchana, Hotel Mayorazgo, Hotel Catalonia gran via and Emperor Hotel.
And the hotels that have a better offer in terms of price but have good location… there are a few:
SLEEP’N Atocha, The Artrip Hotel, Suites Vienna Plaza de España, Hotel Francisco I, Hotel room mate Alicia,Ibis Madrid Center and HRC Hotel
Without a doubt, these are the hotels that offer good accommodation and a good location in Madrid. You can walk to most monuments and museums from these hotels.
Sometimes, it’s worth paying a bit more to stay close to everything instead of spending time on buses or trains.
Is it possible to do day trips from Madrid? Can you get to know more than one city next to Madrid?
Yes, you can take day trips.
Toledo is usually the preferred destination from Madrid for day trips, as it offers many things to see and do.
You also have the possibility of seeing Madrid along with Barcelona on a single trip: take a look at the post I wrote about both cities and how to do it.
On the other hand, it is possible to go by train to Seville or Valencia from Madrid but to get to know those cities you need more than one day.
I can’t make 7 days in Madrid. Would be enough 5 days in Madrid?
Yes sure, you can. If you cannot make your vacations this week-long itinerary in Madrid, just skip the 6th and 7th day of this plan 😉 5 days in Madrid is totally fine!
Where to eat in Madrid?
A great tip I can offer you for this trip to Madrid is to try Madrid’s gastronomy:
If you want to know about high-end restaurants, I’ll give you a couple of examples such as the Dos Cielos Madrid restaurant and La Parrilla de la Maquina.
If you would like to try the haute cuisine, Dabiz Muñoz’s restaurant, DiverXO, has a very good reputation (it is very expensive but worth the experience). There are also well-known chefs with a more affordable price, such as the restaurant BiBo, by chef Dani García.
Essential places to eat in Madrid that you should know at a good price are, for example:
Villanueva’s hideout, Maple Sisters, Treze, Bump Green, Avocado love and V for Vegeta
For Brunch in Madrid, in my opinion, it is essential to go to Casa Suecia (in the NH Hotel on Marqués Street in Casa Riera), Marieta (located on Paseo de la Castellana), Sana Locura which is one of the best brunches in Madrid that is gluten-free (in the Salamanca neighborhood, very close to the United States embassy).
If you are looking for a more sophisticated (but expensive) brunch, I recommend the one offered at the Intercontinental Hotel in Madrid.
And of course, if you go to Madrid in winter, you can’t miss trying the churros! The most famous places are Churerría Madrid 1883, Chocolat Madrid, Chocolateria 1092, and Manosanta.
How to move around Madrid?
This 7 day itinerary is designed to be done walking, taking into account the proximity of the places. In any case, if you feel like getting around by public transport, get the Madrid City Pass (or Madrid City Card, it’s the same thing). It will give you access to unlimited trips by metro, bus, train…
They are passes for 1 to 5 days: the one-day pass costs 10 euros and the 5-day pass costs 32 euros per person.
How to buy the Madrid City Card?
Now, to acquire the Madrid City Card there are different ways, both physical and online. Physically you can go to any tourist office (there is one in the Plaza Mayor) but the most convenient thing is to make the purchase online and pick it up at Barajas Airport (at the tourist information offices T2 and T4).
P.S: The Madrid City pass is not only used for transportation but also gives discounts at museums and monuments. You can benefit from discounts for the Thyssen Bornesmiza Museum, for the tour of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, for the tour of the Atletico de Madrid stadium, for the Circle of Fine Arts…
I hope you have enjoyed this 7 day Madrid itinerary and hopefully will work for you 🙂