Madrid is a city that’s packed with culture. From royal palaces to finely painted portraits, Madrid shows you Spain’s elegance with a side of patatas. There’s tons to do in the pedestrian-friendly city center, which makes it prime for a quick trip. Here’s how I planned the perfect itinerary for 2 days in Madrid.
Planning for 2 Days in Madrid
I did this itinerary on a long weekend from the United States, which might sound a little crazy. I had a red-eye flight from New York City on Friday and started my first day in Madrid fresh off the plane. Monday was a travel day to get back home. In a perfect world, it would be better to stay in Madrid and get a full night’s sleep before, but you can do it this way with good planning.
Madrid has a central core that’s very walkable. That’s where most of your sightseeing will be, so make sure to stay somewhere in that center. It’s also worth running out to a neighborhood or two, so plan to use public transportation to your advantage. And with such a short trip, you need to book key activities like your timed entry tickets in advance.
Madrid Itinerary: Day One
Breakfast: Churros con Chocolate
First of all, let’s eat! Churros with chocolate are a Madrid tradition that’s great any time of day but perfect for breakfast. You’ll get a plate of lightly fried pastries and a cup of thick melted chocolate to dip them in. I loved the churros at Chocolatería 1902. It’s a lovely cafe and they have gluten free churros! The most famous place to get churros with chocolate is down the street at Chocolatería San Gines, a true Madrid institution. (You can try them both–it’s not illegal.)
Go on a Sightseeing Walk
My favorite thing to do when I get to a new city is a walking tour. You could join an organized walking tour, but a self-guided tour gives you more flexibility. I recommend the excellent and free Madrid Walking Tour on the Rick Steves Audio Europe App. With your earbuds in, you’ll get a great audio tour of central Madrid from the guidebook guru himself.
If that sounds too complicated, keep it simple by linking together three important squares. Start at the Puerta del Sol, the center of Madrid and all of Spain. Seriously, there’s a marker for the “kilometer zero” from which distances on the main highways are measured. You’ll also see a bunch of important buildings and statues, which you could learn about with a walking tour (just saying).
Up the street is the Plaza Mayor, the old town square from which Madrid grew into a city (follow Calle de Postas). The Plaza Mayor has been the sight of countless public events: festivals, bull fights, and even trials of the Spanish Inquisition. Look around the lampposts and you’ll see bronze relief panels showing scenes from history.
Continuing west along Calle Mayor, you’ll eventually reach the Plaza de la Villa. Though it’s not as famous as the others, the Plaza de la Villa is the oldest square in Madrid. The main building facing the square was once the home of Madrid’s city council. Opposite you’ll see a home from around 1520 built in the Arabic-influenced Mudejar style.
Visit Almudena Cathedral
Almudena Cathedral is a magnificent church that looks much older than it actually is. The church was only completed in 1993! Outside you’ll see a unique blend of architectural styles with neoclassical columns, Baroque decorations, and some references to older gothic churches. Inside is a huge vaulted ceiling with lots of stained glass windows. It’s a riff on a gothic cathedral with colorful modern elements thrown in.
The cathedral is also important and active Catholic Church. You’ll see the faithful lined up to honor a statue of the Virgin of Almudena that dates from the 1500s. There’s no admission fee, but the church does request donations of 1 euro.
Lunch: Mercado de San Miguel
Are you feeling hungry yet? An ideal place for lunch is Mercado de San Miguel. This covered market used to be a place to get fresh produce, but today it’s transformed into a gourmet food hall where you can find some of the tastiest bites in Madrid.
The possibilities are endless. Stroll the market stalls filled with screamingly fresh seafood. Search for the famed jámon ibérico, the super-premium ham that comes only from Black Iberian pigs. Peruse cheese from the far corners of Spain! Order whatever looks tasty and grab a seat at one of the communal tables. Some of the stalls have their own seating as well.
Mercado de San Miguel was sadly closed for renovations on my last visit, so I’ll refer you to Devour Tours for their up-to-date guide and more information.
Tour the Palacio Real
The Palacio Real is one of the largest palaces in the world and a “must-see” when you visit Madrid. It has over 3,000 rooms! The palace was completed in 1755 during the reign of King Philip V, who grew up in the Palace of Versailles. He was inspired to create his own ultra-luxurious palace with the finest decor imaginable.
Walking through the Palacio Real, you’ll see stunning Baroque architecture. Ranks of columns soar up to high ceilings decorated with gold, while huge paintings give the illusion of a sky filled with mythical beings. You’ll see a collection of fine furniture, including a massive banquet table that seats 140 people! My favorite part of the royal collection is a matching quartet of stringed instruments made by the great master Antonio Stradivari.
I toured the Palacio Real with an audio guide, and I liked the flexibility of moving at my own pace. There are also limited guided tours in English. The Palacio Real has a timed ticket system, so be sure to book in advance. And to buy from the official Patrimonio Nacional website. You can also visit the Royal Collections Gallery if you’re interested, but to me that’s more of a full-day activity. A basic entry to the Palacio Real is €19 euros and audio guides are €5 euros.
Go on a Madrid Food Tour
One of the best introductions to a new city is a food tour. You get too try a bunch of different things to eat and leave the planning to someone else. And it’s especially good when you’re in a city with a food scene like Madrid.
I went on the Madrid Tapas, Taverns & History Tour with Devour Tours and loved it! Early on we stopped at a tapas bar for two Madrid classics: beautifully fried bacalao (cod fish) and a glass of vermut, a type of fortified and spiced wine. Later, we explored a row of taverns in the cave-like spaces below the Plaza Mayor. And we had one of my favorite dishes from Madrid: gambas al ajillo. They’re perfectly cooked shrimp in olive oil with lots of garlic!
Madrid Itinerary: Day Two
Breakfast at a Cafe
To kick off Day 2, stroll over to Barrio de las Letras for breakfast. Madrid’s literary quarter has more of a neighborhood feel and there’s no shortage of cozy cafes, enticing bakeries, and specialty coffee shops. Order up a classic breakfast of toasted bread with tomato (pan con tomate) or opt for a sweet pastry. I ended up at Brown Bear Bakery, an excellent little bakery/cafe.
Visit the Prado Museum
From Barrio de las Letras it’s a short walk to one of Europe’s greatest art museums: the Prado Museum (Museo del Prado). The museum was founded way back in 1819 when parts of the royal art collection were first displayed to the public. Today the Prado Museum has a vast collection of paintings and sculpture that covers the medieval era up to the early 20th century.
The Prado Museum is huge, much too big to see in one day. You need to go in with a plan. My strategy was to join one of the museum’s official tours and then go back to explore a few areas of interest. The guided tour was a great way to learn about some of the museum’s most famous works, like Hieronymus Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights. Plus, there was no danger of getting lost. They offer guided tours in English daily at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm (add on after you pick an entry time).
I love Renaissance paintings, so I spent some extra time in those galleries. The Prado Museum has some wonderful paintings by the Italian masters. My favorite is a vibrant Annunciation by Fra Angelico. So beautiful! I also made sure to see the work of the Spanish masters like Diego Velazquez and Francisco Goya.
The Prado Museum is super popular, so make sure to book your ticket in advance to get your preferred entry time. Admission is €15 euros + €10 euros for the guided tour. Make sure to buy them through the official Museo del Prado website.
Easy Lunch Options
If you’re planning to spend some serious time at the Prado Museum, my advice is to grab a bite to eat at their cafeteria. It’s a little pricey for what you get, but the food is pretty good. And leaving the museum takes too much precious time. At least get a snack to hold you over until the afternoon.
Stroll Through El Retiro Park
After a morning of focusing on fine art, take a break to stroll through El Retiro Park. Madrid’s most famous public park is a beautiful landscape of trees and fountains that used to belong to the king. Have a snack while relaxing by the pond. Stop to listen to the street musicians. If you get bored or the weather is bad, you could also head over to Gran Via for some shopping.
Enjoy the View from Mirador Madrid (Palacio de Cibeles)
The Palacio de Cibeles is another iconic building that looks a lot older than it really is. Completed in 1919, it’s also known as the “Communications Palace” (Palacio de Comunicaciones) because it was once the headquarters for Madrid’s mail, telegraph, and telephone services. Today it’s the home of Madrid’s city council and an arts center known as CentroCentro.
So why are we stopping here? CentroCentro has an awesome observation deck on the 8th floor called Mirador Madrid. For only €4, you can ascend the elevator and a few sets of stairs for a 360-degree view of the city center. The view over Plaza de Cibeles toward Gran Via is perfection, especially if you’re there around sunset.
See a Flamenco Show
For an evening activity in Madrid, it’s gotta be a flamenco show! Though flamenco comes from the southern region of Andalusia, there are excellent places to see this art form in the capital. I say “art form” because flamenco isn’t simply a type of dance or music: it’s both. The improvisation between dancer and musician is a subtle conversation that builds to moments of exuberant emotion. You really have to experience it!
Since I’m a huge nerd, I opted to see the flamenco show at the small theater of Centro Cultural Flamenco in Chueca. It’s a bit of a purist set up there: plain rows of seats, a simple wooden stage, and no food or drinks. But the artists were amazing! And getting to see everything in a close-up and intimate space was really cool. I can highly recommend it.
That said, if this is your first time seeing flamenco, you might enjoy one of the theaters that offer a dinner + show setup instead. There are many in central Madrid. Two places I looked into specifically were Corral de La Moreria and Cardamomo.
Tapas Crawl
The only way to wrap up a whirlwind visit to Madrid is going out for more tapas. If you’re starting at the Centro Cultural Flamenco in Chueca, you’re already in a great neighborhood for food and drink. Probably the most famous tapas scene is down in the neighborhood of La Latina. You could even stay more central in Barrio de las Letras.
Wherever you choose, this is your opportunity to explore. Pop in for a drink and order something that looks good. There’s no pressure to stay–tapas culture is all about socializing and finding the next tasty bite.
Getting Around Madrid
Airport Transportation
There are a few options to get from Madrid-Bajaras Airport to the city center. I prefer the Exprés Aeropuerto bus (line 203) that gets you into town in around 40 minutes and only costs €5. You can get off at Plaza de Cibeles or Atocha Station, depending which is closer to your destination. The bus stops at all the terminals.
If money is less of a factor, you can get a convenient taxi from the airport for a €33 flat rate. You’ll zip into the city center in around 30 minutes. Just find the taxi stand outside the airport terminal. Rideshares like Uber will usually charge comparable rates but may increase prices during peak times.
You can also travel to and from Madrid-Bajaras airport by train. The Cercanias train connects Terminal 4 to Atocha Station, but you’ll need to make a transfer (with your luggage) at Nuevos Ministerios. It doesn’t save much time or money compared to the Exprés Aeropuerto bus.
Madrid Metro System
Though central Madrid is very walkable, it’s useful to hop on the metro for a few stops when you need to cover longer distances. Or when you get tired of walking. In particular, Line 1 (blue) connects Gran Via and Puerta del Sol with Atocha Station to the south. And Line 2 (red) connects Retiro Park to Puerta del Sol and the Opera metro stop.
The easiest way to navigate Madrid’s metro system is with Google maps. To pay for you trips you can purchase a card with 10 trips pre-loaded (€7) or buy a tourist pass that includes unlimited use of the public transit system about (€10 for 1 day, better value for more days).
Madrid Buses
Madrid’s buses don’t go through the pedestrian zone around Puerta del Sol, but there are several useful routes that run up and down Gran Via. Check Google Maps to see your options. You can use the same card as the metro or any contactless card payment as well.
Where to Stay in Madrid
On a short trip to Madrid, picking a convenient place to stay is key. To me, there are two very central districts that have what you’re looking for.
- Los Asturias – This is Madrid’s neighborhood of royal grandeur located between the Palacio Real and Puerta del Sol. Staying in Los Asturias is ideal for exploring the city center on foot. It boasts some of Madrid’s most iconic landmarks, though it can feel a bit formal and lacking in charm.
- Barrios de las Letras – If you want more of a neighborhood vibe without sacrificing your central location, check out Letras. This district is between the Puerta del Sol and Madrid’s museum quarter. You’ll find many excellent cafes and bars there.
I’m not a huge fan of the central area around Puerta del Sol and Gran Via. Even though it’s a very convenient location, I think Asturias and Letras have much more character.
Of course, some folks may prefer to stay in a neighborhood that feels more local than the touristy center. Malasaña, Chueca, La Latina, and Lavapies are all neighborhoods close enough to work as home bases.
More Tips for Visiting Madrid
- Buy Tickets in Advance – With limited time, there’s less room for improvisation. You need to make sure activities are available when you are. I would definitely get advance tickets for 4 main activities on this itinerary: the Palacio Real, the food tour, the Prado Museum, and the flamenco show. And make sure to use the official websites–sometimes it can be hard to tell!
- Use the Metro – While it’s true that Madrid is very walkable, you don’t want to exhaust yourself. Riding the metro for a couple stops can save valuable time and energy. And it’s only like €7 euros for 10 rides.
- Embrace the Spanish schedule – Don’t be surprised if the routine for meals in Madrid is different than what you’re used to. Lunch is often around 2:00 pm and dinner is typically around 9:00 pm. Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner, something like 4:00-8:00 pm. You’ll find plenty of places with continuous service for tourists, but the more characteristic restaurants stick to the Spanish schedule.
