Last Updated: September 14, 2022
One Day In Madrid: The Perfect Itinerary
Madrid, Spain is one of the top cities in Europe and somewhere everyone should visit at some point in their lives.
It might not have the beachside location of Barcelona but it has so much to offer between its incredible history, architecture, culture, museums, and cuisine that you probably wouldn’t make it to the beach even if it had one.
Ideally, you would spend more than one day in Madrid but sometimes life doesn’t allow for such luxuries and luckily you can see the best this city has to offer in just 24 hours.
Join me as I run through everything you need to know about spending one day in Madrid and create an awesome Madrid one-day itinerary for you to follow.
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Why Visit Madrid?
Why shouldn’t you visit Madrid should be the question you’re asking and chances are you wouldn’t come up with any answers. Everything about this amazing city simply holds on to you and makes you want a little bit more.
Between the delicious food at the tapas bars, the exhibitions at the art museums, the historical sites, amazing architecture, a generally awesome vibe, and welcoming culture, it is a hard city to beat.
Also, a massive bonus is that the weather is pretty much great all year round, so you’ll be exploring in dry sunny conditions.
Getting Around Madrid
To save precious time, it is important to get around Madrid as efficiently as possible so you can spend your time seeing the best of it instead of the public transport system.
Luckily, Madrid is a very walkable city and I have designed the one-day in Madrid itinerary as a walking tour, with a short walk between one sight and the next.
That being said, you might not be able to walk every stage depending on your fitness and where your hotel is located. Here are your transport options while spending 24 hours in Madrid.
The Metro is the Best
The most convenient and efficient way to get around Madrid is by the metro. Madrid’s metro will get you to pretty much any part of the city and do so quickly. It is also very affordable costing just around 2 Euros per journey and you can buy a ticket at the station.
Rent Electric Bikes
If you enjoy cycling around cities you can rent an electric bike very easily in Madrid via BiciMad. These are a very fun way to get around Madrid and are efficient too but they are a lot more expensive than walking and using the metro.
The Hop On Hop Off Bus
Another good transportation option is the hop-on hop-off bus which takes you past the majority of Madrid’s best sights. It costs just under 20 Euros for the whole day and you can get on and off the bus network at your leisure as it takes you around the major things to see in the city.
If you aren’t too mobile and the thought of walking a lot doesn’t sound very appealing, then this may be the most pleasant way to get around the city.
Use Google Maps
Google Maps is the best app to use to navigate your way around Madrid. It guides you as you walk from one destination to the next destination, tells you the most efficient public transportation to use, and more.
Best Time to Visit Madrid
If you want the best weather when visiting Madrid as well as cheaper rates for flights and accommodation plus fewer tourists to contend with, visit Madrid between March and May or September and November.
During these months, rainfall is low, sunshine is high, temperatures are ideal at around 20 degrees celsius and you avoid the busiest, most expensive, and hottest time of year, July and August.
Since Madrid sits at quite a high elevation and is not far from the Guadarrama mountain range, it can get cold in winter and see some snowfall too. If you don’t mind chilly weather, you can visit in winter and you will also enjoy the most affordable pricing for your flights and accommodation.
How to Spend Your Day in Madrid
The one-day in Madrid itinerary laid out below is designed to take you to the best places to visit in the city. Feel free to use it as a complete itinerary, skip parts, or add bits in.
As I already mentioned, this itinerary is easy to walk with a maximum of a 30-minute walk between one place and the next place. You also have the choice to use the public transportation options laid out above.
Breakfast At A Local Cafe
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
There is no better way to start your one day in Madrid than by having a traditional Spanish breakfast at one of the many awesome cafes the city has to offer.
If you want to have a chocolaty Spanish breakfast then you have to go to ​​ChocolaterÃa San Ginés for churros y chocolate. This is the best place in the city for churros y chocolate and if you want to go full-on, pair it with hot chocolate instead of a coffee.
Churros y chocolate in Spain is different from churros in Mexico. These are crispy on the outside and deliciously chocolatey in the middle. If you don’t stop at ​​ChocolaterÃa San Ginés for breakfast, it is open all day and most of the night, so you can always stop there later.
For a less chocolatey but still Spanish breakfast with great vegetarian and traditional options, head to Pan Adore by La Latina metro.
Once you have enjoyed a delicious breakfast, it is either a 12-minute or 5-minute walk to the next stop of your one-day in Madrid itinerary.
Stand In The Center Of Spain At Puerta del Sol
Puerta del Sol is a busy square in Madrid city center that is famous for being a historical meeting point for people coming into the city.
Puerta del Sol is famous for being the geographical center of Spain and is also referred to as Kilometer Zero since it is the beginning point for all the most important roads in the country. You will find paving stones marked with directions.
Today, it is a great place to people watch, is home to a stunning clock, and you have to take a look at the bronze statue of El Oso y el Madroño (the Bear and the Strawberry Tree) which was built in the early 1900s and is a representation of the coat of arms of Madrid.
Take In The Atmosphere At Plaza Mayor
Once you have absorbed the atmosphere of Puerta del Sol it is time to take a short 5-minute walk to Plaza Mayor, the next stop on your one-day in Madrid itinerary.
Plaza Mayor is the main square of Madrid and was the center of Old Madrid, it is simply something that can not be missed while you are in the city.
It was built in 1617 under the reign of Philip III and is a huge square surrounded by four-story buildings with a remarkable architecture, historical symbols, and plaques.
Today, Plaza Mayor is home to one of the best markets in Madrid and it is a great place to do some shopping, find some souvenirs, pick up some traditional snacks, and generally absorb the atmosphere of Madrid.
If you happen to be in Madrid over the month of December, you’ll find an excellent Christmas Market in the square that is very festive and a ton of fun.
Enjoy The Views Of Almudena Cathedral
After seeing Plaza Mayor and taking in all the culture, it is a short 8-minute walk to the stop on your one-day itinerary, the Almudena Cathedral.
The Almudena Cathedral is architecturally stunning and is a must-see during your 24 hours in Madrid. Construction of ​​Catedral de la Almudena began back in 1879 on the site of an old medieval mosque that was torn down around 800 years earlier. But, it wasn’t actually completed until the 1950s as the Spanish Civil War got in the way.
The cathedral is the number one religious site in Madrid as it is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madrid and it was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993.
Admire the Neo-Gothic style from the outside, the incredible crypt and art inside, and be sure to climb the stairs to the top of the cathedral for the view. From the top of the dome, you can see across the whole city and the mountains that sit behind it.
Explore The Royal Palace of Madrid
Once you are done at the cathedral, walk around the corner for 3 minutes to the Royal Palace, another must-see while you are in Madrid.
The Royal Palace also known as Palacio Real is Europe’s biggest royal palace with over 3,400 rooms and more than 130,000 square meters of space. It is absolutely gigantic and you can choose to either look around the inside quickly or admire it from the outside.
The architecture of the Royal Palace dates back to the 1700s and features both neoclassical and baroque styles, so spending some time viewing it from the outside is very much worth it.
Entrance to the Royal Palace is free for EU citizens while non-EU citizens have to pay a small fee. I would advise booking a priority ticket in advance to skip the queues and save time as it can take a minimum of 30 minutes to get in without one.
Take A Break In The Beautiful Sabatini Gardens
Next up is the stunning ​​Sabatini Gardens which are a 5-minute walk down the road from the Royal Palace.
The Sabatini Gardens are actually part of the Royal Palace and are included in the same ticket so you can stroll in without any worries. It is the perfect place to hang out and have a rest before continuing to visit all the next amazing sites.
The gardens are well manicured and feature immaculate lawns and topiaries. Take a seat on the lawn, admire the view of the palace’s facade, and then take a stroll around the gardens. You will find old statues of Spanish Kings, and a maze which is worth heading into if it is not too busy.
Have Delicious Food At Mercado De San Miguel
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
By this point, you are probably going to be hungry and in need of some lunch. Head to Mercado San Miguel which is only a 12-minute walk away from the gardens.
Mercado De San Miguel has been one of the top markets in Spain since it started back in 1916. It features an art nouveau style and is not a normal market in the sense of stalls selling vintage and fresh goods, it is all about providing a taste explosion.
The market is packed full of establishments serving up some of the best Spanish delicacies Madrid has to offer. Pull up a chair, order a glass of cava, and tuck into some of the most delicious tapas you are likely to experience.
The market has a great atmosphere and the vibe is hard to beat, but it is not the most affordable place to eat in the city, but well worth it when you are only in Madrid for one day.
Take A Stroll and Relax In El Retiro Park
Once you have sampled some of the best tapas in Spain at the market, it is time to walk for 20-minutes to El Retiro Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You do have the option to skip this part of the one-day in Madrid itinerary if you are pushed for time but the park is lovely and it is a nice break from sightseeing.
El Retiro Park is stunningly beautiful and it is landscaped in a way to ensure it always looks amazing no matter the season. Enjoy strolling past the old trees, seeing the fountains, relaxing on the lawns, and seeing the stunning Crystal Palace.
If you are an art lover, you might want to go to Crystal Palace as they have excellent art exhibitions that change often.
Be Stunned At The Prado Museum
After enjoying the park it is just a 5-minute walk from the park’s eastern edge to the Prado Museum, your next stop.
The Prado Museum is slap bang in the city center and it is one of those world-class museums that simply can not be missed as it is world-renowned as one of the top art museums on the planet.
This museum is home to a lot of masterpieces housed in an architecturally stunning building to boot.
You will find pieces by some of the best artists who have ever lived including Botticelli, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Rubens, Tintoretto, Velázquez, van Dyck, El Greco, and the list only continues. There is also a permanent exhibition on Hyronemus Bosch’s art.
To take full advantage of the museum, it is best to join a guided tour so you get a better understanding of what you are seeing. It is also advised to book tickets so that you can skip the huge queues. It is a shame since the entrance is free from 6-8 pm but it is worth paying and not queuing.
People Watch At Plaza de España
Next up is ​​Plaza de España which is a 25-minute walk from the Prado Museum. If your legs are tired, you can opt to use the metro which takes just 20 minutes on a direct train with no changes.
Plaza de España is a stunning square that features a large fountain, park, and pond. It has a lively atmosphere and it is a great place to people-watch and take a break before continuing with your busy itinerary.
The Plaza de España is also home to the Monumento Cervantes which is a statue of Miguel De Cervantes that also features sculptures of Sancho Panza and Don Quixote, the author’s most famous characters.
See Some Egyptian History At The Temple of Debod
From the Plaza de España, it is a 10-minute walk to the Temple of Debod, your final sight-seeing spot on the itinerary.
The Temple of Debod is best seen during sunset which is why I have saved it until last. You will find it in Cuartel de la Montana Park and it dates back to the 2nd century BC.
It was given to Spain by Egypt in order to protect the city from floods. It is a very different part of Madrid and is very out of place which is what makes it such a special place to visit.
When the sun sets, the lighting is magical and you can see everything including the Royal Palace, the mountains, and more. If you are touring Madrid with your partner, this is probably the most romantic spot to hang out.
See A Classic Flamenco Show
Now that you have seen all the best sights Madrid has to offer, you can let your hair down and enjoy Madrid’s nightlife. There is no better way to start the evening off than with a flamenco show.
You can find great Flamenco shows all over the city and there are even places that serve up great tapas while you watch musicians, singers, and dancers do their thing.
One of the best places to watch a flamenco show in Madrid is at Torres Bermejas. This venue serves up delicious tapas, and great drinks and the flamenco shows are excellent too.
Once you are done with the flamenco, the city is your oyster. You can head back to Mercado De San Miguel which will be buzzing or head to Huertas which ​is known as one of the liveliest parts of the city with lots of fun bars and clubs.
Where to Stay in Madrid
Madrid is not short of hotels and you will find one that suits both your budget and standards with ease. The only thing to be cautious of is your hotel’s location as you don’t want it to be on the outskirts of town to reduce travel time.
Make sure your hotel is in the Centro area, the city center, where all the attractions laid out above are. One of the coolest parts of Centro to stay in is De Los Austrias, near El Retiro Park. The vibe is excellent and a load of fun.
A great budget option that is also central is Hotel Regina which is just around the corner from Puerta del Sol, one of your first stops on the itinerary. For a more upmarket option, look to the Catalonia Las Cortes hotel which is also in the center of town.
Tips for Exploring Madrid in One Day
- Plan out your day using Google Maps by entering each destination in the itinerary above one at a time or all at once and following it. This is by far the most efficient and relaxing way to navigate yourself around the city and from one great site to the next.
- Walk the itinerary if you can manage it. I have made it very walkable so it should be do-able for the majority of you and you will see a lot more of the city by walking through it instead of sitting on transportation.
- If you need a break from walking, use the metro as this is the most affordable and efficient way to get from one place to the next in Madrid.
- Madrid never sleeps so if you’re full of energy and aren’t quite ready to go home at the end of the night, there is always somewhere to go. The locals are very friendly, so don’t be worried about asking for where is a great place to go next.
- Book tickets for all the major sights mentioned in the itinerary above so you can skip the queues. The last thing you need is to waste some of your precious 24 hours waiting to get into places, especially when some queues last for an hour or more.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
