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

The sheer number of monuments, palaces, museums, and interesting spots that Madrid has to offer means that one day is not enough to enjoy the city in depth. Just to see the Prado Museum at a leisurely pace would take a lot of time, not to mention other museums such as the Reina Sofía.

However, if that's all the time you have, you should try to make the most of it and leave what you can't see for a future visit. Keep reading and discover an itinerary that can help you enjoy your stay and get the most out of it.

To start your visit to Madrid, there's nothing better than getting up early to be at the Prado Museum first thing in the morning. Keep in mind that it's one of the most visited museums in the world, so I recommend booking your tickets for the Prado Museum with direct access in advance:

In addition, for your visit, here is some information about prices and how to get there, although it is not complicated thanks to the Madrid metro. Located in an area that is home to some of Madrid's best museums, the Prado undoubtedly houses the best art collection in the country. Obviously, if you only have one day, it will be impossible to see everything, but you can at least try to admire its best paintings.

Unfortunately, with only 24 hours, it will be impossible for you to visit the other two museums on the so-called Art Walk: the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. The only positive thing is that you will have a great excuse to return to the capital at a more leisurely pace.

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

• The Cibeles Fountain: represents the Roman goddess Cibeles. 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've been on a tour of the Santiago Bernabéu, you've probably seen a photo of it. And if you haven't been and you're a Real Madrid fan, booking a tour of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium is definitely a great plan for you.
• Palacio de Cibeles: although the exterior is really striking, if you can spare a few minutes, I recommend you go inside to see the Galería de Cristal, a dome located in the inner courtyard. Admission is free and it is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, although you can also book a tour of the Retiro Park and the Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid.
• Banco de España: built in the neoclassical style, the headquarters of the Bank of Spain is considered one of the finest examples of 19th-century Spanish architecture.

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 won't waste any time looking for each of the attractions you want to see, and you'll learn more about the history thanks to the explanations you'll hear. Some of the best options are as follows:

• Book a bike tour of Madrid, from $47
• Book a Segway tour of Madrid, from $39
• Book a bus tour of Madrid, from $79
• Book an electric bike tour of Madrid, from $53
• Book a private tour of Madrid, from $124
• Book a private tuk tuk tour of Madrid, from $30
• Book a private bike tour of Madrid, from $45
• Book a personalized private tour of Madrid, starting at $57

If you want to go on your own, the 24-hour tour is not too complicated and can be done on foot. Another option is to use a tourist bus. In fact, booking a seat on the Madrid tourist bus is one of the best ways to get to know the Spanish capital in a short time and at your own pace.

The next stop on the tour is another must-see for anyone visiting Madrid: Puerta del Sol. This is the country's kilometer zero, as it is the starting point for the six major highways that leave the capital. To commemorate this, a plaque has been installed on the ground, right in front of the Presidency of the Community Government.

This square is also home to the famous Puerta del Sol clock, which appears on Spanish television every New Year's Eve 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 be unrecognizable.

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're short on time, if you feel like it, you can visit some other places near the square that you may find interesting:

• The Ratón Pérez House Museum: if you have come to Madrid with children, they are sure to love this place. Located at Calle Arenal, 8, it is the home of this legendary character who leaves a gift for children under their pillow in exchange for their baby teeth.
• Chocolatería San Ginés: it may not be the right time of day, but this chocolate shop is possibly the most popular in the city.
• Librería San Ginés: Opened in 1650, this is an open-air bookstore selling second-hand books.

From the San Ginés passageway, where the chocolate shop of the same name is located, walk to the left along several narrow streets until you reach Madrid's Plaza Mayor. If you are traveling on your own and not with a guided tour, try not to get too lost along the way. You can get there easily by booking the Madrid tourist bus.

The square was designed by architects Juan de Herrera and Juan Gómez 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 various fires throughout history.

In addition to seeing all the arches and walking through the arcades, which are always full of stalls selling stamps and other items, there are three spots you can't miss:

• Statue of Philip II: in 1616, the Duke of Florence gave this statue to the King of Spain as a gift. For two centuries, it stood 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.
• Arco de Cuchilleros: this is the best known of the nine gates surrounding the Plaza Mayor.

By now, you're probably ready to eat something. I suggest you visit the San Miguel Market, very close to the Plaza Mayor.

In this market, you'll find a good selection of the best food in the capital, and you can book a gastronomic tour. It is located in a large iron building from the early 20th century.

Converted into the capital's first gastronomic market in 2009, inside you'll find dishes made with products from all over the country, from Galician fish to gourmet cheeses. All this is spread over more than 30 stalls inside. Learn more about the wine and tapas tour of Madrid.

Continuing the tour, you will pass in front of the Teatro Real, one of the great opera houses 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 major renovation that took place at the end of the 20th 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 the auditorium, workshops, rehearsal rooms, and the stage itself. And to get there, there's nothing better than your Madrid tourist bus ticket

After seeing the Teatro Real, the itinerary continues along the nearby Calle Bailén, 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 located: a visit to the Royal Palace, also known as the Palacio de Oriente.

This large building is one of the official residences of the country's kings, although it no longer functions as such. Its size makes it the largest royal palace in Western Europe. My advice is to book a guided tour of the Royal Palace

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

• Official halls: there are several enormous and very well-preserved halls. Among them, 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 what medical practice was like a few centuries ago.
• Sabatini Gardens: located in front of the north façade of the Royal Palace.
• Campo del Moro: also close to the building.

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 María de las Mercedes.

However, in 1885, with the work already underway, it was decided that the project would become the construction of a cathedral. After a few years of inactivity, work resumed and the façade was completed in 1960, although it was not until 1993 that Pope John Paul II consecrated the cathedral.

Although you can enter the church for free, the complex houses a museum that tells the history of the diocese. If you are interested in its history and architecture, I recommend booking a guided tour of the Almudena Cathedral, which also includes the Royal Palace. As for the dome, it costs around €6 to go up, but the views are not particularly interesting.

Returning leisurely along Calle Bailén, you will eventually reach Plaza de España and, a little further on, a park with a rather strange monument: an Egyptian temple.

If you're wondering, the Temple of Debod is authentic. It is around 2,000 years old and was a gift from Egypt to Spain in 1968 in gratitude for the help provided in moving the temple of Abu Simbel when the Aswan Dam was built.

In addition to visiting the temple, I recommend that you try to arrive just as dusk is falling. The views from the viewpoint there are wonderful, especially when the sun begins to set. Oh, and if you've booked your ticket for the tourist bus, you should know that one of its stops is the Temple of Debod.

Among the things Madrid has to offer its visitors, you can't miss out on Madrid's nightlife, one of the most vibrant in Spain, so get ready to make it special and end your trip in style.

In addition to looking for a place to have dinner, one of the best things you can do is head to Gran Vía to see some of the fantastic musicals that are often performed in its theaters. Another option is to book a flamenco show in Madrid. You have several options:

• Flamenco show at Torres Bermejas in Madrid, from $33
• Flamenco show at the Teatro Flamenco in Madrid, from $34
• Flamenco show at Corral de la Morería in Madrid, from $67
• Flamenco show at Essential Madrid, from $45

And, without a doubt, my favorite option is to book a pub crawl in Madrid so you can immerse yourself in the city's nightlife.