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Catedral de la Almudena, Madrid, España
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Destination template · 7 days

Madrid & Bilbao in 7 days

2 sightseeing days in Madrid, a dedicated relocation day, then 4 days in Bilbao. Includes Museo del Prado and Guggenheim Museum, with guide-listed dining suggestions.

Adapted from community travel guides · Researched Sources & notes

The stops are drawn from the guides below; daily order, times and durations are our suggested adaptation. Available map pins are approximate, not provider-verified; missing coordinates remain unset. Prices are left unknown; check tickets, opening hours and transport before booking.

Route data adapted from Wikivoyage contributors, with our own selection and suggested timing; shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source pages link to contributor histories. This is an editorial multi-day schedule; the source community has not rated this itinerary.

  • Stay in Madrid for the first 2 sightseeing days; move to Bilbao on day 3, then stay for 4 sightseeing days. Book accommodation in both bases rather than returning each night.
  • The 322 km figure is approximate straight-line separation, not transit distance. The relocation day reserves room for travel and check-in without promising a direct service or a same-day connection. Verify the journey before booking this two-base plan.
  • City visits and restaurants are adapted from the linked retained community-guide material, not newly verified opening hours, live menus or first-hand visits. Suggested times are editable planning blocks. Check closures, reservations, accessibility and dietary needs.
  • Cover photo shows the first city. Original source and photo credits remain attached. Adapted community route selections retain CC BY-SA 4.0 attribution; source research dates remain in the individual stop and dining notes.
4 local dining picks added to this itineraryDining sources

These picks have positive travel-guide coverage or a named professional recommendation; they are not live customer ratings. Suggested times are not reservations. Confirm service days, dietary needs and prices. Other days remain open for your own food discoveries.

  • Day 1 · Puerto Rico — Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 2 · Restaurante Botín — Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s local popularity. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 4 · à table — Traditional. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 5 · Aritz — Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗

Sources checked 2026-10-30. Community-guide dining data is adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; source pages link to contributor histories.

Madrid & Bilbao itinerary: 7 days at a glance

Review the original daily plan before editing below. Times and durations are suggested planning blocks; dining stops are not reservations. Your personal edits appear in the editor and downloads.

Day 1: Madrid: Museo del Prado & Retiro Park

  • · Museo del Prado · 120 min
  • · Retiro Park · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Puerto Rico (Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties) · 75 min

Day 2: Madrid: Royal Palace of Madrid & Plaza Mayor

  • · Royal Palace of Madrid · 120 min
  • · Plaza Mayor · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Restaurante Botín (Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties) · 75 min

Day 3: Madrid → Bilbao: travel and check-in

  • · Relocate: Madrid → Bilbao · 600 min

Day 4: Bilbao: Guggenheim Museum & Museo de Reproducciones Artísticas (Museum of Artistic Reproductions)

  • · Guggenheim Museum · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Museo de Reproducciones Artísticas (Museum of Artistic Reproductions) · 30 min
  • · Museo de Reproducciones Artísticas (Museum of Artistic Reproductions) · 120 min
  • · Dinner: à table (Traditional) · 75 min

Day 5: Bilbao: Basque Museum & Cathedral of St. James (Santiago)

  • · Basque Museum · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Cathedral of St. James (Santiago) · 30 min
  • · Cathedral of St. James (Santiago) · 90 min
  • · Dinner: Aritz (Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties) · 75 min

Day 6: Bilbao: Itsasmuseum & Museo Taurino (Bullfighting Museum)

  • · Itsasmuseum · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Museo Taurino (Bullfighting Museum) · 30 min
  • · Museo Taurino (Bullfighting Museum) · 120 min

Day 7: Bilbao: Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro (Museum of Sacred Art) & Iglesia de San Antón

  • · Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro (Museum of Sacred Art) · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Iglesia de San Antón · 30 min
  • · Iglesia de San Antón · 75 min

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Day 1
  • 10:00120m
    Madrid

    Suggested visit block; confirm opening hours, admission and transfer time. Map pin unavailable; locate the entrance before navigating. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Madrid (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 14:00120m
    Madrid

    Suggested visit block; confirm opening hours, admission and transfer time. Map pin unavailable; locate the entrance before navigating. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Madrid (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    Calle de Chinchilla, 2

    Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Service hours need confirmation. Route distance is unknown; check travel time and the entrance. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Madrid/Sol-Letras-Lavapi%C3%A9s (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5410124; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 2
  • 10:00120m
    Madrid

    Suggested visit block; confirm opening hours, admission and transfer time. Map pin unavailable; locate the entrance before navigating. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Madrid (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 14:00120m
    Madrid

    Suggested visit block; confirm opening hours, admission and transfer time. Map pin unavailable; locate the entrance before navigating. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Madrid (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 20:0075m
    Dining
    C/ Cuchilleros, 17

    Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s local popularity. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Guide-listed service: Daily 13:00-16:00 20:00-24:00. Recheck with the restaurant. Route distance is unknown; check travel time and the entrance. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Madrid/La_Latina-Austrias (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5410099; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 3
  • 08:00600m
    Madrid → Bilbao

    Dedicated relocation day from Madrid to Bilbao; no transport is booked. The city centres are approximately 322 km apart in a straight line, not a measured road or rail route. Choose and book a suitable flight, train, bus or ferry; confirm operating days, total door-to-door time, luggage rules and arrival before making reservations. This full-day block is reserved time, not a timetable. Move the following day if your journey needs longer.

Day 4
  • 09:30120m
    Abandoibarra etorbidea, 2

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bilbao (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Bilbao

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.26 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    Conde Mirasol (no number)

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bilbao (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    Dos de Mayo 18

    Traditional. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Service hours need confirmation. Route distance is unknown; check travel time and the entrance. Map pin unavailable; use the address to locate the restaurant. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bilbao (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5395148; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 5
  • 09:30120m
    Plaza Unamuno, 4

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bilbao (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Bilbao

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.18 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0090m
    Bilbao

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bilbao (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    Calle Zugastinobia 4

    Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Service hours need confirmation. Route distance is unknown; check travel time and the entrance. Map pin unavailable; use the address to locate the restaurant. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bilbao (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5395148; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 6
  • 09:30120m
    Muelle Ramón de la Sota, 1

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bilbao (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Bilbao

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (1.42 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    Bilbao

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bilbao (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 7
  • 09:30120m
    Plaza de la Encarnación, 9-B, Atxuri

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bilbao (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Bilbao

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.29 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0075m
    Bilbao

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bilbao (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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