Madrid 2-Day Itinerary (with Map)

The Spanish capital of Madrid is a perfect size for a two-day trip.  Whilst there are plenty of things to do in Madrid, the central location of the main tourist activities makes it easy to see many of the must-see attractions with just a 2 day itinerary.  This Madrid guide includes a full itinerary for a 2 day trip plus a map to help you locate the best sights.  Use it to help plan your own weekend break in Madrid.  So without further ado, let’s jump straight into the Madrid 2-day itinerary.

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Madrid 2-day Itinerary

This Madrid 2-day itinerary is packed with top things to see and do in the city centre.  It will help you get a flavour of the different barrios (neighbourhoods), enjoy art, culture and architecture, take in beautiful outdoor spaces, and of course sample some delicious food and drink.

If you’ve got three days to spend in Madrid then check out my 3 day guide to Madrid for even more great things to see and do in Madrid.

If you want a super quick way to see some of the top sights in Madrid, jump on a Segway tour, or book a Madrid Uber to take you around.

To get the best flight deal to Madrid, check out Skyscanner. Compare flight prices across whole months or find the cheapest month available.

Map of Places to See on a Madrid 2 Day Itinerary

I’ve created a map that shows the places listed in this Madrid 2-day itinerary. Click the arrow icon to the left of the map heading to view the names of each place and to toggle on/off all the day 1 and day 2 places.

Day One of Your Madrid 2-Day Itinerary

For a great start to your 2 days in Madrid, kick off with breakfast at one of Madrid’s traditional cafés.

Breakfast at Café Gijón, Madrid

At over 100 years old, this famous Madrid café makes the best chocolate palms I’ve ever tasted.  Whilst you can sit outside on the terrace, I recommend you don’t miss out on taking a look inside.  The décor evokes days gone by when artists and intellectuals, such as Ramón y Cajal, Orson Welles and Federico García Lorca were visitors.  It’s a bit on the pricy side but with chocolate this good, you deserve to treat yourself. 

Museo de América (Museum of America)

After you’ve filled up on lovely breakfast items, it’s time to take a quick 15-minute metro journey to the fantastic Museo de América.  The museum explores the heritage of the American continent and the peoples that have historically inhabited it.

Plan to spend a good couple of hours viewing the artefacts, including exquisite examples of Columbian gold, Mexican pottery and Amazonian textiles.  The accompanying details are informative.  If you’re interested in cartography, there’s also a great map room showing maps of the Americas over time.

Displays are in Spanish but you can download audio guides in English and French.  Although the vast range of detailed examples of artisanal works, religious offerings and decorative pieces themselves are special enough that you could easily enjoy a visit without needing the translation.  This is one of my favourite things to do on a 2 day trip to Madrid.  Compared to other galleries and museums it’s less busy, which provides space and time to reflect on the collection, without the hustle and bustle of more well-known options.

For even more great European museums, check out my guide to 2 days in London.

Faro de Moncloa (Moncloa Tower)

The next stop on your list of what to see in Madrid in two days should be the Faro de Moncloa.  The tower is right next door to the Museo de América, you can’t get a more convenient itinerary than that. 

For only €4 you get panoramic views out across Madrid.  The glass lift takes you up 92 metres, where you can enjoy getting a real sense of the shape and size of Madrid from behind the safety of massive windows.  The spectacular vista goes on for miles and includes snow-topped mountains contrasted with the multiple skyscrapers of urban Madrid.  The Faro de Moncloa has the added bonus of being a hidden gem, even my Madrileña friend hadn’t heard of it. 

Parque del Oeste (West Park)

Pop over the road for a quick detour to the beauty and tranquillity of the Parque del Oeste.  The sprawling greenery is perfect for a quiet stroll and a look at the forts of the Spanish Civil War.  You’ll also find various statues, like the one dedicated to Simon Bolivar, the leader of liberation from the Spanish empire for several Latin American countries. 

Lunch

If you’re trying to keep the budget down for your 2 day Madrid itinerary, stock up on supplies from a local supermarket and take your own picnic to Parque del Oeste. Alternatively, if the budget isn’t such a concern, eat at one of the many restaurants in the streets around the Rosales Teleférico station.

El Teleférico to Casa de Campo (Cable Car)

You can’t spend two days in Madrid without taking the famous cable car.  This is an experience not to be missed.  If you’re not a natural adrenalin seeker, don’t worry, it’s a pretty smooth journey and the views back across to the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) are totally worth it.  Individual cabins carry you through the sky, across the tree line and up the Casa de Campo hillside.

Get some inspiration for your epic photos with my list of great Instagram captions for Spain.

Walk Casa de Campo to Palacio Real (Royal Palace)

Take a 40-minute stroll through Casa de Campo back to the centre of Madrid.  It’s downhill all the way and if you keep the Palacio Real in view you can’t go far wrong.  As you reach the bottom, you’ll find the beautiful Casa de Campo lake.  Here you can rent a rowing boat or enjoy a snack/early tea at one of the restaurants or cafés.

Continue around the lake, cross over the Puente del Rey footbridge and you’ll arrive at the formal gardens of Campo del Moro at the bottom of the Palacio Real.  These shaded walkways might be just what you need to catch your breath whilst you marvel at the amount of green space there is in such a large city.

Palacio Real (Royal Palace of Madrid)

Once you’ve admired the gardens, head to the Mirador de la Cornisa (walk past the main entrance to the Palacio Real to get to this lookout point).  Take in the expansive view back over where you’ve just walked.  If you still have energy left, visit the inside of the 18^th century Royal Palace, the largest in Western Europe and official residence of Spain’s royal family.  However be prepared, queues can be huge (tickets are available 90 days in advance online). 

El Templo de Debod (Temple of Debod)

From the Palacio Real, continue on for 10 minutes up Calle de Bailén, stopping to admire the Jardines de Sabatini on the way, and you’ll arrive at El Templo de Debod.  It’s one of the more curious items on this 2 day Madrid itinerary, a 2nd century BC Egyptian temple, donated to Madrid in 1968 by the Egyptian government.  It arrived in pieces in over 1000 boxes. The achievement of reconstructing it certainly makes my flat pack furniture construction pale in comparison.

Tip: Try to time your visit with sunset if you can, for an extra special experience.

Museo Reina Sofia (Reina Sofia Museum)

When you’re in Madrid you really have to take in at least one of its stunning art museums.  This is one of my favourite things to do on a Madrid 2-day itinerary.  The building and collection are huge.  Seriously, you could spend the whole of your two days in Madrid here but if you want to see Madrid in 2 days you’ll need to make sure you have time for the other wonderful Madrid tourist attractions.  Helpfully, the Reina Sofia has a perfect solution, after 7 pm entrance is free (except Tuesdays, when it’s closed).  The museum opens until 9 pm so use the motivation of getting to see one of the most fabulous modern and graphic art galleries for free to keep your visit to a focussed two hours.  Alternatively, Sunday between 12.30 – 2.30 pm is also free.

Unsurprisingly Picasso’s Guernica is the big draw here and it can feel a little like you’re a sardine standing in front of it.  Works by Salvador Dalí also attract the crowds.  After that, if you want a more peaceful experience, I recommend you go up to view the collection on the top floor, where there are plenty of other fascinating pieces of art. 

Tip:  If you go to the entrance on the square at Calle de Santa Isabel after 7 pm you’ll probably be disappointed by the size of the queue and question your decision not to pay to go during the day.  But, there’s another entrance around the corner, on Ronda de Atocha, near the corner of Calle de Argumosa, where there was no one queuing and I walked straight in.

Other Art Museums

If you’re a big art fan you might like to substitute parts of this Madrid 2-day itinerary for two of the other popular art museums in this area.  The Prado Museum is the most well-known, with collections including Titian, Rubens, Velázquez and Goya and is one of the amazing Madrid free museums.  Prado is free Monday to Saturday from 6 – 8 pm and Sundays 5 – 7 pm. Over the road is the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum, with works of 13th to 20th century art.

If art museums are not your thing, head to the Plaza de España/Gran Vía, an area similar to London’s West End.  Book tickets for an evening at the theatre at the booth on Gran Vía, or online in advance.

Tapas at Calle de La Cava Baja

After your early evening of art, walk 20 minutes (or jump on the metro) to the La Latina neighbourhood and create your own tapas crawl.  Don’t miss out on Calle Cava Baja.  This street has lots of tapas restaurants.  It’s a popular area, so expect it to be bustling with atmosphere.  Try a couple of options in each place then move on to the next. 

Day Two of Your Madrid 2-Day Itinerary

El Rastro

Get the second day of your 2-day Madrid itinerary off to a buzzing start by heading to Madrid’s huge El Rastro flea market, in the La Latina neighbourhood.  Here you can get your breakfast and shopping fix all in one.  Take a wander down Calle de la Ribera de Curtidores, where many outlets are based, and the surrounding streets like Calle de San Cayetano and Calle de Fray Ceferino González.  Stalls are generally open on Sundays from 9 am – 3 pm and there’s a variety of restaurants and cafés to choose from.

Plaza de La Villa

When you’ve had enough of the crowds, walk 10 minutes to enjoy the tranquillity of Plaza de la Villa.

This peaceful little square is home to the Casa de la Villa, which was, until 2007, the seat of the Mayor of Madrid, and the beautiful 16th century mansion, Casa de Cisneros. 

Lunch at Mercado de San Miguel (San Miguel Market)

By now you’re probably ready to eat again, so walk around the corner to the Mercado de San Miguel at Plaza de San Miguel.  There are piles of tapas and open sandwiches to choose from, along with delicious fruit and pastries, at this stylish market. 

Plaza Mayor (Grand Central Square)

Next, walk a minute eastward to arrive at the bustling Plaza Mayor.  This classic symbol of Madrid offers lots of cafés with terraces on the square and great opportunities for people watching.  In addition, this could be the time to try the classic Madrid snack of bocadillo de calamares (crusty baguette with fried calamari rings) accompanied by a caña (a small glass of cold draft beer).

Museo Sorolla (Sorolla Museum)

After a morning of bargain hunting and food, you might be in need of a bit of culture.  Take the metro from Sol to Iglesia (5 minutes, line 1).  From here, walk 5 minutes along Paseo General Martínez Campos to arrive at the Museo Sorolla.  Inaugurated in 1932, this artist’s house has been turned into a great little museum celebrating his work.

The house is set up as it would have been in the 20^th century and the petite gardens are worth the visit alone.  Small but beautifully formed, they provide a tranquil oasis in what can otherwise feel like a very busy Madrid. 

Afternoon Tea at Salvador Bachiller, Gran Vía

Madrid has loads of options for coffee shops and restaurants and the instantly Instagrammable Salvador Bachiller is a popular choice.  To get here from the Museo Sorolla, walk 5 minutes to metro stop Ruben Dario and take line 5 to Callao (6 minutes) then walk 5 minutes up Gran Vía.

This beautiful café is mysteriously located inside a homewares store and has an even stranger policy of a €15 per person minimum spend on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays (possibly due to its Insta appeal).  However, it’s easy to reach the required amount with cocktails priced at €18 and sweet treats at €9 – €15.  You’re paying a premium for the aesthetically pleasing garden-style setting but everything is beautifully presented.  The vat of hot chocolate they serve up is done proper Spanish style e.g. thick enough for a spoon to stand up in.  Although I have to say I was left a little disappointed with the slightly stale tortita (pancakes). 

Parque de El Retiro (Retiro Park)

One of the last places to go in Madrid on your two-day visit is the wonderful Retiro park.  Founded in 1631, the park covers more than 1.2 km2.  Enter from La Puerta de Alcalá.

As popular with locals as it is with tourists, there’s plenty to do at El Retiro. First, admire the ability of various street performers to stay in character or simply stay still.  After that, stroll to the gorgeous lakeside Palacio de Cristal, built in 1887, and admire the ironwork architecture.  Once you’re done taking photos, head over to take a seat in the sweet-smelling La Rosaleda (rose garden). 

Most importantly, don’t miss the Jardines de Cecilio Rodríquez.  This magnificent formal garden with its checkerboard pathways is home to a flock of noisy peacocks.  This is my favourite part of El Retiro.  It’s an oasis of calm within El Retiro itself, as it’s much less busy than other areas of the park.  If you’re seeking something a bit more strenuous, rent a rowing boat, a bike, or go for a jog on the multiple pathways that span the park.  Cafés and toilets are available.

Evening

There’s time for one last food adventure to end your two day Madrid itinerary.  Take your pick of iconic century-old Madrid restaurants.  Options include La Casa del Abuelo, Casa Alberto and LHardy.  All are within a 15 – 20 minute walk from El Retiro.

Alternatively, head to the beautiful Café Central in Plaza del Angel if you like your food with a side order of live jazz music.  Reservations recommended.

When is the Best Time to Visit Madrid for Your 2 Day Itinerary?

Once you’ve decided on your itinerary for 2 days in Madrid you might be wondering when’s the best time to visit.  The ideal time to visit is during the more temperate months of April – May (temperatures can reach an average high of 18 – 22ºC) and October (average high of 21ºC). 

Summer temperatures can reach the uncomfortable high 30s, so avoid the hottest months of July and August.

December to February get cold, consequently, unless you’re happy to have a chilly break, stick to the shoulder seasons.

Check out my guide to packing for a city break for details of what clothes and essential items to pack for your trip.

Looking for other city breaks?

• Read this article on top things to do in San Sebastian.
• Check out this guide to the best free museums in Stockholm.