Discover the Vibrant Beauty of Madrid: 10-Day Itinerary

Darianette Gonzalez

6 Oct 2023

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Madrid, Spain, as you explore its iconic landmarks, stunning parks, and vibrant markets. This 10-day itinerary is designed for solo travelers, offering a perfect blend of culture, history, and natural beauty.

Trip to Madrid

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1

$ 14

Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great

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

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

9 - 11 min

Directions

Modern multifunctional centre with contemporary art exhibitions, workshops & fair trade shop.

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

8 - 10 min

Directions

Former slaughterhouse housing contemporary arts center hosting exhibitions, performances & cinema.

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

Day 2

$ 14

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

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

9 - 11 min

Directions

Landmark 1877 sculpture depicting Lucifer falling from heaven, plus a fountain with gargoyles below.

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

9 - 14 min

Directions

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

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

11 - 14 min

Directions

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

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

•

Free

Day 3

$ 7

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

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

4 - 5 min

Directions

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

9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

8 - 10 min

Directions

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

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

•

Free

Day 4

$20

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

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

13 - 20 min

Directions

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

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$20

4 - 5 min

Directions

Herzog & de Meuron–designed arts center in former power station, hosting exhibitions & performances.

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

Day 5

$25

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

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

8 - 12 min

Directions

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

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

4 - 6 min

Directions

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

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

7 - 10 min

Directions

Neoclassical fountain in the center of a roundabout depicting Neptune on a shell-shaped chariot.

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

8 - 11 min

Directions

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

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

•

$25

2 - 3 min

Directions

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

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

Free

Day 6

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

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

5 - 8 min

Directions

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

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

8 - 11 min

Directions

Neoclassical garden of the Royal Palace, with 3 terraces, fountains, statues & outdoor events.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

8 - 11 min

Directions

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

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

•

Free

8 - 11 min

Directions

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

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM

•

Free

Day 7

$30

$ 14

Cable car above river & parks with views of the city & Royal Palace, terminating at a picnic area.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

$30

15 - 18 min

Directions

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

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

3 - 4 min

Directions

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

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

9 - 11 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

Day 8

$ 7

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

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

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

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

13 - 16 min

Directions

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

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

Day 9

$ 14

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

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

18 - 22 min

Directions

Happening, 3-level market with 20 stalls selling diverse, international fare, plus 3 cocktail bars.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

23 - 28 min

Directions

Jardín El Capricho de la Alameda de Osuna

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

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

Free

Day 10

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

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

Budget breakdown: $141 In total

Activities & Food:$75

Transport:$66