5-Day Relaxed Spain Road Trip in Madrid

Your slow-paced and relaxed road trip through Spain begins when you reach Madrid, where you’ll stay for a total of 4 nights.

Madrid is an outstanding hub for culture, comfort, and exploration. The city offers travelers plenty of experiences to look forward to, including the magnificent plaza de España. Around 98,199 visitors have rated this fascinating square and travel destination an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best hotels or places to stay in the city. Take your pick and make it your home during your leisurely tour of the city.

In the city of Madrid, nothing beats the comfort the incredible Hotel Puerta America provides. This 5-star hotel is one of the most luxurious places to stay in the area and is rated an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars by 4,062 guests.

The best 4-star hotel we recommend in Madrid is Hotel Mercader. This hotel offers many conveniences and is the perfect base for your relaxed road trip activities. Hotel Mercader has an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars from 562 guests.

Budget travelers in Madrid can stay cozy at the 3-star B&B Hotel Madrid Airport T1 T2 T3. With an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars from 2,968 guests, this cheap hotel is the number one budget hotel option in the city.

These excellent hotels ensure guests a safe and relaxing stay in Madrid. If these popular options are not available for your time in the city, our system will automatically help you find the best alternatives.

Exploring the food culture in Madrid offers you an exciting chance to connect with locals and experience diversity along your relaxed road trip. When you’re ready to eat, we recommend you visit one of the best dining spots in the city.

An excellent example is Salmon Guru. This restaurant offers a menu of comforting meals and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,802 customers.

Coque serves great food and is a favorite among hungry travelers and locals. This popular restaurant in Madrid has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,191 reviews.

El Social is another one of the city’s best restaurants. With an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 944 customers, El Social is sure to provide you with an unforgettable dining experience.

If you’re curious about what Madrid looks like at night, a trip to some of the best bars near your accommodation is what you need next. Experience the local nightlife at El miniBAR, our top recommendation in the city. Customers have rated this bar an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 4,297 reviews.

Areia offers a variety of refreshing drinks and is one of the best places to relax in Madrid. This well-known city bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 3,973 customers.

Free your mind of worries and enjoy your first taste of relaxation in Spain! Expect more to come as you continue this laid-back and relaxed road trip in Spain!

On day 2 of your relaxed road trip across Spain, you'll explore the best attractions in Madrid at your own pace and immerse in the city's unique local culture. Today's laid-back tour features some of the best restaurants and bars in Madrid, where you can sample some delicious local food.

The accommodation you’ll be staying at for another 3 nights will be conveniently located close to several attractions, like the famous Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. This incredible association football venue has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 120,158 travelers.

Make the most of your slow-paced travel adventure in Spain by seeing another popular site in Madrid, the wonderful Puerta de Alcalá. This triumphal arch is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 120,158 travelers.

You can then move on to the incredible Museo del Prado. This art museum has received an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 98,929 visitors. Up to 3,497,345 people visit this popular attraction each year.

Another stop you might want to add to your self-drive itinerary is the remarkable El Retiro Park. This urban park is sought after by many travelers from around the world. The popular attraction has received 4.8 out of 5 stars from 162,386 visitors.

If you want to discover more, consider stopping by the famous Crystal Palace. This amazing site is a wonderful building with more than 39,270 wanderlust-filled travelers rating it an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Get a dose of thrill, excitement, and inspiration on day 2 of your unhurried and relaxed road trip in Spain. Check out the tours and tickets you can add to your Madrid itinerary and feel all the emotions in this wonderful city. Add a highly recommended tour to your vacation package now and make this refreshing new day of your self-drive through Spain extra special!

After a long day exploring the popular attractions in the city, it’s time to sample the different kinds of mouthwatering foods served at the best restaurants in Madrid. One of our top recommendations includes a selection of delicious meals on its menu, Sobrino de Botín. This place is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 8,311 customers.

You may also try the variety of dishes served at El miniBAR, which is an excellent choice if you want a nice place to eat near your accommodation. El miniBAR is rated 4.7 stars out of 5 by 4,297 customers.

You can also eat at the highly recommended Areia. This amazing restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 3,973 food lovers.

After finishing your meal, it’s time to experience the amazing nightlife in Madrid and unwind at the coolest bars in the city. Drink the night away and celebrate this day of your relaxed road trip at the popular James Joyce Irish Pub Madrid. This vibrant bar is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars by 4,124 customers.

If you want to try a different bar, check out the popular Lambuzo. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,622 customers, this bar is a great place to try some excellent liquor.

Another recommendation you shouldn’t miss is Sambhad cocktail bar terraza. Drink up and relax in this amazing bar that serves different kinds of alcoholic beverages and cocktail drinks. Sambhad cocktail bar terraza has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,029 bar goers.

Enjoy the rest of day 2 of your relaxed road trip across Spain, and prepare for another day of unhurried adventure!

Day 3 of your comfortable self-drive tour across Spain gives you another chance to explore the magnificent city of Madrid and visit more of its attractions.

Madrid has plenty of activities and sights, so you won’t be short of things to do during your laid-back and relaxed road trip in Spain. Fortunately, your accommodation, where you’ll be staying for 2 nights more is conveniently located near several of the city’s best attractions.

One of the best stops on your hassle-free journey is the popular Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, one of the top attractions in the city. In fact, the incredible Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 46,855 visitors.

You could also spend some time relaxing at the amazing Main Square. This city feature got an average score of 4.6 out of 5 stars from its 152,388 guests.

Another place of interest in the city of Madrid is the notable Market of San Miguel. The popular Market of San Miguel is a highlight of many travel packages in Madrid. As a matter of fact, this remarkable building has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from around 106,296 travelers.

Aside from the above-mentioned attractions in Madrid, you also have the opportunity to stop by the marvelous Royal Palace of Madrid. Take your time exploring this wonderful royal palace and one of the city’s most notable places. This magnificent site has a rating of 4.6 stars out of 5 from 77,471 visitors.

If you’re keen to explore more, head to the outstanding Temple of Debod. With a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 44,446 travelers, a trip to the spectacular Temple of Debod is something to look forward to in Madrid.

Get a more in-depth understanding of Madrid by checking out the amazing selection of tours and excursions you can add to your relaxed road trip itinerary. Explore more of the city’s wonders, create memorable experiences, and join laid-back to challenging activities. You’ll be happy to learn that there are plenty of top-rated tours and activities in Madrid.

When it’s time to eat, the city has a variety of restaurants and cuisines to suit your palate and complement your relaxed road trip experience. Take a leisurely walk around Madrid, while looking for a place to eat. Or, check out our top recommendations below and treat yourself to a nice meal.

James Joyce Irish Pub Madrid is one of the top restaurants in the city. This Madrid-based food place has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 4,124 guests.

If you’re looking for another option near your accommodation, La Mi Venta is also one of the best restaurants you can try in the city. La Mi Venta proved an excellent choice for around 2,658 visitors, who gave the restaurant an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

After your meal, consider getting a drink at one of the top bars in Madrid, Del Diego Cocktail Bar. This bar enjoys an average rating of 4.4 over 5 stars given by 1,245 customers.

Another drinking place in the city we recommend you try out is Baton Rouge Cocktail Bar. Check out its selection of liquors, and learn why it has been rated 4.6 over 5 stars by 966 customers.

If you prefer another place to unwind, Harvey's Cocktail Bar may be a more excellent choice for you. This bar offers a variety of drinks you can choose from. Around 1,137 customers have rated it an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Toast to an amazing time in Madrid and end day 3 of your slow-paced and relaxed road trip in Spain on a great note!

On day 4 of your relaxed road trip across Spain, you’ll explore the area around Madrid, where you’ll be staying for another 1 night.

Around 18,509 visitors rated their experience at this well-known attraction an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

This local attraction is an amazing alcázar that has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 49,713 visitors. In a single year, the wonderful Alcázar of Segovia welcomes more than 754,946 travelers, indicating that this attraction is one of the most popular places of interest in Madrid.

A stop at the outstanding Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso will make your slow-paced and relaxed road trip in Spain more memorable. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 19,635 visitors, a stop at this local attraction during your leisurely self-drive through Spain is a chance to gain another experience worth sharing.

Gain a one-of-a-kind experience on your unhurried and relaxed road trip across Spain by joining a traveler-approved tour in Madrid. Tours offer an opportunity to get to know more about Madrid and the unique culture of the country.

There are so many fun and eye-opening activities to try out in Madrid that will make your self-drive tour in Spain more memorable.

After satisfying your wanderlust, you’ll head to your accommodation in the city of Madrid for some rest and relaxation. Immerse yourself in the local food culture of Spain by eating at one of the best restaurants in Madrid.

With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,924 customers, the dining experience Arrabal Madrid offers is the perfect complement to your relaxed road trip in Spain.

Asador Real is another pleasant place to eat in Madrid. This restaurant offers a menu of delectable dishes and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,789 customers.

When you’re in the mood for an after-dinner drink, visit one of the best bars in the city. At Cafe Madrid, you can relax or make friends with locals and fellow travelers. This bar in Madrid is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 662 customers.

You can also unwind and enjoy a few drinks at Inclán Brutal Bar, another well-known bar in Madrid. Customers have rated this city bar an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 7,713 reviews.

Get cozy and have fun because this is what your relaxed road trip in Spain is all about!

Day 5 of your relaxed road trip in Spain is your departure day. If you have a flight to catch, you’ll drop off your rental car well in advance before your departure. Choose a late flight to enjoy a stress-free last day in Madrid.

Depending on when you need to leave, you might be able to fit in some sightseeing or shopping. Embrace the beauty of Madrid once more and find some souvenirs to help you remember your time in the city. To end your relaxing road trip in Spain on top, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

Unwind and look back at the past 5 days of your relaxed road trip over a bite to eat. This is your chance to enjoy one last traditional meal in Madrid or just grab something light to keep you going.

Check out the menu at Lambuzo. Dining at Lambuzo is one of the best food experiences you can have in Madrid. This popular restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,622 customers.

Another top recommendation in Madrid is Restaurante Alabaster. If you go to Restaurante Alabaster, you can expect delicious food, a nice ambiance, and great service. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,156 customers.

Give yourself enough time to wave goodbye to Madrid and begin your journey home. The unforgettable experiences you’ve collected along your 5-day relaxed road trip in Spain is a story you will tell for the rest of your life.