48 hours in Madrid: The perfect two-day itinerary

1. Day 1

   
   1. Morning

      Take a scenic walk to explore Madrid’s art museums (2 hours)

      

      Starting in Atocha, or the aptly named Estación del Arte, you’ll want to get your coffee to go for the beautiful walk to Madrid’s major museums. Heading north on the Paseo del Prado, feel free to veer off into the ornate Royal Botanic Gardens, winding along the leafy trails until you reach the Museo del Prado. As with many other cities’ largest museums, Prado is vast and seeing everything would take you at least a day or two, so booking a guided tour is a great way to capture the highlights. Its collection includes works from some of the most significant artists in history, from Rubens to Ribera. If you prefer your art from the last century, check out the Picassos and Dalis at the Reina Sofía Museum, or for a real mix head to the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum where the collection spans over 700 years.

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   2. See the fountains of Cibeles and Neptune (30 minutes)

      

      Where the roads meet outside of the Prado Museum, discover a sea-themed fountain with Neptune standing amidst its jets. It might be familiar to soccer fans as the place where Atlético Madrid celebrate their trophies with fans. Or perhaps the Cibeles fountain, a little further up the street past the stock exchange and picturesque Plaza de la Lealtad, is where you’d rather be? It’s the choice of Real Madrid for the same purpose. If you can safely get to the Cibeles (it doubles as a busy roundabout) you’ll be treated to one of the best street-level views in the city: the Puerta del Sol and older part of the city to the west; the impressive former post office building right in front of you; and the arches of Puerta de Alcalá to the east, where you’re heading next. Take a moment to reflect outside the monument and eternal flame paying tribute to the victims of Covid-19.
      

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   3. Afternoon

      Lunch in luxury at Puerta de Alcalá (1.5 hours)

      

      The Puerta de Alcalá is neoclassical in design, with a style very similar to that of the triumphal arches made so famous by the Romans. In fact, this one was the first to be built in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire. The Puerta de Alcalá replaced a 16th century gate that provided access to Madrid through the city walls, and you’ll notice the buildings are very different in design on either side of the Calle Serrano for this reason. This street is home to luxury stores and tempting restaurants, so make a stop for lunch with a view of the arches.

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   4. Relax and refresh in Retiro Park (2 hours)

      

      Retiro Park is the most important and famous garden in the city of Madrid. Although its creation dates back to the 17th century for the enjoyment of King Philip IV, it passed into the hands of the city in 1868 and its people could finally enjoy it too. Among the 15,000 trees stands Madrid’s oldest, a 480-year-old Mexican conifer. Walk around the lake, or rent a boat and cruise right across it, or take a Segway tour to see much more than you would on foot. Throughout the park you can find kiosks and restaurants, the perfect pitstop for an ice-cold beer or a creamy horchata drink on a warm sunny day. You can also find many of the most famous architectural and cultural representations of the city in the park, such as the Palacio de Cristal — which has great temporary exhibitions — or the Casa de Vacas Cultural Center.

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   5. Evening

      Try the tapas in trendy Ibiza (2 hours)

      

      Madrid’s hippest tapas spots have evolved over the years, and the Ibiza neighborhood is the place to be right now, especially at dinner time. Tuck into tapas around the Calle del Doctor Castelo, where the tastiest bars are. It won’t be hard to spot where the empty plates are piled highest and the boisterous Madrileños are having the most fun.

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2. Day 2

   
   1. Morning

      See the symbol of Madrid at Puerta del Sol and explore the old city (3 hours)

      

      Go right to the heart of Madrid at Puerta del Sol, the old city square that is a constant hub of activity and the center of many of the city’s celebrations, especially New Year. As the square’s clock strikes 12, it sparks the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes in time with the chimes in the hope of bringing 12 months of good luck. It’s also home to kilometer zero — where all of Spain's roads are measured from — and El Oso y el Madroño, a statue of the bear and the madroño tree, which is the symbol of the city. South of the square lies some of the city’s great nightlife and bars, or to the north is a pedestrian mall with high street shops and department stores. Learn more about the city on a tour with an experienced guide who’ll show you the biggest, most impressive sights and the oldest, narrowest streets as they tell the story of Madrid.
      

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   2. Afternoon

      Taste your way around the San Miguel Market (2.5 hours)

      

      Walk through the impressive Plaza Mayor on your way to one of the world’s great food halls. The 100-year-old Mercado de San Miguel market sells more than just produce and is packed with tapas stalls. Here you’ll find the best of Spain on a plate with fresh fish flown in daily from Galicia, cheeses from Castile, Asturias and Basque Country, and, of course, the highest quality jamon iberico money can buy. Eat with your eyes as you wander between stalls, or better yet join a tapas walking tour through Madrid and learn about the history of Spain’s small plates as you taste your way through the market. Go early to avoid the lunch-time rush.

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   3. Step inside the Royal Palace (2 hours)

      

      Walk off lunch at the Royal Palace of Madrid, arguably the Spanish capital’s most impressive building at almost twice the size of Versailles or Buckingham Palace. You can get a ticket in advance to visit the Throne Room, Banquet Hall, and Private Royal apartments, but these rooms are really brought to life with fascinating stories if you book a guided tour. As well as tapestries, renowned artworks, and ornate armor, the Royal Gardens are as impressive as anything inside the palace’s 3,478 rooms.

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   4. Take in the atmosphere and history at Plaza de España (30 minutes)

      

      The huge Plaza de España is one of the most important squares in Madrid, and certainly its most picturesque, with leafy gardens, fountains and many, many monuments. A popular meeting spot for tourists and locals alike, its 2.7 hectares feel like an oasis among the busy streets of the city center. Pause by the pond, watch the world go by, and soak in the relaxed-yet-energizing vibe.

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   5. See the sunset at the Temple of Debod (30 minutes)

      

      The seemingly out of place temple dating back to the 2nd century BCE was a gift from Egypt to Spain in 1968 after the country’s help in saving the temples of Nubia. This is the perfect spot for a fantastic view of the Almudena Cathedral which, despite its classic appearance, only opened in 1993 after a 114-year construction. If you can time your visit to the temple to match the sunset, it makes a romantic end to your two days in Madrid. But the fiesta isn’t over yet.

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   6. Evening

      Find the party in Chueca and Malasaña (3 hours)

      

      The gradual transformation of the Chueca neighborhood has seen terraces, art galleries, and nightclubs join the meat and fish markets that have called the area home since forever. It has also become the place to party, especially with the LGBTQI+ community, who throw famous Pride parties every summer. Head here for unlimited possibilities for a fun night out, or bar hop around the nearby Malasaña before following the club kids to the best spots, so you can draw your last night in Madrid out as long as possible.

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