Once you’ve checked in, head to Puerta del Sol to get your bearings in central Madrid; allow 30–45 minutes, and don’t worry about seeing everything if you’re tired from the journey. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk through the old streets to Plaza Mayor. Spend around 45 minutes beneath its arcades and exploring the lanes around Austrias, where the city feels older and quieter just a block away from the busy center.
Continue to Mercado de San Miguel, right beside the plaza, for a flexible early meal. Pick a few tapas to share and budget roughly €15–30 per person; it’s a lively, often crowded market, so be patient at the counters and keep an eye on your belongings. Later, settle in at Sobrino de Botín, a short walk away, for traditional Castilian cooking—allow about 1½ hours and €35–60 per person. It’s popular, so reserve ahead if you can, and confirm the opening hours for your date; if arrival fatigue catches up with you, take the evening at an unhurried pace.
Start at Museo del Prado when it opens at 10 a.m.; on Saturdays it is generally open until 8 p.m., but check the official calendar for your date. Book a timed ticket ahead (general admission is about €15), and allow a little extra for entry and security. Two or three hours is plenty for a focused visit: pick a few rooms rather than trying to tackle the whole collection.
From the museum, take a taxi or public transit to La Paz Market in Salamanca—roughly 15–25 minutes, depending on traffic and your route. Browse the stalls, then settle in for an unhurried lunch nearby; budget about €15–30 per person. Saturday market hours can vary by stall, so aim to arrive around lunchtime rather than leaving it late.
Head to Retiro Park for a winter stroll among the gardens and around the lake; allow about 1.5 hours, and bring a warm layer for the open paths. In January, daylight fades early, so make this your afternoon stop. On the way back toward the center, pause at La Mallorquina for coffee and a pastry—plan 30–45 minutes and about €5–12 per person. It can be busy, so be ready to wait briefly or take your order to go.
Get to El Rastro around 9 a.m., before the narrow streets of La Latina fill up. The Sunday market usually runs roughly 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; give yourself 1½–2 hours to browse the stalls along Calle de la Ribera de Curtidores and its side streets. Keep valuables secure in the crowds, and bring cash for small purchases. Then walk a few minutes to Casa Lucio for classic Madrid cooking—budget about €35–60 per person and reserve if possible.
There’s a timing wrinkle today: Casa Lucio’s lunch service and the Royal Palace of Madrid’s Sunday hours can make this sequence tight. The palace generally closes earlier on Sundays than on weekdays, and entry is subject to availability and timed tickets. Check the official hours for your date and book the latest admission that still leaves 1½–2 hours inside; ask Casa Lucio about its earliest seating, and keep lunch leisurely only if your palace slot allows it. The walk from La Latina to the palace takes around 20–25 minutes.
After the palace, continue on foot toward Temple of Debod in Parque del Oeste—about 20 minutes from the palace. The temple grounds are free to visit, while access to the interior has separate, limited hours; check ahead if that matters to you. In January, sunset is around 6:15 p.m., so aim to arrive before then for city views and an easy 45-minute wind-down.
Allow roughly 2½–3½ hours door to door for station access, the train and the transfer into town; the exact arrival depends on your booked departure. From Córdoba station, take a taxi or local bus toward the historic center, then head to the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. It’s the day’s key booking: reserve a timed entry in advance and leave a little margin for the walk and entry queue. Allow 1½–2 hours inside. Winter hours are generally shorter than in summer, so check the official calendar for your date and choose a slot that fits your train.
Walk into the Jewish Quarter for lunch at Casa Pepe de la Judería; expect about 1–1½ hours and roughly €20–40 per person. It’s a traditional place, so reservations are sensible, especially if you have a tight afternoon. After lunch, take an unhurried 30–45-minute wander to Calleja de las Flores and through the surrounding lanes. The lane itself is brief, but the little turns and patios nearby are what make this part of town worth lingering over.
Continue downhill toward the river for an easy walk across the Roman Bridge of Córdoba, allowing about 45 minutes for the crossing, riverside views and a pause to look back toward the old city. If you arrive later than planned, keep the bridge stroll flexible rather than rushing your cathedral visit; sunset comes early in January, so aim to reach the river before dusk. You can walk back into the center afterward or take a taxi if your hotel is farther out.
Allow roughly 2–3 hours door to door from your Córdoba hotel to central Seville, including checkout, station access, the train and the transfer from Sevilla-Santa Justa. Use your booked train’s schedule; an early departure is important today, since both major sights need time and advance tickets. After dropping your bags, head to Seville Cathedral in Santa Cruz. Allow 1½–2 hours, including any entry queue, and reserve a timed ticket ahead; opening hours can vary, so check the cathedral’s official calendar for your date.
A short walk through Santa Cruz brings you to Bodega Santa Cruz (Las Columnas), a lively, often crowded tapas bar near the cathedral. Budget about €15–25 per person and around an hour; if it’s packed, order at the bar and keep lunch simple so you can make your Alcázar entry time. Then visit the Real Alcázar of Seville, allowing about 2 hours for the palace rooms and gardens. Book a timed ticket in advance—same-day availability isn’t something to count on—and check the winter closing time before choosing your slot.
Finish at Plaza de España in Parque de María Luisa. From the Alcázar, it’s about a 20–25-minute walk; a taxi is an easy alternative if you’re short on time. Give yourself about an hour to admire the tiled bridges and broad plaza, then wander a little through the adjoining park if daylight and your energy allow. The full plan works best with an early train and well-spaced timed entries; if your train arrives late, protect the booked sights and make the plaza visit shorter.
Start at Casa de Pilatos when it opens, usually around 9 a.m.; allow 1–1½ hours to see the tiled courtyards, sculpture and mix of Mudéjar, Gothic and Renaissance details. Entry is roughly €12–15, with a higher-priced option for a guided visit; check the palace’s current hours and ticket options before you go. Then walk about 15 minutes through Santa Cruz to Las Teresas for a relaxed stop of jamón and classic tapas. Budget around €15–30 per person, and expect it to be busier around lunchtime.
Walk or take a taxi (about 10 minutes) to Torre del Oro on the river. Its maritime exhibits are a compact visit—allow 45–60 minutes—and the tower generally has daytime hours, but check the schedule for your date. From there, cross the river toward Triana Market for a casual lunch among the food stalls; it’s about a 20-minute walk along the river and across the bridge, or a short taxi ride. Allow 1–1½ hours and roughly €12–25 per person. Market stalls often wind down in the afternoon, so aim to arrive by early afternoon and check the market’s Wednesday hours.
Return to the Centro for Casa de la Memoria, a small, intimate flamenco venue. Shows run at set times and can sell out, so check the Wednesday schedule and book ahead; arrive early enough to find your seat, and allow about 1–1½ hours for the visit. It’s an atmospheric way to end the day without needing to plan a late night around a large production.
Allow 3–4 hours door to door from your Seville hotel to central Granada, including checkout, station access and the transfer into town. Once you’ve dropped your bags, head to Granada Cathedral in the Centro: give the Renaissance interior about an hour. It’s generally open to visitors during the day, but hours and last entry can vary, so check the official schedule and admission details before setting out; budget roughly €6–€8.
Walk about 10–15 minutes downhill to Bar La Tana in Realejo for a relaxed tapas stop. Plan on an hour and around €15–€30 per person, depending on drinks and how much you order. It’s a small, popular spot, so arriving before the evening rush can make it easier to find a table.
From Realejo, take a taxi up to the Albaicín—the steep, cobbled climb is a lot less appealing after a travel day—or allow around 25–30 minutes on foot. Make your way to Mirador de San Nicolás for the view across to the Alhambra; in January, sunset is around 6:20 p.m., but check the exact time and arrive a little early. Then walk to Carmen de Aben Humeya for dinner, about 1½ hours and €30–€55 per person. Reserve ahead if possible, and allow extra time on foot through the narrow lanes.
Make Alhambra your first stop: allow 3–4 hours for the hilltop complex, and book well ahead because entry to the Nasrid Palaces is tied to the time printed on your ticket. Arrive early enough to clear security and reach the palace entrance before your slot; the grounds are extensive, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water. January hours are generally shorter than in summer, so check the official calendar and plan around your booked entry.
After the Alhambra, walk to Carmen de los Mártires for a slower 45–60 minutes among its gardens and viewpoints. It’s close by, but allow time for the uphill paths and the walk between sites. Check its current opening hours before setting out, as access can vary; if it’s open, this is a lovely, quieter pause after the palace crowds.
Head down into Centro for Los Italianos, near Gran Vía, and budget about 30 minutes and €5–12 per person. One important January caveat: the shop is seasonal and may be closed, so confirm its winter hours before making the detour. Then continue to Monasterio de San Jerónimo for 45–60 minutes with its ornate church and cloister; check visiting hours and admission before you go, since access can be limited around services.
Finish at Cunini, near Plaza de la Trinidad, for seafood and Spanish dishes; allow around 1½ hours and €25–45 per person. After a full day on foot, it’s an easy, central place to settle in—reserve if you want a particular dinner time, and check the restaurant’s current hours.
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