In 2011, I arrived in Madrid for my student exchange and it’s my pleasure to show you my favourite spots in the city for your Madrid 2 days escape! I stayed six months in the capital of Spain discovering also different areas of this unique and beautiful country (such as Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Benidorm), only to be back for good in Barcelona two years later. What can I say, I fell in love with Spain – one of the most exciting, open-minded, rich in culture and gastronomy countries in Europe. Now, though I live in Barcelona, I still go to Madrid every now and then for an exciting weekend getaway. Madrid is huge and has plenty of attractions, but if you have only a weekend, you can still get the best out of it. If you only have in Madrid 2 days, keep reading this post, as I have described the absolute top things to do during 2 days in Madrid, including my Madrid 2 days itinerary, top attractions and favourite restaurants. Β So, pack your bag and let’s go for an ultimate Madrid city break! Let’s kick-start your Madrid 2 day itinerary with delicious food and fabulous drinks! Head for some tapas (small appetisers served both cold and warm) to La Latina. La Latina is one of Madrid’s most authentic neighbourhoods combining little boutiques, typical tapas bars and medieval streets. My new favourite dish is eggs with cured Spanish ham (huevos rotos con jabugo) at La Taberna los Huevos de Lucio. Walk the streets of Cava Baja and Cava Alta – you will find plenty of authentic Spanish restaurants where the locals go.Β
Alternatively, head to San Miguel Market.Β It’s a food hall that was created in the early 1900s before being renamed in 2018 as a gourmet food market, with many of the city’s greatest chefs installing stalls. There is a large selection of places to eat, which itself is ideal if you travel in a group with diverse tastes or you like to order a few things to split (that’s a Spanish way to do it!). You’ll be amazed by its architecture and food variety (you can find fresh produce from every corner of Spain). But the best part is that it stays open until 2 am on a weekend as sharp looking MadrileΓ±os go there before hitting the clubs. Enjoy excellent tapas and wines while mingling with locals (you’ll be surprised how easy it is to start a conversation with random people in Madrid). You never know how these connections will affect your Madrid 2 day itinerary – you might end up at some house party or discover some new trending bars! Time to discover the city’s treasures! Since you only have 2 days in Madrid, let’s start with the most beautiful and emblematic sights like Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real. Madrid may not be as well-known as Rome or Paris in terms of landmarks, but the Spanish capital is a joy to discover. Below you can find the top sights in Madrid to visit, from cultural treasures and world-class art to an incredible food scene and picturesque parks. Β All the roads lead to Puerta del Sol, the busiest square in the city. Literally! Puerta del Sol is a km 0 of roads connecting Madrid to other parts of the Spanish Kingdom. Sol is usually flooded with people, and it’s pretty easy to get lost, so better look around for some signs that will help you find the right way out of the square. For example, there is “Tio Pepe” advertisement ( a true landmark), Bear and the MadroΓ±o Tree, the heraldic symbol of Madrid and the famous clock on the post office building whose bells mark the beginning of eating 12 grapes at the New Year’s Eve. Β From there, stroll the old town until you see a grand arcaded square called Plaza Mayor. Plaza Mayor is the main square in Madrid and for major festivals. Please look at its iconic red building and then take a small break to drink the best hot chocolate in town and eat the most famous churros at Chocolateria San Gines. It is heaven on Earth!
After chocolate and churros, continue walking around the old town to see Palacio Real (the Royal Palace), the official residence of the Spanish royal family. The exterior is impressive, but it comes nowhere close to the interior. With an area of 135,000 mΒ², it is Europe’s most enormous royal palace and, certainly, one of the most magnificent. Art by Goya and Velazquez, Stradivarius violins, and Spain’s royal crown jewels are just a few of the gems housed at the castle. Also, don’t miss the royal arsenal, which features lavish imperial weapons!
From there, a short stroll will take you to Temple de Debot. It might surprise you to find an Egyptian temple in the middle of the Spanish capital, but worry not! This temple was a gift from Egypt to Spain to help save temples in Nubia. It is a must during your Madrid 2 days trip!
Not far from Temple de Debot, you will find Museo del Jamon. The name is a bit misleading as it is not a museum but a restaurant with all possible varieties of Spanish delicacy – Jamon (cured ham)! I suggest taking a whole plate of Jamon de bellota (ham from free-range Black Iberian pigs) and a bottle of good red wine. Yum! Β While already on Gran Via, my best advice is to go shopping and if you speak Spanish, make sure you check the theatre schedule. Gran Via is a Spanish Broadway!
Walk from Plaza EspaΓ±a until the Metropolis building, the most beautiful building in town, and step in and out of different boutiques. Go especially to Salvador Bachiller shop. It has a hidden restaurant (El Invernadero) with a greenhouse inside and some of the most original drinks you can find in the city. You might want to reserve in advance, especially if you only stay in Madrid 2 days!
Don’t forget to go inside El Corte Ingles, Spain biggest department store. On the very top, there is a section with gourmet food and a terrace with a panoramic view over the city.
Speaking of views, if you wonder where is the best view of Madrid, my absolute favourite is Azotea del Circulo de Bellas Artes. The bar itself might be a bit overpriced (plus you need to pay about 4 Euros to get inside), but boy, those views are priceless! The bar has a relaxation lounge, so if you want to make the best use of your money, go there for a sunset and stay until night, chilling on one of the beanbag chairs. Madrid has the highest number of bars per square meter in Europe! It is a city that never sleeps, which means you shouldn’t sleep there either, especially if you only stay in Madrid 2 days. Take only a small nap before heading to clubs, as the nightlife in Spain starts very late. The clubs usually open around 1 am, and if you come before, you will be the only one inside.
A friendly neighbourhood to go out is MalasaΓ±a, the hip district of Madrid full of lively bars and clubs. Alternatively, head to Lavapies with its multi-ethnic character and hippie style or Chueca for the gay-friendly places. For more posh experiences, try barrio Salamanca with its upscale club scene.
As the first day was full of attractions during the day and night, day 2 in Madrid will be a relaxation day. In the morning, check out El Rastro, the most famous Spanish street market on which you can find everything, from small crafts through clothes, medieval art and home equipment. The surrounding area of the market is also filled with antique shops. Every Sunday, the market takes place from 9 am to 3 pm in barrio La Latina.
After treasure hunting at El Rastro, take a stroll in Retiro Park. This green oasis in the centre of the capital of Spain is often referred to as the Central Park of Madrid. It occupies a surface of 125 hectares, and it is home to more than 15 000 trees. While in the park, don’t miss the lake (a popular spot for rowing) or the beautiful glass palace, Palacio de Cristal, designed as a vast greenhouse but nowadays serves mainly as an art exhibition.
Madrid has one of the best museums in the World. I especially recommend visiting El Prado, where you can see classic Spanish masterpieces. El Prado, which was founded in 1819, houses a collection of around 1300 artworks. You may see some of the finest works by well-known Spanish masters such as El Greco, Francisco de Goya, and Diego Velazquez, as well as other art luminaries like Bosch, Rubens, and Raphael. The museum is massive, and it will take you at least two hours to complete a full round. If you enjoy art, you should also visit Museum Thyssen-Bornemisha with a mixture of different styles, Museum Reina Sofia with 20th-century art exposition and CaixaForum with its impressive vertical garden. When I lived in Madrid, my apartment was situated near Atocha. I enjoyed staying in that neighbourhood as I was not far from El Retiro’s park and had the best transport connexions – since I was just next to the central railway station. Β If you only intend on staying in Madrid 2 days, the centric you live, the better! The Central District, which covers Sol, Gran Va, and Madrid de los Austrias, is the ideal neighbourhood to stay in Madrid given its good location and numerous transportation options.Β You can take the efficient Madrid Metro, which covers almost all areas, buses, or taxis to get around the city. It is also crucial to evaluate the reasons for visiting Madrid. If you want to party, some of the most excellent places to stay in Madrid for entertainment are Malasana, the home of the Movida Madrilea, and Las Letras, a tapas and beer heaven. Β I hope you enjoy your 2 days in Madrid, as much as I always do when I visit this city and that it will leave you with a need to come back soon for longer! If you want to combine this trip with some fabulous Spanish islands, I highly recommend you to check out my 5 days in Tenerife itinerary and my Fuerteventura guide.Β
Where to eat during your Madrid 2 days itinerary
Madrid 2 days: Day 1
Places to visit in Madrid in 2 days
Puerta del Sol
Plaza Mayor
Palacio Real
Temple de Debot
Museo del Jamon
Walk along Gran Via
Enjoy the rooftop view of Azotea del Circulo de Bellas Artes
Go clubbing
Madrid 2 days: Day 2
El Rastro
Retiro Park
Go museum hopping
Where to stay during your Madrid 2 days itinerary
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What a jam packed weekend! I especially love that you shared the tip about the views from El Corte Ingles, I have a friend who lives in Madrid and he took me there. I definitely agree with eating as much cured ham as possible while you are there.
This sounds like a busy but awesome weekend! I’ve wanted to go to Spain more and more recently and this makes me want to go even more!
So many places to see, lovely itinerary! The views at the bar looked absolutely amazing! Seeing your photos made me wish to head back to Madrid again. I had a great time discovering all the food at San Miguel Market when I was there!
It is a great itinerary, although Friday it’s a bit pricey. Iget that you should visit Mercado de San Miguel but tapas near Sol or Lavapies are way cheaper. Another great view is from the terrace of the town hall, the drinks here are also pricy. Thanks for sharing!