Madrid Travel Guide

Written By Adrian Cole

Where We Stayed in Madrid

We stayed at the Riu hotel at the Plaza de Espana

Madrid 2 Day Itinerary

Day 1

Jardines de Sabatini

  • Sitting directly beside the Royal Palace, the Jardines de Sabatini are one of Madrid's most elegant and underrated green spaces. Manicured hedges, ornamental fountains, and stunning views of the palace facade, it is the perfect place for sunrise photography.

Royal Palace

  • The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest palace in Western Europe. With over 3,000 rooms, extraordinary state apartments, and a facade that dominates the skyline.

  • Book your ticket

Almudena Cathedral

  • Standing directly opposite the Royal Palace is the Almudena Cathedral, a stunning neogothic masterpiece that took over a century to complete.

  • Free to enter.

Campo del Moro

  • Tucked below the Royal Palace and largely unknown to most visitors, the Campo del Moro is one of Madrid's best kept secrets. A beautiful English-style garden with tree-lined paths, peacocks roaming freely, and a view looking up at the palace above.

Mercado de San Miguel

  • A stunning cast iron and glass structure filled with some of the best food in the city.

Plaza Mayor & Sol

  • A vast, perfectly symmetrical square surrounded by 17th century architecture. From there it is just a short walk to Puerta del Sol, the absolute centre of Spain, where all roads in the country officially begin.

Calle Gran Via

  • Madrid's most famous street and it is so much more than just a shopping boulevard. The early 20th century architecture lining both sides of this grand avenue is spectacular look up as you walk because the buildings up above the shop fronts are extraordinary.

Malasaña neighbourhood

  • Malasaña is Madrid at its most creative, where century-old tabernas sit alongside specialty coffee shops, vintage boutiques, and some of the best street art in the city.

Chueca neighbourhood

  • Chueca is a lively, welcoming district full of independent restaurants, rooftop bars, and a community atmosphere that makes it one of the most enjoyable places in the city to simply wander and soak it all in.

Churros at San Ginés

  • No trip to Madrid is complete without churros at San Ginés, a chocolatería that has been open since 1894 and is as much a Madrid institution as the Prado or the Royal Palace. Order the churros with thick hot chocolate, find a seat, and enjoy one of the simplest and most satisfying experiences the city has to offer.

Day 2

Puerta de Alcalá

  • We are kicking off Day One at one of Madrid's most iconic landmarks, the Puerta de Alcalá. This stunning 18th century triumphal arch is genuinely one of the most beautiful things to see at sunrise in Madrid.

Retiro Park

  • One of the most beautiful urban parks in all of Europe. Over 300 acres of gardens, lakes, sculptures, and some seriously stunning architecture, including the breathtaking Crystal Palace. Early in the morning you will avoid a lot of the crowds, and give you the perfect opportunity to photograph this beautiful park.

Prado Museum

  • One of the best art museums in the world; home to Velázquez's Las Meninas and Goya's haunting Black Paintings.

  • Book your tickets at https://museopradotickets.com/en

Barrio de las Letras

  • Right behind the Prado sits one of our favourite neighbourhoods in Madrid the Barrio de las Letras, which is the literary quarter. The streets are embedded with quotes from Cervantes and Lorca, the architecture is stunning, and the atmosphere is completely unlike anywhere else in the city.

Reina Sofía Museum

  • This was my favorite museum. Make sure you try to get limited free tickets by visiting https://www.museoreinasofia.es/en

  • If you can’t get free tickets you can also purchase tickets on the above site or via Get Your Guide https://getyourguide.tpm.lv/IKS516sM

  • The area outside is often used for filming period dramas since the buildings can pass for English or French buildings.

Templo de Debod

  • An authentic ancient Egyptian temple, over 2,000 years old, sitting in the middle of Madrid. It was gifted to Spain in 1968 to save it from flooding and a perfect spot for a sunset photograph.

Rooftop bar

  • We are ending the day the best possible way on a rooftop with a drink in hand and the entire Madrid skyline spread out in front of us. As the sun goes down and the city lights start coming on, you will completely understand why people fall so hard for this city.

Adrian Cole
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