Best Madrid 2 Day Itinerary: By A Local!
Looking for the best 2 days in Madrid itinerary? Great! our local guide tells you everything you need to know about visiting the Spanish capital.
Our Madrid 2 Day Itinerary is packed with actionable tips and insider info so you get the most out of your trip.
We tell you what to see, where to eat as well as some hidden gems only locals know about. Let’s go!
Some of the links on Meet Me In Departures are affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Madrid 2 Days Itinerary
Our two days in Madrid guide is split into parts.
The first section gives you an overview of what to expect each day and tips for planning your trip to Spain. Next, we go into detail about each day, including how to get to places and insider advice.
Lastly, there’s a FAQ part for extra questions.
...But First, Meet Your Local Madrid Guide
Sue, is a seasoned traveller who has lived in China and Spain and is rarely in her home country of the UK anymore.
She’s an enthusiast of different cultures and getting tips from locals about the best spots, she knows how to maximize her travels.
“Two days in Madrid gives you enough time to scratch the surface of this wonderful city.
Madrid has everything! Gastronomy, art and culture, historical buildings and a buzzing nightlife scene.
Although you could stay longer, here are my recommendations on how to see Madrid in 2 days.”
best Things to See in Madrid in 2 Days
- Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real de Madrid)
- Museo Nacional del Prado
- Parque El Retiro
- Plaza Major
- Gran Via
- Palacio de Cibeles
- Reina Sofia Museum
- Temple of Debod
- Mercado San Miguel
- Puerta del Sol
2 Days Madrid Itinerary: Day-By-Day Breakdown
Here’s our local guide on what to do in Madrid in 2 days:
- Day 1: Kick off your Madrid itinerary in the heart of the city at Puerta del Sol, explore the historical Plaza Mayor, before heading to the Palacio Real, Sabatini Gardens and Santa Maria la Real de La Almudena. In the afternoon head to Temple Debod, and call in a Plaza de España, before going to wander through the vibrant streets in Malasaña District. Take an optional visit to Estación Museo Chamberi – a station trapped in time. Cap off your day by eating your way around Mercado San Miguel before bar hopping around the traditional tavernas in the Historic Centre.
- Day 2: Start the morning by diving into the city’s cultural scene at the Museo Nacional del Prado and Reina Sofia Museum. Visit Madrid’s famous Parque El Retiro home to the Palacio de Crystal and Puerta de Alcalá. See the stunning Palacio de Cibeles before walking down Calle Gran Vía for some shopping. In the evening head to lively Barrio La Latina before moving on towards the Opera District for live music at Cafe Berlin.
Madrid: What To Do in 2 Days Map
This interactive map shows you everything we mention in this what to do in Madrid 2 days guide.
Click for the interactive Google Maps version.
2 Day Madrid Itinerary: Know Before You Go
This jam-packed itinerary covers the city’s highlights and could be a great starting point for a longer itinerary for Spain.
Here is some useful info to help you plan your trip to Madrid.
✈️ Getting To Madirid
Most people arrive in the Spanish capital via Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD).
It’s located about 18km northeast of Madrid’s centre.
Getting From the Airport to Madrid Centre
🚇 Metro Line 8:
- Fastest way to the center.
- Stops: Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3 and Aeropuerto T4.
- Runs 6:00 am – 1:30 am and gets to Madrid centre in 25 mins.
- Buy tickets at kiosks or machines.
🚌 Airport Bus:
- An official Airport Bus connects the airport to the city.
- Stops at Terminals 1, 2, and 4.
- Express line 203 to Atocha Train Station takes about 40 minutes.
- Departs every 15-20 mins during daytime and every 35 mins at night.
- The night route changes to Plaza de la Cibeles between 3:30 am to 6:00 am.
🚕 Taxi Transfer:
- Best for large groups or lots of luggage.
- Book VIP taxi transfer in advance for meet and greet service.
- Avoids high fares and queues.
Getting Around Madrid
Madrid is quite a spread out city, so it’s worth making use of the various transport options:
- Metro: Super quick and covers the city centre. It’s affordable and efficient.
- Buses: Great for getting to places further out although they can be a bit confusing at first.
- Taxis: Convenient, but will cost more money.
- BiciMAD Bikes: Rent a bike to explore on your own time.
- Tourist Stuff: There are plenty of guided tours on Segways or electric bikes. Also, the classic Madrid hop-on-hop-off bus is an easy way to see all the big sights.
Best Tours in Madrid
One of the most efficient ways to tick things off your Madrid bucket list is by joining a small group tour.
Best 2 Days in Madrid Itinerary
This packed 2 day Madrid itinerary covers all the city’s most famous spots.
Madrid 2 Days Itinerary – Day 1
Puerta del Sol
The first day of your Madrid 2 day itinerary starts in the 18th century, Puerta del Sol. This is the heart of Madrid also known as Point Zero or Kilometre Zero.
Puerta del Sol is a buzzing part of the city. Whichever way you look you’ll find a mixture of ornate buildings, and plush department stores all dotted with little tapas bars.
If you look up, you’ll no doubt see one of the most iconic Spanish landmarks here, the Tio Pepe sign. This is an old Spanish sherry brand.
👉 Insider Tip: You’ll often see a crowd of people standing looking at the ground. In Puerta del Sol, you’ll find a paving slab which tells you exactly where the centre of Spain is.
Location & Opening Times: Puerta del Sol | 24 hours
Plaza Major
From Puerta del Sol take a short walk to Plaza Major.
You’ll notice tons of coffee shops dotted around this area, if you’re feeling peckish, stop off at one before carrying on.
This major public square was once the centre of Old Madrid. It dates back to the late 1500s. Plaza Major was originally named Plaza del Arrabal and was home to Madrid’s main market.
👉 Insider Tip: Plaza Major is really close to one of Madrid’s oldest taverns. Be sure to visit El Anciano Rey for an authentic Spanish experience.
Or if you want to stick with the plaza theme, then you could also visit the nearby Plaza de Santa Ana – this plaza is beautiful at night when they light the buildings up.
Location & Opening Times: Plaza Mayor, 28012 Madrid| 24 hours
Palacio Real de Madrid (Royal Palace of Madrid)
After Plaza Major visit the Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real de Madrid). This is one of the top places to visit in Madrid in 2 days.
This is the official residence of the Spanish Royal family although today it’s only used for state ceremonies. The palace was built between 1738 and 1755 on the site of a 9th-century Moorish Alcazar.
👉 Insider Tip: This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Madrid and draws big crowds. To save time at the Royal Palace we recommend booking a skip-the-line ticket.
Location & Opening Times: Calle de Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid | Daily from 10am – 6pm
Jardines de Sabatini (Sabatini Gardens)
The Sabatini Gardens used to form part of the Royal Palace and until 1978, were closed to the public. Construction of the gardens started in 1933 on the old site of the palace stables.
After exploring inside the Royal Palace head to the stunning Jardines de Sabatini (Sabatini Gardens).
Location & Opening Times: C. de Bailén, 2, Madrid | Daily from 9 am – 10 pm
Almudena Cathedral (Santa Maria la Real de La Almudena)
Opposite Palacio Real is Almudena Cathedral. Construction of the cathedral started in 1879, however, it wasn’t completed until 1993!
👉 Insider Tip: Even if you’re not that interested in religious buildings, we recommend taking a look inside. It’s bright and airy, and the walls and ceilings are filled with colour giving the place a bit of a Pop-Art feel to it.
And if you are a fan of religious landmarks then visit Basílica de San Francisco el Grande.
Location & Opening Times: Calle de Bailén, 10, 28013 | Daily from 10 am – 8.30 pm
Temple of Debod
In the afternoon walk to the Temple of Debod.
The Temple of Debod is an ancient Egyptian temple which was dismantled before being rebuilt in Madrid. The park is a great escape from the bustle of the city, especially if you’re visiting at the height of summer.
👉 Insider Tip: From the Temple of Debod, you’re in a great location to take the Teleférico (cable car) to Casa de Campo. This is a popular spot with locals and a great spot to watch the sunset from.
Location & Opening Times: Calle. de Ferraz, 1, 28008 | Daily from 10am – 7pm
Plaza de España
From the Temple of Debod, pass through Plaza de España on your way to Malasaña District.
In this large square in the city’s heart, you’ll find a statue of Don Quijote with trees and modern sculptures.
👉 Insider Tip: The open plaza hosts events throughout the year such as music, and movies, and if you’re visiting Madrid in winter, you’ll also find one of the city’s Christmas markets here. I recommend checking on the official Madrid tourism website to find out what’s on.
Location & Opening Times: Between Gran Vía and Calle Princesa | 24 hours
Malasaña District
Malasaña is a vibrant and bohemian neighbourhood known for its alternative art scene, hip cafes, and trendy fashion boutiques and vintage shops.
Wander about the streets here to look at the colourful buildings and street art. This is also where you’ll find some of the best coffee in the city.
👉 Insider Tip: This is one of my favourite places for getting a glimpse into Madrid’s past. So many of the buildings in the area still have their original tiled facades. These range from pharmacies, grocery stores, and bars which often have a totally different shop occupying it today.
Location & Opening Times: Malasaña | 24 hours
Estación de Chamberí (Option)
Estación de Chamberí Anden 0 Metro Museum is one of Madrid’s quirkier museums.
This disused station used to be a stop along Line 1 and ran from the early 1900s until the 1960s. It was then closed off to the public and forgotten about.
It remained closed for nearly 50 years until it was restored and opened to the public. It’s just like a time capsule, filled with old artefacts and advertisements from a bygone era.
It’s a little bit creepy to hear trains whurring in the distance. Line 1 is still in use, so occasionally Metro trains whizz past this long-forgotten station.
👉 Insider Tip: I love this quirky attraction, however, it does have some really random opening hours. If you’re keen to visit, then I recommend checking the times on the official site for the days you’re visiting Madrid and shuffling your itinerary around it.
Location & Opening Times: Plaza de Chamberí, s/n | Opening Times
Mercado San Miguel
This popular market located in the heart of Madrid is a must-visit for foodies. From traditional Spanish dishes to international flavours, Mercado San Miguel offers a wide variety of freshly made foods.
This indoor market has been around for over 100 years and is popular with locals and tourists. Work your way around the market trying a little bit of everything.
Finish the evening by hopping around the traditional tavernas around the historic centre.
👉 Insider Tip: If you want to learn more about Spanish cuisine, then I recommend joining a guided food and wine tour of Madrid to give you the low down on some classic dishes and the history behind them.
Location & Opening Times: Pl. de San Miguel, s/n, Centro, 28005 | Sunday to Thursday 10 am – 12 am, Friday and Saturday 10 am – 1 am
👉 Insider Tip about Mardid’s Food Halls: There are loads of food halls in Madrid, and one of my favourite haunts is Mercado San Miguel.
If you want to explore more of the market scene then I also recommend San Fernando in Lavapiés. There’s also another food market with an amazing cupcake stall at San Anton in the Chueca district.
Madrid 2 Days Itinerary – Day 2
Museo Nacional del Prado (Prado Museum)
Start your second morning at one of Madrid’s most famous museums; the Museo Nacional del Prado.
The Prado makes up part of the Golden Triangle in Madrid: The other two galleries are the Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Museum.
The Prado is home to some of the best collections of European art in the world. The artwork here dates from the 12th to the 20th century.
👉 Insider Tip: The Prado Museum can get insanely busy, so to make the most of your time, we suggest booking a skip-the-line ticket for the Prado before visiting.
Location & Opening Times Prado: Calle de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23, 28014 | Mon to Sat 10 am – 8 pm, Sunday 10 am – 7 pm
Reina Sofia Museum
The Reina Sofia Museum is dedicated to displaying and preserving Spanish contemporary art from the 20th century. It includes pieces by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró.
If you really want to dig into the museum more, it also houses a library with an extensive range of books about art and culture.
👉 Insider Tip: Just like with the Prado, the Reina Sofia Museum is popular. We recommend booking skip-the-line tickets for the Reina Sofia to save time.
Also, check the official museum websites for Prado and Reina Sofia as they sometimes have free access days.
Location & Opening Times: Calle de Sta. Isabel, 52, 28012 | Monday from 10 am – 9 pm, Tuesday Closed, Wednesday to Saturday from 10 am – 9 pm, Sunday 10 am – 2:30 pm
Parque El Retiro (Retiro Park)
No trip to Madrid would be complete without visiting Parque El Retiro.
This huge city park used to belong to the Spanish Monarchy. It became a public park in the late 19th century.
Inside there’s a boating lake as well as a couple of museums; Palacio de Crystal (my favourite one), Casa de Vacas and Palacio de Velazquez.
👉 Insider Tip: Retiro Park is big, and although it’s great to visit on foot if you’re pushed for time you’ll see a lot more on a set of wheels.
Check out these top-rated tours of Retiro Park
Location & Opening Times: 28009 Madrid | Daily from 6 am – 10 pm
Puerta de Alcalá
Located to the north of the park is the Puerta de Alcalá, one of Madrid’s most iconic landmarks.
The Neo-classical triumphal arch was built in the 18th century and served as a gateway to the city during that time.
👉 Insider Tip: Come back after dark and see the Puerta de Alcalá at night to see it beautifully lit up.
Location & Opening Times: Plaza de la Independencia | 24 hours
Palacio de Cibeles (Centro/Centro Museum)
From the arc head towards Palacio de Cibeles.
You could just top and admire the outside of the building – which is simply stunning, or head inside.
The Centro/Centro is a museum which hosts various exhibitions, from photography, history or culture. The exhibitions are mostly free.
👉 Insider Tip: Even if you’re not interested in visiting another museum, I recommend at least taking a peek inside the Art Deco building. It was built in 1919 and used to house the Madrid telecommunications and postal service. The interior still has lots of original features in place!
Location & Opening Times: Plaza de la Cibeles, 1 28014 | Tues to Sun from 10 am – 8 pm
Gran Via
From Palacio de Cibeles walk towards Gran Via.
This is Madrid’s premiere shopping area. You’ll find everything from high-end designer stores to local boutiques.
👉 Insider Tip: Even if you don’t intend to buy anything, it’s worth walking down this street to see another of Madrid’s iconic landmarks; the Schweppes Building.
Location & Opening Times: Gran Via | 24 hours
Barrio La Latina, Opera District, or Cafe Berlin
Finish your Madrid two day itinerary by exploring the tapas bars around Barrio La Latina on Calle Cava Baja.
Hop from bar to bar trying different items on the menu. From here, you can carry on towards head to Calle de las Huertas for livelier bars.
Alternatively, you could head towards a district called Opera to find plenty of upscale bars and dining.
👉 Insider Tip: If you want to listen to live music, then I recommend Cafe Berlin, close to Opera.
Where to Stay in Madrid
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5* Gran Hotel Ingles, Madrid
✅ Central location in a historic building
✅ Central Location
✅ Spa & Fitness Centre
Madrid Itinerary 2 Days Guide – FAQs
So you’ve heard from our local guide, what to see on this 2 day itinerary in Madrid. Here are some FAQ to help with planning a trip to Madrid.
Is 2 Days in Madrid Enough?
Absolutely! There are plenty of things to do in Madrid, Spain. You’ll have enough time to explore the city’s must-see attractions, like the Prado Museum and Plaza Mayor. Just be sure to plan your itinerary and book tickets in advance to make the most out of your visit.
What Is the Number One Attraction in Madrid?
The Prado Museum is Madrid’s’ most popular attraction. This world-renowned museum is home to some of the most famous works of art, including paintings by Spanish masters such as Velázquez and Goya.
Is Madrid a Walkable City?
Sort of. A lot of the city highlights are within walking distance of each other, and lots of the historic centre are pedestrianized. To get to some of the districts I mention in this itinerary, you might want to use the Metro.
Is 2 days in Madrid enough to see everything?
You’re never going to be able to see everything in just two days in Madrid. Sue, our local guide, said she’s ‘lived here for years and is always discovering new things‘.
What To Do In Madrid For 2 Days?
We included a list of the best things to see in Madrid at the start of this blog. Here are some of the must-do things from that list; Plaza Major and the Royal Palace of Madrid, Museo Nacional del Prado and Reina Sofia Museum as well as walking through Parque El Retiro. We also recommend eating at one of Madrid’s top food markets: Mercado San Miguel
When is the best time to visit Madrid?
The best time to visit Madrid is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). The weather is pleasantly warm, and the city isn’t excessively crowded. You could also visit Madrid in the winter when the Christmas markets and decorations are up.
Is Madrid Safe?
Yes! Madrid is generally considered a safe city for tourists. However, like any big city pickpockets are the most common problem.
What Are the Best Day Trips From Madrid?
If you have a longer itinerary, Madrid is a great base for exploring the rest of Spain. Here are some of the best day trips from Madrid:
- Segovia: One of the country’s most beautiful cities, Segovia is a walled city with a stunning Roman aqueduct.
- Toledo: Another walled medieval city, packed with monuments and cobble-stoned alleyways.
- Seville: The Andalucian capital filled with Moorish architecture is only a few hours away by high-speed train.
Final Thoughts on Madrid in Two Days?
So now you know exactly what to see in Madrid in 2 days. I hope you agree that the Spanish capital is a great choice for a city break.
Huge thanks to our local guide, Sue, for sharing her awesome insider tips and telling us all the best things to do in Madrid in 2 days from a local perspective.
In Madrid, there’s plenty to do on a two-day break. If you have more time, consider staying longer in the city or visiting a nearby city.