Welcome to Madrid! Your journey begins with a long-haul flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). Since there are currently no direct flights from Delhi, you’ll likely be transiting through hubs like Dubai or Doha. It’s a 12–14 hour haul, so try to snag a window seat for the descent over the scorched, beautiful plains of Castile. Once you land at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD), the quickest way to the city center is the Cercanías train (Line C1) or the Exprés Aeropuerto bus (€5), which drops you at Cibeles. After checking into your hotel, don’t succumb to the jet lag—get out into the afternoon light to reset your clock.
Start your exploration at the literal heart of the country: Puerta del Sol. This is "Kilometer Zero," where all Spanish radial roads begin. It’s always buzzing with energy, street performers, and locals meeting up "under the clock." Make sure to snap a photo with the Bear and the Strawberry Tree (El Oso y el Madroño) statue, the symbol of the city. From there, it's a short five-minute walk down the narrow, historic Calle de Postas to the magnificent Plaza Mayor. This grand, porticoed square feels like an outdoor theater. Grab a spot on a stone bench to admire the frescoes on the Casa de la Panadería and watch the sunset turn the red-brick facades into a deep gold.
As the evening hits, skip the tourist traps in the main square and head to Casa Toni on Calle de la Cruz. This is exactly how Madrid should taste—loud, crowded, and unpretentious. Locals come here for the gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp) and the bravas. If you're feeling adventurous, their mollejas (sweetbreads) are legendary. Expect to pay around €20-€30 for a feast of shared plates. To wrap up your first night, walk off the tapas with a stroll to Chocolatería San Ginés, tucked away in a hidden alley. Open 24/7 since 1894, it’s the ultimate Madrid ritual. Order the chocolate con churros—the chocolate is thick enough to stand a spoon in, and it’s the perfect, sweet "welcome home" to Spain before you head back for a well-earned sleep.
Kick off your morning by diving straight into the soul of Spanish art at the Prado Museum. Since you’re coming from Delhi, the scale of this place might remind you of the National Museum, but with a focus on the European masters. Aim to get there right when they open at 10:00 AM to beat the largest crowds. You’ll want to prioritize the "Black Paintings" by Goya and Velázquez’s Las Meninas; they are the heavy hitters that locals never tire of seeing. Expect to spend about 3 hours here. Pro tip: book your tickets online in advance to skip the entry line, which can wrap around the building even in September.
Just a short walk behind the museum in the quiet, upscale Jerónimos neighborhood, head to Murillo Café. This is one of my favorite spots because it feels like a chic local secret despite being so close to the tourist trail. It’s a sophisticated bistro with a bit of a New York vibe but deeply Mediterranean flavors. Grab a table for lunch (around 2:00 PM is when the locals start eating) and try their grilled octopus or a fresh seasonal salad. It’s the perfect place to decompress after the sensory overload of the Prado. Expect to spend about €25–€40 per person.
Stroll back toward the Paseo del Prado to visit the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. While the Prado is about the classics, the Thyssen is a private collection that fills in all the gaps, moving from the Italian Renaissance into 20th-century Pop Art. It’s incredibly well-curated and generally less exhausting than its neighbor. Spend about 2 hours here before walking up to the Círculo de Bellas Artes. Pay the €5 fee for the elevator to the Rooftop Terrace (La Azotea). This is the view of Madrid. You’ll see the iconic Metrópolis Building and the sweep of Gran Vía as the sun begins to dip. In September, the light hits the skyline perfectly around 8:00 PM.
To wrap up your day, walk down toward the historic heart of the city to the Mercado de San Miguel. It’s an iconic iron-and-glass structure that stays buzzing late into the night. It can get crowded, but that’s part of the energy. Instead of a formal sit-down dinner, do it "Madrileño style"—hop from stall to stall. Grab a cone of hand-carved Iberian ham, move on to some fresh oysters or gildas (pickled pepper and olive skewers), and pair it all with a glass of crisp Albariño or Vermut. You’ll likely spend between €30–€50 depending on how many delicacies tempt you, but it’s the ultimate way to taste the best of Spain in one vibrant spot.
Start your morning at the Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real). Since you’ve already seen the art side of the city, today is about the sheer scale of Spanish power. It is the largest functioning palace in Europe, and even though the King doesn't live here, the Throne Room and the Royal Armoury are jaw-dropping. Aim to arrive by 9:30 AM to beat the heat and the school groups; entry is about €14. Right across the Plaza de la Armería sits the Catedral de la Almudena. Don't expect gothic gloom here—it was only finished in 1993, and the ceiling is a riot of contemporary, vibrant colors and "pop-art" style stained glass that feels surprisingly fresh and modern.
For a mid-day pause, walk five minutes down Calle Mayor to El Riojano. This place is a time capsule from 1855, with dark wood counters and marble tables. Skip the tourist traps and order a coffee and their famous soletillas (ladyfingers); it’s a local ritual that will cost you around €12. From there, take a 15-minute stroll toward the Cuartel de la Montaña Park to find the Temple of Debod. It’s a bit surreal to see an authentic 2nd-century BC Egyptian temple in the middle of Madrid, but it was a gift from Egypt in the 60s. The views back towards the Palace from this ridge are the best in the city, especially as the late afternoon light starts to turn golden.
As the day cools down, head over to Retiro Park. It's the "green lungs" of Madrid and provides a great contrast to the morning's stone palaces. Make a beeline for the Crystal Palace, a stunning glass and iron pavilion reflected in a small lake, then wander over to the Estanque Grande (the big lake) if you feel like rowing a boat for a few euros. To wrap up your final full day in Madrid, take a taxi or the Metro to the upscale Salamanca district for dinner at Restaurante Etimo. It’s run by Begoña Fraire and offers high-end, seasonal Spanish cuisine in a sleek, sophisticated setting. It’s a bit of a splurge (€60-€90), but the artistry on the plate is the perfect farewell to the Spanish capital before you head to Lisbon tomorrow.
Set your alarm for an early start to catch a morning shuttle from Madrid-Barajas (MAD) to Lisbon Portela (LIS). It’s a quick 1-hour and 15-minute hop across the border, but remember that Portugal is one hour behind Spain—you’ll actually gain an hour of vacation time. Once you land, skip the expensive private transfers; the Lisbon Metro (Red Line) or a quick 20-minute Bolt/Uber ride will get you into the city center by noon. Drop your bags and head straight for the hills—literally.
Spend your first few hours getting lost in the Alfama District, the city's oldest and most evocative neighborhood. This is a place where GPS often fails, and honesty, that's the best way to see it. Wander through the steep, narrow alleys where laundry hangs from wrought-iron balconies and the scent of grilled sardines lingers in the air. Make your way to the Panteão Nacional (National Pantheon). Even if you only have an hour, the interior is a masterpiece of Baroque marble, and the views from the terrace are some of the best in the city. From there, it's a short, uphill walk to the Castelo de São Jorge. Aim to be here by late afternoon as the light softens. Walking along the Moorish ramparts gives you a 360-degree look at the city’s red-tiled roofs and the sprawling Tagus River (Tejo). It costs about €15 to enter, and the "Camera Obscura" inside the tower is a hidden gem most people skip.
As dusk falls, the Alfama transforms. The sound of shifting plates and 12-string guitars begins to drift from small taverns. For an authentic experience far removed from the "tourist trap" dinner shows, head to A Baiuca. This is the home of Fado Vadio (amateur Fado), where the cook or the server might suddenly break into a haunting, soulful song mid-shift. It’s tiny and intimate—you’ll likely be shoulder-to-shoulder with locals. Expect to spend around €30–€45 per person for a hearty Portuguese stew and a carafe of house wine. Since it’s small, try to arrive right when they open or have your hotel call ahead to snag one of the few tables. It’s the perfect, melancholic welcome to the spirit of Lisbon.
Since you’re coming from the Alfama district, hop on the Tram 15 or the 728 bus early to head west toward the riverfront. Your first stop is the breathtaking Jerónimos Monastery. In the soft morning light, the honey-colored limestone of this Manueline masterpiece is at its best. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site that feels like a stone forest inside; spend about two hours wandering the cloisters—it opens at 10:00 AM, and buying your €10 ticket online beforehand is a must to skip the brutal queues. Just a three-minute walk away, follow the scent of cinnamon to Pastéis de Belém. This is the birthplace of the Portuguese custard tart. While every café in Lisbon sells them, this is the only place with the 1837 secret recipe. Don't be intimidated by the crowd at the door; that's for takeaways. Walk inside to the labyrinthine seating area to enjoy a couple of warm tarts with a "bica" (espresso) for about €5—it’s a rite of passage.
After your sugar fix, stroll toward the Tagus River to the Padrão dos Descobrimentos. This massive limestone monument, shaped like a ship's prow, celebrates the Age of Discovery. Look for Vasco da Gama among the figures and check out the giant marble wind rose map on the pavement—it’s a great spot to realize just how far those Portuguese caravels traveled. Continue your walk along the breezy riverbank for about 15 minutes to reach the Belém Tower. This 16th-century fortification looks like something out of a fairy tale, especially when the tide is in and it appears to be floating. You don’t necessarily need to go inside (the exterior is the real star), but it’s the perfect spot for photos before you leave the district.
For the late afternoon, take the tram back toward the city center but jump off at the LX Factory in the Alcântara neighborhood. This is Lisbon’s creative heartbeat—a revitalized industrial textile complex where every wall is a canvas for street art. Make sure you duck into Ler Devagar, often cited as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, where a flying bicycle hangs from the ceiling. As the sun begins to set, head to the Time Out Market (Mercado da Ribeira) at Cais do Sodré. This is the ultimate "no-arguments" dinner spot. The city's top chefs have stalls here, so you can grab a high-end octopus salad from one stand and a glass of Alentejo wine from another. It’s loud, social, and the perfect way to soak in the modern energy of the city. Expect to spend around €30 for a full feast.
To get to the fairytale hills of Sintra, head to the stunning Rossio Station in central Lisbon. Don't just rush through; look up at the horseshoe-shaped portals—it’s one of the most beautiful neo-Manueline buildings in the city. Buy a "CP" train ticket for the direct suburban line to the Sintra terminal. The journey takes about 40 minutes, and I recommend catching a train no later than 8:30 AM to beat the heavy crowds. Once you arrive at the Sintra station, skip the long walk uphill and jump on the 434 tourist bus, which winds its way up the mountain to your first stop.
Start your exploration at the summit with the Pena Palace. This is the postcard image of Portugal—a wild, vivid clash of yellow and red towers that looks like something out of a Disney movie. Because you’re there early, you’ll avoid the worst of the midday heat. Spend about two and a half hours wandering the terrace walls for views that stretch all the way to the Atlantic, and take a quick peek at the royal living quarters. Afterward, grab a quick coffee and head back down towards the historic center for something a bit more mysterious.
By midday, head to Quinta da Regaleira. This is my absolute favorite spot in Sintra; it’s less of a palace and more of a four-hectare playground of the occult and the enigmatic. You must find the Initiation Well, a "subterranean tower" with a spiraling stone staircase that leads to secret tunnels and hidden grottos. It feels worlds away from the bright colors of Pena. For lunch, walk five minutes into the Sintra Old Town to Tascantiga. It’s a fantastic spot for petiscos (Portuguese tapas). Order the slow-cooked meats or the local cheese board; expect to spend about €25 per person. It’s tucked away on a hilly street, offering a perfect breather from the tourist main drag.
Wrap up your day at the Palácio Nacional de Sintra, located right in the heart of the village. You’ll recognize it instantly by the two massive, iconic white conical chimneys rising from the kitchen. Inside, the vibe is much more medieval and Moorish than the morning's palaces. Don’t miss the Swan Room and the incredible heraldic ceiling of the Blazons Hall. It’s the best-preserved medieval royal residence in the country and stays relatively cool even in the September sun. When you’re finished, treat yourself to a travesseiro (a flaky almond pastry) at the famous Piriquita bakery nearby before hopping back on the train to Lisbon.
To get from Lisbon to the coast today, head to Cais do Sodré station and catch the regional train. It’s a scenic 40-minute ride where you should sit on the left side of the carriage for the best views of the Tagus River meeting the Atlantic. Once you hop off at the final stop, you’re in the heart of the Cascais Historic Center. This isn't just a resort town; it’s a former fishing village that became a royal summer retreat. Spend your morning wandering through the black-and-white patterned limestone streets (calcada), popping into local boutiques, and grabbing a quick espresso at any cafe along the Rua Frederico Arouca.
After soaking up the town center, take a leisurely 20-minute walk west along the scenic coastal path to Boca do Inferno (Hell’s Mouth). It’s a dramatic limestone chasm where the Atlantic waves roar into the caves—on a windy day, the sound is thunderous. Right next to this natural spectacle is one of my favorite local institutions, Mar do Inferno. It’s a family-run spot where the seafood is caught just offshore. Order the grilled sea bass or the octopus (polvo à lagareiro) and a glass of crisp Vinho Verde; expect to spend around €40-€60 per person, but the view of the crashing waves from your table is worth every cent.
Post-lunch, head back toward the center for a bit of sun at Praia da Rainha. This "Queen’s Beach" is tiny and secluded, tucked right between the cliffs and the old town architecture, making it feel like a private cove. If you prefer culture over sand, walk inland for five minutes to the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego. You can’t miss it—it’s the striking red, pyramid-shaped building designed by Eduardo Souto de Moura. It houses the powerful, storytelling works of Portugal’s most famous modern artist, and the building itself is an architectural masterpiece (€5 entry).
As the afternoon light begins to soften, catch a taxi or the 1253 bus for the 25-minute drive to Cabo da Roca. You are now standing at the westernmost point of continental Europe. It’s windy for most of the year, so bring a light jacket even in September. There is something incredibly humbling about standing by the lighthouse on these 100-meter-high cliffs, looking out at the endless horizon where the sun dips into the Atlantic. It’s the perfect, quiet finale to your Portuguese escape before heading back to Lisbon for your final night.
Before you head back to the heat of Delhi, make the most of your final hours in the heart of the city. Start your morning with a slow stroll down Rua Augusta, the grand, mosaic-paved pedestrian boulevard of the Baixa district. It’s significantly quieter at 9:00 AM than it is in the evenings, giving you a chance to truly admire the ornate Pombaline architecture and the breeze blowing in from the Tagus. Walk all the way south until you pass under the monumental Arco da Rua Augusta, which opens up into the breathtaking Praça do Comércio. This massive, saffron-colored square was once the site of the royal palace before the 1755 earthquake; today, it’s the perfect place to stand by the stone steps of the Cais das Colunas and watch the river sparkles one last time.
Before you pack your bags, you have one mandatory stop in the Chiado neighborhood. We’ve already done Belém, but locals will tell you that Manteigaria gives the original a serious run for its money. Head to their location inside the Time Out Market or their shop near Praça Luís de Camões. Watch them hand-fold the dough through the glass counter and grab a box of six pastéis de nata (around €1.20 each) to-go. Sprinkle them with plenty of cinnamon while they’re still warm—it’s the ultimate edible memory of Lisbon. If you have any remaining Euros, the nearby shops on Rua Garrett are perfect for last-minute tins of gourmet sardines or cork coasters.
Plan to leave for the airport about three to four hours before your departure. Since you’re heading back to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), you’ll likely be flying out of Terminal 1 at Lisbon Portela (LIS). The easiest way to get there is a 20-minute taxi or Bolt ride from the city center, which should cost between €10 and €15, though the Metro (Red Line) is a reliable budget alternative. As there are no direct flights to Delhi, you’ll be transiting through a hub like Dubai, Doha, or Frankfurt. Use the 13–15 hour journey to catch up on some sleep, as the five-and-a-half-hour time jump forward means you’ll likely land in Delhi the following morning. Safe travels!