Madrid 2 Day Itinerary: Top Sights, Bites, & Local Favorites

Trying to plan the best Madrid 2 day itinerary? You’re in the right place!

I’m a travel blogger that lives in Spain and I’ve created this guide to help you experience the city’s highlights in just two days–without skipping the good stuff. 

In this complete 2 day Madrid itinerary, I’ll cover the top landmarks, iconic bites, and a few personal picks that I always recommend to visitors. 

Here’s exactly how to spend two days in Madrid.

Day 1 in Madrid is all about exploring the heart of Madrid and seeing some of the city’s most famous landmarks–with time to try some of the most famous foods in Spain!

Madrid Day 1 Itinerary at a Glance:

• Start at Puerta del Sol
• Have churros at Chocolatería San Ginés
• Walk through Plaza Mayor
• Browse the stalls at Mercado de San Miguel
• Tour the Royal Palace of Madrid
• Step inside Almudena Cathedral
• Visit Templo de Debod
• Eat a bocadillo de calamares at La Campana
• Food Tour with Devour Tours
• Optional: End the night with drinks in Barrio de las Letras

Kick off your first day in Madrid at Puerta del Sol, one of the city’s busiest and most central squares. 

It’s where you’ll find the famous “Kilometer Zero” plaque and the statue of the bear with the strawberry tree, which is a symbol of the city. 

This area gives you a good feel for the city’s energy and is a great starting point for exploring the surrounding historic center.

Just a short walk from Puerta del Sol, stop for breakfast at Chocolatería San Ginés. 

This legendary café is one of Madrid’s OG churros spots and has been serving churros and thick hot chocolate since 1894. 

Spanish churros are traditionally eaten around breakfast time so going early will give you a true local experience.

After breakfast, make your way to Plaza Mayor, which is pretty much the most iconic square in Madrid. 

Surrounded by stately red buildings, it’s a beautiful place for a quick stroll and a few photos. 

You’ll probably pass through it more than once during your day, but it’s especially nice in the morning before it gets too busy.

Tip: Most of the restaurants around Plaza Mayor are more than likely going to be tourist traps, so if you want to dine there during your trip, I’d recommend just getting drinks.

Right next to Plaza Mayor, pop into Mercado de San Miguel to sample some local bites or just browse the stalls. 

This is one of the most popular things to do in Madrid and you’ll find everything from jamón ibérico, empanadas, and oysters to sangria and vermouth. 

It’s definitely more bougie and upscale than your average market, but it’s fun for a quick snack or drink before your next stop.

2026 Update: Mercado de San Miguel is temporarily closed for renovations. Instead, I’d recommend visiting some other local markets like Mercado de La Paz or Mercado de Vallehermoso.

Next up, head over to the Royal Palace of Madrid, which is the largest royal palace in Western Europe and one of the most famous monuments in Spain. 

The Spanish royal family doesn’t live there anymore but it’s still used for official ceremonies, and you can go inside to see the incredibly lavish rooms, grand staircases, royal chapel, and more.

Tickets have a timed entry and usually sell out a couple of weeks in advance, so you’ll need to book your tickets online ahead of time. 

And even if you don’t want to go inside, it’s worth stopping by for photos as the area around the palace is really royal and photo worthy.

Right next to the Royal Palace of Madrid is Almudena Cathedral, which is the main cathedral of Madrid and one of the newest in Europe. 

It was only completed in the 1990s, which makes it pretty modern by European standards. 

There’s a suggested donation of 1 euro to enter, and it’s worth stepping inside to see the bright interior and unique blend of architectural styles. 

And since it’s so close to the palace, it’s an easy and quick stop to add to your day.

After visiting the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral, head over to the adjacent park to check out the Templo de Debod. 

It’s an ancient Egyptian temple that was gifted to Spain in the 1960s as a thank-you for helping save historic sites from flooding. 

If you want to go inside, tickets are free but must be reserved online in advance. 

Even if you don’t go in, it’s still worth a visit to walk around the outside.  The temple is surrounded by green space and has some really nice elevated views of the city.

If you’re up for it, head back toward Plaza Mayor for a casual lunch at La Campana. 

This spot is famous for its fried calamari sandwiches, a Madrid staple that’s perfect for a quick and tasty meal.

You can get a table at the restaurant or they have a to-go window so if you want to take it to-go and eat it on a bench in Plaza Mayor.

Just don’t forget to order the aioli–it’s the finishing touch so the sandwich isn’t too dry!

Rest up a bit before heading out for an evening food tour with Devour Tours—I did their Tapas, Taverns & History tour and it was so much fun. 

It usually starts around 6:30 or 7:30 PM and takes you to four different local spots where you’ll try both food and drinks. 

Along the way, you’ll also get a walking tour of the city with a local guide who shares fun stories and interesting history without making it feel like a lecture. 

It’s such a fun way to experience Madrid and get to know the city through its food—you can read my full Devour Tours Madrid review for all the details!

The food tour ends right in the heart of Barrio de las Letras, so it’s the perfect spot to stick around for a drink. 

This area is the Literary Quarter and has a lot of cool bars and a fun atmosphere at night. 

If you’re in the mood for something a little different, head to Santos y Desamparados, which is a cocktail bar with a slightly spooky vibe and creative drinks.

Day 2 is all about enjoying Madrid’s parks, visiting cultural landmarks, and ending your trip with memorable views and local food favorites.

Madrid Day 2 Itinerary at a Glance:

• Breakfast at Casa Dani
• Stop by the Puerta de Alcalá
• Stroll through El Retiro Park
• Visit one of Madrid’s top art museums
• Have lunch on a Madrid rooftop
• Go shopping on Gran Via
• Dinner at Sobrino de Botín
• Optional: See a flamenco show

Start your second day in Madrid by heading to Mercado de la Paz, a more local and low-key market located in the Salamanca neighborhood. 

Inside, you’ll find Casa Dani, a no-frills bar and restaurant known for serving some of the best tortilla de patata in Madrid. 

This was honestly the best tortilla española I’ve had anywhere in Spain!  It’s slightly runny, so flavorful, and super fresh. 

It’s inexpensive, local, and a great way to kick off the day.

Next, walk down to the Puerta de Alcalá, a famous monument located just outside El Retiro Park. 

Built in the 18th century, it once served as one of the original gates into the city and is now one of Madrid’s most recognizable landmarks. 

It’s in the middle of a busy roundabout, but you can still get great photos from the sidewalks nearby. 

Next, head into El Retiro Park, which is Madrid’s most famous green space.

The main highlight is the lake in front of the monument to Alfonso XII, where you can rent row boats or just take some photos.

The Crystal Palace is another famous attraction but unfortunately it’s currently closed for renovation and the outside is completely covered.

And don’t miss the beautiful gardens on the right side of the park, where peacocks roam freely around the grounds.

If you’re really into art or history, you might want to consider a visit to one of Madrid’s world-class museums, which are located just outside El Retiro Park. 

The city’s main museum area, the Paseo del Prado, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to three of the best art museums in Europe. 

The Prado Museum features masterpieces by Goya, Velázquez, and El Greco, while the Reina Sofia Museum focuses on modern art, including Picasso’s Guernica. 

The nearby Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum bridges the gap between the two, with a collection that spans everything from the Renaissance to pop art.

Afterwards, stop at a Madrid rooftop for lunch and drinks.  I went to Azotea del Circulo on my last visit and it has some really amazing views overlooking the Metropolis building. 

There are also some other rooftops along Gran Via like Azotea Cibeles and Picalagartos Sky Bar.

On your way there, don’t miss the Cibeles fountain, which is one of the most famous monuments in Madrid.

Tip: Make sure to bring sunscreen as some of the rooftops in Madrid don’t have much shade!

After lunch, walk off your meal with a stroll down Gran Vía, one of Madrid’s main avenues.

This area is often compared to Times Square in New York City since it’s pretty touristy and there’s a lot of chain restaurants and retail stores. 

But it also has some of the best architecture in Madrid and you’ll pass elegant buildings, shops, and the famous Metropolis Building along the way. 

Rest up for a bit, then head to Sobrino de Botín for dinner. 

Open since 1725, it’s said to be the oldest restaurant in the world and is famous for its roast suckling pig, cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven. 

The space feels historic and authentic, with stone walls and old-school charm. Just be sure to make a reservation online, as it’s a pretty popular spot.

After dinner, consider catching a flamenco show. I saw a show at Essential Flamenco on my last trip to Madrid and would definitely recommend it! 

The venue has a cave-like feel with brick walls and just a few rows of chairs, which makes the performance feel really intimate. 

There’s no sound system, so you get the full effect of the live music and dancing right in front of you. 

Tip: If you’re not into flamenco, consider grabbing drinks at Salmon Guru.  This colorful bar has such a fun vibe with really creative craft cocktails.

Getting around in Madrid is super easy, and honestly, you can walk just about everywhere. 

On my last trip, I walked almost the entire time and only used public transportation a couple of times. 

If you do need to get around faster, the metro and buses are both reliable and easy to use. 

You can buy metro tickets from the machines at any station, and buses accept credit cards right at the front. 

It’s all pretty straightforward, even if it’s your first time in the city.

I hope this 2 days in Madrid itinerary helped you figure out how to make the most of a short visit! 

It covers the key sights, local food spots, and a few personal recommendations I always suggest to first-time visitors.

And since Madrid is super walkable, it’s easy to cover a lot of the major sights in a short amount of time. 

Enjoy your trip to Madrid!

READ NEXT:

• 25 Fun Things to Do in Madrid for First-Timers
• Devour Tours Madrid Review: Tapas, Taverns & History Tour
• Where to Stay in Madrid: Best Areas & Hotels