Spectacular Madrid in 4 Days

Arriving in Madrid from the United States, I was instantly struck by the airport — spotless, calm and almost eerily quiet at 6 am! After a quick trip through customs, we hopped into a taxi and, about 30 minutes later, pulled up to our hotel: The Madrid Edition. After checking in, resting for a bit and getting ourselves organized, it was time to start exploring the Old City. But first things first — you can’t explore on an empty stomach. We headed straight for churros and hot chocolate at the iconic 24-hour Chocolateria San Gines. The routine is simple: stand in line, place your order clearly, then wait off to the side for a table. No fuss, no stress — just sit back and enjoy the warm, crisp churros, dipping them into a small vessel of rich, thick dark chocolate. Pure bliss.

Next up: time to walk off some of those churros!

Head over to the Palacio Real de Madrid for a breathtaking view of one of the few official residences of a head of state that's open to the public. If you’ve booked tickets in advance, jump in the security line — if not, no worries. It’s just as enjoyable to wander the vast plaza, taking in the lively atmosphere and incredible views of the Palace. Just across from the Plaza, you’ll find the stunning Cathedral of Saint Mary the Royal of the Almudena, often referred to as simply Almudena Cathedral. Step inside to admire its beauty, then head up to the Dome for some of the best panoramic views of the city!

By now, we had worked up an appetite, so we grabbed a taxi and made our way to the famous Mercado San Miguel. This is a 100-year-old market hall that captures the spirit of Spain in the most delicious way. Stalls line the perimeter and pop up throughout the center, leaving plenty of space for seating in the middle. Take your time wandering the stalls and making a game plan. It’s almost impossible to choose with so many mouthwatering options, from jamón ibérico and freshly fried potato chips topped with jamón, to a variety of cheeses, whole fish, dumplings, sweets and so much more. Naturally, we started with a glass of cava before deciding what to eat!

Eventually, the jet lag caught up with us, and it was time for a rest back at the hotel. Around 7:30 pm, we made our way to the hotel bar for some tapas and cocktails before heading upstairs for dinner at Oroya. This is a stunning rooftop restaurant helmed by renowned Peruvian chef Diego Muñoz. This meal may have been one of the best we’ve ever had!

We kicked off our second day in Madrid with a short walk to a local pastelería for some breakfast, cakes and incredible coffee. Here, you order at the counter and stand as you savor your unbelievably sweet, melt-in-your-mouth pastries alongside a hot, strong café — pure heaven!

Next up: Museo del Prado

This is one of the most incredible museums I’ve ever experienced. We had booked skip-the-line tickets well in advance for a 10 am entry, and it paid off. By the time we arrived, the line for those without tickets stretched at least two-tenths of a mile down the street. The museum welcomes you with an absolutely arresting collection of Goya paintings — massive, haunting and impossible to look away from. We wandered through this fabulous museum for about 90 minutes, soaking in masterpiece after masterpiece. And just as we were making our way to the gift shop (because… of course), we spotted something downstairs that made us do a double take. Was that the Mona Lisa? Everyone knows the real one is at the Louvre in Paris... but wait — it was the Mona Lisa! Well, sort of — it’s the earliest known copy, painted by one of Leonardo’s students in his studio, at the same time as the original. It was absolutely stunning.

After leaving the museum, we made our way toward Retiro Park. We soaked in the beauty of the park from the inner perimeter path as we headed toward the edge of the Salamanca neighborhood. Our destination: a light lunch at Mercado de la Paz. Like Mercado San Miguel, this historic market is packed with incredible food and tapas offerings — but unlike San Miguel, this one feels much more local. Here, you’ll find stalls brimming with fresh fruits and vegetables, butchers, fishmongers, bakers and pastry vendors, alongside small restaurants and stands selling all kinds of ready-to-eat treats. It was absolute heaven!

A little downtime then head to one of the coolest experiences: a paella-making class

Hosted by The Cooking Clubhouse, I can't recommend this enough! Tucked inside a 19th-century building in the heart of Madrid, the space was filled with warm, welcoming people and had such a fun, relaxed approach to cooking. The class was small — just seven of us — and we met fellow travelers from Germany, Serbia, Mexico City and Madrid. It was fantastic! Everything was prepped and ready for us — all we had to do was follow their simple directions... and enjoy the bottomless wine. Seriously — I never once saw the bottom of my glass! Paired up in twos, we cooked four different versions of paella, and the smells and flavors were absolutely mouthwatering. With some tapas and great music in the background, the vibe was pure joy. Once everything was ready, we headed downstairs to a beautiful wooden table where we were served two courses prepared by the Clubhouse chef. Then came the grand reveal — all four paellas arrived, ready to be shared and devoured. We even capped it all off with a delicious dessert. What an unforgettable afternoon!

Now, if cooking isn’t your thing, there’s another great option. Try a visit to the Real Madrid Clubhouse, instead! Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and Museum tour is super popular. It is packed with history and incredible insight into one of the world’s most famous football franchises. You’ll get access to the stadium, the museum and even the Trophy Room. It was a blast — and honestly, even those of us who aren’t die-hard football fans had a great time.

After that full afternoon, it was time to kick back and relax for a bit before heading out for another amazing dinner.

By the third day, the time change was no longer an issue — our energy and stamina were officially back! Which was a good thing, because after breakfast at the hotel, we made our way to the train station to head out of the city for a day trip to the ancient city of Toledo. Perched high above the plains of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain, Toledo is just a quick 35-minute ride on the high-speed train. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this stunning city — once the capital of Spain — is a fascinating blend of Catholic, Jewish and Moorish cultures.

When you arrive by train, you can either grab a taxi up the hill or, if the weather’s nice, walk — and since it was a gorgeous day, we chose to walk. This massive, hilltop city has a way of making you feel so small in the best possible way! We spent hours wandering through its winding streets, taking in the views, the shops and the incredible history. The Cathedral absolutely blew us away — we bought tickets right on-site and spent over an hour exploring its jaw-dropping beauty. Afterward, we made our way toward the old Jewish Quarter, spotting gorgeous tiles embedded in the streets and buildings. They were also adorned with the Chai symbol, or menorahs — that let us know we were in the heart of historic Toledo. We found a cozy little café for lunch, soaking up the sunshine and sharing a few tapas before heading back out to explore some more.

Fair warning: the hilly streets can be a workout! Make sure to wear comfortable shoes — your legs will thank you.

After returning to Madrid, we headed out for dinner at a charming local Italian spot, Trattoria Pulcinella. It is tucked near our hotel at the edge of Salamanca. Everything was homemade, the place was tiny and packed and it was exactly the change of pace we didn’t even know we needed. We loved every bite!

There’s still so much more to see and do in Madrid, but for our last day, we opted for a little indulgence. I suggest high-end shopping in the chic Salamanca neighborhood, capped off with a long, leisurely lunch — and plenty of Cava, of course. We strolled through the beautiful streets, taking in the stunning architecture and popping into an incredible lineup of shops. It was the perfect, relaxed way to savor our final moments in the city.

If shopping and sipping isn't your vibe, another amazing option is to hop on a train north and visit the UNESCO World Heritage City of Segovia. Just a quick 25-minute ride on the high-speed train from Madrid, Segovia is a walled city packed with cultural and architectural wonders. Think ancient Roman aqueducts, breathtaking churches and a royal palace straight out of a fairytale.

For dinner, we selected Zuma, a chic Japanese Sushi Steakhouse that was pure culinary theater.