A Fun Two-Day Madrid Itinerary
See Spain’s capital city real quick—all the best stops, all the best restaurants.
A beautiful city known for its architecture, green spaces, and famous soccer team, Madrid is one-of-a-kind. Its rich cultural history makes it a fantastic city to sightsee and walk around almost any time of the year.
With everything from an Egyptian temple to the oldest restaurant in the world, Madrid is full of surprises.
If you’ve only got a few days in Madrid during your European trip or vacation in Spain, here’s a great way to spend two days in Spain’s capital city. You’ll visit the must-see attractions in Madrid and enjoy authentic, unique experiences.
Here’s the TLDR version of your 2-day Madrid itinerary:
Day 1:
📷 See the famous Puerta de Alcalá
🚶🏼♀️Stroll through Parque Retiro
🚣🏽 Rowboat in Parque Retiro’s lake
🍴 Try Distrito Burger
🖼️ Enjoy the famous El Prado museum
🍴 Eat fantastic Peruvian food at Humo in Goya
Day 2:
👀 Check out the Debod Temple: an Egyptian temple in the middle of the city
🏛️ Visit the Palacio Real: one of the largest royal palaces in the world
🚶🏼♀️ Walk down Gran Via, Madrid’s Broadway
🍴 Try Casa Dani’s award winning tortilla de patata
📷 Take a selfie at the famous Cibeles fountain
🍷 End the night on one of Madrid’s rooftop bars
And if you have more time:
🚶🏼♀️ People watch at Plaza Mayor
⚽ Visit Bernabeu, Real Madrid’s Stadium
🍴 Eat at Botín, the oldest restaurant in the world
🚗 Take a stunning day trip to Segovia or Toledo
Now, for the more detailed version:
Day 1: Madrid’s Famous Palaces, Monuments, and Parks
Start your day off at a famous monument: the Puerta de Alcalá. This triumphal arch was built between 1774 and 1778 at the main entrance of the capital city to celebrate the arrival of King Carlos III. It’s historic because it was the first triumphal arch built in Europe since the fall of the Roman Empire.
Then, take a morning walk through Parque Retiro, Madrid’s green oasis. One of the many entrances is right next to the Puerta de Alcala. This huge park is over 350 acres (142 hectares), and filled with lakes, statues, rose gardens, and even a Palacio de Cristal: a beautiful glass conservatory.
For a bit of adventure, go on a rowboat ride through the lake. Or, enjoy a nap in the grass. Listen to the live music that’s almost always sprinkled throughout the park. This is your dose of the real Spanish lifestyle—slow enjoyment in the beautiful outdoors.
How do I schedule a rowboat ride in Parque Retiro’s Lake?
To reserve a rowboat at Retiro Lake, download the “Madrid Movil” app, choose “Estanque del Retiro,” then select “Barcas Estanque del Retiro.” You’ll see a calendar with different availability per day, then below, the times available.
You can NOT book these tickets far in advance. The system only lets you book them a few days before, so make sure you get on the app early in the morning to secure the time you want.
You could also just show up and wait in line to buy your ticket the day of. Sometimes the lines are long, so be prepared to wait if you don’t get there early. The rowboat rentals open at 10am and close at 2:00 for siesta time, then open back up at 3:15pm.
How much does it cost to rent a rowboat in Parque Retiro?
From Monday to Friday, it costs €6 euros for one 45-minute rental. If you go on a weekend or holiday, it’ll cost €8 euros. Children under four are free.
Grab some burgers for lunch at Distrito burger, right next to the park’s Ibiza metro station entrance. Enjoy unlimited fries, juicy burgers, fantastic house sauces, and creamy oreo desserts. They have a great deal with the lunch menu where you get a burger, fries, a drink, and a dessert for about 13 euros.
(Distrito burger has various locations throughout the city. The one I recommend is located at Calle de Ibiza, 16, perfectly situated next to Retiro Park near the Ibiza metro station entrance.)
Spend the afternoon at El Prado, one of Spain’s most important art museums. Here, you’ll find famous works like:
Las Meninas, by Diego Velázquez
The Garden of Earthly Delights, by Bosch
The Nobleman with his Hand on his Chest, by El Greco
And many other works by famous artists like Goya, Dürer, and Rembrandt.
How much are the Prado museum’s entrance tickets?
Tickets cost 15 euros online, or you can visit the museum free from 6pm to 8pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 5pm to 7pm on Sundays and holidays.
Finish off the day with some fantastic Peruvian food at Humo, located on Calle de Hermosilla 73 in Madrid’s Goya district. This restaurant is a luxury upgrade to the traditional Peruvian Pollerias—but without a hefty price tag.
Try their fantastic Peruvian roasted chicken, pollo a la brasa, with mouth wateringly-good spicy sauces, fresh salad, and french fries cooked at the perfect level of crispiness. If you’re not in the mood for chicken, they also have typical peruvian rice—arroz chaufa and aeropuerto—ceviche, or wings. Be sure to try their amazing chicha morada: a typical Peruvian drink made from purple corn.
After eating at Humo, and walking around Madrid all day, you’re almost sure to roll back to your hotel and call it a night.
Day 2: Egyptian Temples, Royal Palaces, and a Rooftop View of Madrid’s Skyline
During your second day in Madrid, visit the Debod Temple, an Egyptian temple that dates back to the 2nd century BC. The temple’s walls are covered with images of kings making offerings to various Egyptian Gods, and it’s surrounded by beautiful green parks and fantastic panoramic views of the city. And, it’s free! (Just make sure you reserve your spot ahead of time and know that it’s closed on Mondays.)
Why is there an Egyptian temple in the center of Madrid?
Over 2,000 years ago, the temple’s original location was in southern Egypt, near the first cataract of the Nile river in Nubia. But, in the 1960s, when the Aswan High Dam was built, it caused serious flooding that almost completely submerged this ancient temple.
Spain was one of the few countries to respond to UNESCO’s cry for help, and Spanish architects helped save the Debod Temple, and other temples in Nubia. As a really cool way to say thank you, Egypt gifted temples to each country that helped.
The Debod Temple was carefully deconstructed and sent, stone by stone, to Madrid, where it was meticulously rebuilt and then opened to the public in 1972.
After you check out the ancient Egyptian temple, head over to the Palacio Real—one of the largest royal palaces in the world. With 3,418 rooms, stunning decorations, royal gardens, and works of art from famous artists like Caravaggio, Velázquez, and Goya, this place is sure to take your breath away.
How much is the entrance fee to Madrid’s Palacio Real?
Tickets cost between 14 and 24 euros (depending on the tour you choose). Make sure to get your tickets early at the official Royal Palace website. Also, if you are a citizen of the European Union, a resident or holder of work permit in that territory, or a Latin American citizen you can visit for free Monday to Thursday from 5pm to 7pm (4pm to 6pm in winter). If you happen to be there on 18 May, International Museum Day, entrance is free.
Grab some lunch at Divorare for authentic Italian focaccias (right next to the Chueca metro station, on Calle de Augusto Figueroa, 20) or Casa Dani (on Calle Ayala, 28 near the Serrano metro station) for an award-winning tortilla de patata and other traditional Spanish dishes.
Then, spend the afternoon shopping on Gran Via, Spain’s version of Broadway. Here, you’ll find luxury hotels, theatres, and shopping galore. Start at the Plaza de Espana metro station, close to the Royal Palace, and walk the entire thing—it’s less than a mile long.
Near Gran Via, you can see:
The famous Cibeles fountain—a 18th century work of art that shows the Phrygian goddess Cybele on a lion-pulled chariot.
The Metropolis Building—a famous dome-topped office building at the corner of the Calle de Alcalá and Gran Vía.
Iconic stores like Primark and Zara—great for shopping and getting an inside look at Spanish fashion.
A one-of-a-kind view of the Madrid skyline, at Riu 360 Rooftop bar (if you’re willing to pay for that fantastic 360 degree view). Get lunch, dinner, or drinks, enjoy the live music, and take your picture with the Madrid skyline as your backdrop.
Is there a better way to finish off a quick trip to Madrid than watching the sunset on a rooftop bar, favorite drink in hand, and live music playing in the background?
More Things to See and Do in Madrid
If you have more time in Madrid or want to turn your two-day Madrid vacation into a longer trip, here are some other activities things to do and see in Spain’s capital city:
Soak in the history of Madrid’s main market space, Plaza Mayor. Today it’s filled with outdoor seating for restaurants and tourists, but it was once the place where bullfights, games, ceremonies, and even executions occurred.
Try the famous bocadillo de calamares at Bar La Campana (by Plaza Mayor)—it’s a fried squid sandwich topped with garlic mayo and lemon, and it’s the best one in the city.
Take a tour of Bernabeu, Real Madrid’s home stadium. Enjoy a panoramic view of the inside of the stadium and a visit to the Real Madrid museum. If that dates line up and you’re in Madrid during game day, don’t miss your chance to watch some futbol at this famous stadium.
Check out the Chamberí Ghost Station—an abandoned metro station turned museum that gives you an inside look into the spooky history of Madrid’s metro.
Eat at the oldest restaurant in the world, according to the Guinness World Records. Founded in 1725, Botín (located nearby the Royal Palace on Calle de Cuchilleros, 17) is backed by 300 years of experience. Here, you’ll find real Madrilenian cuisine.
What are the best day trips from Madrid?
Your two best options are Segovia and Toledo. Both of these beautiful cities have their own unique charm and are full of Spanish history.
Segovia is a stunning World Heritage City famous for the fairytale castle of Alcázar (Walt Disney supposedly modeled the first Disneyland castle after this beauty). It also is known for a soaring aqueduct that cuts through the middle of the city. Segovia has impressive views and since it’s about an hour drive from Madrid, it’s a great day trip option.
Toledo is also about an hour from Madrid. This beautiful city has a rich cultural, religious, and architectural history. Make sure to visit the 13th century High Gothic cathedral—one of only three in the country. Its intricate details and stunning architecture make it a true work of art. Fun fact: Here you can find a 10th century mosque, two synagogues, and an 18th century baroque church all in the same city.
Enjoy Exploring Madrid’s Vibrant Streets and Hidden Gems
This two-day Madrid itinerary is a fun blend of must-see attractions and hidden gems. Who would have thought you’d visit a 2nd century Egyptian temple in the middle of Madrid?
Whether you’re here for the historical classics, the world-renowned museums, or the trendy new rooftop bars, Madrid has something for everyone—it’s a vibrant city you’re sure to enjoy.
P.S. Check out my five favorite restaurants I come back to again and again whenever we’re in Madrid right here.