Madrid in two days | The best Madrid itinerary for 48 hours

The magnificent Royal Palace with its elegant rooms
The Plaza Mayor where the King’s statue looms
The classical art museums and the heritage garden with flowers
You can cover all these things to see in Madrid in 48 hours!


Discover Madrid in two days with this travel guide. Plan the best Madrid itinerary with my insider tips on where to stay, what to see, how to get around and more. This is an ideal guide for first timers in Madrid, Spain.

With a history that goes back to the 8th century, tons of cultural hotspots and cobblestone lanes full of tapas bars and cafes, the capital city of Spain fascinated me. My initial checklist of must-see attractions ran so long that I was worried if two days in Madrid would be enough – especially given the fact that this place is the 2nd largest city in the European Union (after Berlin). What I discovered is that Madrid in two days was quite possible and that too at a fairly leisurely pace.

Check out my guide to planning an itinerary for Madrid in two days
Check out my guide to planning an itinerary for Madrid in two days

My 2 day Madrid itinerary whisked me through the key historical sites like the Royal Palace of Madrid and El Retiro Park to the artistic galleries of Prado Museum through the popular squares like Plaza Mayor. I even managed the slightly offbeat attractions like the Plaza de la Villa with its oldest buildings and had enough time to sample the delights of San Miguel market and various other tapas bars.

In this travel guide to Madrid, I will share my experience and tips to help you create the perfect itinerary for 48 hours in this city. You will not only get a list of the key things to do in Madrid in 2 days but alternatives that you can change around to suit your preferences. The blog post also includes tips on where to stay in Madrid and the best ways to get around. My insider tips will help you with information such as which attractions require pre-booking, their timings and the best time to visit.

At the end of the post, I also, have suggestions for an itinerary for Madrid in three days. There are recommendations for anyone who has just one day in Madrid.

So, hop and as they say in Spanish – Vamos! To capture the must-see in Madrid in 2 days.

Quick Links for your Madrid trip

Here are some useful resources and links that you can use to plan your Madrid itinerary.

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History of Madrid

I believe that exploring any place begins with the history of that place. Knowing a bit about its past will help you understand and appreciate the sights that you will see when you spend two days in Madrid. Let me put it together in a capsule.

The earliest known history of Madrid starts with the Visigoths who ruled from the 5th century to the 8th century. The Visigoths got into a civil war and one of the stakeholders took the help of the Arabs from Africa to overthrow the rule here. As one of my guides mentioned – A big Mistake for the Visigoths – because they lost whatever they had and thus, started the Caliphate era. Though the Arabs were mostly in Andalucia (Southern Spain), they established a fort (Alcazar) in central Spain to control their trade and their kingdom. This is when the present-day Madrid came into being.

Statue of Philip III - one of the many landmarks that you will see when you are in Madrid for 2 days
Statue of Philip III – one of the many landmarks that you will see when you are in Madrid for 2 days

The Arabs called this place Majrit – meaning the city of water, which actually was a bit of a misnomer because there was no river or lake around the place. However, the land is located in a valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains which gives it a lot of groundwater. While it is not certain that was the reason, but well, looks like the meaning does match the place.

The Arabs controlled this place till the 15th century when they were finally driven away from the Spanish kings. It was King Philip II who set up his capital in Madrid in 1561 and gave it wings. His successor – King Charles III rebuilt a new palace in place of the burnt Alcazar of Madrid and also, added prominent landmarks in the city – some of which you will see when you visit Madrid in 2 days.

Madrid saw many events including the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s and the Franco regime (Dictator rule of Francisco Franco). In fact, it was only in 1975 that the fascist rule ended and Madrid became the true capital of a republic. There are several living reminders of this era that you will see when you plan your Madrid itinerary for 2 days.

What is the best way to get to Madrid?

Being the capital of Spain, Madrid is extremely well-connected to all the major countries around the world as well as internally to all the key cities of Spain. You can plan your 2-day Madrid itinerary and arrive in the city by any of the following means –

By Air

The first glimpse of Madrid as you land at the Barajas Airport
The first glimpse of Madrid as you land at the Barajas Airport

The main airport in Madrid is Adolfo Suarez Madrid – Barajas Airport. Most of the international flights as well as domestic or European low-cost airline flights land here. This is where I landed with a flight from Bengaluru (India) to Madrid via Dubai.

From the airport, you have three ways of getting to the city center – Metro, Bus or a Taxi.

From Madrid Airport to Madrid Centro by Metro

The Metro is possibly the most economical if you are a couple or a group. For a family of three, I had to shell out a total of €17.50 to reach Sol from Madrid airport (as against an Uber that would have cost me €24).  You can catch one at the T2 terminal or the T4 terminal. There is a vending machine from where you can purchase your Public Transport Card for €2.50. You will also, have to pay an airport tax of €3 and then add your journeys to the card. One card can have multiple journeys and hence, can be used by more than one person.

Grab a Madrid Metro Map for your 2 days in Madrid - easily available at all ticket machines and counters
Grab a Madrid Metro Map for your 2 days in Madrid – easily available at all ticket machines and counters

The Metro section of the airport also, has a display board and handy Madrid Metro maps to help you plan your journey. Also, by default, the vending machine has instructions in Spanish. Look for the language button at the corner of the screen and pick English (represented by the UK flag). The machine accepts travel credit cards as well as cash. There are helpful attendants around the machine to help you – in case you are stuck.

From Madrid Airport to Madrid Centro by Airport bus

You can even opt for the Exprés Aeropuerto Bus which is available every 20 minutes. You can get on and purchase tickets for €5 per person. The bus will drop you at any of these three stops – O’Donnel, Cibeles and Atocha station. The last two are the most central to Madrid.

From Madrid Airport to Madrid Centro by cabs

There are numerous cab services available in Madrid including Uber and Cabify. You will need to pre-register yourself on the apps for these GPS taxis. They are a bit on the higher side – especially if you are a couple or a solo traveler and do not have much luggage.

By Train

Trains can be a good ways to get to Madrid from anywhere in Spain or Europe
Trains can be a good ways to get to Madrid from anywhere in Spain or Europe

If you are chalking out a weekend in Madrid trip plan from any of the cities in Europe or Spain, you can consider a train travel. RENFE – AVE is the most train to pre-book your travel to Madrid from any of the cities in Spain or its neighboring European cities. Try to book it as early as you can as the fares are dynamic – quite akin to airfares. Don’t be surprised though if the official website is down. They are a little infamous for being down frequently. In that case, you can book through this website.

There are other European trains like Eurostar, Trenitalia, Iryo that connect Madrid to the other cities in Europe. You can check this website to get a consolidated view of your options.

Which is the best area to stay to experience Madrid in two days?

My stay in Sol in Madrid
My stay in Sol in Madrid

With the numerous things to see in Madrid in 2 days, it is best to base yourself in the Centro region or the historic center of Madrid. You should look up places in Sol (where I stayed), Gran Via or Malaséna area. These three areas have direct access to the Metro lines and are filled with restaurants, Tapas bars and supermarkets. They are within walking distance of all the attractions that I recommend you add to your 2 day itinerary in Madrid.

The three areas have enough options to satisfy any budget. You will find options ranging from hostels to apartments, budget hotels and luxury hotels. Here are a few quick ones that I would recommend you look up –

Alternatively you can check these links for more options on Expedia.com

Planning a 2 Day Madrid itinerary

My recommendations for 48 hours in Madrid goes beyond just the sightseeing attractions of Madrid. They include a lot of experiential activities. I have shared my own itinerary that I followed in Madrid for two days. However, I have also, recommended alternatives that you can consider – if they appeal to you. Watch out for my insider tips in this section – they will be handy as you plan your own Madrid sojourn.

Madrid in 48 hours: Day One

Key highlights: Cycling or Walking tour of Madrid, Royal Palace of Madrid & Plaza Mayor

Grab breakfast around Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor- one of the key places to add to your 2 day Madrid itinerary
Plaza Mayor- one of the key places to add to your 2 day Madrid itinerary

Plaza Mayor is one of the most significant historical squares of Madrid. Built-in the 15th century, it was earlier called Plaza del Arrabal and was located outside the city of Madrid. The square functioned as a marketplace and it was only under the reign of King Philip III that it became a central square of Madrid – one that you cannot avoid when covering Madrid in two days.

Over the years, Plaza Mayor became an arena that hosted bullfights, soccer games and even public executions. In fact, the terrible Garrote wheel method was meted out to famed criminals right upto the year 1975 and was only abolished after the death of the dictator Fransisco Franco.

Casa de la Panaderia - One of the oldest Madrid attractions in Plaza Mayor
Casa de la Panaderia – One of the oldest Madrid attractions in Plaza Mayor

Today, when you enter the square, you will see a large statue of King Philip III in the center. You will see a beautiful frescoed building with two towers on one side. This was one of the first buildings in the square and used to host a bakery. Originally called Casa de la Panaderia, it is presently the office of the Tourism Department of Madrid.

Porros and hot chocolate -  try it out for breakfast near Plaza Mayor
Porros and hot chocolate – try it out for breakfast near Plaza Mayor

The remaining buildings host numerous souvenir shops, tapas bars and cafes. You can pick any one of these and grab a bite or two. I found them a little pricey and after exploring the square, chose Calle de Santiago (just a street away). The tiny street is a quieter place with tons of affordable restaurants. I highly recommend Refra Restaurant for its friendly staff, churros or porros and hot chocolate. I would not say no to their Spanish omelet or the freshly baked cheesecakes.

The other place that you might want to consider is La Esquinita bar – which is again known for its Spanish omelet.

Embark on a cycling tour or a walking tour of Madrid

Sign up for a guided bike tour to cover some of the attractions that are must see in Madrid in 2 days
Sign up for a guided bike tour to cover some of the attractions that are must see in Madrid in 2 days

One of the best ways to get to know Madrid in 48 hours is to sign up for a guided cycling tour or a walking tour of the city. These tours are an apt induction into the key moments of the city’s past and its important landmarks. While walking tours cover a shorter distance and are usually for 2 – 2.5 hours, cycling tours tend to cover at least 10 km within 3 hours around the city. I chose to sign up for this bike tour of Madrid.

Plaza de la Villa - one of the offbeat sightseeing places in Madrid
Plaza de la Villa – one of the offbeat sightseeing places in Madrid

My bike tour took me through popular and offbeat attractions of Madrid. The tour guide was a quirky history professor who made every place fascinating. The cycling route took me past the Royal Palace of Madrid into a lesser-known but important historical square called Plaza de la Villa. The medieval square has 3 heritage buildings – Casa de la Ville, Torre de los Lujanes and Casa de Cisneros – each of which belong to a different era. Behind one of those buildings is a convent where you can buy cookies made by nuns. Of course, it is a well-known secret and it has a peculiar method of entering and placing an order.

The tour also, whisked me to the El Retiro park through the art district area where I got an initiation of the various museums of the city. The return track was through the Plaza de Cibeles which allowed me a glimpse of the more modern and neo-classical buildings of Madrid.

Here are some tours you can book and add to your plan for Madrid in 2 days . These include bike tours, tuk-tuk tours and walking tours. Most of these tours start around 10:30 am and finish just in time for lunch. The start point is usually around Plaza Mayor.

Besides these tours, you also, have “free” walking tours in Madrid where you tip the guide based on your satisfaction levels. I was actually quite keen on signing up for one of them but upon research came across claims of unethical business models and that most of these guides are not as well versed as the paid options. The first reason was my main one for not signing up.

Lunch at Plaza de Ramales

Paella Verdura - the vegetarian version of the Spanish dish that you must try.
Paella Verdura – the vegetarian version of the Spanish dish that you must try.

Once you are done with your cycling or walking tour, head towards the Royal Palace of Madrid. This is a short walk from Plaza Mayor through Calle de Santiago (where I recommended breakfast). You will reach Plaza de Ramales (marked on my Madrid map) – a small square from where you can see the Madrid Royal Palace. Pick one of the many Tapas bars or restaurants in the square and grab a hearty meal.

The most popular one here is La Taberna de Ramales but I chose to look it over for its smaller neighbor – Café de Los Austrias. Their menu offers tons of local delights – from Paellas to Gazpachos, tortillas and more. Try their Paellas with a glass of Aperol Spritz or Sangrias.

You will find other cuisines too, in this square like Vietnamese and Korean.

Visit the Royal Palace and Catedral – some of the key things to see in Madrid in 2 days

The Royal Palace of Madrid - one of the must-see Madrid places to see
The Royal Palace of Madrid – one of the must-see Madrid places to see

If there is one place that is a must-visit in Madrid in 48 hours, then that would be the Royal Palace of Madrid. Built after the Madrid Alcazar was burnt down in the 17th century, this magnificent building is the largest living palace in Western Europe (even bigger than Buckingham Palace). It has over 3400 rooms with extravagant interiors. Literally, every room in the palace is decorated with paintings or art – from ceiling to floor.

The empyreal dining room inside the Madrid Royal Palace
The empyreal dining room inside the Madrid Royal Palace

Given that it is such an important Madrid attraction, it is not easy to get the tickets. I highly recommend you buy them online through their website else you will have to endure a queue that can take at least one hour to reach the ticket window. I made a mistake of not doing these prior bookings and lost precious time on my itinerary to cover Madrid in two days. You can even get skip-the-line tickets here.

Audio guides are available for €5 at the counter or you should pre-book a guided tour of the Palace. A tour of the Royal Palace can easily take 2 hours after which you can just hop across and see the Almudena Cathedral.

Almudena Catedral - one of the key churches of Madrid, Spain
Almudena Catedral – one of the key churches of Madrid, Spain

The Almudena Cathedral is more of a recent phenomenon. Its construction started in 1883 but was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War and many other events. It was finally completed in 1993 and today it is an important Roman Catholic church in Madrid. The Cathedral is home to a lot of contemporary art and if you are short of time, you can choose to just enjoy the exteriors and skip going inside.

In fact, one of the locals mentioned this as a tourist trap, saying – “Madrid is home to older and more beautiful churches that deserve a visit.”

Enjoy the culinary delights of San Miguel Market

San Miguel Mercados - one of the key places to visit during your 2 days in Madrid
San Miguel Mercados – one of the key places to visit during your 2 days in Madrid

After the Royal Palace of Madrid tour, you can head back to the Plaza Mayor to spend the evening at the San Miguel Market. The 100-year-old market offers you the best of Spanish cuisine – from almost every corner of the country. You can start by trying some of the authentic Italian cheese or head over to the Mediterranean stalls for their seafood, rice dishes and olives. In fact, I went crazy with their olive entrées that I sampled with the Spanish Sangrias.

San-miguel-mercados-madrid-dessert
San-miguel-market-food
Olives-San-miguel-market-madrid

The dessert section will have you salivating from the moment you enter – from cheesecakes to fruit tarts and crépes – you will find them all here.  Bellies full, I marched back to my Sol stay in Madrid while window shopping through Plaza Mayor.

Alternative end to Day One of the Madrid itinerary for 2 days

My original plan was to head to the Temple of Debod from the Royal Palace of Madrid and end the evening with a tapas crawl at Plaza de Espana. However, thanks to the time lost while waiting in the ticket queue at the Royal Palace, I changed it to include San Miguel market. Honestly speaking, I have no regrets.

However, you can add one more interesting monument to your two day Madrid itinerary by visiting the Temple of Debod. This is an Egyptian monument built in the 2nd century that has been relocated to Madrid. It is a gift to Spain from Egypt. It is quite popular during sunsets and which is why I hoped to end my day here.

P.S: This is a free-to-visit attraction in Madrid.

Close to the Temple is another popular square called Plaza de Espana with the statue of the great Spanish writer Cerventes. The wide space has numerous Tapas bars and open-air restaurants. I am told that if Lady Luck is on your side, you might even be able to witness a live Flamenco performance while enjoying your meal.

Madrid Itinerary – Day two

Key highlights: Explore El Retiro park, Prado museum, walk down Plaza de Cibeles and do a Tapas crawl at La Latina

Grab a coffee at Puerta del Sol

King Charles III statue in the middle of Puerto de Sol
King Charles III statue in the middle of Puerto de Sol

Hop over to the famous Puerta del Sol – one of the most popular and busy squares of Madrid. This square is home to several iconic buildings and statues. The most prominent of them is the statue of King Charles III in the center of the square. Right opposite to that is a building with the Flag of Spain. This is the Réal Casa de Correos or the Royal House of the Post Office.

This building used to be the post office once upon a time, then became the Ministry of Interior and State Security during the Francisco regime and now is the office of the President of the Community of Madrid (not the same as the city council). During the Francisco regime, the basement of the place was used to torture prisoners.

Royal house of Post Office in Madrid
Royal house of Post Office in Madrid

The building also, has a bell tower which has an interesting tradition of the Twelve Grapes attached to it. Basically on 31st December, at midnight, one eats 12 grapes – one at every bell clang while making one wish with every grape.  Wow! That is 12 wishes for the year! Now that is something that you want to see when you are in Madrid for 2 days – especially on New Year!

This square is the zero point of Madrid and you will find a tile with that sign right in front of the Royal house of the Post office. The other significant statue in this square is the El Oro y El Madrona – the famous symbol of Madrid with the bear and the strawberry tree.

La Mallorquina is a great place to taste some Spanish treats in Madrid
La Mallorquina is a great place to taste some Spanish treats in Madrid

There are several shops and cafes located in this square. Head to La Mallorquina – which is one of the most famous bakeries in the city. Grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate along with their fresh bake. Though I am not a morning pastry person, their tarts were just too hard to resist.  

Visit the Prado Museum (Or Reina Sofia)

Did you know that there is a Golden triangle of art in Madrid? Three amazing art museums make up this triangle – the Prado Museum, Reina Sofia Museum and Thyssen Bornemisza Museum. Each one of these has some invaluable gems displayed – which is why you need to add at least one of them to your Madrid itinerary for two days.

Madrid's famous museum - Prado Museum
Madrid’s famous museum – Prado Museum PC: Pixabay

The Prado Museum or the Museo del Prado is the one that I highly recommend that you consider visiting over the 48 hours in Madrid. The museum was originally designed as the Royal Museum of Paintings and sculptures by Queen María Isabel de Braganza to display the royal collection. The building, however, was built earlier in 1785 by Juan de Villanueva under the orders of King Charles III to house the Natural History cabinet.

Later, in 1868, the Museo del Prado became a national museum with one of the largest collections of art in Europe. The museum currently has over 2300 paintings including the works of Goya, Diaz Velaquez, Rubens and Botticelli. In addition to the paintings, there are drawings and sculptures too that are worth seeing. Two of my favorite pieces that you should not miss include –

  • Las Meninas by Diaz Velaquez painted in 1656. It is like a selfie drawn by the painter where he not only features himself drawing Princess Margarita who is surrounded by the servants. In the mirror of this scene are the Royal couple – King Philip II and Queen Mariana who is looking at the Princess.
  • Christ washing the feet by Tintoretto in the 1200s. This painting has a unique effect where if you stand in front of it and see the painting, you will see a scattered scene of the Last Supper and Jesus washing the feet of St. Peter’s in one corner. However, see it from his corner, all the gaps between the characters vanish and you see a fluid scene come alive. I was super fascinated by the ingenuity of this one.
Sala Rotunda - one of the galleries inside Vatican Museum
Sala Rotunda – one of the galleries inside Vatican Museum

One of the other big and famous museums of Europe is the Vatican museum. Take a virtual tour of the key highlights of this museum

One big tip here is to prebook your tickets to the Prado to ensure that you do not have to wait in the queue. Especially during the peak season. The General admission tickets cost €15 per person. You can avail an audio guide for a small fee once you enter the museum – which I highly recommend as there are tons of stories waiting to be heard.

The museum is free from 6 pm to 8 pm every day but you will have to stand in a queue to get the tickets. There are options to prebook these too but most often than not, the online bookings show full. You can also, consider booking an entrance ticket here.

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Several guided tour options can be booked online. I highly recommend considering these or at least the audio guide as the place is huge and it is hard to absorb everything on your own. Also, remember Photography is strictly prohibited inside.

I chose the Prado Museum over the others for two reasons – one is that it houses paintings from the 12th century to the 20th century and is the largest. The 2nd is because it is also, a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you prefer more contemporary art like Picasso and Dali, consider visiting Reina Sofia museum. This is close to the Prado and I believe, is as impressive as the Prado.

Hop over to the San Jerónimo el Real church

San Jeronimo el Real church - an offbeat monument in Madrid
San Jeronimo el Real church – an offbeat monument in Madrid

After you are done with the Prado museum, hop over to the Gothic-looking church opposite the museum. This is the San Jerónimo el Real built in the 15th century, during the era of Queen Isabella I. The church was originally a monastery but later was converted to church used by the Royalty for their weddings. Rumor has it that you have to book a wedding at least 2 years in advance if you want to get married here.

The Church is free to enter.

Stroll through the El Retiro park

After a morning of art frenzy, I definitely welcomed my visit to the El Retiro park in Madrid. The 350 acres of green space was once the royal gardens of the Spanish monarchs. The Buen Retiro Park has numerous themed gardens, pavilions and exhibition halls. It might not be possible to see them all in your Madrid itinerary for two days but here are the highlights that you should consider touching upon –

The Retirement pond and the Alfonso XII monument in El Retiro park - a must-see during your Madrid trip
The Retirement pond and the Alfonso XII monument in El Retiro park – a must-see during your Madrid trip
  • Estanque de Retiro or the Retirement Pond. This is a hard-to-miss artificial pond where you can do some boating or just enjoy some idle time.
  • The Alfonso XII monument near the pond – Again, unmissable with its archaic columns and the statue of King Alfonso on the top. There are a few restaurants here where you can grab a coffee or a pint or two.
  • Palacio de Cristal – a glass pavilion which is now an exhibition center
  • Paseo de la Argentina – a walkway with sculptures of various Spanish kings

Along with the Prado museum, the El Retiro park is one of the places to visit in Madrid in 2 days. The soothing greens is perfect for you to absorb all that you have seen so far .

There are no entrance fees to the El Retiro park but numerous guided walking tours -both free and paid. You can sign up for one if it works well into your schedule. I did not as most of them were in the evening and for that I would not be able to optimize my two days in Madrid.

I recommend grabbing a short bite while in El Retiro park. The small food carts are best for these as against the cafes where the meals are a little expensive. The short eats will keep you fueled for the short self-guided walk that I recommend next.

Walk to the Plaza de Cibeles

Puerta de Alcala - the victory arch which is one of the key landmarks of Madrid
Puerta de Alcala – the victory arch which is one of the key landmarks of Madrid

Exit through the north-western gate of El Retiro to see a beautiful arch. Called Puerta de Alcalá – this is Madrid’s own Arc de Triomphe. The arch has been erected on one of the oldest gates to Madrid. It was built by Francesco Sabatini as commissioned by King Charles III.

Palacio de Cibeles - a beautiful neo-classical building in Madrid
Palacio de Cibeles – a beautiful neo-classical building in Madrid

Go past it and walk around 600m to reach a busy junction with a stunning fountain in the center. This is Plaza de Cibeles – home to numerous neo-classical buildings. The largest and the most ornate of the lot is the Palacio de Cibeles (Cybele Palace). Originally this was the Palace of Communication but today, it functions as the seat of Madrid City council.

Cibeles fountain where the Real Madrid team celebrates their victory
Cibeles fountain where the Real Madrid team celebrates their victory

The central fountain has the Goddess Cybelle riding a chariot. This fountain is called the Cibeles Fountain. It is an iconic place for fans of Real Madrid team. This is where the team captain celebrates his victory by placing the Real Madrid scarf and flag on the statue. Come on a day of the match, and you will find the place teaming with fans.

The square also, hosts the Bank of Spain – a must-see for all Casa Papal or Money Heist fans. While it was not the location of shoot but it was the centerpoint of the whole plot in the three season series. Obviously, I was ecstatic to just be there.

Diagonally opposite the bank is the House of America located in the Palace of Linares. This is a foundation that supports American artists. Plaza de Cibeles allows you to see a different side to the architecture of this city in your quest to cover Madrid in 48 hours.

End your 48 hours in Madrid with a Tapas crawl at La Latina

I am sure by now you are craving for some good food and relaxing time. There is no better place than to head to a new Madrid neighborhood called La Latina. Named after the Spanish teacher to Queen Isabella – Beatrix Galindo, this is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Madrid.

The charming place is full of narrow streets that open to tons of dining options. In particular, I was recommended Calle Cava Baja and I was not disappointed. People were jostling around the bars – almost all of them full. I ended up doing Tapas bar hopping and honestly, don’t even recall which three I entered. All of them were just too good.

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If you are here doing a weekend in Madrid, then you should watch out for the Flea Market of El Rastro that happens every Sunday. This is a huge one near Ronda de Toledo street.

Well – don’t you think this 2 Day Madrid itinerary covers the major parts of the city? I am sure with this and the alternatives that I have shared, you are already chalking your own version of an itinerary to cover Madrid in two days.

Madrid itinerary for 3 days

Alright, so you have an additional day in Madrid. I recommend that you follow the Madrid in 2 days itinerary and then add one of these amazing day trips from Madrid on the last day.

  • Day trip to Toledo Toledo is a UNESCO World Heritage city known for its three distinct cultural influences – Arabs, Jews and Christians. The monuments in the city are known for its exceptional architecture. It is less than an hour’s ride by train from Madrid.
  • Day trip to SegoviaSegovia is yet another UNESCO World Heritage site – renowned for the Roman aqueduct. The city has numerous other things to see like the Gothic Segovia cathedral and the Segovia Alcazar (it looks like the Disney palace)

There are several guided tours available for these two cities that you can book using the above links. You can in fact cover both the cities in a single trip with this online booking option.

However, if you do not want to really step out of Madrid, then you can consider some of these options to try and discover more of the city

  • Take a guided tour of the Bernabéu Stadium – especially if you are a Real Madrid fan. There is a museum attached to this stadium that will entertain you with the most historic moments of the place.
  • Opt for a Spanish cooking class.  Nothing like learning the secrets of the food that you have enjoyed over your 2 days in Madrid. There are several classes that can be booked online like this one.
  • Visit the Archaeological Museum – This is located at Calle de Serrano and has an amazing collection of artifacts that goes back to the age of Phoenicians and Romans. There are several guided tours available for the museum that can be booked online.

You can always visit the other art museum that you might have missed on Day two or just walk around the various Plazas for tapas and window shopping.

What can I do in Madrid for 24 hours?

Well, if you have less than 48 hours in Madrid city, then I highly recommend the Day One itinerary of Madrid that I have shared here. Make sure you prebook your walking or cycling tour as well as the Royal Palace of Madrid tickets.

Alternatively, you can replace the Palace with a tour of one of the many museums in the city.

Getting around Madrid City

The Pedestrian-friendly streets of Madrid
The Pedestrian-friendly streets of Madrid

Madrid is very pedestrian-friendly and over my 2 days in Madrid, I walked everywhere. You can also, opt to do the same or possibly rent a cycle for a day to get around. There are several app-based rentals that you can use to pick a regular cycle or electric scooters. These are pretty convenient as you can leave them at the next stand and take another one once you have finished exploring that area.

Rent-a cycle using an app in Madrid
Rent-a cycle using an app in Madrid

If that does not work, then your best option is to use the Metro. The Metro service in Madrid is extremely good. You can buy a Metro card at any of the stations. The initial cost of the card in €2.50 and you can load either a single journey or a pack of 10 journeys onto the card. Here are some pros and cons of this card –

Pros of a general metro card

  • Once you have bought the card, you can keep loading your journeys onto it
  • One card can be used by multiple users. You just have to tap a journey for every user. So, if there are two of you, then you have to tap the card twice to punch in the journey
  • The journeys are not limited to any Metro zone.

Cons of a general metro card

  • It does not include airport surcharge. You have to pay an extra €3 for a journey to the airport
The General metro card that I used during my Madrid trip
The General metro card that I used during my Madrid trip

Since I walked around, I only picked the general tourist card – and that too for my travel from the Airport and back. For tourists, they have a special tourist pass that can be bought for multiple days. For a one day metro tourist card, you will have to shell out €8.40. This Madrid Metro tourist card has the following pros and cons

Pros of a Madrid Metro tourist card

  • You have unlimited journeys over the chosen number of days
  • Your journeys even include trips to the airport. You do not have to pay an extra airport surcharge

Cons of a Metro tourist card

  • One card is valid only for one person
  • The journeys are limited to Zone A and T only (refer to the Madrid metro map that I have shared earlier). This covers all the major places to visit in Madrid in 2 days.

Other FAQs about planning a Madrid itinerary

What is the best time to visit Madrid?

Spring months that is April to June and pre-winter months between September to November are perfect for visiting Madrid. I did Madrid in 2 days in the first week of April and it was just perfect. It was mildly cold (around 18 – 26 degrees celcius) with the sun out by 7 am, right up to 9 pm.

June to September is summers and I believe, quite hot for outdoor exploration. September onwards the temperatures lowers down to almost the Spring temperatures. Winters I believe are a little harsh with the day light fading faster. Of course, there is always the Xmas markets and the 12 grapes tradition that you might want to consider in December.

How many days are ideal for Madrid?

2 days are actually good. They are well paced and cover most of the key sights of Madrid. 3 days can help you add a day trip to Toledo.

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Planning madrid itinerary for two days
2 day madrid itinerary
48 hours in madrid spain

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