Is Madrid guide in one day It is designed for travelers who have little time or for a first day in one of the essential cities of Europe.
Madrid is a city full of activity day and night, in which to make the most of the time it is necessary to draw a good itinerary that includes the visit to the most interesting places in the city. Although we can not forget something and that is that in addition to all its museums, markets, parks, monuments, neighborhoods, squares, one of the best things to see and do in Madrid is to try its varied cuisine and enjoy a good tapas in one of Its numerous terraces.
We also have to say that it is a city that we love and we have visited many times, so based on our experience in the capital of Spain we have made this Madrid guide in one day. We start!
How to go from the airport to the center of Madrid
The best ways to go from Barajas airport to the center of Madrid or your hotel are:
- Meter: From all terminals you can take the subway, which will leave you at the station in half an hour New Ministries from there, connect with metro lines 6 and 10, or with the suburban train, which will take you to the Atocha or Chamartín stations. The price is around 5 euros, according to our final destination.
- Train: From T4 a train leaves that will take you to the stations of Chamartín, Nuevos Ministerios and Atocha for less than 3 euros.
- Bus: From T1, T2 and T4 the Express Airport, which is also the only public transport that has service 24 hours a day and is priced at 5 euros. This bus stops at O'Donnell, Plaza de Cibeles and Atocha and the journey time is usually about 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
- Cab: Taxi prices have a flat rate of 30 euros.
- Private transport: With a price similar to the taxi, it is the most comfortable option since a driver at the airport will wait for you with a sign with your name that will take you directly to the hotel. You can book it here.
For more information about the transfer you can consult this post on how to go from Madrid Airport to the center.
Accommodation in Madrid
In our last trip to Madrid we stayed in the Room007 Select Sol, located in the heart of the city, 200 meters from the Plaza Mayor and 400 meters from the Royal Palace and also has the Sol and Opera metro stop nearby.
The hotel has a good quality / price ratio and is a great option if you are going to be a few days in the city and do not want to waste time in travel.
Another hotel that we recommend is the Room Mate Óscar, located in the lively Chueca neighborhood, about 10 minutes walk from the Puerta del Sol and 5 minutes from the Gran Vía metro. This hotel with a great quality / price ratio, has a terrace bar with stunning views of the city.
For more information on the best hotels and neighborhoods you can consult this post of where to stay in Madrid.
Madrid guide in one day
Is Madrid route in one day start by eating delicious Neapolitans early in La Mallorquina or some churros with chocolate in the San Ginés Chocolate, two typical places of the city, located near the Puerta del Sol, where we are sure you will start the day in the best way.
Churros with chocolate in San Ginés
To lower breakfast nothing better than to take a walk through the Retiro, the most beautiful and famous park in the city. This green area of Madrid presents its best colors in spring and autumn, although it is always a good time to walk, play sports, take a boat ride or simply disconnect from the city.
Among the places you cannot miss inside the park are the spectacular Crystal Palace, the Great Pond with the great Monument to Alfonso XII and the Rose Garden. Although it is easy to reach on foot from the most central areas of the city, if you are staying away from the park you can easily reach by subway by getting off at the bus stop. Retirement.
Crystal Palace in the Retreat
After the walk of one or two hours in the park, we recommend you go out through the access to the Plaza de la Independencia. In the center of this square in the middle of the roundabout, you will see the famous Puerta de Alcalá, one of the essential places to visit in Madrid, where you can not stop taking a picture.
This door with an architectural style similar to the Roman Triumphal Arches, is one of the five ancient royal gates that gave access to the ancient city and one of the symbols of Madrid.
The Puerta de Alcalá
A good option if you do not have much time to visit the city is to book the tourist bus that stops at the main points of interest or book this free tour of Madrid with a guide in Spanish Free!
The Madrid route in one day Continue with a short walk from Puerta de Alcalá to Plaza de Cibeles, surrounded by important buildings such as the Palacio de Linares, Banco de España, Palacio de Buenavista and the Palacio de Cibeles, which has the magnificent Fuente Cibeles in the center, one of the icons of the city well known in the world of sports for being the venue of the titles of Real Madrid.
The City Hall of Madrid is currently located in the Palacio de Cibeles and we recommend you enter, if you have time, to see its beautiful lobby and go up to the viewpoint on the top floor to enjoy good views.
Walking along Calle de Alcalá you will reach the building of the Círculo de Bellas Artes, where you can not miss climbing to its roof, from where you will have some of the best views of Madrid with the Gran Vía and the Metropolis building in the foreground. The roof also has a great terrace with a restaurant to have a drink in a relaxed atmosphere.
The price is 4 euros, but if you go to the terrace for a drink, access is free.
Views from the roof of the Circle of Fine Arts
The next stop on this route through Madrid in one day is the popular Plaza del Sol, where some of the most famous streets in the city such as Alcalá, one of the main arteries of the city, end.
This square has several points of interest such as the equestrian statue of Carlos III, the Clock of the Post Office, where the bells are celebrated every year to celebrate the new year, the Statue of the Bear and the Madroño and of course, the plaque of the kilometer 0.
The door of the sun
Before going to lunch we recommend you take advantage of the location to visit the nearby Plaza Mayor, our favorite in Madrid, always entering the magnificent Cuchilleros Arch. This rectangular square with the Statue of Philip III in the center, is surrounded by beautiful historic buildings, among which the Bakery House stands out.
The main square
Next to the Plaza Mayor is the La Campana Bar, where you can try a delicious squid sandwich, one of the typical meals of the capital. Another good option is to go for tapas and canes to the nearby San Miguel market, one of the best known in Madrid, where you can enjoy the best cuisine at very reasonable prices. We recommend for dessert to approach the Mistura and try their delicious handmade ice cream.
San Miguel Market
In the afternoon the Madrid route in one day continue walking along Calle Mayor, stopping at the beautiful Plaza de la Vila, until you reach the Royal Palace, official residence of the kings of Spain until they moved to the Palacio de la Zarzuela. If you go well in time you can enter the Royal Palace of Madrid, where inside you can see the rooms and royal halls, the Royal Pharmacy and the Royal Armory, one of the most important in the world.
To save yourself the wait in line, you can book this guided tour in Spanish or this offer that also includes the guided tour of the Prado Museum, a perfect option especially if you have more days.
Royal Palace
If you like photography, we recommend you approach the Sabatini gardens and the Plaza de Oriente, where the places with the best views of the Royal Palace. Also in this area is the Almudena Cathedral, the most important religious building in Madrid and another of the essentials of the city.
A good option to explore this whole area known as the Madrid de los Austrias and learn about its interesting history is to book this guided tour in Spanish, considered one of the best excursions in Madrid.
Taking advantage of the location and to enjoy a unique sunset in Madrid, you can approach the magnificent Temple of Debod, an Egyptian temple of more than 2,200 years that was a gift from Egypt for the help of Spain in the salvation of the temple of Abu Simbel, when the Great Dam of Aswan was built.
Debod Temple
Before sunset, we recommend you go to the back of the temple, where the great Mirador de la Montaña is located, overlooking the Almudena Cathedral and the entire area of the Royal Palace.
Once you have enjoyed the sunset, the time comes when the city begins to light up, perfect time to travel the Gran Vía, the best known street in Madrid, in which in addition to historic buildings such as Grassy and Telefónica, you can see some of the theaters with the most famous shows in the city.
The Gran Vía
During the walk on Gran Vía you can dine typical Madrid food in the GastroVía 61 or climb to Gourmet Experience from El Corte Inglés de Callao, with good quality and incredible views of the street.
After dinner you can finish this tour of Madrid in one day lengthening the walk on the Gran Vía, watching a show or doing this night tour through the best illuminated places in the capital.
If you have more days you can follow the Madrid guide in two days.
Map of the route through Madrid in one day
Do you want to organize a trip to Madrid?
Get it here:
The best offers of Flights to Madrid here
The best hotels at the best prices in Madrid here
Book the best tours and excursions in Madrid in Spanish here
Book your Airport⇆Madrid transfer here
Madrid guide in two days
Rent your car in Madrid at the best price here
Book your travel insurance with a 5% discount here
The best offers of Flights to Madrid here
The best hotels at the best prices in Madrid here
Book the best tours and excursions in Madrid in Spanish here
Book your Airport⇆Madrid transfer here
Madrid guide in two days
Rent your car in Madrid at the best price here
Book your travel insurance with a 5% discount here
