Madrid and the Royal Residences
Beyond the Royal Palace and old town, use suburban trains to reach El Escorial, Aranjuez and Alcalá de Henares.
Built around the history of the Spanish monarchy: in the city, see the Royal Palace, the Descalzas Reales Monastery and Goya's frescoes; on three separate days, take suburban trains to the Monastery of El Escorial, the royal palace and gardens of Aranjuez, and Alcalá de Henares, birthplace of Cervantes. The trains are cheap and need no reservation. The pace is relaxed, suiting repeat visitors to Madrid or history-loving older travelers.
The Aranjuez gardens are loveliest in spring; in summer, avoid midday.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival and the Old Town Center
Madrid（Puerta del Sol、Monastery of Las Descalzas Reales、Plaza Mayor）
The airport to Puerta del Sol takes about 40 minutes. In the afternoon, explore the old town and the monastery on foot.
The Descalzas Reales Monastery is entered by guided tour only and is closed on Mondays.
Stay: Puerta del Sol Area
Day 2 · The Royal Palace and Goya's Chapel
Madrid（Royal Palace of Madrid、Almudena Cathedral、Royal Chapel of St. Anthony of La Florida）
Walk to the Royal Palace and the cathedral. In the afternoon, take a bus or walk about 25 minutes to the Chapel of San Antonio de la Florida.
Stay: Puerta del Sol Area
Day 3 · The Monastery of El Escorial
Madrid（Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial）
Take a Cercanías train C-3 or C-8 from Sol or Atocha (about 1 hour) to El Escorial, then walk uphill to the monastery.
Buy tickets online in advance. Closed on Mondays.
Stay: Puerta del Sol Area
Day 4 · The Royal Palace and Gardens of Aranjuez
Madrid（Royal Palace of Aranjuez）
Take Cercanías C-3 from Atocha (about 45 minutes) to Aranjuez, walk to the palace and gardens, and return in the evening.
The gardens are free to enter; the palace is closed on Mondays.
Stay: Puerta del Sol Area
Day 5 · Alcalá de Henares and the Prado
Madrid（Alcalá de Henares、Prado Museum）
Take Cercanías C-2 in the morning (about 40 minutes) to Alcalá de Henares, return in the afternoon, and walk to the Prado in the evening.
The Prado is free for the last two hours before closing each day, with long queues.
Stay: Puerta del Sol Area
Day 6 · Retiro Park and Departure
Madrid（El Retiro Park、Puerta de Alcalá）
Walk or take the Metro in the morning to Retiro Park and the Puerta de Alcalá. In the afternoon, take the Metro to the airport.