A week in is barely enough to scratch the surface of this wonderful city, never mind a day in Madrid! It is however possible to get a sense of its magnificence in 24 hours or less. Madrid is one of our favorite places in Spain, and we have had the good fortune to visit a few times. It is also the gateway to many of our travel destinations like Japan or the Maldives. Seville, which is our home base has a small airport, so a lot of the international flights depart from Madrid, meaning we either have to fly or take the train there. Here is a day in Madrid itinerary when you’re short on time.
The Madrid Opera House, one of the things to see in Madrid. You will see it walking from Puerta del Sol towards the Palacio Real. It kind of sucks to have so much police presence, but it is comforting just the same.
Where to stay in Madrid:
One of our favorite places to stay (Affiliate link you can use to search for this or another hotel) in Madrid is the Clement Barajas Hotel. We love this place because :
Great price, great rooms..and convenient!
- It is close to the Barajas Airport. Less than a 10 minute drive from the airport and in the Barajas neighborhood. This means that if you have an early flight for instance, you can sleep later than you could if you were coming from the center of town. Perfect for a short stay such as a day in Madrid or business lodging close to the airport.
- There is a free shuttle to and from the hotel. This is definitely one of my favorite benefits. Despite the fact that the hotel is close to the airport, in fact it is just one stop!, it will still cost you $5 each for the ticket on the metro, thanks to the airport surcharge. Nice way for us to save $20 right off the bat.
- The hotel is close to the Barajas metro station. This means you can find your way easily to the center for shopping or sightseeing.
- It is very clean and functional, with great staff. That is why we keep coming back :-)
Click here for the best priced hotel in Madrid.
How to spend a day in Madrid:
Things to see in Madrid: Exploring on foot.
There are bars around the hotel where you can grab some breakfast before setting out on your day. A less than ten minute walk will bring you to the metro station. Your first destination on the metro is the:
Plaza de Espana:
Plaza de Espana. You gotta love that building :-)
The first statue you will notice is the one of Miguel de Cervantes, the Spanish novelist, poet and playwright. You may be familiar with his most celebrated book, Don Quixote. He was born in the outskirts of Madrid. He also came back to the city after a colorful life, including jail time in Seville for some sort of tax discrepancy ;-) . He died Madrid at the age of 68. Make sure to take pictures of Don Quixote and his pal, Sancho Panza. We each thought the other had taken the pictures ;-) , so sorry..
Grand Via:
A spectacular street. It was a very hot July day so we were chasing the shade.
Walking away from the Plaza de Espana, you will walk along what is probably the most vibrant street in all of Madrid, the Grand Via. It is also called the Spanish Broadway, thanks to the cinemas, theaters and pulsating night clubs that abound. There are also upscale shops and some of the coolest architectural buildings. It is also a fantastic place to people watch. You could spend hours just on this street alone. The Grand Via has been featured in movies like “Open your eyes” – remade as Vanilla Sky, “The sun also rises” and is the title of one of favorite oldies band, Matt Bianco! I feel so old ;-). I recommend indulging in some food at this point.
Who can refuse a beer or Latin sangria for $1.50?
Or tapas for a dollar a piece?
There is a very popular tapas place on the Grand Via called 100 Montaditos. You will find locals and tourists alike. It is definitely one of the places to eat in Madrid. They have €1 tapas and beer and sangria for €1.50! It is usually packed, and for good reason too. The food is good and the price can’t be beat, so grab a table if you can find one outside, eat and chill and watch the world go by. A very Spanish thing. Work off the calories afterwards by continuing on to :
Puerta del Sol:
I love this “fish”, at least that’s what it looks like to me :-) . I think it’s a metro stop though.
Lots of shops in the area..had to drag Federico away from the Adidas!
Meaning “gate of the sun” in Spanish, it began as one of the walls that surrounded the city in the 15th century. It was oriented towards the east, hence the name, thanks to the rising sun. This is easily one of the coolest places in the city and is full with people from all walks of life. It is a meeting point, a hangout and a shopping mecca. There are several metro stops and so it is very popular. There are a lot of tapas places as well as American ones like KFC and McDonalds, so you have plenty to pick from. You will definitely be entertained, wether by the motionless people statues, men with megaphones telling you about God or airing their grievance on whatever. You definitely want to keep your purse close. Despite the police presence, you might be pick-pocketed.
Not as crowded on this very hot day. Most were at the sidewalk cafes, but we soldiered on :-)
Palacio Real (Royal Palace):
Magnificent! I could live here for sure.
Dedication to the soldiers that lost their lives fighting for their country.
Even though this is the official royal residence, the royal family prefers to live in the outskirts. This palace is only used for state functions. It sort of reminds you of Buckingham palace with its gates. Sometimes, l think all palaces are designed by the same person. Even the one in Brussels looks similar to me. The palace has over 3,000 rooms. For $12.20 each, you can tour some of the open rooms. We did not, and chose to admire it from the outside.
What lovely gardens.
Madrid Cathedral:
Gothic and romanesque architecture in harmony. Pretty cool building.
I think l have a thing for St. Peter :-). Every sculpture of him always makes him seem like a badass!
Right next to the Palacio Real is the Madrid Cathedral (La Cathedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena). Quite the mouthful ;-). A building of Arabic origin, it is constructed of granite and marble. Supposedly when the Moors conquered the city of Madrid in the 8th century, a statue of the virgin was hidden in the city walls. The wall crumbled in the 15th century when the city was reconquered. It is said that El Cid himself found the virgin and that was what helped him in his quest.
I had to sneak this papal image in as l love it so much.
Inside the Cathedral. It wasn’t as grand as l expected it to be, but still quite awesome.
If you have any energy left, you can talk a short walk to
Plaza Mayor:
Plaza Mayor in Madrid.
The rectangular plaza is synonymous with Madrid. Since its construction in 1617, the plaza has been used as markets, for bullfights and even an execution site during the Spanish Inquisition. There are a total of 237 balconies overlooking the plaza. I would not want to live in any of the apartments as this is one of the most touristy places in Madrid and l think l would go crazy with the noise. There are a ton of eateries there under the porticoes. A bronze statue of King Phillip the 3rd is smack dab in the center. Every time we visit, there is usually this guy who poses with you for money dressed as Spiderman. He looks more like Jack Black in Nacho Libre, 5 foot tall with the biggest belly and a body that tests the limit of the spider suit. He cracks me up no end. I am just too cheap to pay him :-).
Pin it for later:
You might be squeezed for time, but as you can see, you never have to ask “what to do in Madrid in 1 day?” :-). I hope this has given you some ideas on how to spend a day in gorgeous Madrid. This is just enough to wet your appetite and make you desire a return visit. You can tackle the museums and watch some football another time. By now, you should be quite tired. Head back to your hotel and try any of the small tapas places close by for a late dinner, then off to bed. I have previously written about Madrid, so if you have more time, you can experience Madrid like a Madrileno. There is so much more to do :-). For an alternate view of even more places to visit in the same amount of time, be sure and read this fantastic post from Michele.
Have you ever been to Madrid? If so, did you like it? Do you have a 1 day itinerary for Madrid? Have l missed any other wonderful places that should be visited when you can only spend a day? If not, would you care to visit this historic city?
SaveSave
You visited lot! :)
Madrid is a great city!
I know. I was exhausted at the end of the day. It really is a great city. We keep thinking about moving there after Seville, but the fact that it’s not close to the water holds us back :-).
First of all I am so jealous you live in Seville! Loved it when we visited last year. Madrid looks amazing, you got some much in for just a day. I spent 7 hours in Milan before and had an amazing stop over. Great blog too! First time visitor.
Thank you so much for the kind words Melissa :-) . I really appreciate it. Seville is quite pretty, and l love the history. You’re in the U.K are you not?.. I’m jealous ;-) . I have yet to go to Milan, but you’re right, sometimes a long layover can be just the thing to experience a city in a unique way. Thanks for the visit and hope you keep enjoying it.
Some great buildings, LOVE that Plaza de Espana building.
I still don’t believe you with some of those prices! Look forward to seeing some of Spain over the next few months.
Frank (bbqboy)
That building is pretty awesome isn’t it? I wished l lived in it, can you imagine the view? :-) . I hear they have the same 100 tapas place in Seville. Will have to find out, and you will soon see for yourself..hehe! :-)
It looks lovely and I agree the architecture is interesting. Funny about all palaces looking alike- royals probably spied on each other’s homes then tried to copy or outdo one another ;-D!
I agree the cathedral interior could be more grand- maybe gold leaf moulding & spectacular murals depicting the saints?
Madrid has never really been on my radar, I think people tend to make more fuss about Barcelona or Seville in my experience. Thanks to you I will add it to my wish list- I’m a fan of old buildings & history. Add in lush gardens & cheap but delicious food & I’m sold lol.
Speaking of food- when is the food porn, sorry I meant pics arriving? Yes, we are spoilt.;-)
I suspect you’re right and they do copy and try to outdo each other. We went to visit the royal palace in Stockholm and it was quite similar to Versailles, only thank goodness not as much pink, but it was quite obvious the influence came from there, right down to the gardens :-) ;-) . They must have had their spies working overtime! That cathedral could definitely have been a lot grander..more gold, more leafs, more of everything..haha!
I agree people definitely make more of a deal about Barcelona which is quite great, but Madrid is just as awesome, shame there is no sea close by, that is a major factor for us. Seville has the same problem so we need a change ;-). You should add it to your wish list, l think once you’re past that partying and throwing up age and start to appreciate culture and history, it is a no-brainer. Really. Food pics are coming :-)
My appetite is whetted, you’ve given us plenty of ideas and I love all of your suggestions, especially Puerta del Sol and Plaza de Espana. Maybe we’ll have to alternate between Madrid and Lisbon as our “home” airports and look for ways to combine a visit in Madrid with a flight to somewhere else… (Decisions, decisions :D) Can’t wait to hear what you think of Lisbon (hint, hint it has the Atlantic ocean!) and looking forward to your visit in the Algarve. From what I’m hearing it’s A LOT cooler than Sevilla right now! Anita
Glad to hear your appetite is whetted :-) . Really, there are so many cheaper flights from Madrid, it’s worth considering. If it was closer to the water, we would be all over it as we like it every visit, but it’s hot and we would have no chance of a house with pool there :-(. Yep, the decisions get tougher..haha.. I am looking forward to Lisbon as well, will email you today with my suggestion :-). Seville is hotter than anyplace l gather, the only saving grace is that it is dry heat unlike Malta or Texas where you are drenched within minutes! Rome is pretty hot right now, but not sweltering..even this cold won’t stop me from enjoying myself ;-).
Madrid looks wonderful. My sister stayed when she went to morocco. She had a great time and loved the food. I, too can’t refuse a good beer or $1 tapas lol
Yeah..the cheap prices suck you in..and they are good to boot :-) . Glad your sister had a great time. It is such a wonderful city.
I’ve often heard Spain is a beautiful place to see and visit. Loved the architecture and the gardens are simply gorgeous.
What l love about Spain is the history and the really beautiful architecture. The fact that a lot of these old palaces and churches/mosques still stand thousands of years later boggles the mind. Why can’t we build things like that now l always ask myself :-) .
You did a lot for a day that is awesome. I would love to go and explore as well.
I hope you get to explore this city too! Yeah..my feet were tired….and it was a hot day, but worth it :-)
Thanks for sharing. I’ll be going to Spain in January and was thinking of doing a day trip to Madrid.
If you have the time, you definitely should do the day trip. You won’t be able to squeeze in museums, but you can still see a lot :-).
Well, first off- these pictures are phenomenal! You literally took me to Madrid. Now it’s on my bucket list of places to visit soon.
Awwh..thank you…that is so nice to hear. I’m glad it’s on your bucket list. It is definitely worth it :-).
I totally read Don Quixote growing up so that would be cool to see him and his pal, Sancho Panza.
The Metro thing totally looks like a fish. lol
I love Sangria no matter where I go and the price was right.
Thank goodness l am not the only one who thinks it looks like a fish. Federico doesn’t see it :-) . I heard, but never read Don Quixote.. school was more Shakespeare but l think l need to read the book, sure it’s free online. All the classics seems to be. Haha! I love Sangria as well..the Spanish version is called Tinto de Verano and it is quite good, but no fruit in it..
Looks like you a jammed pack visit. The pictures are beautiful. Glad you had a nice time!!
It was jam packed. I think next time, we will take it easier..haha..not that young anymore, and it was stifling hot! Thanks :-)
Fabulous pics as always! I love admiring architecture and it looks like it would take me forever to take it all in. Oh and those prices? Oh yeah!
Haha! The prices definitely do it for you as it does me! They are incredible. The architecture along the Grand Via is really cool..old, new and everything in between. Thanks for the compliment :-) .
Your photos are beautiful. Sangrias for $1.50 and tapas for $1?! Sign me up! LOL I can’t wait to finally visit Spain with the kiddos.
Thank you :-) . It is definitely affordable around here, so much so..we are having a difficult time trying to decide where to live next.. :-) . Can we leave these great prices???? :-) ;-)
What a beautiful city! I would definitely love to spend way more than one day there or anywhere in Spain. Not only that the cities are beautiful and the prices are right, but the food looks amazing also!
It really is a beaut! It is definitely worth spending time in. Sometimes, we only have overnight or just 4 hours between flights. This time l was happy to have a full day, we’ve spent up to a week. Always things to discover or rediscover :-). Yep..the food is good :-)
Beautiful! I’d love to visit one day. And tapas for $1.00 are right up my alley. Spain sounds much more affordable than I ever thought it would be.
It’s kind of sad that it is so affordable. It means they can’t shake the recession in a lot of places. Unfortunately, l think it will stay cheap for a very long time from what l see.. haha..nothing can beat dollar tapas :-)
I appreciate your description of the city, its architecture and ruch history interwoven with your own personal impressions of the sites, sounds, and food. You had me at $1.50 sangrias.
Haha! I am beginning to think l should just have had pictures of the food and sangria and just left it at that! :-) . Truthfully, l was impressed by the size of the glasses. Those were more Sevilla prices and l was kind of surprised to see that in Madrid..surprised but happy :-)
‘Love it!
I think you nailed it KemKem! This is exactly what you need, if you’ve only got a day!
I liked the description of your walking tour as I could follow every step and feel the breeze, and hear the voices of the local Spanish folk, laughing and chatting away lol! After visiting Madrid recently, and visiting you too (ho! ho!), it just makes me miss Spain all the more!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Ha! Spain misses you as well :-) . Thanks Victoria, l’m glad it made you feel like you were right there along with us and brought back good memories. We really like Madrid and it’s always a fun getaway, even if for a short time. Come back!!!
‘Will do one of these days. ‘Will do! :)
:-) . Glad to hear that.
Love the history points you tease in there! I like the market/restaurant/shop places you showed. Made me want to sit and people watch. Sometimes the buildings get a bit the same, like you mentioned. Although taken as a whole, quite lovely!—-Terri
Oh wow! I had no idea that post sent. I was just updating, but glad you like it (still getting the hang of things :-) ). I love to people watch too and is a big part of our travels, taking time to smell the roses. I was just discussing with Federico about how everything is starting to look the same. One of the reasons we want to see more of Africa and Eastern Europe for a bit :-).
Wow! That would be exciting to follow you to Africa and Eastern Europe! I’d enjoy that.
Well, yep, the post sent! :-)
Yikes! :-). Learning curves. I am leaning towards Africa..so who knows :-)
Great guide for those looking to spend just a bit of time in Madrid. It’s good when beautiful cities like this one have so many attractions so close to each other, it makes it really convenient when it comes to checking them all out :) The hotel looks really good too!
Thanks Luciano! It’s always nice when you can see most of the beauty of a place in a concentrated area. Saves wear and tear on the feet and on your wallet :-). The hotel is very good, and usually the airport ride is pretty organized. I really enjoy the city and would live there :-).