PLAN YOUR TIME IN MADRID

Madrid in four days: visual walking routes

Four colour-coded walks through historic Madrid, its grand avenues, museums and neighbourhoods, with approximate walking times and maps.

Four independent walks, not a race to see everything. Times are approximate for each walking leg, excluding visits, breaks and queues. Follow each map link to check the route for your pace and access needs.

Madrid in four days: illustrated overview of four walking routes — Tap to enlarge. See the translated routes and approximate walking times below.

DAY 1

Historic Madrid

Puerta del Sol≈ 5–10 min on foot · map
Plaza Mayor≈ 3–5 min on foot · map
Mercado de San Miguel≈ 10–15 min on foot · map
Catedral de la Almudena≈ 3–5 min on foot · map
Palacio Real≈ 5–10 min on foot · map
Jardines de Sabatini≈ 15–20 min on foot · map
Templo de Debod

An outdoor walk. Allow extra time and tickets for a visit inside the Royal Palace.

DAY 2

Grand avenues

Puerta del Sol≈ 5–10 min on foot · map
Calle de Alcalá · Sevilla≈ 10–15 min on foot · map
Banco de España≈ 3–5 min on foot · map
Plaza de Cibeles≈ 15–20 min on foot · map
Plaza de Colón≈ 45–60 min on foot · map
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu

Colón to the Bernabéu is a long walk along the Castellana; public transport is an alternative. The time shown is on foot.

DAY 3

Art and culture

Puerta del Sol≈ 15–20 min on foot · map
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza≈ 5–10 min on foot · map
Museo del Prado≈ 5–10 min on foot · map
Real Jardín Botánico≈ 10–15 min on foot · map
Estación de Atocha≈ 5–10 min on foot · map
Museo Reina Sofía

Choose one or two museums to visit inside. Walking times exclude visits and queues.

DAY 4

Neighbourhoods and Madrid Río

Puerta del Sol≈ 10–15 min on foot · map
La Latina≈ 5–10 min on foot · map
El Rastro · Ribera de Curtidores≈ 10–15 min on foot · map
Lavapiés≈ 25–35 min on foot · map
Madrid Río · Puente de Toledo≈ 20–30 min on foot · map
Matadero Madrid

The Rastro street market runs on Sunday and public-holiday mornings. Madrid Río is extensive: this walk enters at Puente de Toledo.

Check the weather · Read the detailed free walking guide

Routes adapted from the supplied visual outline, reordered to reduce backtracking. Approximate planning times, not live navigation. References: La Castellana · El Rastro.