Madrid
Madrid deserves a solid 3 days, more if you're an art-museum person. Base yourself in Sol/Centro (central, walkable to everything) or Malasaña (younger, better bars and cafes). Spend one day on the Golden Triangle of art museums — really, just the Prado and Reina Sofía unless you're a serious completionist — one day wandering Retiro Park and the Royal Palace, and one evening on a proper La Latina tapas crawl. Budget roughly $50–80/day per person before accommodation.
Madrid has an image problem: everyone talks about Barcelona's beaches or Seville's flamenco, and Madrid ends up sounding like the sensible, slightly boring capital you pass through on the way to somewhere prettier. That's wrong. Madrid is grand, loud in the best way, has arguably Europe's best museum trio within walking distance of each other, and doesn't shut down for tourists — it's a real, full-sized Spanish city that happens to also be the capital.
How many days do you need in Madrid?
Three days is the sweet spot for most travelers: one for the art museums (Prado in the morning, Reina Sofía or Thyssen-Bornemisza in the afternoon), one for the Royal Palace, Gran Vía, and Retiro Park, and one for a proper wander through La Latina and Malasaña with a long tapas dinner. Add a fourth day if you want a Toledo or Segovia day trip — both under an hour away by train.
Which neighborhood should you stay in?
| Neighborhood | Best for | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Sol / Centro | First-timers, walkability | Central, touristy but genuinely convenient, a bit noisy at night |
| Malasaña | Younger travelers, nightlife, cafes | Hip, artsy, packed with independent bars |
| La Latina | Tapas, weekend market atmosphere | Historic, best tapas crawl in the city, lively on Sundays (El Rastro market) |
| Salamanca | A quieter, upscale stay | Polished, residential, good shopping, less nightlife |
Buy a combined ticket or go straight to the Prado's official site for timed entry — the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza sit within a 10-minute walk of each other (the 'Golden Triangle of Art'), and all three offer free entry windows on select evenings if you're on a budget and don't mind the crowds that come with 'free.'
What's actually worth seeing
- The Prado Museum — Velázquez's Las Meninas, Goya's darkest work, and one of the finest collections of European painting anywhere. Give it at least 2–3 hours.
- Retiro Park — genuinely one of Europe's best city parks; rent a rowboat on the lake or just find a bench and watch Madrid be Madrid on a Sunday.
- The Royal Palace — Europe's largest royal palace by floor area, still used for state ceremonies. The armory and throne room alone are worth the ticket.
- Mercado de San Miguel — a gorgeous 1916 glass-walled market turned upscale tapas hall. Great for grazing, but priced for tourists — treat it as a starter, not the whole meal.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Trying to 'do' all three Golden Triangle museums in one day — you'll burn out by museum two. Pick your top one or two, or spread them across two days.
- Showing up for dinner at 7pm expecting a full restaurant scene — many kitchens don't open until 8:30–9pm; that early slot is for a drink and a tapa, not dinner.
- Booking a hotel right on Gran Vía for the 'central location' and getting nightlife noise until 3am — a block or two off it is quieter and just as walkable.
Sol/Centro or La Latina put you closest to the action
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