If you’re short on time but still want to experience the best of Spain’s capital city, let this 2 day Madrid itinerary guide you.
I’ve been there myself, for much longer, but only so that I could explore everything there is to see and do to help you plan your trip!
For your 2 day itinerary in Madrid, you’ll have to make some choices on how to spend your time. This guide will help you make those decisions fairly easily.
Instead of strictly stating what you should see, I will give you options based on interests and have dedicated time in neighbourhoods allowing you to build the itinerary that you will enjoy the most. From iconic landmarks to art museums to local gems, this itinerary highlights how to spend two days in Madrid.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Read my Affiliate Disclosure.
Madrid in Two Days: Is it Enough Time?
A Madrid 2 day itinerary is doable.
By focusing on the central attractions and avoiding the temptation of day trips, you can experience the highlights without feeling rushed. Pre-booking tickets to popular sites like the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum will save you precious time, allowing you to explore more of what Madrid has to offer.
If you are wondering what the ideal length of time to spend in Madrid is, I would recommend at least 3 days because it will allow you to see much more of the city, but also you could include a day trip to Toledo.
Madrid is a city worth visiting, and the more time you spend here, the more you will discover its charm.
Day 1 of a 2 Day Itinerary in Madrid
Free Walking Tour
I always kick off my time in a new city with a walking tour, and Madrid was no exception.
There’s something special about strolling through the streets with a local guide, getting a feel for the city’s pulse. Walking tours are my favourite way to connect with locals—who better to share insider tips than someone who calls the city home?
Have you heard of the company called GuruWalk? They offer free walking tours where you pay what you feel the tour is worth at the end, which makes it accessible and flexible for any budget.
What I love about GuruWalk is that they connect you with passionate local guides who are eager to share their city with you, offering a more personalized and authentic experience. On my 2.5 hour tour, Melissa’s enthusiasm was infectious—she didn’t just rattle off facts; she told stories about Madrid.
Seeing that you are short on time, it’s a great way to see many of Madrid’s top attractions and I promise you’ll walk away with deeper insights about the city more than you could ever know without it. Plus, it’s a great way to get your bearings and figure out where you want to spend more time later.
Most walking tours will bring you to these important Madrid landmarks: Puerta del Sol and Kilometer Zero, Plaza Mayor, Toledo Gate, Saint Michael Market, and Teatro Real to name a few.
Royal Palace of Madrid and Catedral de la Almudena
Visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid was a highlight of my trip! It’s not just another grand building; it’s the largest royal palace in Europe, with over 3,400 rooms. Unlike Buckingham Palace in London, the Spanish royal family doesn’t often use it, rather it operates more like a museum and a popular one at that!
Walking through its grand halls, I fell in love with the use of colour, the colours of the Spanish flag – red and gold – were everywhere. Each of the rooms is incredibly beautiful, I particularly liked the lavish dining hall and the Throne Room’s velvet walls.
Right next door, the Almudena Cathedral is hard to miss with its modern take on Gothic architecture. Inside, the ceiling’s vibrant colours and contemporary stained glass were a delightful surprise.
You likely won’t have time to visit the expansive Royal Palace Gardens which lives directly behind the Palace, but encourage you to take a short stroll through the side garden of Sabatini as it offers great views of the palace and the opportunity to take some photos in front of the reflecting pond.
Lunch at the Oldest Restaurant
For lunch, I recommend dining at Botín, the oldest restaurant in Europe, dating back to 1725.
This was a piece of history I learned from Melissa on my walking guided tour. I took her advice and made a reservation and it was worth it. The rustic wooden beams, antique tiles, and centuries-old ambiance make it clear why this place is legendary.
Botín’s history is as rich as its food; even Hemingway was a regular, often enjoying the same traditional dishes that have been served here for generations. I opted for a classic Spanish omelette, paired with a glass of local wine.
Malasaña or Barrio de La Latina
In the afternoon, it’s a traveller’s choice between exploring Malasaña or Barrio de La Latina—two neighbourhoods that showcase different sides of Madrid.
Malasaña is the heart of the city’s alternative scene, brimming with boho vibes, quirky shops, and vibrant street art. It’s perfect for those who love a creative, edgy atmosphere. I loved wandering along Calle de la Palma, where trendy cafes spill onto the streets, and visiting the three-level Mercado de San Ildefonso where you’ll find an eclectic mix of food stalls and tapas bars.
On the other hand, Barrio de La Latina offers a more traditional charm with its winding, medieval streets and lively tapas bars. It’s ideal for travellers seeking authentic local culture.
I recommend walking down Calle Cava Baja, known for its endless tapas options, visiting the beautiful Basilica of San Francisco el Grande with its stunning dome, and exploring the hidden corners of Plaza de la Paja, a lovely square that feels like a step back in time. For history buffs, pop into Museo de San Isidro, a small history museum that is free to visit and never crowded.
If you are visiting Madrid on a Sunday, Barrio de La Latina is a must as it is home to the charming El Rastro market, where you can browse through countless stalls of antiques, vintage treasures, and quirky finds that make for perfect souvenirs.
Gran Via and Plaza de Cibeles
As the day winds down, take a walk down Gran Vía, Madrid’s most iconic street, known for its intense energy and architectural highlights like the Metropolis Building and the grand Edificio Telefónica, once the tallest skyscraper in Europe.
End at Plaza de Cibeles, where the stunning Palacio de Cibeles stands, now the City Hall. There’s a rooftop terrace, and for a mere 3 euros, you will be treated to a gorgeous panoramic view of Gran Vía and the city skyline.
End your night in Madrid with a late dinner. Nearby, I really enjoyed La Barraca, an authentic Valencian restaurant that serves delicious rice dishes. It instantly brought me back to my time in Valencia, if you don’t already have that city on your Spain itinerary radar, you might want to reconsider. I also ate at Davanti Ristorante, a delicious Italian restaurant, because I can never have enough pasta.
Day 2 of Your 2 Days in Madrid Itinerary
Prado Museum
A visit to Madrid wouldn’t be complete without spending time at the Prado Museum, a treasure of European art that left me in awe.
With so much to see, I made it a point to seek out a few masterpieces that truly stood out.
- Las Meninas by Velázquez was my first stop—the intricate details and mysterious composition kept me captivated.
- Next, I was drawn to The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch, a surreal triptych that’s both fascinating and bizarre, offering endless details to explore.
- Finally, I couldn’t leave without seeing The Third of May 1808 by Goya, a hauntingly powerful depiction of war that speaks volumes.
Lunch in the Salamanca Neighbourhood
Exploring the sophisticated Salamanca neighbourhood is perfect for travellers who enjoy a mix of high-end shopping and elegant architecture. That’s me!!!
This district features wide, tree-lined streets and I recommend taking a stroll down Calle Serrano to admire the stylish storefronts and then heading to Mercado de la Paz for lunch. Inside this charming market, I enjoyed a delicious meal at Casa Dani, famous for its traditional Spanish omelette, or you could opt for the organic, farm-to-table delights at Il Tavolo Verde, a cozy spot I found that is part eatery and part vintage shop. Both I enjoyed immensely.
El Retiro Park and Cuesta de Moyano
A lovely way to spend your afternoon is in one of my favourite places in Madrid, El Retiro Park, a sprawling garden with walking paths and fountains. Just like the city, it’s full of life, and be sure not to miss the beautiful rose garden.
Exit the park closest to Cuesta de Moyano, a charming outdoor book market lined with quaint stalls. Browsing through vintage books, I find a watercolour sketch of Valencia, where I just spent 3 days, and decide to purchase it. Now head back to Plaza del Prado.
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
The next big museum in Madrid worth visiting is the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, an impressive dive into modern and contemporary art, and though it’s vast, I recommend focusing on a few must-see highlights.
- Picasso’s Guernica, is a powerful and emotional piece that commands attention with its scale and intensity.
- Salvador Dalí’s The Great Masturbator, is a surreal and intricate painting that captures his unique style.
- Works by Joan Miró, whose vibrant, abstract pieces add a splash of colour and whimsy to the collection, like the Peinture.
Spend your evening in the Barrio de las Letras for dinner, where the lively atmosphere and historic streets, like C. de las Huertas where you will find literary quotes embedded into the cobblestones.
It makes it the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a meal at one of the neighbourhood’s charming restaurants and maybe pop into a jazz club afterward. This is the neighbourhood I stayed, and enjoyed it immensely. Here are the restaurants that I ate at and can recommend:
- Taberna El Alambique: a casual, family-run bistro with delicious food at great prices
- Moratin: great wine list and upscale setting
- Casa de Diego: a casual restaurant with a great-tasting menu
Final Thoughts
I hope this has inspired what to see in Madrid in 2 days. What I love the most about this city is its authentic, lived-in feel—it’s a place where locals go about their daily lives, and you can visit these attractions without feeling like just another tourist.
If you found this article helpful, please share it!
