(hotels with breakfast, meals, activities, tours and local transportation includedd)
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Enjoy a Madrid and seville vacation with this 4 day itinerary. Fantastic selection of hotels in both cities, insider hints, restaurants to enjoy local andalusian and madrid gastronomy and much more!
Both cities offer great day excursion opportunities in case you would like to extent your stay
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Our budgets are based on average costs if you enjoy the different activities mentioned. Please bear in mind that prices vary from month to month, or also in case of special events at the city.
You can add any of the elements we recommend to your trip plan list to ease your planning.
Hotel Room Mate Laura – Review The hotel Room Mate Laura is housed in a typical XIX century building in the heart of Madrid, right next to the Descalzas Reales Monastery, 400 meters from the Plaza Mayor. Rooms The Room Mate Laura offers 37 rooms both standard and duplex rooms
Hotel CoolRooms Atocha – Review The Coolrooms Atocha hotel is located in the center of Madrid and features a top-notch restaurant, a seasonal outdoor pool, a bar, and its own private gardens. This is one of the most romantic hotels in Madrid. The hotel façade, with brass and scarlet decoration,
Hotel The Principal Madrid – Review The Principal hotel in Madrid features amazing views of Madrid’s Gran Via from its elegant rooftop terrace and its restaurant and cocktail bar. The hotel sits at a fantastic building from 1917 with art-deco inspirations. Book at best price Rooms The Principal is a
1,5 hours – 2,5 hours
On day 1 in Madrid we propose you to enjoy an oasis of greenery, tapas and culture. The Retiro park was built as a preserve for kings but since 1868 it was opened to the public and it is one of our favorite places in Madrid. Another highlight of the day is the spectacular Palacio de Comunicaciones (today the town hall) Out of the 3 art-galleries in Paseo del Prado we have opted for el PRado, but Reina Sofia or the Thyseen museum may be more suited to your taste… or you may prefer to enjoy the wax museum, or the naval museum or the bonatical gardens near the Retiro park (all 3 perfectly located within this itienrary too)
Parque del Retiro, Madrid
Museo del Prado,. Madrid
Restaurant
Perhaps the best flamenco performance you will find in Madrid as well as some of the best food you c
Calle de la Moreria, 1728005MadridEspaña
Atocha train station
Take one of the earliest trains from Barcelona to enjoy the day in Madrid. The main area at Atocha station is a fantastic example of civil architecture with an iron and glass structure and tropical garden inside.
El Retiro Park
Do not miss the Palacio de Cristal, the Retiro´s most beautiful monument. We recommend to start your walk from the entrance closest to the Prado museum. The Retiro is one of the few places in the world with a statue dedicated to the Fallen Angel (Lucifer). Your visit should include a stop at one of the terraces near the lake or the Paseo de Carruajes. We recommend to leave the Retiro from Puerta de Alcala, Madrid´s most famous Gate.
Tapas like a Madrileño If you would like to enjoy tapas like Madriñeos do we recommend you exist the Retiro in Avenida Menendez Pelayo and get to streets Doctor Castelo and Menorca where many bars await you. You can continue your itinerary in Goya and Serrano streets. These streets are one of Madrid´s main shopping districts. Serrano is home to some of the most exclusive shops in town. If you opt to walk from El Retiro straight to Plaza de Colón you will also find many bars and restaurants with tapas menu.
Near Plaza de Colón If you are fond of chocolate you will find one of Madrid´s best shops near Colon (Cacao Sampaka) behind the romantic park of Plaza de la Villa de Paris. Plaza de Santa Barbara is very close too, a local´s favorite for cañas ((the way locals refer to beer)
Recoletos and Cibeles. Cafe Gijón is one of Madrid´s most famous coffee-shops with lots of history.
At Cibeles (the square where real Madrid fans celebrate when the team wins a championship) you may decide to visit the City Hall. Views from the upper terrace are fantastic.
1 hour – 3 hours
On day 2 you will enjoy the Madrid where the Royal power seated. But you will also enjoy fantastic Plazas! The itinerary will take you first through Gran Via and Puerta del Sol, 2 of Madrid´s most reknown areas. Sol is meant to be Spain´s 0 kilometer. Plaza Mayor follows., one of the most beautiful plazas in Spain. We recommend to enjoy tapas in Mercado San Miguel and then head to the 3rd beautiful Plaza of the Day: Plaza de la Villa, which offers a deep contrast to the Plaza de Oriente which overlooks both the royal palace and the opera house. Our itinerary ends in Templo de Debod, where you will enjoy the best views of the city!
Plaza mayor, Madrid
Plaza de San Miguel, Madrid
Plaza de Oriente, Madrid
Palacio Real Madrid
Restaurant
Gastronomy from Rioja (and its wines!) at the very heart of Madrid next to the Royal Palace
C/ Unión, 828013MadridEspaña
Gran Via and Sol
We recommend to start the itinerary drinking a coffee at one of the best terraces in Madrid (Hotel Principal or, on the other side of street, Círculo de bellas Artes). Do not miss the Metropolis and the Telefonica building (once the highest building in Madrid).
The clock in Sol hosts every New year´s eve the count-down for the start of the New year.
Plaza de Oriente
If you would appreciate to try a good paella or high quality cocido you will find 2 good options near the Opera House (El pato mudo for paella and La Bola for Cocido)
La Almudena Cathedral and San Francisco el Grande
From San Miguel market you may decide to get to the Royal Palace through the Latina area instead of calle Mayor and Plaza de la Villa.. You will find some of Madrid best bars in Cava Baja and Cava Alta (and also Lucio restaurant). If you enjoy a bit of atmosphere we recommend you to stop at the terrace of el Viajero. At the end of this “tapas detour” you will find la Basilica de San Francisco el Grande, which holds Madrid´s largest dome. From there you can continue to the Cathedral and the Royal Palace.
Hotel Welldone Quality – Crystal pool The Welldone Quality – Crystal pool is ideally located in the historical city center of Seville, less than 1 km from the Plaza de Armas, 14 minutes walking from the Santa Cruz neighborhood, and 1,3 km from the Alcázar in Seville. All rooms at
Hotel Fernando III in Seville The hotel is located in Seville, in the historic Santa Cruz neighborhood. The hotel features a rooftop terrace and pool with views of the city: one of the most spectacular swimming pools in Seville and a great option to end the day in a relaxing
Hotel Palacio De Villapanés in Seville This hotel has been a palace of the noble family of Villapanes in Seville for centuries. Today all guests can enjoy the fantastic baroque architecture of this building that has been carefully renovated to meet the highest standards of quality. This palace offers the
1,5 hour
On day 1 in Seville you will get to understand why locals claim that “Sevilla tiene un color especial” as a famous Spanish song says…
“Sevilla tiene un color especial” claims a famous Spanish song… The soul of this city may emerge from the passion of Flamenco in the taverns of Triana neighborhood, or from the greedy conquistadores that populated it, or you may have to blame Easter for it. No matter where the truth is that few cities in the world can pride themselves on being a perfect mix of beauty and charisma. Today you will learn about the history of Seville at the Alcazar, enjoy one of its most relaxing areas in Maria Luisa and, discover the passion of Flamenco.
Lawrence the Arabia or Games of Thrones are amongst the many movies filmed here
Patio de Banderas, s/n
Restaurant
ISPAL is the latest project put forth by the La Raza restaurant group which has been at the top of t
Plaza San Sebastián, s/n41004SevillaSpain
Its blue and white benches represent the 48 Spanish provinces, with their corresponding maps
Av de Isabel la Católica, Sevilla
Complete guide to enjoy flamenco in Seville. The best flamenco shows in Seville, peñas, cultural cen
Calle Pagés del Corro, 70, Seville
The Alcazar
The Alcazar . Not many people know that the Alcazar is one of Spain´s most visited monuments. It was always very visited, but having been used for Game of Thrones has increased its popularity. We strongly recommend booking a tour to avoid queues or get there very early and with your ticket booked
Archivo de Indias
Located right next to the Alcazar, the Archivo de Indias has some amazing documents in it like the ones used by Cirstonal Columbus to calculate the latitude and longitude of this first trip. The entrance ticket is free, and you will be able to enjoy an exciting video.
Horse-drawn carriage
This is an exciting way to enjoy Seville. You will find many people that offer a ride. In order to avoid problems with the prices, the City-hall fixes a price each year. We recommend checking the current price at the tourism office to ensure you know the exact amount to pay.
Plaza de España
It is widely known today that the Alcazar has been used in Game of thrones. Fewer people know that La Plaza de España was used in Lawerence de Arabia. Seville turned out to be a real oasis for the filming crew after having spent weeks at the dessert in Jordan.
On your way to Triana
Walk by the river. Once you leave the Park, we recommend not to enter Triana by the Puente de los Remedios, but to do it by the Puente de San Telmo to enjoy a walk next to the river.
Pescaito and tapas
Once you are finished with Flamenco we recommend you enjoy a bit of fried fish (pescaito) and tapas in Calle betis in Triana
1 hour – 3 hours
On day 2 in Seville you will get to know the world´s largest Cathedral, enjoy a walk and tapas at one of the most famous neighbourhoods in the world (Santa Cruz) and enjoy Seville as locals do by visiting Calle Sierpes and its shops and end your visit at the opinion-dividing largest wooden building in the world (Metropol parasol)
The tower of Seville’s Cathedral is one of the most famous monuments of the city, a simbol, next to
Av. de la Constitución, s/n, Sevilla
Restaurant
Baco is located a few meters from the cathedral of Seville and is one of the tops restaurants in the
C/ Cuna, 241004SevillaSpain
Seville´s Cathedral
The cathedral is the world´s largest Cathedral. The old mosque was used as a church till 1402, but then the church authorities decided to build the largest Cathedral in the world. A guided tour is highly advisable.
Santa Cruz
Unknown to most tourists, the Plaza de las Cruces in Santa Cruz neighbourhood is, in reality, a street that widens and where three crosses stand in the middle. If you pay attention, you will also find more crosses in the walls.
Santa Cruz
Besides the Plaza de Santa cruz (which gives its name to the district) and the romantic Plaza de Doña Elvira we recommend you Plaza de Alfaro. On the ground floor of the palace off Lope de Rueda there is a forging window which locals refer to as “La Reja del Diablo” . The design of this forge work is almost impossible to accomplish: “the devil´s work”.
Calle Sierpes
The origin of the name of his street hides a dark story, the sort you would find in a Stephen King novel. The street was known before as Calle Espaderos (blade maker) due to the number of workshops dedidcated to swords. But the name changed to Sierpes. Locals start to call it like that due to a legend. In the mid XV century children disappeared in Calle Espaderos and a huge snake (serpiente in Spanish) was found guilty. Locals started to refer to the street as Calle de la Sierpe.
Calle Sierpes
Do not miss these fantastic facades and shops. Confitería La Campana, Real Circulo de Labradores, papelería Ferrer, El cronometro , maquedano sombreros, abanicos Diaz and Robles Laredo bar (where you can actually stop for a well-deserved drink!)
Metropol parasol
You will be able to decide for yourself if you love it or hate! (Metrosol-parasol divided local opinions when it was built). Five inmense mushroom-like pillars hold up a gigantic undulating roof
If you enjoy this itinerary but you would like to compare it with other possible options, we recommend you have a look at our Spain itineraries section, where you will find many ideas to help you compose your perfect vacation in Spain.
Madrid is one of the few cities in the world, if not the only one, that can claim to enjoy so many Unesco heritage sites at less than 1 hour drive from the Capital.
Fascinating medieval villages where local gastronomy remains unspoilt, top palaces and gardens (El Escorial, Aranjuez, La Granja) or one of the world´s most impressive medieval walls in Avila. Add the famous hanging houses of Cuenca, the wines of Ribera del Duero, the windmills of Don Quixote, or the elegance and beauty of Salamanca and you will start to consider Madrid as a perfect base from where to enjoy day after day amazing destinations.
We have left to the end of this list Segovia and Toledo, 2 of the World´s bes preserved medieval cities and, in both cases, ancient capitals of Spain.
Granada is a magical place and it offers one of the most extraordinary city breaks in Spain. The Alhambra stands on the hill. Behind it the Sierra Nevada and its white peaks. Granada was moorish, but also jewish. Granada was actually known as the city of jews, where they flourished. We are sure you will get lost in the Albaicin district, relax at one of Granada´s baths and envy the dance of gipsys from the Sacromonte. Find in this city break guide to Granada all the information you need to plan your trip effectively and on budget: hotel recommendations, best places to enjoy local food, top attractions, viewpoints and things to see during your city break in Granada.
Madrid is one of the few cities in the world, if not the only one, that can claim to enjoy so many Unesco heritage sites at less than 1 hour drive from the Capital.
Fascinating medieval villages where local gastronomy remains unspoilt, top palaces and gardens (El Escorial, Aranjuez, La Granja) or one of the world´s most impressive medieval walls in Avila. Add the famous hanging houses of Cuenca, the wines of Ribera del Duero, the windmills of Don Quixote, or the elegance and beauty of Salamanca and you will start to consider Madrid as a perfect base from where to enjoy day after day amazing destinations.
We have left to the end of this list Segovia and Toledo, 2 of the World´s bes preserved medieval cities and, in both cases, ancient capitals of Spain.
A perfect itinerary in Spain that serves as an introduction to some of the top areas in the country: Madrid, Castilla Leon, Extremadura and Andalusia. This itinerary covers several Unesco sites and takes you to some of the hidden gems of Spain through less frequented roads. Discover in this 1 week itinerary in Spain magical cities like Segovia, Avila, Caceres, Merida and the two top cities of Madrid and Seville. A perfect itinerary to get to know “real Spain” in seven days.
Madrid and Seville show very different faces of Spain. This simple 4 day itinerary in Spain connects these two fantastic cities by train in a simple, hassle free way. With this itinerary you will enjoy Madrid art galleries, its squares, Royal palace and vibrant nightlife, and combine it with the magic of Seville: flamenco dance and music, fantastic architecture influenced by the Moors, and the romantic Barrio de Santa Cruz. One of the best 4-day itineraries you can put together in Spain without driving!
Madrid and Barcelona are Spain´s top two cities. Both cities offer countless things to do and see, no matter your travel style. With this simple 4 day itinerary in Spain you will be able to start your trip at either city and enjoy a n easy connection using the high speed train. If you want to enjoy top art museums like the Prado, Gaudi´s amazing architecture, tapas and some of the best food markets in Europe, endless nightlife, great shopping, two of the worlds best soccer teams and the beach (amongst many other highlights) this is a perfect Spain short itinerary for you!
