4-Day Itinerary in Madrid

The capital of Spain, Madrid is one of the most dynamic European capitals with a rich historical, cultural and artistic heritage. As a proud ambassador of Spain, it offers a very pleasant and festive lifestyle with its wide avenues and pedestrian streets where visitors can enjoy the art of the “paseo” (the walk before dinner), its small squares where one can taste tapas, its cellars where the expressive and dramatic music of flamenco resounds, its cafés where one can see, in the early hours of the morning, customers dipping their churros in thick hot chocolate. Madrid is a city that never sleeps, furiously convivial. One only needs to listen to the castilla (Spanish language), to feel whisked away to a whole new world.

Discover our itinerary to visit the emblematic sites of this lively and dynamic city in only 4 days.

Itinerary:

• Day 1
• Day 2
• Day 3
• Day 4

Day 1 in Madrid

Prado Museum (Museo del Prado)

The Prado Museum is one of the largest art galleries in the world with a permanent collection of 1,300 European works. The museum has the largest collection of Spanish paintings in the world, with works by famous Spanish artists such as Diego Velázquez, Francisco Goya and El Greco. The famous masterpieces of the Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch are also on display, along with those of other great European artists. Together with the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofía Museum, the Prado Museum forms the golden triangle of art in Madrid.

Lunch at La Ferretería

Just a ten-minute walk from the Prado Museum is La Ferretería, a cosy restaurant offering traditional and creative Spanish cuisine. The atmosphere is unique and the décor atypical, as you enter this former hardware store and its rooms, which are housed in 16th-century charcoal factories. All kinds of tools, nuts and bolts hanging from the ceiling and along the walls add an unusual touch to this beautiful culinary address.

El Retiro Park and The Crystal Palace

Spread over 125 hectares, El Retiro Park is a green haven in the heart of Madrid with more than 15,000 trees, large historical gardens and a sublime rose garden. It is home to many architectural and historical elements such as the statue of the Fallen Angel, the Fountain of Los Galapagos, the Palace of Velázquez and the Crystal Palace.

For many visitors, the latter is the most beautiful monument in the park. It was designed by the Spanish architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco for the exhibition of the Philippines, the last Spanish colony, at the end of the 19th century. The Crystal Palace is now one of the seats of the Reina Sofia Museum and hosts temporary exhibitions of modern art.

Flamenco Night at Teatro Real and Tapas at Entre Santos Madrid

To immerse yourself in Spanish culture, what better way than with an evening of flamenco at the Teatro Real. ****It was the first national opera house and one of Spain’s most important cultural institutions.

Dinner at Entre Santos

For dinner, head to Entre Santos, located less than 20 minutes away on foot. Open until 2 a.m., the bar offers tapas, eclectic dishes and creative cocktails in a lively and friendly atmosphere, inviting visitors to experience the Madrid atmosphere in the evening.

Day 2 in Madrid

Gran Via, the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral

One of the main arteries in the center of Madrid, Calle Gran Vía is a lively street one kilometer long. St. Joseph’s Church, with its red brick façade, is one of the street’s landmarks and is the starting point for a beautiful walk up to the Plaza de España. A twenty-minute walk away is the Royal Palace where you can discover the Royal Armory, considered one of the richest collections of its kind in the world. Next door, the Almudena Cathedral is fascinating for its different architectural styles: neoclassical on the outside, neogothic on the inside and neo-Romanesque in the crypt. Between the Royal Palace and the cathedral, the Belvedere of the Corniche offers a spectacular panoramic view of the historic gardens of Campo del Moro.

Visit and Lunch at the San Miguel Market

The San Miguel Market is a must-see place in the capital to taste delicious Spanish specialties made with traditional, quality and seasonal products. More than 30 colourful stalls offer a variety of tapas, dishes and drinks to enjoy on the spot. Paella, Iberian ham, cheese, as well as local wines and beers; this market represents an ideal gourmet break during an intense day of sightseeing in the heart of Madrid.

Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

The collection of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is made up of nearly 1,000 paintings that offer a beautiful panorama of the history of European art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. It includes works by renowned artists that are not found in other Spanish museums. The second floor houses a collection of works of art dating back to the early 19th century, while the second floor displays pieces by modern masters, from impressionism to the 20th century. On the first floor, there is an exhibition of 180 works by the Spanish art collector and dealer Carmen Thyssen (wife of Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza, heir to the German Thyssen family, head of an industrial empire in steel).

Dinner at CEBO Restaurant

The CEBO restaurant has an elegant black and gold marble setting that gives it a nightclub feel, as well as gourmet cuisine. The restaurant’s cuisine is prepared by two young, renowned Spanish chefs, Javier Sanz and Juan Sahuquillo, and features fresh, seasonal products from small producers in the country. The dishes are creative and unpretentious, perfectly balanced and presented in a sophisticated way.

Day 3 in Madrid

Reina Sofía Museum

The Reina Sofía Museum houses an internationally renowned collection of modern and contemporary Spanish art. It houses, among others, the great works of Dalí, Miró and Juan Gris. The Reina Sofía Museum is also home to one of Pablo Picasso’s most famous works, which is also one of the most famous in the world: Guernica. This sublime oil on canvas in the cubist style denounces the bombing of Guernica on April 27, 1937, during the Spanish Civil War.

Stroll Through the Lavapiés Neighborhood

A 10-minute walk from the museum is the popular Lavapiés neighbourhood. Its narrow, steep streets are a reminder of its medieval origins, and that it was once a suburb. Cosmopolitan and colourful, Lavapiés is nowadays the most multicultural and friendly neighbourhood in the capital. Its streets regularly host cultural events and are full of unusual addresses and activities to get off the beaten track. You can take a pottery class with the artists of the El Alfar workshop, for example, or discover Tabacalera, a former tobacco factory transformed into an exhibition space open to all artists, professional or amateur.

Tapas lunch at Juana La Loca

Located in the picturesque neighborhood of La Latina, Juana La Loca is the place to go for creative tapas in Madrid. This popular and elegant restaurant offers a retro-chic atmosphere and showcases its tapas and pinxtos in beautiful windows. Juana La Loca is famous for its tortilla de patata with caramelized onions, renowned as the best in Madrid.

Shopping in the Salamanca Neighborhood

Considered one of the most luxurious neighborhoods in the Spanish capital, Salamanca is the ideal place for shopping enthusiasts. The streets are lined with high-fashion boutiques, big-name fashion stores, jewelry stores and beautiful local stores. Calle Serrano is the most iconic avenue in the neighborhood with luxury boutiques such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci and Cartier. Salamanca is also home to many popular brands, as well as accessories and shoe stores.

Dinner at Terracotta

Since its opening in early 2022, Terracotta has become a fixture on the Madrid culinary scene. The menu offers a seasonal selection of creative dishes prepared with quality ingredients, to be enjoyed in a warm and intimate atmosphere. The pottery on the shelves adds rustic charm to the restaurant’s refined décor, while the cork ceiling reduces noise for a peaceful dining experience. Terracotta is renowned in Madrid for its artisanal sangrias, inspired by Spanish tradition and revisited with original varieties of flavor.

Day 4 in Madrid

A Day in Aranjuez

The area surrounding Madrid is full of villages and towns to visit. Located about 50 km from the Spanish capital, Aranjuez is a charming city that combines a fabulous mix of history and nature. The city is known for its famous Royal Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an architectural gem surrounded by beautiful gardens and fountains dating back to the 18th century. With its cobblestone streets, natural park and the Tagus River running through the city, Aranjuez is an idyllic destination for a peaceful day of discovery outside the hustle and bustle of the capital.

Where to Stay in Madrid

Rosewood Villa Magna

The Rosewood Villa Magna is an institution of the Madrid hotel industry, located on the Paseo de la Castellana, an airy and tree-lined avenue where stores, embassies and banks coexist, in the heart of the popular Salamanca district. Launched in 1972, the hotel has a residential and modern style and has been completely renovated and reopened in 2021.

Inside, the Rosewood Villa Magna is as sophisticated and elegant as its facade is imposing.

Steeped in its historical heritage and dedication to art, Rosewood Villa Magna is home to more than 380 works of art that bring character to its interior spaces. Upon entering the hotel, travelers are immersed in an artistic journey beginning at the front desk with an embroidered fresco by artist Jacky Puzey.

The hotel houses 154 rooms and suites in a residential and contemporary style. With marble tables, velvet sofas, large windows and mirrors, wood paneling and coffered walls, and gold-toned objects, the interiors of the rooms are very elegant and give them a club-like feel.

The restaurants of the Rosewood Villa Magna are renowned for their elegance and culinary excellence.  

Las Brasas de Castellana is recognized as a culinary destination in Madrid. Within an elegant, living room-style setting, with an open kitchen, guests are able to relish dishes that celebrate traditional Spanish cuisine, with traditional items given a contemporary twist, such as their signature Acorn Fed Ibérico Pork “Pluma”, Pistachio Romescu, Confited Ratè Potatoes. 

The Tarde. O bar is a lively meeting place where one can take in the vibrant energy of the Spanish capital while enjoying delicious cocktails.  Located at the back of the hotel, Tarde.O gives guests the choice between a gentlemen’s club-style indoor area, with comfortable leather seating and mood lighting, or an outdoor area, with plush sofas in the midst of greenery. Both areas are perfect for enjoying creative cocktails and tapas.  

Recommended by the Michelin guide, Amós Restaurant is the flagship restaurant of the hotel. Within a contemporary Art-Deco inspired setting, guests can enjoy Chef Jesús Sánchez’s Cantabrian-inspired cuisine with a menu that elevates traditional dishes to modern gastronomic works of art. While the restaurant offers a tasting menu (Esencia), guests can also order a la carte, with the Roasted pigeon on buckwheat stew and morels with salsifi puree being a highlight, as well as the Sobao pasiego pudding with cream ice cream for dessert. 

Finally, Flor Y Nata is the cherry on the cake. This all-day café, with its lobby-style setting, delights with amazing hot beverages and charming gastronomic sweet treats. The outlet even offers a beautiful Afternoon Tea experience.  

The Sense Spa, with its stonework and woodwork, offers the most soothing setting and a true sense of disconnection. It offers a selection of classic wellness packages, as well as original experiences such as “El Retiro” Sense Journey. This sensory journey combines discovery and relaxation, beginning with a guided historical walk through the heart of El Retiro Park and ending with a revitalizing leg and foot massage that focuses on acupuncture points.

Book Your Stay in Madrid

Book your trip to Madrid with Lartisien. Our selection of luxury hotels in Madrid are hand-picked for exceptional service, facilities and overall guest experience. Get in touch with our for more information about.

If the hotel is full or you wish to stay in a different hotel in Madrid, the Lartisien collection also includes the Four Seasons Hotel Madrid and the Mandarin Oriental Ritz.