After landing at Madrid-Barajas Airport around 3:30pm, allow roughly 60–90 minutes door to door to reach your accommodation on Calle de la Cruz. For seven people with luggage, a pre-booked airport taxi or several official white taxis will be simplest; the fixed airport-to-central-Madrid fare is usually around €33 per taxi, with luggage space the main consideration. The metro is cheaper—take Line 8 toward Nuevos Ministerios, then continue via central connections—but with bags and check-in, expect closer to 75–90 minutes. Leave the airport once everyone has luggage and regrouped, rather than trying to rush straight into sightseeing.
After dropping bags, walk to Puerta del Sol, about 5 minutes from Calle de la Cruz. Spend around half an hour seeing the Kilometre Zero plaque, the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, and the lively centre of Madrid; this is especially atmospheric as the office crowd gives way to evening walkers. Continue on foot to Plaza Mayor, roughly 7–10 minutes away, for a slower wander beneath the arcades and around the historic Austrias streets. Avoid committing to a full restaurant meal here on arrival night—the central squares are convenient but often expensive and tourist-focused.
Head next to Mercado de San Miguel, another short walk from Plaza Mayor, and allow about an hour to browse the counters and share small plates. It is a good first-night option for a group of seven because everyone can choose differently, though seating can be competitive and prices add up quickly: budget approximately €20–35 per person for several tapas and drinks. Go earlier rather than later, around 6:30–7:00pm, while the market is easier to navigate; check the market’s current hours before leaving, as individual stalls may vary.
Finish at Chocolatería San Ginés, tucked just off Calle del Arenal, for its classic churros with thick hot chocolate. Allow about 45 minutes and roughly €5–10 per person. It can be busy, but the service is usually quick, and the standing tables or upstairs seating make it manageable for a large group. From there, Calle de la Cruz is an easy 5–10-minute walk back, leaving you close to home if jet lag catches up.
Walk from Calle de la Cruz towards Paseo del Prado, allowing 15–20 minutes along Carrera de San Jerónimo. Leave around 8:15–8:30am for your timed morning entry at Museo Nacional del Prado; with seven people, arriving 15 minutes early is worthwhile, since the group will still need to pass security and collect or validate tickets. Allow 2.5–3 hours for highlights including Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, and Bosch. Reserve the time slot in advance—free or reduced admission periods may still require a timed ticket, and the museum’s exact free-entry conditions should be checked for November 18.
After the Prado, spend about an hour in Jardín Botánico, directly beside the museum. It is a good reset after the galleries: take the quieter paths through the seasonal plantings and greenhouses rather than trying to see every section. Check the garden’s November opening hours before setting out, as seasonal closing times can be earlier than in summer.
For lunch, stay in the Prado area rather than losing time crossing the city. La Ancha on Calle de Zorrilla is a dependable traditional option for a group, while Casa Alberto near Huertas offers classic Madrid dishes in a historic setting; expect roughly €20–35 per person, depending on drinks and shared starters. Call ahead for seven diners, especially for a Wednesday lunch.
A short walk then brings you to Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, where 1.5–2 hours gives you a manageable sweep through European painting from the Old Masters to modern art. Check the current Wednesday reduced or free-entry period and book if the museum requires reservations; free admission is not always available for every exhibition. From there, walk south for about 15 minutes via Calle de Huertas to Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. Make Guernica the priority, then explore nearby rooms if energy allows. Wednesday’s free-entry window can create a substantial queue, so arrive early in that period and keep tickets or proof of eligibility ready. Allow about two hours, with the option of using the museum’s café or Plaza de Santa Ana afterward for a relaxed drink before walking back to Calle de la Cruz.
Walk from Calle de la Cruz to Palacio Real de Madrid, allowing 20–30 minutes through the central streets, or take Metro Line 2 from Banco de España to Ópera if you prefer to save your legs. Leave around 8:15am for an early timed entry; the palace requires advance booking, and security can add a little waiting time for a group of seven. Allow about two hours inside for the grand state rooms, armory, and views across Campo del Moro. Check the official opening schedule when booking, as hours and last admission can change.
Afterwards, cross to Catedral de la Almudena, directly opposite the palace. The visit takes around 45 minutes, including the colorful neo-Gothic interior and the quieter crypt if open. Dress respectfully and keep voices low during services; entry is generally free, though a small donation is appreciated. From there, stroll north through Madrid de los Austrias and toward Malasaña, taking roughly 20 minutes via Calle de la Luna.
Have a relaxed lunch at Mercado de San Ildefonso, where everyone can choose from different stalls rather than trying to coordinate one large restaurant order. Budget approximately €15–25 per person, and allow an hour. It is a good place for a flexible stop, but avoid arriving too late if you want a quieter meal; opening times and individual vendors vary.
Continue west toward Templo de Debod, about 20 minutes on foot through Plaza de España and Parque del Oeste. Allow an hour to see the Egyptian temple and enjoy the elevated views toward western Madrid. The exterior and park are the main attraction; access inside the temple may be restricted or timed, so treat that as a bonus rather than a certainty. Around sunset, head back toward Círculo de Bellas Artes by taxi or Metro Line 3 from Argüelles toward Sol, then walk—public transport takes roughly 20–30 minutes including transfers.
Finish at the rooftop of Círculo de Bellas Artes for one of Madrid’s best central panoramas, especially as the lights come on over Gran Vía and the rooftops. Allow about an hour and budget roughly €5–10 per person; the rooftop ticket is separate from other building access, and wind or weather can affect opening. Check the same-day schedule before setting out, as sunset rooftop access is popular and may involve a queue. From here, Calle de la Cruz is an easy 10–15-minute walk, with plenty of options around Barrio de las Letras for an unhurried dinner.
Leave Calle de la Cruz around 8:00am for Las Ventas. The simplest route for seven is usually a taxi or two pre-booked cars—allow 15–25 minutes in morning traffic—or take the Metro from the Sol/Ópera area with a Line 5 connection, allowing about 30–35 minutes door to door. Start with the bullring and Museo Taurino de Madrid, budgeting 1–1½ hours; check the official opening time and ticket availability before leaving, as access to the arena or museum can vary. From Las Ventas, take a taxi toward La Latina or use the Metro, allowing roughly 25–35 minutes.
The planned visit to El Rastro de Madrid needs a schedule check: its main market is generally held on Sundays and public holidays, so it may not be operating on this Friday. If stalls are open, spend about 1½ hours browsing around Ribera de Curtidores and the surrounding streets; otherwise, enjoy the neighborhood’s independent shops and cafés rather than making a special trip for a closed market. Then continue by Metro or taxi to Calle Serrano—allow around 15–25 minutes—and begin the main shopping block. For lunch, stop at Mercado de la Paz, about a 10-minute walk from the central Serrano shops, and allow an hour to sample Spanish specialities; budget approximately €15–30 per person. It is a good group option because everyone can choose something different, though seating can be busy around the usual 2:00–3:00pm lunch period.
Return to Calle Serrano after lunch for the most substantial shopping time, with around three hours for fashion, department stores, Spanish brands, and luxury boutiques. The main stretch is easy to browse on foot, but remember that shops often close later than the market and smaller boutiques may keep shorter hours. Finish around Plaza de Colón, where flagship stores and larger department-store shopping provide a convenient final hour without adding another cross-city transfer. From there, return to Calle de la Cruz by taxi in roughly 10–20 minutes, or use the Metro from nearby stations; keep purchases together and consider a taxi for seven people and shopping bags.
Have breakfast near Calle de la Cruz and finish packing before checking out. Keep passports, boarding details, medication, and valuables in your hand luggage, and confirm your airline’s baggage allowance before leaving. Since the flight departs at 4:40pm, aim to leave the apartment around 12:45–1:00pm. With seven people and luggage, book a taxi or several cars through Free Now or Bolt; allow roughly 30–45 minutes in normal traffic, plus time to collect everyone and load bags. A group taxi transfer is generally easier than using the Metro with luggage.
If you are ready to leave early and your luggage arrangement allows it, make a short stop at the Atocha Station tropical garden. The indoor concourse is convenient for a brief final look at Madrid, a coffee, and toilets, but keep this to about 20–30 minutes and do not leave bags unattended. From Atocha, continue directly to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, allowing another 25–40 minutes depending on traffic and terminal. Check your flight’s terminal before departing; airport taxis use the official fixed airport fare, while app-based rides show the price in advance.
For a 4:40pm international flight, arriving around 2:00pm gives your group a sensible buffer for check-in, baggage drop, security, and possible queues. Complete online check-in if available, but still allow time at the airline desk if anyone has checked luggage. After security, stay together until everyone has confirmed the gate—Barajas can involve a long walk or an internal transfer, and gates may change.
No packing list attached yet.