Two days in Madrid is enough to cover the royal core of the city and one world-class museum without feeling rushed. This route pairs the historic plazas and palaces on day one with the art-and-parks side of the city on day two.
Two days in Madrid is enough to cover the royal core of the city and one world-class museum without feeling rushed. This route pairs the historic plazas and palaces on day one with the art-and-parks side of the city on day two.
Begin at the Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real), still used for state ceremonies, and step next door into the Almudena Cathedral before it fills with visitors. From there, walk south to the San Francisco el Grande Basilica, then wander the narrow streets of La Latina for a coffee break. Head into the Plaza Mayor, Madrid's grand 17th-century square, then follow the crowds to Puerta del Sol, the symbolic center of Spain marked by the kilometer-zero marker. In the afternoon, stroll down Calle de Alcalá to the Cibeles Fountain and Palace and the nearby Puerta de Alcalá, then finish the day on Gran Vía, Madrid's neon-lit theater and shopping boulevard, before dinner in Chueca.
Dedicate the morning to the Museo del Prado, Spain's premier art museum with masterworks by Velázquez and Goya, arriving early to avoid the tour groups. If time and energy allow, art lovers can also fit in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum or the Museo Reina Sofía, both within easy walking distance, though one is plenty alongside the rest of the day. After lunch, cross the city to the Temple of Debod, an actual ancient Egyptian temple relocated to Madrid, best seen at sunset from the surrounding park. On the way, pass through Plaza de España to see its monument to Cervantes. Round out the afternoon with a browse through the exhibitions at CaixaForum Madrid or the intimate Sorolla Museum, then end the trip with tapas in the bohemian streets of Malasaña.