Madrid in 1 Day: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Visiting Madrid, even if you only have one day, is always a good idea. Given the limited time, good planning is vital to be able to see the most essential places in the city.

Joaquín Montaño

Joaquín Montaño

10 min read

Madrid in 1 Day: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Puerta de Alcala, Madrid | ©Iván Rivero

The large number of monuments, palaces, museums and interesting places that Madrid offers to its visitors makes that only 1 day is not enough to enjoy it thoroughly. Just to see the Prado museum in depth already takes many hours, not to mention other museums such as the Reina Sofia.

However, if you only have that time, do not be demoralized, but try to make the most of it and leave what you can not see for a next visit. With that in mind, I have prepared a tour that can help you enjoy your stay and make the most of it.

1. Start with a guided visit to the Prado Museum

Prado National Museum| ©Hellotickets
Prado National Museum| ©Hellotickets

To start your visit to Madrid nothing better than getting up early enough to be at the door of the Prado Museum. Here I leave you information on how to get there, although it is not complicated thanks to the extraordinary transport network of the city headed by its metro.

Located in an area where you can find some of the best museums in Madrid, the Prado houses undoubtedly the best art collection in the country. Obviously, if you only have one day it will be impossible to see it in its entirety, but you can at least try to admire its best paintings.

To make the most of your visit to the Prado Museum I present two alternatives:

Unfortunately, with only 24 hours it will be impossible for you to enter the other two museums of the so-called Paseo del Arte: the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. The only positive thing is that this will give you a great excuse to return to the capital more calmly.

Book tickets for the Prado Museum

2. Take a look at the Plaza de Cibeles

Cibeles Square| ©Brian Snelson
Cibeles Square| ©Brian Snelson

Continuing along the Paseo del Prado you will reach the Plaza de Cibeles, but not before passing by the Fountain of Neptune. This small square is one of the most visited places in the city and contains some elements that you should pay attention to.

  • The Cibeles Fountain: this fountain represents the Roman goddess, Cybele. Built in 1782, it is one of the symbols of the city and, of course, for Real Madrid fans who celebrate their titles there. If you have been on a tour of the Santiago Bernabeu you will have seen, no doubt, a photo of it. And if you have not been and you are a Real Madrid fan, :::link|text=hiring a tour of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium|element=2310::: will certainly be a great plan for you.
  • Palacio de Cibeles: although the outside is really striking, if you can spare a few minutes I recommend that you enter to see the so-called Crystal Gallery, a dome located in the inner courtyard. Admission is free and it is open from 10:00 to 20:00 every day.
  • Banco de España: neoclassical style, the headquarters of the Bank of Spain is considered one of the best examples of Spanish architecture of the nineteenth century.

Guided tour or on your own?

There are many types of guided tours that will take you around the center of Madrid. One of the advantages of going with a guide is that you will not waste any time looking for each of the attractions you want to see. In addition, in some cases, these tours include tickets to the Royal Palace.

On the other hand, it is also a good opportunity to learn more about the history of the historic center of the city thanks to the explanations you will hear. Some of the best options are the following:

In case you want to go on your own, the tour for 24 hours does not present too many complications and can be done on foot. Another intermediate option is to use a tourist bus. In fact, hiring a seat on the tourist bus in Madrid is one of the best ways to get to know the Spanish capital in a short time and at your own pace.

Hire a guided tour of Madrid

3. Puerta del Sol, the kilometer 0 of the country

Puerta del Sol| ©Hugh Llewelyn
Puerta del Sol| ©Hugh Llewelyn

The next destination of the tour is another of the essential places for all those who visit Madrid: the Puerta del Sol. In this place is the kilometer 0 of the country, since it is from where you start to measure the six major roads that start from the capital. To remember it, a plaque was installed on the ground, right in front of the Presidency of the Government of the Community.

In that square is also the famous Puerta de Sol clock, which every New Year's Eve appears on Spanish television to mark the end of the year with its chimes.

Another element that, over time, has become an icon of the square is the Tío Pepe sign, a wine advertisement without which the place would not be recognized.

But among all these symbols, one stands out in particular: the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, one of the main emblems of Madrid.

What to see near Puerta del Sol

Although I know you are on a tight schedule, if you feel like it you can go to see some other places near the square and that you may find interesting:

  • La Casa Museo del Ratón Pérez: if you have been to Madrid with children is sure that this place is going to make you illusion. In this place (Calle Arenal, 8) is the house of this legendary character who leaves a gift for the little ones under the pillow in exchange for their milk teeth.
  • Chocolatería San Ginés: it may not be the right time, but this chocolate shop is possibly the most popular in the city.
  • Librería San Ginés: opened in 1650, this is an open-air bookstore with second-hand books.

Book a guided tour of Madrid

4. Walk around Madrid's Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor| ©mgphotography.uk
Plaza Mayor| ©mgphotography.uk

From the passageway of San Ginés, where the chocolate shop of the same name is located, you have to walk to the left through several narrow streets until you reach the Plaza Mayor of Madrid. If you have gone on your own and not with a guided tour, try not to get too lost along the way.

The square was designed by architects Juan de Herrera and Juan Gomez de la Mora. It is surrounded by arcades and three-story brick buildings, although many of them have been rebuilt several times after being affected by several fires throughout history.

In addition to seeing all the arches and walk through the arcades, always full of stalls selling stamps and other items, there are three points that you can not miss:

  • Statue of Philip II: in 1616, the Duke of Florence gave the King of Spain this statue. For two centuries, it was located in the Casa de Campo and was later moved to the Plaza Mayor.
  • Casa de la Panadería: the first building to be constructed in the Plaza Mayor, in 1590, no less.
  • Arco de Cuchilleros: the best known of the nine gates surrounding the Plaza Mayor.

Joaquín's Traveller Tip

If your visit to Madrid takes place at Christmas, you should not miss this square to enjoy the Christmas stalls, decorations and life that bustles throughout its length.

5. Have a bite to eat in one of its markets

San Miguel Market| ©Jose Maria
San Miguel Market| ©Jose Maria

It is quite likely that at this time you already feel like eating something. My suggestion is that you enter the Mercado de San Miguel, very close to the Plaza Mayor.

The short time you have makes it difficult to hire the interesting wine and tapas tour of Madrid that is offered there, but in this market you will find a good representation of the best food in the capital.

The Mercado de San Miguel is located in a large iron building from the early twentieth century. Turned into the first gastronomic market of the capital in 2009, inside you will find dishes made with products from all over the country, from Galician fish to gourmet cheeses. All this distributed in more than 30 stalls scattered inside.

Book a tapas and wine tour of Madrid

6. Discover the Teatro Real building

Royal Theater| ©Carlos Delgado
Royal Theater| ©Carlos Delgado

Continuing the tour, you will pass in front of the Teatro Real, one of the great centers of opera in Europe. This theater was inaugurated in 1850, but in 1925 it closed its doors and did not host performances again until 1966.

After the great reform that took place at the end of the twentieth century, the theater can now accommodate 1,746 spectators.

The best way to see this theater is to attend one of the opera performances that take place there. If you can't, you can also take guided tours that include its auditorium, workshops, rehearsal rooms and the stage itself.

7. Enter the Royal Palace and its gardens

Entrance to the Royal Palace| ©Edmund Gall
Entrance to the Royal Palace| ©Edmund Gall

After contemplating the Royal Theater, the itinerary continues along the nearby Bailén street, which is home to several interesting buildings that you will see along the way. This street leads to the Plaza de Oriente, where the next stop of the day is: the visit to the Royal Palace, also known as Palacio de Oriente.

This large building is one of the official residences of the kings of the country, although it does not currently function as such, and its size makes it the largest royal palace in Western Europe. My advice is to make a visit to its interior and gardens and, for this, it is best to book a guided tour of the Royal Palace

Although in this article on what to see inside the Royal Palace you will have more in depth information, in summary its main attractions are as follows:

  • Official halls: there are several huge and very well preserved halls. Among them all, the throne room stands out.
  • Royal Armory: its collection of weapons, shields and other military objects is one of the best in the world.
  • Royal Pharmacy: the best place to get an idea of how medicine was practiced a few centuries ago.
  • Sabatini Gardens: located in front of the north façade of the Royal Palace.
  • Campo del Moro: also near the building.

Book a guided tour of the Royal Palace

8. Visit the Almudena Cathedral

Almudena Cathedral| ©Luis García
Almudena Cathedral| ©Luis García

Very close to the Royal Palace is the Almudena Cathedral, the most important church in Madrid.

Its construction began in 1879, when Francisco de Cubas presented the first plans for a pantheon for Queen Maria de las Mercedes. However, in 1885, with the work already begun, it was decided that the project would become the construction of a cathedral. After a few years of standstill, the work picked up pace again and its facade was completed in 1960, although it was not until 1993 that Pope John Paul II consecrated the cathedral.

Although the interior of the church is free to enter, the complex houses a museum that tells the history of the diocese and, if you are interested in its history and architecture, I recommend hiring a guided tour of the Almudena Cathedral, which also includes the Royal Palace.

Climbing the Almudena dome

The cathedral has a dome that can be climbed and whose entrance fee (about 6€) is included with the museum. If you have time you can go up, but the views are not really interesting.

Book a guided tour of the Almudena Cathedral

9. Enjoy an Egyptian sunset in the Temple of Debod

Temple of Debod| ©Jiuguang Wang
Temple of Debod| ©Jiuguang Wang

Walking calmly back along Bailén street, you will end up in Plaza de España and, a little further on, in a park where you will find a monument that may seem rather strange: an Egyptian temple.

If you are wondering, the Temple of Debod is authentic, it is about 2,000 years old and it was a gift from Egypt to Egypt.It is about 2,000 years old and was a gift made by Egypt to Spain in 1968 as a thank you for the help given to move the temple of Abu Simbel when the Aswan Dam was built.

In addition to visiting the temple, I advise you to try to get to the site just when it starts to get dark. The views from the viewpoint located there are great, especially when the sun begins to set. Oh, and if you have hired the tourist bus, you should know that one of its stops is precisely the Temple of Debod.

Book a seat on the tourist bus in Madrid

10. Finish your trip by attending a show on the Gran Via

Gran Via Shops| ©alevision.co
Gran Via Shops| ©alevision.co

The night in Madrid is one of the most vibrant in Spain and I recommend that you do something to end your trip.

Besides looking for a place to dine, one of the best things to do is to head to the Gran Via to see some of the fantastic musicals that are often performed in its theaters.