1 Day in Madrid: A Realistic Itinerary (From a Local + Map)
Do you want to visit Madrid but only have one day? Madrid is one of the biggest cities in Spain, so you might think seeing Madrid in one day is impossible. But don’t worry you can see maybe great things in Madrid in one day.
Of course, with being one day in Madrid your time is limited, but with a little planning, and great tips you can see and do many nice things in this city.
Because this is a one-day itinerary in Madrid, only the most famous and popular attractions are included in this trip. You cannot see everything in Madrid in only one day, but with this itinerary, you will see many great things. This will give you a basic understanding of the city.
Here’s how to see the best of Madrid in 1 day.
About this 1 day in Madrid itinerary
This itinerary is practical and realistic, it is impossible to see everything in one day in Madrid, so we have included the main attractions you cannot miss. However in this itinerary, you will still see a lot, and it is still doable. I know this because I have done this myself.
This Madrid itinerary starts when you arrive the night before and leave the morning after. So you spend a full day in Madrid. This means that you have a little over 24 hours in Madrid.
This one-day itinerary in Madrid is great for people who like culture, architectural wonders, and it’s also great for foodies. There is quite a bit of walking on this day in Madrid, but you can also take public transport or an Uber in Madrid.
Here is a Map for you to make your day visible.
Map of One Day in Madrid
Morning in Madrid
Start your day at the Puerta del Sol and I recommend you to have breakfast at Pastellaria la Morraquina. It is an iconic bakery that has been here since 1894. There are many nice dishes to choose from so that is up to you! At the Puerta del Sol, you should see the famous El Oso y el Madroño statue and the Kilómetro Cero plaque, Spend some time here walking around and taking pictures.
From the Puerta del Sol walk to the Plaza Mayor. This is the most famous and a pretty big square in Madrid that looks beautiful. The square has been here since the 16th century. Here there are many traditional restaurants where you can grab a nice cup of coffee. It is also great to just walk around on this square and see how beautiful it is.
From the Plaza Mayor walk to the Royal Palace of Madrid this is about 10 minutes. This palace is one of the biggest palaces in Europe. In this palace, you should see all the grand rooms and the gardens of this palace. Spend 1 hour exploring this palace and enjoy the beautiful gardens it has.
Right next to the Royal Palace of Madrid is the Almudena Cathedral. This is about 2 minutes walking so you might also want to see the Cathedral. Take a look at the unique interior or go upstairs to the rooftop of this Cathedral. Here you can enjoy the most amazing views and have a panoramic view over the city.
Lunchtime: Have lunch at Mercado de San Miguel
Now that you have explored many sights already it is time for a break at the Mercado de San Miguel. But this is also a beautiful building itself. It is about a 7-minute walk from the Almudena Cathedral. This market is the most famous in Madrid, and there are many options to choose from for your lunch. There are many bars, and restaurants for you to choose between. At this market, you can get for example jamón ibérico, croquettes, olives, and seafood.
Afternoon in Madrid
After lunch, you can start with fresh energy to explore more of Madrid. I suggest you take the Metro to the Prado Museum. From Sol station (Line 2), take Line 2 to Banco de España (2 stops, 5 minutes). From here it is 10 minutes walk to the Prado museum. This museum is really famous in Madrid and it is a popular tourist attraction. It is one of the most prestigious art galleries in the world. Focus on key masterpieces like Velázquez’s Las Meninas and Goya’s The Third of May 1808. Spend an hour or 2 just in the museum to see all the work it has to offer.
After exploring the art in the Prado museum you should head to the most beautiful and famous park in madrid: Retiro Park. It is only 5 minutes walking from the Prado museum to Retiro Park. In this park the are many great things waiting for you to explore. One thing you should see in this park is the Crystal Palace. You can relax in the grass and relax for a bit, but you can also do a peaceful boat ride on the lake.
Evening in Madrid
For the evening we recommend you go to the Temple of Debod. Take the metro from Retiro (Line 2), and take Line 2 to Plaza de España (4 stops, 10 minutes). From this station, it is only an 8-minute walk and then you are at the Temple of Debod. This is an ancient Egyptian temple that has been relocated to Madrid, for people that like history this place is really great. Spend about 30 minutes to admire the beautiful temples.
After visiting the Temple of Debod it is time for Dinner. Head to the Metro Plaza de España (Line 10), and take Line 5 to La Latina (2 stops, 5 minutes). The best part of Madrid to have dinner with a few drinks is in the La Latina neighborhood. It is a lively neighborhood that is famous for its tapas bars and great atmosphere. Here you should enjoy traditional Spanish dishes like patatas bravas, tortillas, and grilled meats. La Latina is the perfect to end a busy day.
FAQ related to spending one day in Madrid
One day in Madrid is better than 0 days, but the honest answer is no. 1 day in Madrid is just not enough to visit everything this city has to offer. However, if you follow my one-day itinerary for Madrid you will still see the most important attractions.
Yes, in a recent study, Madrid has been highlighted as the fifth most walkable city in the World, so Madrid is very great for people who like walking.
If you have only half a day in Madrid I recommend you to visit the Prado Museum and Retiro Park. These attractions are close to each other so it is easy to combine them in half a day
Final thoughts on seeing Madrid in one day
I would normally recommend people to at least 4 days in Madrid, so one day in madrid is a short time for a city as big as Madrid. However, even in one day, you can see more than most people think. The attractions in this itinerary are the most popular, but you can of course also switch them with others based on your personal interest.
