10 Days in Madrid
🎭 Complete Itinerary & Cost Guide
10 days in Madrid lets you go beyond the highlights — take day trips, revisit favourites, and enjoy slow mornings. Here's a realistic day-by-day plan plus what it costs.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This plan covers the essentials without burnout. Adjust based on opening hours, weather, and your stamina. Most days are 4–6 hours of activity with long meals and downtime built in.
Settle into your hotel, grab a light lunch, then ease into Madrid with Prado Museum (free 6–8pm). Don't overbook day one — jet lag is real.
Retiro Park crystal palace. Pair it with a sit-down lunch nearby and an evening walk through a different neighbourhood.
Mercado de San Miguel tapas. Take the morning slow and use the afternoon to explore a quieter district away from the tourist core.
Royal Palace + Almudena cathedral. Pair with a long lunch — Eat dinner after 9pm like locals. Tapas don't come free with drinks here (unlike Granada).
Late-night flamenco at Cardamomo. This day usually involves a longer journey so start early.
For trips of 10+ days, take an external day trip (mentioned in the highlights) or revisit Prado Museum (free 6–8pm) at a slower pace.
For trips of 10+ days, take an external day trip (mentioned in the highlights) or revisit Retiro Park crystal palace at a slower pace.
For trips of 10+ days, take an external day trip (mentioned in the highlights) or revisit Mercado de San Miguel at a slower pace.
Use this day for whatever you didn't get to: a museum, a hammam, a long lazy lunch. The best memories come from unplanned hours.
Hit one final must-see (Late-night flamenco at Cardamomo), pick up souvenirs, and leave time for a relaxed lunch before your flight or onward train.
What does 10 days in Madrid cost?
Estimates below are per person, including accommodation, food, local transport, and ~1 paid activity per day. Flights to Madrid are not included — they vary wildly by origin.
Madrid survival tips
Metro is fast and cheap (€1.50 ride, €12.20 for 10 trips). Avoid taxis at rush hour.
Eat dinner after 9pm like locals. Tapas don't come free with drinks here (unlike Granada).
Three-card monte scams near Puerta del Sol. Don't even watch — operators pickpocket onlookers.
When to go
April, May, October, November are the best months for Madrid — the climate is at its best and crowds haven't peaked. Avoid July–August (heatwaves + closures).