You’re in Madrid, you’ve already got the most important thing. You’ve taken the first step, and now you’re going to take an even braver one; discover Madrid in just one day.
I don’t know why you’re spending a day in Madrid, but I’m not going to question you, what I am going to do is praise you and thank you for wanting to discover one of the most important cities in the world.
No matter the duration, no matter the weather, the important thing is your desire to immerse yourself in the history, leisure and culture of Madrid. Come with us and we will show you the keys to discover Madrid in just one day.
Discover Madrid in a day
All right, are you ready to see it all? Well, maybe not everything, but as much as possible. We’re going to take you around the most emblematic sites of the Spanish capital.
It’s true that we can’t see everything, no matter how well connected everything is or how reliable public transport is, which we recommend for medium distances. Time is limited, and we have come to see and do it all.
We are going to start where it all begins, where the national roads start, kilometre zero of the Puerta del Sol. We already have a starting point, our kilometre zero, it is the kilometre zero of all Spain.
Photo round, it’s time to start creating memories of places you have already seen and know almost as if they were from your city; the Casas de Correos with the clock that you see every year-end, the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, Madroño, the Tío Pepe sign or the statue of Carlos III.
Are you one of those who need a coffee to start the day or something to eat? And do you also want to do it with all the essence of Madrid? Don’t worry, we’ve thought of everything, you’ll find two of the most legendary places in Madrid just a stone’s throw away: La Mallorquina and Chocolatería San Ginés.
Come on, let’s go on, tummy full, happy and eager for more. Let’s go to our emblematic place number two; El Retiro Park. You can either walk there or take the metro, there are only a couple of stops. The return trip can be done on foot, as the sun goes down.
Once you get out of the metro station, you will see the Puerta de Alcalá. There it is, there it is. Let’s see if you manage the challenge of taking photos of it without having to stop, that’s how fast we go. And in the Retiro we continue to see the real history of Madrid. The Pond and the Monument to Alfonso XII and the Palacio de Cristal are obligatory stops, read it again, obligatory. Whether or not you want to take a boat to the pond is up to you, but you have to see it without a doubt.
Stroll along the paths looking for new treasures or go back to Puerta de Alcalá to find the Cibeles fountain. And don’t think this is just about football, the Cibeles fountain is home to some of the most beautiful buildings in Madrid; Banco de España, the Palacio de Cibeles, the Palacio de Linares and the Palacio de Buenavista.
We continue along Calle Alcalá, already a mythical street, to go to Gran Vía, even more mythical. What can I tell you about Gran Vía? It’s a traditional Madrid avenue like no other, with real gems for your senses, such as the iconic Metrópolis building, which by the way is phenomenal with a beer in your hand from the rooftop of the Círculo de Bellas Artes, as well as the best musicals and theatres in the country.
Once you’ve seen most of Gran Vía, you’ll come to Callao, a very interesting square and metro stop. Now we head south, down either by metro or via Plaza Descalzas to our next stop; Plaza Mayor.
In Plaza Mayor and its surroundings you can enjoy one of the most typical Madrilenian snacks: the calamari sandwich. The Statue of Felipe III, the Arch of Cuchilleros or simply the structure of the square itself, are photos you can’t miss.
Let’s get serious as things are getting interesting, wipe your mouth from the piece of sandwich you’ve just eaten, and let’s walk down Calle Mayor towards what is possibly the most spectacular religious building in Madrid; the Almudena Cathedral.
Here, don’t be in a hurry, relax because the cathedral deserves every second of your attention, both inside and out. And, yes, the huge building next to it is just as important in local and national history. We are talking about none other than the Royal Palace.
Before the Palacio de la Zarzuela appeared, this was the official royal residence. Stand in the Plaza de la Armería, and you will have the Royal Palace on one side, the Almudena Cathedral on the other and the Campo del Moro on one side. A unique spot in Madrid, surrounded by history.
Before going to Campo del Moro, a walk that we recommend if you have time, pass by the Royal Palace, and before reaching its end, pass by the Plaza de Oriente and visit the Royal Theatre. Also, behind the Royal Palace, you will find the Sabatini Gardens. This is a different kind of place, a break from your hectic day. Peace and quiet in an environment full of beauty. Even more so if it starts to get dark.
We go to the Mirador de la Montaña to see the Madrid sunset. If we have time, we make a quick detour to Plaza de España, and if you’re on a tight schedule, it doesn’t matter, time stops to see the Temple of Debod. This Egyptian monument, more than two thousand years old, marks the end of our journey and our day.
After the photos of the temple, it’s time to get to the Mirador de la Montaña. And here you decide your next move: a stroll through the rose park, a night tour of Madrid, a return to Gran Vía and enjoy a show… The options are endless, and everything is at your fingertips.