Day 1: Art and History
Start your day with a visit to the famous Prado Museum, one of the world’s premier art galleries, with over 7,000 paintings and sculptures from the 12th to the 20th century. Afterwards, walk through the Retiro Park and have a picnic in the gardens. In the afternoon, visit the Royal Palace, one of Europe’s most impressive palaces with over 3,000 rooms, and the nearby Plaza Mayor, a lively square with cafes and restaurants.
Day 2: Food and Wine
Begin your day with a traditional Spanish breakfast of churros and hot chocolate at San Ginés, one of the city’s oldest and most popular cafes. Afterward, head to the Mercado de San Miguel, a gourmet food market, to sample some of Spain’s finest cheeses, meats, and wines. In the afternoon, take a food and wine tour through the streets of Madrid, stopping at some of the city’s best tapas bars and bodegas.
Day 3: Architecture and Culture
Start your day at the magnificent Plaza de Cibeles, where you’ll find some of Madrid’s most iconic buildings, including the Bank of Spain and the Cibeles Palace. From here, visit the Reina Sofia Museum, which houses a stunning collection of modern and contemporary art, including Picasso’s famous painting “Guernica.” In the evening, catch a flamenco show at one of Madrid’s famous flamenco bars, such as Corral de la Morería or Casa Patas.
Don’t forget to try some of Madrid’s famous dishes, such as cocido (a hearty stew), tortilla española (Spanish omelet), and paella (a rice dish with seafood or chicken). And, of course, take some time to relax and soak up the lively atmosphere of this vibrant city.
