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Madrid: A 9-Day Adventure in the Heart of Spain

Daniela Bulla

Daniela Bulla

14 Nov 2023

Embark on a thrilling 9-day journey through Madrid, exploring its iconic landmarks, cultural treasures, and hidden gems. Immerse yourself in the rich history, art, and vibrant atmosphere of the Spanish capital.

Trip to Madrid

Day 1
+

$21

·

$ 2

Royal Palace of Madrid
18th-century, ridge-top palace for state occasions, plus tours with rooms full of art and antiques.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$17
9 - 14 min

~

Directions

Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great
Imposing neoclassical church with vast frescoed dome & chapel painted by Goya, plus guided tours.
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
•
Free
10 - 12 min

~

Directions

La Casa Encendida
Modern multifunctional centre with contemporary art exhibitions, workshops & fair trade shop.
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
•
Free
14 - 21 min

~

Directions

Lope de Vega's House-Museum
Restored 17th-century house museum of the playwright Lope de Vega, with period furniture & artworks.
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
•
$4
14 - 21 min

~

Directions

Puerta de Alcalá
Triumphal arch near to Parque del Buen Retiro & rich with stone carvings & elegant sculptures.
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
•
Free
Day 2
+

$61

·

$ 5

Railway Museum
Museum of railway history in grand former station, with carriages & locomotives, library & archives.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$6
9 - 11 min

~

Directions

National Museum of Anthropology
Long-founded ethnographic & anthropological museum depicting global cultures with themed exhibits.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$8
6 - 8 min

~

Directions

Naval Museum
Displays on nautical science & the Spanish navy from the reign of Isabella & Ferdinand onward.
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
•
$4
14 - 21 min

~

Directions

Monument to Alfonso XII
Built in 1922, this monument in Buen Retiro Park features a colonnade with an equestrian statue.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
•
Free
26 - 32 min

~

Directions

Parque de Atracciones de Madrid
Established theme park with thrill, water & family rides & attractions, plus live entertainment.
No time set
•
$43
Day 3
+

$25

·

$ 5

El Retiro Park
Expansive, 19th-century park with boating lake & rose garden, plus numerous fountains & statues.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
Free
11 - 16 min

~

Directions

Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Museum housing collection of 13th-20th-century European masterpieces, from Renaissance to Pop Art.
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
•
$15
12 - 15 min

~

Directions

Catedral de la Almudena
Baroque Catholic cathedral known for its colorful chapels, plus a Romanesque crypt & museum.
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
•
Free
16 - 20 min

~

Directions

Palacio de Cristal
Venue for art exhibitions organized by Reina Sofía Museum, modeled on London's Crystal Palace.
No time set
•
Free
14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Museo de Cera
Waxwork museum with depictions of famous people plus a space ride, a ghost train & a history show.
No time set
•
$10
Day 4
+

$47

·

$ 2

Velázquez Palace
Built 1881–1883, this restored neoclassical building houses rotating exhibits of contemporary art.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
•
Free
12 - 18 min

~

Directions

Museo Nacional del Prado
Art museum with Velazquez, Goya and El Greco masterpieces in vast 12th- to 19th-century collection.
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
•
$16
11 - 16 min

~

Directions

Cibeles Fountain
18th century neoclassical fountain depicting the goddess Cybele on a chariot pulled by 2 lions.
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
•
Free
11 - 16 min

~

Directions

El Oso y el Madroño
Landmark bronze sculpture in a bustling city square featuring a bear & a strawberry tree.
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
•
Free
22 - 27 min

~

Directions

Zoo Aquarium de Madrid
Huge facility with animals in natural habitats, dolphinarium & a shark tank, plus kids' petting zoo.
No time set
•
$31
Day 5
+

$13

·

$ 4

Museum of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Historic aircraft including the Dragon Rapide which brought Franco to Spain to launch his coup.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$6
17 - 21 min

~

Directions

Campo del Moro
Streams, paths & trees in steep, sloping historic gardens on 20 acres with 2 monumental fountains.
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
•
Free
12 - 15 min

~

Directions

Círculo de Bellas Artes
Arts & cultural center with movie theater, live performances, exhibition halls & a cafe/restaurant.
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
•
$6
11 - 16 min

~

Directions

CaixaForum Madrid
Herzog & de Meuron–designed arts center in former power station, hosting exhibitions & performances.
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
•
Free
Day 6
+

$67

·

$ 4

Real Jardín Botánico
Botanical garden with outdoor gardens & greenhouses, plus walking trails & monthly activities.
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
•
$5
7 - 10 min

~

Directions

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
Sprawling museum for Spanish 20th-century art collection with works by Gris, Dali, Picasso & Miro.
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
•
$12
15 - 18 min

~

Directions

San Fernando Fine Art Royal Academy
Cultural center & exhibits in a Neoclassical palace, with 16th-century paintings & sculptures.
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
•
Free
48 - 58 min

~

Directions

Parque Warner Madrid
Amusement park divided into themed areas, with several roller coasters & Batman-inspired rides.
No time set
•
$50
Day 7
+

$36

·

$ 5

Parque Juan Carlos I
Urban oasis with a lake, olive grove, skating rink, free train rides & many modern sculptures.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
Free
15 - 18 min

~

Directions

Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
81,000-capacity ground for Real Madrid, with regular matches plus tours of stadium and trophy room.
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
•
$32
6 - 8 min

~

Directions

Sorolla Museum
Former home studio of the 20th-century painter Joaquín Sorolla, housing his works of Spanish scenes.
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
•
$4
12 - 15 min

~

Directions

Temple of Debod
Ancient Egyptian temple & museum moved from Aswan & rebuilt in lush parkland, with sunset views.
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM
•
Free
Day 8
+

$21

·

$ 7

Museo d'America
National museum of pre-Columbian, Spanish-American & Native American art & artifacts.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$4
14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Estación Museo Chamberí
Madrid Metro ghost station, opened in 1919 & unused since 1966, now a museum with original decor.
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
•
Free
14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Las Ventas Bullring
Bullfighting arena built in the 1920s in neo-Mudéjar style & used for bullfights, concerts & events.
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
•
$17
16 - 20 min

~

Directions

Jardín El Capricho de la Alameda de Osuna
Manicured 18th-century landscaped gardens with sculptures, water features & a Civil War bunker.
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
•
Free
30 - 36 min

~

Directions

Plaza de España
Leafy square surrounded by imposing buildings, with stone & bronze statue of Cervantes on horseback.
No time set
•
Free
Day 9
+

$24

·

$ 4

Metropolis Building
This ornate 1911 beaux arts structure features a gilded cupola with a winged goddess statue.
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
•
Free
10 - 15 min

~

Directions

National Museum of Romanticism
18th-century mansion with displays of romantic-period paintings & furniture, plus a garden cafe.
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
•
$4
4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Mercado de San Ildefonso
Happening, 3-level market with 20 stalls selling diverse, international fare, plus 3 cocktail bars.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
Free
10 - 12 min

~

Directions

Cerralbo Museum
Collections of Old Master paintings, fine furniture & antiques in an 1800s mansion with gardens.
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
•
$5
47 - 57 min

~

Directions

Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Vast 1500s complex of royal buildings housing old masters, lavish apartments & a vaulted library.
2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
•
$15

Budget breakdown: $348 In total

Activities & Food:$313
Transport:$35