DAY 1: Plaza Mayor & Royal Madrid
Morning:
So many Madrid days begin in the Plaza Mayor, or perhaps nearby with a breakfast of chocolate con churros at Chocolatería de San Ginés. Drop by the Plaza de la Villa and Plaza de Oriente, then stop for a coffee or wine at Cafe de Oriente and visit the Palacio Real.
Launch: Mercado de San Miguel is an innovative gastronomic space.
Afternoon:
El Retiro & the Art Museums - Spend as much of the afternoon as you can at the Museo del Prado. When this priceless collection of Spanish and European masterpieces gets too much, visit the Iglesia de San Jerónimo El Real and Caixa Forum.
Dinner: Restaurante Sobrino de Botín is the world’s oldest restaurant.
Night:
To kick off the night, perhaps take in a flamenco show at Las Tablas, followed by a leisurely drink at Café del Real or Anticafe. If you're up for a long night, Teatro Joy Eslava is an icon of the Madrid night.
DAY 2: El Retiro & the Art Museums
Morning:
Get to the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia early to beat the crowds, then climb up through sedate streets to spend a couple of hours soaking up the calm of the Parque del Buen Retiro. Wander down to admire the Plaza de la Cibeles.
Launch: Estado Puro is one of Madrid’s most creative tapas bars.
Afternoon:
After lunch, catch the metro across town to admire the Goya frescoes in the Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida. Templo de Debod and Parque del Oeste are fine places for a stroll.
Dinner: Casa Alberto is one of Madrid’s most storied tabernas.
Night:
Begin the night at Plaza de Santa Ana for a drink or three at an outdoor table if the weather's fine. After another tipple at La Venencia, check out if there's live jazz on offer at wonderful Café Central, then have an after-show drink at El Imperfecto. The night is still young - Costello Café & Niteclub is good if you're in the mood to dance, La Terraza del Urban if you're in need of more sybaritic pleasures.
DAY 3: Salamanca & La Latina
Morning:
Begin the morning at the third of Madrid's world-class art galleries, the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. It's such a rich collection that you could easily spend the whole morning here. If you've time to spare, consider dipping back into the Prado or Reina Sofía.
Launch: Sula Madrid offers stunning tapas in an elegant setting.
Afternoon:
Head out east to take a tour of the Plaza de Toros bullring, before dipping into the Museo Lázaro Galdiano. Spend the rest of the morning shopping along Calle de Serrano, Calle de José Ortega y Gasset and surrounding streets.
Dinner: Naia Restaurant has a lovely La Latina setting and fresh tastes.
Night:
As dusk approaches, make for La Latina and spend as long as you can picking your way among the tapas bars of Calle de la Cava Baja - even if you're not hungry, stop by for a beer or wine to soak up the atmosphere. A wine at Taberna Tempranillo and a mojito out on Plaza de la Paja at Delic should set you up for the night ahead.
DAY 4: Malasaña & Chueca
Morning:
Start the day with some souvenir shopping at Casa de Diego and Gil. If you really love your art, Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando will nicely round out your experience of Madrid's exceptional art scene.
Launch: Albur or La Musa on Calle de Manuela Malasaña.
Afternoon:
You've been around almost long enough to be a local and it's therefore worth exploring the laneways of Malasaña between Calle Pez, Plaza Dos de Mayo and the Glorieta de Bilbao - stop off at Lolina Vintage Café along Calle del Espiritu Santo, Café Manuela on Calle de San Vincente Ferrer, and Café Comercial, as well as the Museo de Historia or Museo del Romanticismo en route.
Dinner: La Tasquita de Enfrente is loved by celebrities and foodies.
Night:
Get to know multifaceted Chueca from the dignified calm and boutiques of Calle de Piamonte, pass by Plaza de Chueca to watch the barrio come to life, then get seriously into the cocktail bars along Calle de la Reina, followed by the legendary Museo Chicote. El Junco Jazz Club will leave you with great memories of the city.