5-Day Madrid Itinerary: Art, Tapas and Day Trips

Madrid is a city made for long walks, late dinners and slow afternoons in leafy parks and plazas. You get the Prado and Reina Sofia, the wide paths of Retiro Park, cafe lined neighborhoods and easy day trips by train. With five days, you can explore the main sights without rushing and still give yourself a full day to visit either Segovia or Toledo.

We stayed at Atocha Hotel Madrid, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, right on Calle Atocha. The location made it very easy to walk to the major museums and board trains for our day trip, which kept the days simple and enjoyable.

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Getting Into the City

From Madrid Barajas Airport, we took the Expres Aeropuerto bus to Atocha. It runs frequently between the airport terminals and Atocha station and is straightforward if you are staying nearby. Once we stepped off the bus, it was only a short walk to our hotel.

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Where We Stayed: Atocha Hotel Madrid

Atocha Hotel Madrid, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, sits in Madrid Centro, a few blocks from:

• Atocha station, ideal for day trips to Toledo and Segovia
• The Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen museums
• Barrio de Las Letras, a lively and walkable area of cafes and restaurants

If you want to walk to museums and then jump directly onto a train, this location works very well.

Other neighborhoods that also pair well with this itinerary include:

• Sol or Gran Via for a very central base
• La Latina for tapas streets and evening atmosphere
• Las Letras for a lively, compact area close to Retiro

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Menú del Día in Madrid

Madrid takes lunch seriously, and the menú del día is one of the best ways to experience it. Most weekday lunch menus include:

• A starter
• A main course
• Dessert or coffee
• Bread
• A drink, often water, soft drink, beer or wine

Restaurants usually list their menú del día on a board outside. It is an easy way to try local dishes and keep dinner more flexible.

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Our 5-Day Madrid Itinerary

Day 1 – Atocha, Gran Via and Old Madrid

Afternoon – First Walk Through the Center

After checking in, we walked up Calle Atocha toward Puerta del Sol, then continued to Plaza Mayor. It is a good first loop for getting a sense of the city.

Madrid City Hall

On the way or afterward, we stopped at Mercado de San Miguel, right next to Plaza Mayor. It is not a hidden spot, but it is a fun place to sample a few Spanish snacks under one roof. Markets in Madrid mix traditional stalls with modern counter restaurants, so they work well for grazing.

Evening – Tapas in La Latina

In the evening, we headed to La Latina and explored Cava Baja, one of the most popular streets for a tapas crawl. Order one or two small plates at each bar and move on when you are ready. It is an easy way to settle into Madrid's rhythm.

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Day 2 – Prado, Reina Sofia and Retiro

Morning – Prado Museum

We spent our morning at the Prado Museum, which focuses on classical European and Spanish masters like Velazquez, Goya and El Greco. It is one of Europe's most significant art museums, so we picked a few rooms to focus on rather than trying to see everything.

Prado Museum

Afternoon – Reina Sofia and Retiro Park

In the afternoon, we visited the Reina Sofia, home to Picasso's Guernica, along with modern and contemporary Spanish art. You can also swap in the Thyssen Bornemisza if you want a more mixed collection.

From there, we walked into Retiro Park for a slow loop around the lake and the Crystal Palace.

Retiro Park

Inside Retiro, take a moment to stop at La Rosaleda, the rose garden. It was created in the early twentieth century and has hundreds of rose varieties arranged in circular paths. It is at its best in late spring and early summer.

La Rosaleda rose garden in Retiro Park

Evening

We had a simple dinner somewhere between Retiro and Atocha, which made it easy to wind down after a full day of walking.

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Day 3 – Royal Palace, Cathedral and Temple of Debod

Morning – Royal Quarter

We took the metro to Plaza de Oriente and toured the Royal Palace of Madrid. It is the official residence of the Spanish royal family, although they do not live there today. The State Rooms and ceremonial halls give a sense of Spain's royal history.

Royal Palace of Madrid

After the palace, we stepped inside Almudena Cathedral or took a moment to appreciate the view of both buildings from the square.

Afternoon – Sabatini Gardens and Temple of Debod

We walked through the Sabatini Gardens below the palace, then continued to the Temple of Debod. This is an actual ancient Egyptian temple from the second century BC. Egypt gifted it to Spain in the 1960s as thanks for Spain's help in protecting historic sites during the construction of the Aswan High Dam. The temple was dismantled, moved to Madrid and rebuilt stone by stone on a small hill. It is one of the best places in Madrid for west facing views, especially near sunset.

Evening – Malasaña or Back to La Latina

In the evening, you can head to Malasaña for bars, cafes and a younger atmosphere, or return to La Latina if you want to repeat the tapas streets you liked on your first night.

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Day 4 – Day Trip to Segovia or Toledo

Staying near Atocha makes this day smooth and simple.

Getting to the Trains

• For Toledo, walk to Atocha station and catch a high speed train. Travel time is usually about 30 to 40 minutes.
• For Segovia, take the metro or Cercanías to Chamartin, then take a high speed train to Segovia Guiomar, about 25 to 30 minutes. From the station, take a short bus or taxi to the old town.

Both can be booked online with little effort.

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Option A – Segovia

Why Segovia

Segovia is compact and built around three major sights:

• The Roman aqueduct, one of the best preserved in the world
• The Gothic cathedral on Plaza Mayor
• The Alcázar, a pointed fortress on a cliff that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale

The Alcázar is often mentioned as an inspiration for the castle in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and is commonly linked to the look of Disney's Cinderella castle.

Segovia old town

What the Day Looks Like

Start at the aqueduct, walk up through the old town to the cathedral and the Alcázar, then stop for a menú del día lunch. Cochinillo, roast suckling pig, is the regional specialty, but you will find plenty of other options too.

Alcázar of Segovia

Segovia has some slopes and cobbles but is generally easier to navigate than Toledo.

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Option B – Toledo

Why Toledo

Toledo is known as the City of Three Cultures because Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities shaped it for centuries. The entire old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its medieval street layout makes wandering feel like you have stepped back in time.

Toledo skyline from Mirador del Valle

What the Day Looks Like

Take the morning train from Atocha to Toledo and either walk or taxi up the hill into the historic center. Visit the cathedral, the Alcázar and the Jewish Quarter, then make your way to Mirador del Valle for the classic skyline view.

The Toledo Cathedral is extraordinary. The interior is one of the most intricate and impressive we have seen in Spain, with towering ceilings, elaborate chapels, and centuries of artwork layered throughout. If you only go inside one cathedral on your trip, make it this one.

The Alcázar in Toledo is worth a visit for the military museum and the views, though the building itself is less striking than its counterpart in Segovia.

Stop for a menú del día lunch somewhere in the old town. Many traditional restaurants still serve one at midday.

Mobility Considerations

Toledo is significantly hillier than Segovia. The old town sits on a steep hill with many cobblestones and stairways. Escalators and taxis help, but the terrain can still be challenging for travelers with mobility concerns.

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Segovia vs Toledo: Which Should You Choose?

Both are excellent day trips, and if you have six days in Madrid, you could easily do both. But if you only have time for one:

Choose Segovia if:

• You want to see a fairy tale castle (the Alcázar of Segovia is far more impressive and photogenic than Toledo's)
• You want to try cochinillo (roast suckling pig)
• You prefer easier terrain with less uphill walking
• You are interested in Roman history (the aqueduct is stunning)

Choose Toledo if:

• You want to see one of Spain's most impressive cathedral interiors
• You are drawn to medieval history and the story of three cultures
• You want dramatic hilltop views and winding ancient streets
• You are interested in El Greco (many of his works are displayed here)

We went to Segovia and loved it, but Toledo is on the list for next time.

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Day 5 – Neighborhoods, Shopping and Last Tapas

Morning – Malasaña and Chueca

We started the morning in Malasaña, which is filled with cafes and small independent shops. After wandering for a while, we walked toward Chueca, another lively area with bakeries and boutiques that makes for a relaxed, unplanned morning.

If you want another market experience, stop by Mercado de Antón Martín near Atocha or Mercado de San Antón in Chueca. Both combine fresh stalls with small counter restaurants.

Lunch – Final Menú del Día

Have one last menú del día in whichever neighborhood you have enjoyed most.

Afternoon – Retiro or One More Museum

Use this afternoon to visit whichever major museum you skipped earlier, whether that is the Prado, Reina Sofia or Thyssen. Otherwise, take a final slow walk in Retiro Park or sit on a terrace in Las Letras with a drink.

Evening – Farewell Tapas

End your trip with one more tapas crawl in La Latina, Las Letras or near Atocha, depending on which area ended up being your favorite.

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What to Eat in Madrid

Spanish food is simple but satisfying. A few things worth trying:

• Jamón ibérico – Cured ham, sliced thin and served on its own or with bread.
• Croquetas – Fried béchamel fritters, often filled with jamón or cod.
• Tortilla española – Potato and egg omelette, served at room temperature.
• Patatas bravas – Fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce and aioli.
• Bocadillo de calamares – Fried squid sandwich, a Madrid specialty.
• Cochinillo asado – Roast suckling pig, best tried in Segovia.
• Churros con chocolate – Fried dough with thick hot chocolate for dipping.

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Other Things To Do in Madrid

If you have extra time in Madrid or want to add something to your itinerary, here are a few easy options.

Flamenco Shows

Madrid has several great venues for flamenco. Popular choices include Corral de la Morería, Cardamomo and Tablao Las Carboneras.

Visit the Bernabéu

The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium Tour lets you see the pitch, trophies and player areas. It is impressive even if you are not a Real Madrid fan.

More of Retiro

Retiro Park is large enough to fill multiple visits. You can row a boat on the lake, visit the Velázquez Palace or find quieter corners that feel far from the city.

Sorolla Museum

The Museo Sorolla is set inside the former home and studio of Joaquín Sorolla, known for bright Mediterranean scenes. It is a small and peaceful museum with a pretty garden.

Rooftop Views

For views over Gran Via and central Madrid, try rooftop terraces such as Círculo de Bellas Artes, Hotel Riu Plaza España or Picalagartos.

Cooking Classes

Madrid has cooking classes that include a market visit followed by hands on preparation of dishes like tortilla española or paella.

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Planning Your Madrid Trip

Madrid rewards a slower pace. The city is not about checking off a list of sights; it is about long meals, late nights, and wandering without a fixed plan. Five days is enough to see the highlights, eat well, and take a day trip without feeling rushed.

If you want help planning your Madrid trip or any other destination, you can plan your trip with Hudson.

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