You can "see" Madrid in a day, but to understand it you need at least three: the museums take time, and the city should also be experienced at the table and at night. Here are four itineraries that build on each other: if you have three days, follow the first three. Timings reflect Spanish habits, with lunch after 2pm and dinner after 9pm. It is part of the Madrid guide.
Madrid in one day
- Morning: start at the Puerta del Sol, with kilometre zero and the bear and strawberry tree, then the Plaza Mayor and the Mercado de San Miguel for a snack. Continue along calle Mayor to the Plaza de la Villa and the Royal Palace (an hour and a half's visit) and Almudena cathedral.
- Lunch: tapas on Cava Baja, in La Latina, or a set menu in the area.
- Afternoon: cross the centre to the Paseo del Prado and visit the Prado, focusing on Velázquez, Goya and Bosch (two or three hours). To save money, go in during the free evening hours.
- Sunset: a stroll in the Retiro, to the Crystal Palace and the boating lake.
- Evening: dinner and cañas in the Barrio de las Letras, around plaza de Santa Ana.
Madrid in two days
- Morning: the Reina Sofía with Guernica and the 20th-century avant-gardes (closed Tuesdays).
- Lunch: in Lavapiés, perhaps at San Fernando market or one of the Indian restaurants.
- Afternoon: La Latina, with the basilica of San Francisco el Grande, plaza de la Paja and the Vistillas viewpoint; then head up to the Gran Vía to see the Metrópolis building, Callao and the Círculo de Bellas Artes rooftop at sunset.
- Evening: a flamenco show at a central tablao, or a musical on the Gran Vía, then churros and chocolate at San Ginés.
Madrid in three days
- Morning: the Thyssen-Bornemisza, completing the art triangle with the primitives, the Impressionists and Hopper.
- Lunch: in Salamanca, after a stroll along the golden mile of calle Serrano, or at La Paz market.
- Afternoon: Malasaña and Chueca, with vintage shops, plaza del Dos de Mayo and San Antón market; or the Sorolla Museum in Chamberí.
- Sunset: the Temple of Debod in the Parque del Oeste, with the sun setting behind the Casa de Campo.
- Evening: Madrid nightlife in Malasaña or Chueca (see nightlife).
Madrid in four days
The fourth day is perfect for a trip to one of the art cities around Madrid, all reachable by train in under an hour:
- Toledo, the city of three cultures, with its cathedral, synagogue and El Greco's works: 33 minutes by high-speed train from Atocha.
- Segovia, with its Roman aqueduct, cathedral and Alcázar: 27 minutes by train from Chamartín.
- El Escorial, Philip II's monastery-palace, an hour by Cercanías or bus.
See day trips from Madrid. If you'd rather stay in town: the Bernabéu stadium tour, Madrid Río by bike and the Matadero, or the National Archaeological Museum and the Hermitage of San Antonio de la Florida with Goya's frescoes.
If you're in Madrid on a Sunday
Sunday morning is sacred to Madrileños: the Rastro flea market from 9am to 3pm, then vermouth and tapas in La Latina until lunchtime. In the afternoon, the Retiro full of families and street performers. Many museums are free on Sunday afternoons.
Planning tips
- Don't put two big museums on the same day.
- Book the Prado and the Royal Palace online, especially at weekends.
- In summer move outdoor visits to early morning and evening.
- Many museums close on Mondays, but the Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen and Royal Palace are open.
- In the old centre everything is walkable: use the metro only for long distances (see transport).
For the full list of sights see what to see in Madrid.