Fun 4 Day Madrid Itinerary: 10 Things Not to Miss in Madrid Spain

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Planning a 4 Day Madrid Itinerary and not sure what to include?

You’ll find 10 fun things to do in Madrid, Spain you’ll want to work into your itinerary. We’ve even included how much time to budget to you can better plan your schedule.

See which ones appeal to you, below.

4 day Madrid itinerary - Retiro Park

CONTENTS – In this article, you’ll discover 10 fun things you can include in a 4 Day Madrid itinerary, including:

  • Top Madrid Experiences
  • Market of San-Miguel
  • Retiro Park
  • Prado Museum
  • Get a Mini Go-Car
  • Royal Palace
  • A Trip to Toledo
  • Bike Tour
  • Parque Warner
  • Skydiving
  • Flamenco Show
  • Final Thoughts
  • Next Steps

10 Fun Things Everyone Should Do While in Madrid

It can be overwhelming to plan a 4 day Madrid itinerary, or even any length of time when you’re visiting Madrid.

That’s because there’s so much to see and do!

So, let’s narrow down your options.

Are you looking for prestigious museums and art that defines a genre?

You’ll discover a lot.

Hungry?

The best restaurants in Spain may be found in Madrid.

Low on funds?

Do not worry, there are plenty of great free activities available here as well.

Ten may sound like a lot, but in reality, this list could easily include ten thousand of Madrid’s top things to do.

Heck, that is undervaluing Spain’s national capital.

There is enough to keep returning tourists interested, and first-time visitors will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Madrid is simultaneously excruciatingly chill, wonderfully lovely, and deliciously sociable.

We’ll just say that you’re fortunate to be here.

See if you can work these 10 things into your Madrid itinerary while you’re visiting.

1. Market of San-Miguel

The Market of San-Miguel was established in 1916. That makes it one of Madrid’s oldest markets.

Situated on the site of the former San Miguel de Octoes church, the market’s gorgeous wrought-iron furnish charms the city’s ten million hungry visitors each year.

However, the food is what really sets this venue apart.

With more than thirty different vendors serving up authentic Spanish foods, it’s the ideal place to graze and sample a variety of dishes.

You’ll find several mouthwatering seafood alternatives available at the mercado.

For example, you may watch them prepare paella in front of you. Or, you can pick up random items like cold meats, fish, cheese, tapas, rice wine, and baked goods. 

You can spend a short while here, say 15 minutes to an hour, while you grab a bite. It will be the busiest between 7-9 pm, so it might be hard to find a seat.

Before even arriving in Madrid, look up Michelin-star restaurants Madrid. Youโ€™ll find a couple of them nearby.

Now, if you book a reservation earlier, you may be lucky enough to get a table when youโ€™re there.

2. Retiro Park

Despite being a bustling town with a full schedule of events and an endless list of things to see and do, Madrid has a surprising amount of green areas.

You don’t want to pack in so many activities to your 4-Day Madrid itinerary that you’re overwhelmed and exhausted.

These green spaes are an ideal location for you to decompress, unwind, and temporarily escape the commotion.

One such place is the good olโ€™ Retiro Park, which is close to the city’s core.

The Palacio de Cristal is a stunning glass structure that deserves every touristโ€™s attention. Itโ€™s located within the park and is ideal for a relaxing stroll.

You can play paddle tennis there as well.

Itโ€™s also an amazing place for a romantic picnic.

So how can you enjoy the hundred and twenty-five hectares of Retiro Park at its best?

It’s simple: hire a professional guide.

The guide will direct the way and point out all of the things to maximize your time. You can easily spend 4 hours in this beautiful setting.

You can also rent a two-wheeler e-scooter. Then, you will be able to enjoy the journey without walking miles.

3. Prado Museum

Love art or not, you must visit the Prado Museum.

The hundreds of thousands of pieces are on display in what is arguably Europe’s best art museum.

This museum will sure to leave you completely stunned by the sheer quantity and quality. 

Prado’s vast collection includes:

  • Amazing sculptures
  • Beautiful paintings
  • Vanilla sketch drawings
  • Vintage prints
  • Historical records from renowned painters

It covers Spanish history as well as the evolution of Western art as a whole from the twelfth century up to the early twentieth century.

The museum is two-hundred and thirty-five thousand square feet big. So, it can eat up your whole day if you want to enjoy the visit.

You can easily get tired if you donโ€™t have enough snacks or food with you.

Fortunately, there are food corners if you need a refuel. 

Because of its size, you may want to get a tour guide to make the most of your trip. If you want to include the Prado in your 4-Day Madrid itinerary, allow at least 3-4 hours for this attraction.

4. Get a Mini GoCar

From a distance, a Mini GoCar might look a bit childish.

Even cheesy at best.

But once you’re strapped into the driver’s seat of your mini GoCar, you won’t be ashamed at all!

That’s because you’ll be having too much fun.

With endless miles and a tank full of gas, getting around in a GoCar will make your day.

These mini cars come with built-in GPS and audio guides. But not all mini cars have it.

These two things can definitely come in handy if you are new to Madrid.

But if you want to make it even more fun, get a mini car without the GPS. You can keep a radius map for a raw and authentic experience. 

Driving on your own allows you to explore the city at your own pace rather than being constrained by the hop-on, hop-off bus schedule and squeezing through crowds.

That way you can get around efficiently while you spend four days in Madrid.

5. Royal Palace

The Spanish Royal Family’s three thousand and four hundred room palace is filled with historical artifacts and countless works of art.

It includes:

  • The library
  • Grand staircase
  • Chapel
  • Armory
  • Crown room
  • and much more

The Royal Palace is the symbol of the city and frequently the starting point for many travelers who enjoy history and architecture.

One of the most visited tourist destinations in Madrid, the interior’s royal dรฉcor and towering architecture offers you a glimpse into how the royal families formerly lived.

Plan to spend between 45 minutes and two hours here. That’s certainly doable in a 4 day Madrid itinerary!

You will be fascinated by the stories and events of the former leaders if you are into history.

This palace is enriched with the histories of great Spanish leaders.  

It stands at a hundred and thirty-five thousand square meters and is the largest accessible royal palace in Europe.

Thereโ€™s a piece of Madrid monarchy.

While you’re there, it’s worth spending a thirty-minute tour at the magnificent Campo del Moro grounds as well.

6. A Trip to Toledo

A whole day’s visit to the amazing city of Toledo is just priceless.

This destination is renowned for its scenic surroundings and well-preserved middle-age architecture. It’s popular as one of the essential fun things to do in Madrid.

It’s also a World Heritage site, having once been Spainโ€™s capital.

Toledo is only a short drive from the country’s current capital. It had a significant influence on the cultural and political development of the country.

In addition, Toledo offers different things for visitors of all ages.

You can go on a historical dive, connect through beautiful scenery or just relax with an ice-cold beer on one of the rooftop porches!

Don’t forget to visit the amazing Toledo Cathedral, one of Europe’s most remarkable Gothic structures dating back to the thirteenth century.

You’ll also want to visit the Alcรกzar as well.

Itโ€™s a massive former royal palace that is now used as a tourist attraction. Inside, you will find Army Museum, too.

7. Bike Tour

Tourists absolutely love Madrid’s bike tours because it helps them to see more of the city without being limited to buses and cars.

You can learn about the city’s history, culture, folklore, sights, and food places as you make stops at these locations.

In addition, there are a few off-road mountain bike routes outside of Madrid.

There, you may discover Spain’s lovely countryside if you wish to jump off the usual plan. Lozoya is an amazing place for such tours (but it’s a long bike ride at about 5 hours each way). 

Whichever plan you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy Madrid from a fresh angle and perhaps even meet some new people and stay fit in the process!

These trips are ideal for tourists of all ages.

In fact, this whole tour will keep you paddling for landmarks and photos. 

So grab a helmet, shorts, and water bottle because you’re in for a memorable bike ride – near or far.

8. Parque Warner

Parque Warner Madrid is a fun and amazing theme park in Madrid.

Its main theme is based on the iconic Warner Bros. movies and comics.

The popularity of Parque Waner is at an all-time high for visitors, as it is one of the popular tourist places in Madrid.

You will get to enjoy the high-voltage, teeth-grinding “Loca Academia de Policia” stunt show. This is where the dramatic action scenes from Hollywood movies are brought to life.

Itโ€™s a well-loved program and popular among kids.

All these pyrotechnics, car stunts, and crowd participation will definitely make your day memorable.

You can easily spend a whole day here. To skip the lines, opt for the “pase correcaminos” tickets.

9. Skydiving

Skydiving is the ultimate thrill-seeking activity, wherever you are.

Some say everyone should experience it at least once in their lifetime. And Madrid is the ideal location to cross it off your list.

Your body will feel the adrenaline rush from a four thousand-meter tandem jump.

As the dive route is big, your eyes will be struck by the panoramic beauties of the Spanish countryside and the Tagus River.

You will find various tiny shops with skydiving packages and deals, sign up if youโ€™re interested.

What do you say?

If this type of experience is for you, expect the tandem skydive to take between 2 to 4 hours from beginning to end.

10. Flamenco Show

You will see these intense performances all around the city, in both big and smaller theaters.

Perhaps the best place to see a Flamenco Show in Madrid is at traditional flamenco clubs. Most flamenco shows are between an hour and an hour-and-a-half long, food optional.

A Flamenco performance will undoubtedly be a memorable experience. It’s a must see when you visit Spain.

Millions of tourists call it a form of art that carries a rich history.

The most famous flamenco performance in Madrid is held in Torres Bermejas

The show combines classic flamenco with a modern touch.

If you can spare a moment away from the performances, keep an eye out for the amazing elaborate tiles, wood-carved ceilings, and Arabic-themed walls of the venue.

Final Thoughts on 4 Day Madrid Itinerary

Any combination of these 10 experiences will make for an excellent 4 Day Madrid Itinerary. Mix and match them as they suit you.

Now that you know how to enjoy your Madrid visit, you can look up flights and hotels to prepare for your holiday.

You’ll discover there are so many fun things that you can do in Spain. There truly is something in it for everyone.

If you want to embark upon traveling to Spain, we bet youโ€™ll fall in love with the warmth, hospitality, and friendliness of its people, just as everyone does!

When you do visit, we hope you have a lovely time making new memories and VAMOS

Next Steps

Whether you’re planning a 4 day Madrid itinerary, or want to explore this beautiful country further, we’ve got more Spain resources for you.

To learn more about visiting Spain, read these articles next:

If you’re ready to book flights, look to these resources:

If you want to learn the language to prepare for your visit to Spain, check these out: