Madrid in 9 Days: A Journey of Art, History, and Culture

Daniela Bulla

12 Nov 2023

Embark on a 9-day adventure in Madrid, Spain, exploring iconic museums, majestic palaces, and vibrant markets. Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of this captivating city.

Trip to Madrid

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1

$24

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

12:00 PM - 10:00 AM

•

$15

14 - 21 min

Directions

Vibrant indoor market with grocery vendors, international food stalls & public events.

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

14 - 21 min

Directions

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

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

•

Day 2

$18

$ 2

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

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

Free

4 - 6 min

Directions

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

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$18

9 - 14 min

Directions

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

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

•

Free

12 - 15 min

Directions

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

No time set

•

Free

Day 3

$37

$ 2

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

6 - 9 min

Directions

Collections of Old Master paintings, fine furniture & antiques in an 1800s mansion with gardens.

10:45 AM - 12:15 PM

•

18 - 22 min

Directions

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

12:45 PM - 2:15 PM

•

$32

Day 4

$ 2

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

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

18 - 22 min

Directions

Circa-1916 covered market offering local food, delicacies & events in an elegant ambiance.

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

16 - 24 min

Directions

Streams, paths & trees in steep, sloping historic gardens on 20 acres with 2 monumental fountains.

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

Day 5

Old orphanage with Baroque exterior, now a museum on Madrid's history, with documents, art & models.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

4 - 6 min

Directions

18th-century mansion with displays of romantic-period paintings & furniture, plus a garden cafe.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

12 - 18 min

Directions

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

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

8 - 12 min

Directions

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

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

Free

Day 6

$10

Waxwork museum with depictions of famous people plus a space ride, a ghost train & a history show.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

$10

7 - 10 min

Directions

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

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

•

Free

14 - 21 min

Directions

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

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

•

Free

Day 7

$66

$ 2

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

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$16

42 - 51 min

Directions

Amusement park divided into themed areas, with several roller coasters & Batman-inspired rides.

No time set

•

$50

Day 8

$17

$ 2

Bustling market with stands selling everything from produce & butchered meats to clothes & books.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

10 - 15 min

Directions

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

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

9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

$13

11 - 14 min

Directions

Displays on nautical science & the Spanish navy from the reign of Isabella & Ferdinand onward.

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

Day 9

$18

$ 2

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

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$18

10 - 12 min

Directions

This popular indoor marketplace established in 1882 has stalls for produce, meat & gourmet fare.

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

Budget breakdown: $213 In total

Activities & Food:$203

Transport:$10