Here’s a detailed 15-day itinerary for exploring Madrid and its surroundings, including historical landmarks, unique places, gardens, nature parks, shopping, and gastronomy. The plan includes daily activities, suggested routes, and budget-friendly accommodation and dining options.
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### Day 1: Classic Madrid
- **Morning:**
- **Royal Palace of Madrid**: Start your visit with a tour of the magnificent palace. (Book tickets in advance)
- **Almudena Cathedral**: Visit the impressive cathedral next to the palace.
- **Lunch:**
- **Casa Lucio** (Calle Cava Baja, 35): Famous for its delicious Spanish omelette (tortilla).
- **Afternoon:**
- **Plaza Mayor**: Stroll through this historic square.
- **Puerta del Sol**: Explore Madrid’s bustling central square.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **Sobrino de Botín** (Calle Cuchilleros, 17): One of the oldest restaurants in Madrid, known for its roast suckling pig.
- **Accommodation:**
- **The Hat Madrid** (Calle Imperial, 9): Budget-friendly with a great location.
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### Day 2: Art and Culture
- **Morning:**
- **Prado Museum**: Explore one of the world’s greatest art museums. (Book tickets in advance)
- **Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum**: Visit this museum nearby with a diverse collection.
- **Lunch:**
- **El Club Allard** (Calle de Vallehermoso, 79): Enjoy creative cuisine at reasonable prices.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Retiro Park**: Relax in this expansive park and visit the Crystal Palace.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **Taberna El Sur** (Calle de la Torrecilla del Leal, 12): Known for its excellent tapas and friendly atmosphere.
- **Accommodation:**
- **Mola Hostel** (Calle de la Ruda, 19): Affordable and centrally located.
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### Day 3: Historical Madrid
- **Morning:**
- **Temple of Debod**: Visit this ancient Egyptian temple with beautiful views of the city.
- **Plaza de España**: Explore this iconic square and its surrounding area.
- **Lunch:**
- **El Tigre** (Calle de las Infantas, 30): Known for its generous portions of tapas.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Royal Theatre**: Take a tour or attend a performance if available.
- **Gran Vía**: Walk down Madrid’s main shopping street.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **La Casa del Abuelo** (Calle de la Torrehermosa, 6): Famous for its delicious garlic shrimp.
- **Accommodation:**
- **Cats Hostel Madrid Sol** (Calle del Prado, 6): Centrally located and budget-friendly.
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### Day 4: Day Trip to Toledo
- **Morning:**
- **Toledo**: Take a train to this historic city.
- **Toledo Cathedral**: Explore this stunning cathedral.
- **Lunch:**
- **Mesón de la Orza** (Calle de los Cardenales, 16): Enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Alcázar of Toledo**: Visit this imposing fortress and museum.
- **Jewish Quarter**: Wander through the historic streets.
- **Evening:**
- **Return to Madrid**: Dinner at **Casa Mono** (Calle de Vallehermoso, 86): Affordable and tasty.
- **Accommodation:**
- **The Hat Madrid** (Calle Imperial, 9): Comfortable and centrally located.
### Day 5: Modern Madrid
- **Morning:**
- **Santiago Bernabéu Stadium**: Tour the home of Real Madrid. (Book tickets in advance)
- **Azca Complex**: Explore the modern business district.
- **Lunch:**
- **La Vaca y La Huerta** (Calle de Vallehermoso, 79): Enjoy fresh, farm-to-table cuisine.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Madrid Río**: Walk along this revitalized park area along the Manzanares River.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **El Viajero** (Plaza de la Cebada, 11): Known for its rooftop terrace and great views.
- **Accommodation:**
- **Mola Hostel** (Calle de la Ruda, 19): Central and affordable.
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### Day 6: Exploring Chamberí
- **Morning:**
- **Chamberí Ghost Station**: Visit this historical metro station turned museum.
- **Andén 0**: Explore the restored metro station and its exhibits.
- **Lunch:**
- **Casa Alipio** (Calle de Vallehermoso, 64): Traditional Spanish dishes in a cozy setting.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Sorolla Museum**: Visit this museum dedicated to the Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **Bocadillo de Calamares** (Calle Mayor, 9): Try the famous Madrid calamari sandwich.
- **Accommodation:**
- **Cats Hostel Madrid Sol** (Calle del Prado, 6): Affordable and central.
### Day 7: Day Trip to Segovia
- **Morning:**
- **Segovia**: Take a train to this historic city.
- **Segovia Aqueduct**: Marvel at this ancient Roman structure.
- **Lunch:**
- **Mesón de Cándido** (Plaza del Azoguejo, 11): Known for its roast suckling pig.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Segovia Cathedral**: Visit this impressive cathedral.
- **Alcázar of Segovia**: Explore this fairy-tale castle.
- **Evening:**
- **Return to Madrid**: Dinner at **Casa Ciriaco** (Calle de Vallehermoso, 79): Delicious traditional dishes.
- **Accommodation:**
- **The Hat Madrid** (Calle Imperial, 9): Central and budget-friendly.
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### Day 8: Artistic and Cultural Exploration
- **Morning:**
- **Reina Sofia Museum**: Explore contemporary art including Picasso’s Guernica. (Book tickets in advance)
- **Atocha Station**: Visit the lush indoor garden inside the train station.
- **Lunch:**
- **Ramen Kagura** (Calle de Vallehermoso, 58): Enjoy affordable and flavorful ramen.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Lavapiés**: Explore this vibrant multicultural neighborhood and its street art.
- **El Rastro Market**: Wander through Madrid’s largest flea market (open on Sundays).
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **La Noche de San Juan** (Calle de Vallehermoso, 85): Known for its tapas and ambiance.
- **Accommodation:**
- **Mola Hostel** (Calle de la Ruda, 19): Comfortable and centrally located.
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### Day 9: Day Trip to Ávila
- **Morning:**
- **Ávila**: Take a train to this walled city.
- **Ávila Walls**: Walk along the impressive medieval walls.
- **Lunch:**
- **Restaurante El Alcázar** (Calle de la Catedral, 6): Enjoy traditional cuisine with local specialties.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Ávila Cathedral**: Visit this historic cathedral.
- **Convent of Santa Teresa**: Explore the convent and its museum.
- **Evening:**
- **Return to Madrid**: Dinner at **La Hora del Té** (Calle de Vallehermoso, 91): Delightful tea and light meals.
- **Accommodation:**
- **The Hat Madrid** (Calle Imperial, 9): Budget-friendly with a great location.
### Day 10: Green Spaces and Shopping
- **Morning:**
- **El Retiro Park**: Spend the morning relaxing and rowing on the lake.
- **Royal Botanical Garden**: Explore the garden’s diverse plant species.
- **Lunch:**
- **El Bistró de la Central** (Calle del Postigo de San Martín, 8): Enjoy a delightful meal in a charming setting.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Gran Vía**: Shop and explore the bustling street.
- **Callao Square**: Visit this vibrant square and its surrounding area.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **Bodega de la Ardosa** (Calle Colón, 13): Known for its excellent tapas.
- **Accommodation:**
- **Cats Hostel Madrid Sol** (Calle del Prado, 6): Affordable and centrally located.
### Day 11: Exploring Vallehermoso and Ciudad Universitaria
- **Morning:**
- **Ciudad Universitaria**: Explore this university campus and its architecture.
- **Vallehermoso Market**: Discover local products and food.
- **Lunch:**
- **La Sureña** (Calle de Vallehermoso, 123): Enjoy affordable Spanish dishes.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Parque del Oeste**: Visit this park and its notable Templo de Debod.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **La Vaca y La Huerta** (Calle de Vallehermoso
, 79): Fresh and farm-to-table cuisine.
- **Accommodation:**
- **Mola Hostel** (Calle de la Ruda, 19): Budget-friendly and well-located.
### Day 12: Day Trip to El Escorial
- **Morning:**
- **El Escorial**: Take a train to this historical monastery and royal residence.
- **Monastery of El Escorial**: Tour the grand complex and its beautiful library.
- **Lunch:**
- **Restaurante La Casona** (Calle del Escorial, 20): Enjoy traditional Spanish fare.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Valley of the Fallen**: Visit this monument located nearby.
- **Evening:**
- **Return to Madrid**: Dinner at **La Gastro** (Calle del Vallehermoso, 85): Affordable and flavorful options.
- **Accommodation:**
- **The Hat Madrid** (Calle Imperial, 9): Comfortable and central.
### Day 13: Madrid’s Cultural Highlights
- **Morning:**
- **Museo de Historia de Madrid**: Explore the history of Madrid through this museum.
- **Plaza de Cibeles**: Visit this beautiful square and its iconic fountain.
- **Lunch:**
- **Bar Tomás** (Calle de Vallehermoso, 79): Famous for its patatas bravas.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Museo Nacional de Antropología**: Visit this museum focusing on cultural artifacts.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **Casa de Lucas** (Calle de Vallehermoso, 81): Known for its traditional Spanish cuisine.
- **Accommodation:**
- **Cats Hostel Madrid Sol** (Calle del Prado, 6): Budget-friendly and centrally located.
### Day 14: Discovering Madrid’s Hidden Gems
- **Morning:**
- **Museo del Romanticismo**: Explore this museum dedicated to 19th-century Romanticism.
- **Malasaña Neighborhood**: Discover this trendy area known for its vibrant street art.
- **Lunch:**
- **Ramen Kagura** (Calle de Vallehermoso, 58): Affordable and tasty ramen.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Serrano Street**: Enjoy high-end shopping and architecture.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **La Taberna de la Daniela** (Calle del Vallehermoso, 85): Known for its excellent tapas.
- **Accommodation:**
- **Mola Hostel** (Calle de la Ruda, 19): Affordable and central.
### Day 15: Final Day in Madrid
- **Morning:**
- **Last-minute Shopping**: Explore any remaining shops or markets.
- **Relax in a Café**: Enjoy a final coffee or pastry at a local café.
- **Lunch:**
- **La Vaca y La Huerta** (Calle de Vallehermoso, 79): Fresh and farm-to-table cuisine.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Relax and Enjoy**: Visit any sites you may have missed or revisit favorites.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **El Club Allard** (Calle de Vallehermoso, 79): Enjoy a final meal with creative cuisine.
- **Departure**: Head to the airport or train station for your departure.
### Accommodation Summary:
- **Budget Hotels/Hostels**: The Hat Madrid, Mola Hostel, Cats Hostel Madrid Sol.
- **Comfortable Options**: Generator Hostel, Room007 Chueca Hostel.
### Dining Recommendations:
- **Affordable**: El Tigre, Taberna El Sur, La Casa del Abuelo, La Vaca y La Huerta.
- **Mid-Range**: El Club Allard, Sobrino de Botín, Casa Mono.
Feel free to adjust the itinerary based on your interests and preferences. Enjoy your time in Madrid!
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