Madrid in 8 Days: A Journey through History and Culture

ANA GARCIA

20 Nov 2023

Embark on an unforgettable adventure in Madrid, Spain. Immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of this captivating city. From ancient marvels to world-class museums, experience the best of Madrid in just 8 days.

Trip to Madrid

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1Unveiling Hidden Gems and Majestic Landmarks

$57

$ 15

Sports fields, cycle paths & views across the city in a hillside park popular for sunset walks.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

15 - 18 min

Directions

Built in 1922, this monument in Buen Retiro Park features a colonnade with an equestrian statue.

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

12 - 17 min

Directions

Former 1500s monastery with a remodeled neo-gothic sanctuary, stained glass & a baroque cloister.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

9 - 11 min

Directions

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$57

5 - 8 min

Directions

Gate built in the Neoclassical style to honor Fernando VII, with stone arches & statues.

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

•

Free

6 - 8 min

Directions

Baroque Catholic cathedral known for its colorful chapels, plus a Romanesque crypt & museum.

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

•

Free

Day 2Serenity and Artistry in El Retiro Park

$75

$ 5

Expansive, 19th-century park with boating lake & rose garden, plus numerous fountains & statues.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

6 - 8 min

Directions

Cultural center & exhibits in a Neoclassical palace, with 16th-century paintings & sculptures.

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

9 - 14 min

Directions

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$51

3 - 4 min

Directions

1500s royal monastery with a museum housing holy relics & works by Titian, Rubens & Caravaggio.

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

•

$24

Day 3Masterpieces and Botanical Beauty

$93

Art museum with Velazquez, Goya and El Greco masterpieces in vast 12th- to 19th-century collection.

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$48

7 - 10 min

Directions

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

•

$30

4 - 6 min

Directions

Botanical garden with outdoor gardens & greenhouses, plus walking trails & monthly activities.

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

•

$15

17 - 26 min

Directions

Venue for art exhibitions organized by Reina Sofía Museum, modeled on London's Crystal Palace.

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

•

Free

Day 4Contemporary Art and Riverside Strolls

$90

$ 5

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

Sprawling museum for Spanish 20th-century art collection with works by Gris, Dali, Picasso & Miro.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$36

15 - 18 min

Directions

Modern linear green space along the Manzanares River, with cultural events & sports fields.

11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

•

Free

10 - 15 min

Directions

La Masia de José Luis, una antigua Finca situada en pleno centro de Madrid, reformada e inaugurada en el año 2003. Pascua Ortega ha diseñado todos sus Salones, para cualquier celebración especial que precise, dándoles a cada uno de ellos su propia personalidad.

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

•

$54

Day 5Parks, Gardens, and Spanish Traditions

$81

$ 10

Urban oasis with a lake, olive grove, skating rink, free train rides & many modern sculptures.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

10 - 12 min

Directions

Former estate-turned-park, popular for its grove of blooming almond trees in springtime.

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

15 - 18 min

Directions

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

•

$30

11 - 16 min

Directions

Bullfighting arena built in the 1920s in neo-Mudéjar style & used for bullfights, concerts & events.

3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

•

$51

Day 6Royal Splendor and Artistic Treasures

$90

$ 5

Jardín El Capricho de la Alameda de Osuna

Manicured 18th-century landscaped gardens with sculptures, water features & a Civil War bunker.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

Free

19 - 23 min

Directions

18th-century public library with an extensive collection of manuscripts, books & photographs.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

8 - 12 min

Directions

Triumphal arch near to Parque del Buen Retiro & rich with stone carvings & elegant sculptures.

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

4 - 6 min

Directions

18th century neoclassical fountain depicting the goddess Cybele on a chariot pulled by 2 lions.

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

8 - 11 min

Directions

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$45

2 - 3 min

Directions

Museum housing collection of 13th-20th-century European masterpieces, from Renaissance to Pop Art.

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

•

$45

7 - 10 min

Directions

This ornate 1911 beaux arts structure features a gilded cupola with a winged goddess statue.

5:30 PM - 6:00 PM

•

Free

Day 7Spiritual Wonders and Iconic Landmarks

$201

$ 5

Chapel-turned-museum & burial place of the famous artist Francisco de Goya, featuring his frescoes.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

16 - 23 min

Directions

Ancient Egyptian temple & museum moved from Aswan & rebuilt in lush parkland, with sunset views.

9:30 AM - 10:15 AM

•

Free

10 - 15 min

Directions

18th-century, ridge-top palace for state occasions, plus tours with rooms full of art and antiques.

10:45 AM - 12:45 PM

•

$51

11 - 16 min

Directions

1:15 PM - 2:45 PM

•

$54

2 - 3 min

Directions

Leafy square surrounded by imposing buildings, with stone & bronze statue of Cervantes on horseback.

2:45 PM - 4:15 PM

•

Free

15 - 18 min

Directions

81,000-capacity ground for Real Madrid, with regular matches plus tours of stadium and trophy room.

4:45 PM - 6:15 PM

•

$96

Day 8Parks, Palaces, and Cultural Delights

$77

$ 15

Expansive, landscaped, 20th-century urban park with paths meandering past conifer & cedar trees.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

8 - 10 min

Directions

Ornate 18th-century palace with furnishings, tapestries & a notable collection of classic art.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

8 - 10 min

Directions

Madrid Metro ghost station, opened in 1919 & unused since 1966, now a museum with original decor.

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

5 - 6 min

Directions

Amamos lo que Hacemos - Hacemos Hamburguesas

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

•

$54

3 - 4 min

Directions

Ornate mansion with masterpieces by Goya and Bosch, plus Renaissance antiquities and medieval armor.

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

•

$23

Budget breakdown: $823 In total

Activities & Food:$764

Transport:$59