2 days in Madrid Itinerary – Best Things To See

Madrid: the capital city of Spain and capital of the Spanish language as well. If you listen carefully, you can notice a lot of different Spanish dialects and accents on the streets. Madrid - with all its colourful buildings - is one of the most attractive cities of Spain. All the visitors are going to fell in love with its charm.  Madrid is full of life, especially in the night when all the people go out to party. The city is constantly buzzing, the wide roads are full of traffic and the parks are full of people looking for some silence. We have put together the perfect Madrid itinerary for first-time visitors and for travelers on a budget! Read our itinerary and make the most out of your time in Madrid. 

Public transportation

The subway of Madrid connects all the important parts of the city, all the attractions are reachable with it. You will need to get a card in the machines that you can find next to every subway entrance. Every one way ticket costs 1.50 euros. But 10 tickets cost 12.20 euros, so if you plan to use the subway a lot, you should choose that option, and fill your card with 10 tickets.  However, you can definitely walk in the city centre, the most important attractions are max. 20 min from each other by walking.

Extra travel tip for travelling through Spain:

If you’re planning to visit more cities in Spain and you’re on a small budget, than the best option for you is: BlaBla Car. Trains and buses can be overpriced in Spain, but on the website of BlaBla Car you’re able to find different drivers who offer places in their cars and they can take you with them. We got a very nice ride between Madrid and Valencia, and we truly love the whole concept of car sharing, because it’s not just sustainable and eco-friendly, but you can also save some money.

1.    Day

Catedral de Almudena (Almudena Cathedral)

• Opening times: Everyday: 09:00 – 20:30 / Summer time: 10:00 –  21:00
• Entrance fee: 1 euro
• Time spent: At least 10 min
• Waiting to enter time: 00:00 – 00:05 min. Depending of the day and the mass time
• Public transport: Subway: Line 2 & 5 , Station: Ópera

The Almudena Cathedral is the most important church of Madrid, it’s located in front of the Royal Palace. It’s a symbol of the victory of the Spaniards and the recovery of Madrid. The square between the Cathedral and the Palace is a definitely a good photo spot. The legend says that after Alfonso the VI. reclaimed the city, he searched for the hidden spot of a very important Virgin Mary icon. After the king was praying, some of the walls of the old mesquite overthrown, showing the icon with the candles still turned on after centuries.

Royal Palace of Madrid

• Opening times: April - September -> Everyday: 10:00 – 20:00 / October - March -> Everyday: 10:00 –  18:00
• Entrance fee: 10 euro
• Time spent: At least 2 hours
• Waiting to enter time: 00:10 – 00:30 min. Depending on the day and events
• Public transport: Subway: Line 2 & 5 , Station: Ópera

This amazing palace is the biggest in Western Europe, it’s even bigger than the Versailles and Buckingham palace! It’s one of the biggest collection of artistic and historical Spaniard heritage. The palace used to be the Royal Residence place, but not anymore. It’s one of the most visited monuments in Spain and well deserved: it contains collections like the Stradivarius Palatinus and some artistic masterpieces from Goya, Caravaggio and Ribera.

Templo de Debod

• Opening times: Tue - Sun: 10:00 – 20:00 / Mon: Closed
• Entrance fee: free entrance
• Time spent: At least 25 min
• Waiting to enter time: 00:00 – 00:05 min. Depending on the day.
• Public transport: Subway: Line 3 & 10 , Station: Plaza de España

This temple was brought stone by stone from Egypt in gratitude to Spain. Due to the actions and help that the Spaniard government provided to Egypt to save the Nubia temples, this temple rests now on the top of the Mountain Park. It’s a perfect photo spot at sunrise or at sunset, the reflection of the temple on the water of the lake looks beautiful in the golden hours.

PS.: when we visited (November 2018) there was not water and the Temple was closed because of renovation, so check if it’s open when you go. We unfortunately didn’t find any informations on the internet about the renovations.

Plaza de España

• Opening times: public place: Open 24 hours
• Entrance fee: free entrance
• Time spent: At least 25 min
• Waiting to enter time: -
• Public transport: Subway: Line 3 & 10 , Station: Plaza de España

The “Spain Square” is a big gardened square located in the Old Town. This place is known for the amazing and famous buildings and monuments like the “Edificio España” and the “Torre de Madrid”.

Here you can find a monument of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra as well, the most famous expositor of the Spanish language. His magnifique statue is accompanied by the statue of Don Quijote and Sancho Panza, the famous characters of the book Don Quijote de la Mancha.

Night program: Cortylandia

• Opening times: Everyday: 12:00 - 21:15, but only during Christmas season
• Entrance fee: free entrance
• Time spent: At least 30 min
• Waiting to enter time: 00:00 – 00:05 min. Depending on the day.
• Public transport: Subway: Line 2 & 5 , Station: Ópera

Cortylandia is located in the entrance of the Preciado mall, it’s an amazing animatronic show for kids and young people. More than 3000 people are watching per day. This cute show is already a tradition for the inhabitants of Madrid and it changes every year with different thematic. If you visit Madrid during Christmas season, it’s worth it to watch the show!

2.    Day

Museo Nacional Del Prado

• Opening times: Mon - Sat: 10:00 - 20:00;  Sun: 10:00 - 19:00
• Entrance fee: 15 euros
• Time spent: At least 2 hours
• Waiting to enter time: 00:25 – 00:60 min. More than 1 hour and a half during the free entrance period depending on the day.
• Public transport: Subway: Line 2 , Station: Banco de España

This museum with 200 years of existence is the most important in Madrid. It’s huge and it’s full of masterpieces from a lot of famous Spaniard artists. One of the most well known paintings is “Las Meninas” of Velázquez.

You can enter the museum from 18:00 to 20:00 free of charge, although the queue (for an obvious reason) tends to become incredibly long.

Plaza Mayor

• Opening times: Public place: Open 24 hours
• Entrance fee: free entrance
• Time spent: At least 20 min
• Waiting to enter time: -
• Public transport: Subway: Line 2 & 5 , Station: Ópera

This is the main, iconic square in Madrid, one of the symbols of the city. It’s very close to the “Puerta del Sol”, always crowded. A lot of important historical events took place here. It’s very close to the “Plaza del Sol”. This place is a great example of hard work, because this square was reconstructed already three times after being destroyed in fire.

Market San Miguel

• Opening times: Mon - Thu & Sun: 10:00 - 24:00;  Fri - Sat: 10:00 - 01:00
• Entrance fee: Free entrance
• Time spent: At least 30 minutes
• Waiting to enter time: 00:00 – 00:05 min.
• Public transport: Subway: Line 2&5 , Station: Ópera; Subway: Line 1,2&3 , Station: Sol

This market has more than 100 years of existence. After being just a regular market for some years, it turned into the biggest gastronomic market in Spain. Here you can find a lot of delicious samples of the cuisine of Spain. The view of the market in the night is also very attractive, so it’s a nice place to take night photos.

Puerta del Sol  

• Opening times: Public place: Open 24 hours
• Entrance fee: free entrance
• Time spent: At least 20 min
• Waiting to enter time: -
• Public transport: Subway: Line 1,2&3 , Station: Sol

On this square you can find the the kilometer 0 for all the roads in Madrid, and it’s the most popular meeting point. La Puerta del Sol is the most central square of Madrid and the crossing point of three subway lines. Here you can find the statue of the bear and the strawberry tree (El Oso y el Madroño) , the symbol of Madrid. During New Years celebration, the bells of the Post Palace ring at 00:00 to mark the start of the New Year and eat the traditional 12 grapes.

Círculo de Bellas Artes de Madrid.

• Opening times: Everyday in a rate of: 08:00 - 01:00 depending on the section
• Entrance fee: Free entrance. Rooftop fee: 4 euros
• Time spent: At least 1 hour
• Waiting to enter time: 00:05 – 00:20 min.
• Public transport: Subway: Line 2 , Station: Sevilla

This cultural entity in Madrid was founded in 1880 and since 1921 was named as “Protection center for the culture and public utility”.  You can find here expositions, a cafeteria, a game room, a library, a cinema and art workshops. But the most amazing thing is the rooftop, you can watch amazing panoramic view from the city and some temporary exhibitions. It’s a must if you want to make a great cityscape foto.

Gran Vía

• Opening times: Public place: Open 24 hours
• Entrance fee: free entrance
• Time spent: At least 20 min
• Waiting to enter time: -
• Public transport: Subway: Line 1,5 , Station: Gran Vía

The Gran Vía Avenue is one of the most famous in Madrid, it starts in the Alcalá street and ends in the “Plaza de España”. It’s well known because of all the businesses, stores and interesting cinemas and theaters, that’s why this avenue is also known as the “Madrid Broadway”.

Palace and Fountain of Cibeles

• Opening times: Public place: Open 24 hours
• Entrance fee: free entrance
• Time spent: At least 20 min
• Waiting to enter time: -
• Public transport: Subway: Line 2 , Station: Banco de España

These monuments are both located in the Cibeles square, the fountain represents the Goddess Cibeles, mother of all the olympic gods and symbol of earth and fertility.

The palace, also known as “Communication Palace”, is one of the most beautifully decorated buildings in Madrid. The building is also functioning as town hall and  cultural center.

Puerta de Alcalá

• Opening times: Public place: Open 24 hours
• Entrance fee: free entrance
• Time spent: At least 20 min
• Waiting to enter time: -
• Public transport: Subway: Line 2 , Station: Retiro

This is one of the antique original entrances to Madrid, nowadays the city is so big that this doors are surrounded by the city. Designed and built by Francesco Sabatini, it’s considered one of the most important historical monuments in Madrid.

Parque del Retiro

• Opening times: April - September: 06:00 - 00:00; October - March: 06:00 - 22:00
• Entrance fee: Free entrance.
• Time spent: At least 2 hours
• Waiting to enter time: 00:00 – 00:05 min.
• Public transport: Subway: Line 2 , Station: Retiro

The beautiful Retiro park is the green lung of Madrid by excellence. The Crystal Palace and the Velázquez Palace are important exposition halls. It’s a perfect place to relax and walk around after a long day of exploring Madrid. We totally recommend you to leave this part for the end of the day and enjoy this green oasis in the middle of the city.

Where to stay in Madrid?

We recommend you to search for your accommodation in the centre or for example in Lavapies district. This place was rated as the coolest neighbourhood in the world due to its cultural diversity.

AIRBNB:

If you're travelling with a group and you want to share the costs of an apartment, this is the best option for you. On airbnb you can also find great options if you're travelling solo or as a couple, and you feel more comfortable in room or flat just for yourself. The rooms and flats are rented by private people. Click here  and get a discount for your booking with airbnb!

BOOKING:

Booking.com is the biggest collection of hostels and hotels all over the world. Click here to explore all the accomodations in Madrid and book the best deal 🙂

But if you want to find other accommodation that fits more to your needs, click on our Booking.com deals finder for Madrid:

Want to get more inspiration for travelling in Europe? Check out our travel guides:

Berlin - 3 days guide with culture and travel tips 

The best way to spend 3 days in Rome 

Hallstatt, the perfect day trip in Austria

Top 24 Things To Do in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

3 days in Athens; Itinerary for first-time visitors

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