Madrid in 2 Days: everything you need to know

A 48-hour getaway to Madrid can become an unforgettable experience. The Spanish capital offers such a wide and varied cultural and historical catalog that everyone who knows it is passionate about it. Just keep in mind that in case you miss something, you already have an excuse to return as soon as possible.

For this short getaway, time is of the essence. A look at the major tourist and cultural attractions by tour bus can help you define which sites are most interesting to you. The good thing about Madrid is that it conquers you at first sight and any plan can be unforgettable: from visiting the Prado Museum, touring the Barrio de las Letras or visiting the Royal Palace. Are you up for it?

Start the day with a bus or bicycle tour

A good guided tour through the heart of Madrid can show you the most iconic places of the city and bring you closer to enjoy the architecture and atmosphere of this great Iberian city. In this sense, there are two options that can fit your lifestyle and that will guide you in deciding which places you want to visit in more depth and detail in Madrid.

A first option is to approach the Prado Museum and from there get on the tourist bus of Madrid that will tour the most emblematic streets and corners. From Cibeles to Plaza Mayor or Puerta de Alcalá to the Royal Palace. This tour offers different alternatives of routes, schedules and an audio guide system.

Another option is to book a bike tour of Madrid. Although it involves an extra physical effort, it is a very original option to enjoy the major tourist attractions, while you experience the vibrant capital of Spain.

Visit the Prado Museum

You have two days, but knowing certain emblematic places becomes the possibility to get to know a city that is a living jewel. Booking a guided visit to the Prado Museum is almost a must to appreciate the splendor of European art in all its expression.

Being one of the most appreciated wonders of the world by locals and tourists, I recommend you to book your tickets to the Prado Museum in advance to make your experience more productive and to appreciate the works of great artists such as Velázquez, El Greco, Rafael, Goya, Rubens or El Bosco.

If your itinerary includes this emblematic museum, do not hesitate to schedule a lunch or dinner nearby, in the best restaurants near the Prado Museum. You have an unmissable gastronomic offer.

Travel back in time by walking through the Barrio de las Letras

On your way out of this experience, you can travel to the past of Madrid, visiting the Barrio de las Letras, a community famous for being the place of residence of a long list of writers, artists and characters who were part of the Castilian Golden Age where the letters and the arts enjoyed the peak of political and military development of the Spanish Empire.

In addition, an option to visit it is within the framework of an electric bicycle tour of Madrid.

Don't miss the Royal Palace

And if history is still your adventure, you can also take a peek into the legacy of a city that is torn between the past and modernity. To do so, book a visit to the Royal Palace and appreciate the Arab architecture that blends with the baroque, revealing the heritage of this city to humanity.

Inside the Royal Palace you can walk among halls that hold the artistic expressions of classics such as Goya and Velazquez, as well as admire the stupendous collection of royal coats of arms and armor, which have earned the title of being among the most complete in European history.

In addition to visiting the sumptuous Royal Palace, some other places that fit this tour are the Cibeles Fountain, the Naval Museum and the Circle of Fine Arts.

Visit the San Miguel Market or take a gastronomic tour

The soul of a city is known through its colors, smells and flavors. That's why booking a gastronomic tour of Madrid is a must. Calamari sandwiches, Madrid stews, tapas and wines, are just some of the appetizers that will take you to know not only the cuisine of Madrid, but the flavors of all Spain.

Gastronomic tours in Madrid tend to be popular because they are usually guided by locals specialized in friendliness and knowledge of the local cuisine.

A good idea is the centuries-old tradition of visiting the Mercado de San Miguel, a lively and active space that has been emerging as one of the favorite places for locals and visitors, with more than 20 restaurant options, committed to offering quality tapas for all tastes.

Puerta del Sol, Puerta de Alcalá or Puerta de Toledo, are just some of the famous Madrid doors that have served as inspiration for artists of various kinds. A timeless invitation that evokes the arrival of outsiders to a city that was formed in the coexistence of Jewish, Arab and Christian heritage.

Take a free walk with your morning coffee

Touring the main places of Madrid is usually an economical and outdoor plan that gives the opportunity to appreciate the wonders of the city as the Gran Via or the Fuente de Cibeles, spaces that define the personality of this cosmopolitan and modern city where you can enjoy restaurants, cafes, outdoor terraces and markets to buy curiosities and typical souvenirs.

You also have the possibility to have your morning coffee and enjoy a tour of the Retiro de Madrid, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful parks in Spain.

Resume your museum plan by visiting the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum

Among the many museums in Madrid, Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, is an alternative that I recommend on this second day and you will find just 10 minutes walk from the Retiro Park.

This museum is a public institution that houses one of the most important collections of paintings in Europe, with nearly 900 works of art collected over seven decades by the Thyssen-Bornemisza family. I recommend you to book your ticket for the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in advance so you don't miss its permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.

If your tastes are eclectic, visit the Ikono Madrid

Ikono Madrid can be a tempting option to continue your tour, a space of about 600 meters that has gained fame among locals and foreigners attracted by experiential spaces and diverse sensory experiences.

An expedition that mixes the best of the digital world, the multimedia universe and the interactive experience, which allows you to disconnect from the outside and immerse yourself in a unique experience. Inside you will find from ball pools to walks through magical forests that offer visitors a unique experience.

It is worth remembering that it is advisable to book in advance the entrance to Ikono Madrid, as it is considered one of the first futuristic museums in Europe, suitable for adults and children alike.

Immerse yourself in the past at the National Museum of Anthropology

Traveling to the past, and if you are one of those followers of the discovery of America and its implications in the Spanish culture, you must visit the National Museum of Anthropology, inaugurated in 1872 by King Alfonso XII.

Its facilities house a large collection of objects related to pre-Hispanic cultures and other Spanish colonies around the world, which today are the foundation of many nations.

Experience Madrid's nightlife

Madrid's nightlife is usually intense. A good musical journey or alleys that await legends and ghosts await us.

First of all, I recommend you to enjoy a night of sevillanas and flamenco. For this, you have several options:

• Flamenco show in Torres Bermejas, from $30.
• Flamenco show at Teatro Flamenco, from ** 30**.
• Flamenco show atCorral de la Morería, from ** $30**.

Another option is to go on a tour about the Spanish Inquisition, ghosts and legends. Madrid was the scene of one of the darkest stages of humanity: the so-called Holy Inquisition. A night walk through alleys and catacombs that takes you to know that ghostly and dark side through the oral stories and legends that endure from those times until today.

Enjoy a night of theater in Madrid

Another ideal alternative for your visit in Madrid is to go to a play or comedy monologue show. The theater in Madrid offers a varied agenda between musicals, comedy, magic shows or cabaret type. The options are many and you can live a magical night to end this Madrid getaway.

Two days can fly by, but if you have an organized itinerary, you can enjoy amazing places and see the highlights of Madrid. So that you can do everything you have planned, here are my final recommendations for your 2-day plan in the capital of Spain:

• Check the security measures and entry requirements for each of the places you want to visit such as museums, galleries, restaurants, etc. This will allow you to prepare yourself to avoid mishaps in the activities.
• Make sure you have information in advance about availability and maximum capacity in each place. Booking in advance can often be a good way to ensure a quiet entrance to the main tourist attractions of the city, especially if you are going for only two days.
• In order to get the most out of your 48-hour visit, I advise you to plan your itinerary to perfection, starting with finding out the different transportation options from the airport to the city.
• Beyond this itinerary, be sure to check out all the places and plans that Madrid offers to its visitors.