Discover the Marvels of Madrid: An 8-Day Itinerary

Andrea Garza Ponce de León

5 Nov 2023

Embark on a thrilling journey through Madrid's cultural treasures with this comprehensive 8-day itinerary. Explore iconic landmarks, visit world-class museums, and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Spanish capital.

Trip to Madrid

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1

$13

Arts & cultural center with movie theater, live performances, exhibition halls & a cafe/restaurant.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

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$13

2 - 3 min

Directions

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

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

•

Free

4 - 5 min

Directions

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

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

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Free

3 - 4 min

Directions

Landmark bronze sculpture in a bustling city square featuring a bear & a strawberry tree.

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

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Free

Day 2

$ 4

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

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

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Free

12 - 18 min

Directions

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

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

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Free

7 - 10 min

Directions

Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great

Imposing neoclassical church with vast frescoed dome & chapel painted by Goya, plus guided tours.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

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Free

9 - 11 min

Directions

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

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

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Free

Day 3

$ 7

Library Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

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Free

10 - 12 min

Directions

Museum relating city's history back to the Paleolithic period via artifacts, maps & paintings.

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

•

7 - 10 min

Directions

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

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

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Free

10 - 12 min

Directions

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

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

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Free

Day 4

$33

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

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$25

14 - 21 min

Directions

Restored 17th-century house museum of the playwright Lope de Vega, with period furniture & artworks.

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

•

Day 5

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

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

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Free

12 - 17 min

Directions

19th-century palace housing Latin American cultural center, for exhibitions, screenings & readings.

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

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Free

2 - 3 min

Directions

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

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM

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Free

Day 6

$32

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

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

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$32

15 - 22 min

Directions

Built 1881–1883, this restored neoclassical building houses rotating exhibits of contemporary art.

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

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Free

Day 7

$38

$ 4

Former home studio of the 20th-century painter Joaquín Sorolla, housing his works of Spanish scenes.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

8 - 12 min

Directions

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

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

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Free

7 - 9 min

Directions

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

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

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$30

Day 8

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

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

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Free

16 - 23 min

Directions

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

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

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Budget breakdown: $143 In total

Activities & Food:$130

Transport:$14