Arrival & Barrio de las Letras
18:30
Land in Madrid
Ryanair from Stansted
~19:30
Check-in
Palacio de Atocha📍
Airport → hotel: 30–40 min taxi
20:00
Dinner: El Barril de las LetrasConfirmed
El Barril de las Letras📍
12–15 min walk · 5–7 min taxi
22:30
Cocktails: Salmon Guru
Salmon Guru📍
5–7 min walk from dinner
Walk-in only. Expect short queue after 22:00
Tip: Look for gold-letter quotes in the pavement (Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Quevedo)
Art, Salamanca & Seafood
09:30
Morning shopping block (short)
Serrano / Salamanca📍
Quick browse until ~10:45
Get tourist card (~10%) first at El Corte Inglés
VAT refund initiation available
10:45
Transfer to Prado
Prado Museum📍
12–15 min taxi · 25–30 min walk
Taxi recommended to arrive fresh
11:10
Coffee / short rest
Near Prado
0–5 min walk. Reset before entry
11:45
Museo Nacional del PradoBook online
Prado📍
Book online to skip queues. Plan 2–2.5 hours
Exit ~14:15 to make lunch
14:15
Transfer to Salamanca
La Trainera📍
12–15 min taxi (walking not recommended)
15:00
Lunch: La TraineraConfirmed
La Trainera, Calle de Lagasca📍
Reservation 15:00–15:15
Traditional fast-paced service; premium pricing
Night
Malasaña tapas & bars
Malasaña📍
8–10 min taxi · 18–22 min walk
Suggested: Bodega de la Ardosa
Tip: Sol / Arenal area is great for a quick coffee or reset walk (0–5 min from hotel)
☀️ Normal plan
Markets & Royal Madrid
11:00
Mercado de San Miguel
Mercado de San Miguel📍
6–8 min walk. Until ~12:15
Go earlier to reduce crowding
12:15
Decompression break
Plaza Mayor📍
0–10 min walk. Recommended before Palace
13:00
Walk to Royal Palace
Royal Palace📍
10–12 min walk from market
Arrive early to protect entry timing
14:00
Royal Palace of MadridTimed ticket
Palacio Real📍
Sunday winter closing 16:00; last entry 15:00
If queue >30–40 min: exterior + Sabatini Gardens
16:00
Madrid de los Austrias walk
Plaza de la Villa📍
Until ~17:30. Low-effort historic loop
Plaza de la Villa area
19:00
Farewell rooftop drinks
Picalagartos📍
Picalagartos: 8–10 min walk
Círculo de Bellas Artes: 10–12 min walk
Arrive earlier for best seating/sunset
Departure
05:10
Flight to Stansted
Madrid-Barajas Airport📍
Hotel → airport: 30–40 min taxi
Leave hotel ~03:00
Tip: Keep taxis for Salamanca and late-night returns; most Centro legs are best on foot.