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5 days in Madrid

A realistic day-by-day plan with start times, how long to allow, and travel estimates between stops.

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This 5-day plan covers Prado Museum, Retiro Park, Tapas, Royal Palace of Madrid and more. It starts around 9am, keeps two main things per day with a proper lunch, and leaves the evening for food or a show. Travel times are estimates from the distance between stops.

1

Day 1

Prado Museum, Retiro Park & more

  1. 09:00

    Prado Museum

    3 h

    The collection is enormous. Pick a route – Velázquez, Goya and the Flemish masters – and treat it as a three-hour visit rather than a complete tour.

  2. 12:30

    Lunch

    Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.

  3. 14:00

    ↓ About 9 min on foot

    Retiro Park

    2 h

    Rent a rowboat on the lake. Weekends are lively.

  4. 19:00

    ↓ About 10 min by metro or taxi

    Tapas & Wine Tour

    3 h

    Madrid's tapas bars are standing-room and busy. Going with a guide gets you into places you might not enter alone.

2

Day 2

Royal Palace of Madrid & Santiago Bernabéu Stadium Tour

  1. 09:00

    Royal Palace of Madrid

    3 h

    Photography is not allowed inside. The palace closes for official events, so check the calendar before going.

  2. 12:30

    Lunch

    Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.

  3. 14:00

    ↓ About 15 min by metro or taxi

    Santiago Bernabéu Stadium Tour

    4 h

    Tours are limited on match days. Allow around two hours.

  4. 19:30

    Dinner

    Book ahead if you want a specific restaurant, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.

3

Day 3

Explore Madrid

  1. 09:00

    Morning in La Latina

    Medieval lanes and tapas bars, especially lively on Sunday afternoons.

  2. 12:30

    Lunch

    Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.

  3. 14:00

    Afternoon in Malasaña

    Vintage shops, small bars and live music, with a youthful feel.

  4. 19:30

    Dinner

    Book ahead if you want a specific restaurant, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.

4

Day 4

Day trip: Toledo Day Trip

  1. 08:30

    Toledo Day Trip

    Full day

    Toledo is hilly and cobbled. The train is quick, but a tour covers the sights with a guide and often adds Segovia.

  2. 19:00

    Evening back in Madrid

    Dinner near your hotel. After a full day out, keep the evening easy.

5

Day 5

Day trip: Segovia Day Trip

  1. 08:30

    Segovia Day Trip

    Full day

    Trains from Madrid take about 30 minutes.

  2. 19:00

    Evening back in Madrid

    Dinner near your hotel. After a full day out, keep the evening easy.

The route on a map

Pins follow the order of the plan. Click a pin for details.

Best time to visit Madrid

The most comfortable months with manageable crowds are Sep. These are broad seasonal patterns, not forecasts.

  1. Jan
    Cold
    Crowds: quiet
  2. Feb
    Cool
    Crowds: quiet
  3. Mar
    Cool
    Crowds: busy
  4. Apr
    Mild
    Crowds: peak
  5. May
    Warm
    Crowds: peak
  6. Jun
    Hot
    Crowds: peak
  7. Jul
    Hot
    Crowds: busy
  8. Aug
    Hot
    Crowds: busy
  9. Sep
    Warm
    Crowds: busy
  10. Oct
    Mild
    Crowds: peak
  11. Nov
    Cool
    Crowds: peak
  12. Dec
    Cold
    Crowds: busy

Best months Peak crowds and harsh weatherBars show how busy it is: taller means more visitors.

5-day Madrid questions

Is 5 days enough for Madrid?

Three days for the city, plus one for Toledo. This plan fits the main sights into 5 days at a comfortable pace, with a lunch break each day.

Can I change the order of the days?

Yes. Group days by neighbourhood if your hotel is far from a sight, and swap any day if opening hours (many museums close one day a week) or the weather requires it.

What should I book before I go?

Book Prado Museum, Royal Palace of Madrid, Toledo Day Trip first – they use timed entry or sell out.