If you’re visiting Spain, you’ll likely spend time in the vibrant capital city of Madrid. For many people, it’s their first introduction to the country, its people, and its food. In fact, Madrid is where I first touched down in Spain over 10 years ago and I’ve been going back on short trips ever since. You could easily spend a week (or more!) exploring every corner of this intriguing city. After showing friends and family around and sharing my recommendations, I believe four days in Madrid is the perfect amount of time for a first-time visitor to explore the major sites without feeling rushed.

Day 1: Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, and Churros & Chocolate

Walk to Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol 

Get your bearings in the city with a walk to Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol—two iconic plazas in Madrid. In Plaza Mayor, stop at a café in the plaza for a tapa of patatas bravas. You’ll also find a popular spot to try Madrid’s famous calamari sandwich close by. A short walk from Plaza Mayor is Puerta del Sol. Here you’ll find Kilometer 0, a plaque on the ground that marks the center of Spain. The Puerta del Sol plaza is also special because it’s where Spain hosts and televises its annual New Year’s Eve celebration, similar to the US’ celebration in Times Square.

Eat churros and chocolate at San Ginés

Not too far from Puerta del Sol is San Ginés, Madrid ‘s famous churrería. Order “churros con chocolate” so you can dip your churros in the hot chocolate, which is basically straight melted chocolate. Contrary to what most foreigners believe, churros are not a dessert. Instead, Spaniards enjoy churros for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or after a night of partying. San Ginés opened its doors in 1894 and it has attracted plenty of celebrity visitors over the years, many of whom are in photos adorning the walls. As if you need more of a reason to visit San Ginés, the cafés interior is stunning and quintessentially European. It feels like you’re stepping back in time to the early 20th century.

Day 2: Prado Museum and Retiro Park

Visit the Prado Museum, Spain’s famous art museum

The Prado Museum is Spain’s famous art museum and where you’ll find some of the country’s most important works of art, like Velazquez’s Las Meninas. You’ll also find works by Goya, El Greco, and other renowned European artists. If you want to see Picasso, go to the Reina Sofía, Madrid’s modern art museum, where you’ll find Guernica, an eerie depiction of Spain during its Civil War. Madrid can get warm in the spring and very warm in the summer. El Prado is a great place to escape the heat and enjoy the air conditioning.

Stroll or picnic in Retiro Park

El Parque del Buen Retiro literally translates to “the park of good retreat”. Its name perfectly encompasses this green oasis as an escape from the bustling streets of Madrid. In 2021 it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is beloved by Madrileños and tourists alike. Bring a picnic or stroll through over 300 acres of trees and gardens. Major highlights of the park include an artificial lake where you can rent a rowboat as well as the Palacio del Cristal (the Glass Palace).

Day 3: Royal Palace and a Food Tour

Explore Spain’s Royal Palace

Spain is a democratic constitutional monarchy, which means citizens elect parties to parliament whose members pass laws and the king acts as the head of state. The Royal Palace in Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish monarch and is still used today to receive foreign dignitaries and host events. It’s really an incredible place with so much history—past and present. The palace is large with over 3,000 rooms. Give yourself the whole morning or afternoon to explore and take everything in. Best to buy tickets in advance.

Book a food tour

Discovering local cuisine and the must-try dishes is one of my favorite parts of traveling to a new place, but it’s hard to avoid the tourist traps. That’s why I absolutely loved Devour Tours’ Tapas, Taverns, and History Food Tour. A friendly, local guide showed me the city’s best historic bars and restaurants. The food was amazing and because of the small group size, felt like I ended the night with a new group of friends. I highly recommend this experience no matter if it’s your first time in Madrid or your fifth!

Day 4: Day Trip to Toledo

Take a day trip to Toledo

Just a 30-minute train ride from Madrid is the beautiful medieval city of Toledo. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also called the “city of three cultures” because it’s been molded by its Catholic, Moorish, and Jewish residents over the centuries. For more details about what to see and do in Toledo, check out this post.

This post was updated on July 24, 2023.