What to see in Madrid in a day?

You’ve got 24 hours. We know it’ll never be enough to enjoy all the city has to offer, but your mission is to squeeze the most out of your visit to the Spanish capital. You’ve got to manage your time, so let’s start with two questions. What can I see in Madrid in one day and what can I do in Madrid in one day? It’s not the same. Don’t panic. Stay calm! We’re going to provide you with an excellent route! It’ might be a bit hectic, but it’s more than possible. On your marks, get set, ready,…

So let’s start by assuming you’ve arrived in the Spanish capital by train, and you’re at Atocha Station. As soon as you step off the train, you should head back into the hall from the main entrance and take the time to explore the Tropical Garden. You’ll never have seen so many turtles together along with more than 400 species of plants from America, Asia and Australia.

Now, it’s time to grab a taxi and move towards Plaza de Cibeles (the place where Real Madrid celebrate their victories). On route, you’ll pass by the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and the impressive vertical garden at the Caixa Forum Madrid building.

Your first stop should be the Prado Museum, one of the most important and most visited museums in the world. Once the Stendhal syndrome has got hold of you it’s time to jump back into a taxi and head up Paseo de la Castellana, where you’ll pass by the Fountains of Neptune (this is where Atlético de Madrid celebrate their victories) and a few seconds later you’ll be in Plaza de Cibeles in front of the impressive Madrid City Hall. It’s worth having a look inside and going up to the viewpoint to get a real idea of the size of the city, but if you want to go that bit higher, maybe you should think about visiting the Círculo de Bellas Artes as it definitely has the best panoramic views of the city.

After leaving the City Hall, go over to the corner of the street and look to the east, this is the perfect spot for a selfie in front of the Puerta de Alcalá. It’s one of the city’s landmarks and just a stone’s throw away from the Retiro Park, the city’s green area, but for this express visit, there’s simply not enough time (maybe we’ll do a Madrid in 1 Day Part 2).

Your next stop has to be Gran Via, the city’s main thoroughfare that’s full of life 24/7. After, you can head for the bustling Calle Fuencarral, Madrid’s shopping hotspot, on your right, you need to stop at Plaza del Callao (one of the most popular meeting points in Madrid) and check out the Schweppes advertisement on the Carrión Building. The Lope De Vega Theatre is on the corner, where you can see for your very own eyes that The Lion King is still sold-out (it’s been running for 5 years now, but maybe the next time you’re back in Madrid you’ll get to post on Facebook that you’ve finally seen it).

Head down Calle Preciados, another of Madrid’s active shopping areas, and you’ll end up in the famous Puerta del Sol plaza. This is a “must” for anyone visiting the city. Here you can step on KM 0 of all the radial roads in the country and grab a photo next to the bear and the strawberry tree, a 20th-century sculpture that appears on both the Spanish flag and the Madrid’s official coat of arms.

It’s feasible to visit all these places on foot, and you still haven’t taken another form of transport again. Plaza Mayor is just a few blocks from Sol and another of the city’s major tourist attractions which dates back to the 16^th century.

About now your stomach should be starting to rumble and telling you its needs food, luckily enough, you’re within walking distance of San Miguel Market, which is a great place to find top-quality gourmet cuisine.

There are still lots of places to see and visit but time’s not on your side today, so it’s time to make a few decisions. Our last piece of advice is to try and visit Plaza de España before it undergoes historic renovations that emerged from the local referendum carried out by Madrid City Council. Time is running out as the day draws to a close, but Madrid still has a whole lot more to offer. If you fancy changing any of the stops we’ve suggested, then the Royal Palace and the La Latina, Malasaña or Cueca neighbourhoods are all worth a visit in themselves. Have a great time in Madrid!