The Best of Madrid in a Two and a Half Day Itinerary

Madrid is the capital and most populous city in Spain. Being the largest city in Spain, it is an important cultural center for the country. While Madrid has grown to be a large economic hub in modern times, the city has prioritized maintaining its history, especially in the buildings, neighborhoods, and streets. While much of Madrid will be left unexplored when you leave, two and a half days can hit many of the highlights. In addition to Madrid, the following itinerary also provides an opportunity to explore Toledo which is about a 30 – 45 minute commute from Madrid.

This itinerary was designed to be picked up at the completion of Seville Spain Vacation – A Cultural Experience and First Time in Granada – 2 Day Itinerary to See it All. I encourage you to read both of these as a basis for this itinerary. Then you can decide if this progression of sightseeing across Spain is right for your travel style.

Day 1: Madrid’s Most Popular Sights

The first day in Madrid will cover the most popular sights in the city. This includes internationally recognized museums like the Prado, a renowned park retreat, the upscale shopping street of Madrid, and the elevated, varied food of a Spanish food market.

The Prado Museum (Museo Nacional del Prado)

This is the main national art museum for Spain. This museum and its art collection rank among the greatest in the world. The museum currently has a collection of approximately 8,200 drawings, 7,600 paintings, 4,800 prints, and 1,000 sculptures. Of this collection, over 1,300 works are on current display with many rotating to other museums or through special exhibits in the museum. Due to this impressive collection and its high world ranking, it is also one of the most visited art museums in the world. Prepare yourself for a large number of people in the museum if you are traveling during the tourist high season.

Prado Prioritization

With 1,300 works on display, there is no way to see them all. You will therefore want to prioritize seeing the best works in the museum. The most famous works in the museum are by Francisco Goya, Diego Velazquez, and Peter Paul Rubens. In addition, Titian, Bosch, and El Greco also get quite a bit of attention in the Prado. While a tour or route through the museum that sees the famous works by these artists will be the most popular, you may want to see something different. If you are an art aficionado, review the Pardo website to plan out the artwork that you most want to see.

Some recommended works to see in the Prado include:

1. The Garden of Earthly Delights by Heironymous Bosch
2. Las Meninas by Diego Velazquez
3. The Annunciation by Fra Angelico
4. The Three Graces by Peter Paul Rubens
5. The Adoration of the Magi by Peter Paul Rubens
6. Saturn Devouring His Son by Francisco Goya
7. Artemisia by Rembrandt

The information desk in the Prado museum provides a free brochure that outlines several highlighted routes through the museum that range from 1 – 3 hours.

The Prado Museum Quick Info

• Website: https://www.museodelprado.es/en
• Fee: €15/person
• Hours of Operation:
  • Monday – Saturday: 10 AM – 8 PM
  • Sundays and Holidays: 10 AM – 5 PM
• Duration: 3 – 4 hours
• Suggested Timeline: 10 AM – 2 PM

Pro Traveler Tip: Free Access

The Prado Museum is free to access during the last two open hours each day (Monday – Saturday 6 PM – 8 PM; Sundays 3 PM – 5 PM.

This will be a particularly busy time during the high season because of the reduced price. This means long lines and the opportunity to miss out on some viewing. You will have to weigh if the cost savings are worth the risk for your trip.

Pro Traveler Tip: Purchasing Tickets

The Prado Museum often restricts the number of people so buying a ticket online ahead of time guarantees entry and bypasses the lines to purchase tickets.

If you buy a full-price ticket ahead of time go straight to the security check and enter if you have your ticket with you. Reconsider the purchase of reduced-price tickets if you are eligible as those require you to wait in the ticketing line as if you hadn’t purchased one ahead of time so that the ticket office can verify that you are eligible for the reduced price.

El Retiro Park (Parque del Retiro)

Retiro is the Spanish word for “retirement” or “retreat”. This should give you an idea of why this park was designed. El Retiro Park is a large urban park with 350 acres (1.4 square kilometers). At a little under half the size of New York City’s fabled Central Park, it is still quite large and holds many ponds, green spaces, buildings, sculptures, and walkways.

This urban oasis commands a visit from all those traveling through Madrid. While the park will obviously be in full bloom and beautiful during the warmer months, don’t miss out on the winter gardens in the cooler months.

The must see highlights from the park are:

• Estanque del Retiro – Retiro Central Pond
  • Rent a boat or sit on a bench to enjoy the pond and the live music that is often being played around the shores.
• Palacio del Cristal – Crystal Palace
  • This is an all-glass structure that is impressive by itself. It is used to house traveling art exhibits most of the time.

A great use of time and opportunity to enjoy the park would be to grab lunch from one of the nearby restaurants and eat it in the park.

El Retiro Park Quick Info

• Website: https://www.esmadrid.com/informacion-turistica/parque-del-retiro
• Fee: Free
• Hours of Operation:
  • Spring & Summer: 6:00 AM – Midnight
  • Fall & Winter: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Suggested Timeline: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Gran Via

The Gran Via is a popular street in Madrid known for the streetscape, shops, and venues along the main drag. Unlike many other well-known shopping streets in Europe, this street is not pedestrian-only. Despite this fact, the buildings lining this thoroughfare show off the modern side of Spain and Madrid. This will be a juxtaposition to many historical sites being seen during a trip to Spain.

If you enjoy shopping, this is a central place in Madrid to do window shopping (or real shopping if you prefer and have room in your luggage). The hotels, shops, restaurants, and other venues are all arrayed along this street in stately buildings. Take time to look up at the buildings as you walk by. The buildings are as impressive and beautiful as the stuff that fills the stores and shops.

Gran Via Quick Info

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Suggested Timeline: 4:00 – 5:30 PM

Paseo in Spain

Paseo is a wonderful Spanish cultural tradition that one should experience while in Spain. This translates to “leisurely evening stroll” in English which perfectly captures the tradition. After work, most Spanish people will join their families, children, friends, and/or colleagues in a walk around their local streets. As normal closing times in Spain are later, this typically occurs between 6 PM and 9 PM. If you are out walking during this time, it will feel like all of Madrid is out walking with you.

In addition to the leisurely walk, a great way to enjoy this tradition is to stop for a drink or tapas once you have walked for a while. Walk and find a cafe or restaurant that you want to try to take in some of the neighborhood vibes. Repeat these stops as many times as you like until you are tired of walking or eating.

Paseo Quick Info

• Duration: 1 hour
• Suggested Timeline: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Mercado San Miguel

The Mercado San Miguel is a large municipal market in the heart of Madrid (not too far from the Royal Palace). The building is an industrial space constructed of iron and glass. Unlike many other food markets, this market was transitioned from a grocery market into an upscale market for prepared food. While a few grocery stalls remain, some of the most famous chefs in Madrid have stalls located here allowing you to sample their cuisine. The variety of food and drinks in this venue also provides the opportunity to sample many traditional Spanish foods. This is truly a foodie heaven.

During popular times, this market can be very packed. It is excellent for tapas, but because of this, the market becomes very crowded between 7 and 9 PM. It is difficult to find any space to sit during this time. Another tip for visitors is that this market caters to an upscale food experience. This won’t be your mom-and-pop neighborhood restaurant. Because of this, you will pay a little more for the food in this venue. However, in my opinion, it is worth the price for the atmosphere and co-location of varied culinary experiences.

Day 2: Toledo

Toledo is so close to Madrid that it makes a perfect day trip opportunity without having to move your accommodations and luggage. This ancient city is a World Heritage Site as designated by UNESCO for its cultural significance. Toledo is famous for several reasons (most of them for its history in the first millennia AD). Toledo was the seat of power for the Holy Roman Empire in Spain under Charles V. This city also was famous for its melding of three religions in one area (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism).

Train to Toledo

To do a proper day trip to Toledo you will want to have between 7 and 9 hours in the city. Therefore, I encourage taking an early train into Toledo. Trains departing Madrid’s Estacion Madrid – Puerta de Atocha leave approximately every two to three hours headed for Toledo.

Pro Traveler Tip: Traveling to Toledo

There are other departure times for the train if a 7:50 departure is too early for you. Buses also make the journey. The buses generally take longer and depart from a less convenient location if you are staying in the Madrid city center. You can leave on an earlier train if you want to spend more time at the open-air sites, but the cathedral and monastery don’t open till 10 AM so this will limit how early it makes sense to start.

Train to Toledo Quick Info

• Website: https://www.renfe.com/es/es
• Fare: €11.10/person
• Duration: 33 minutes
• Suggested Timeline: 7:50 AM – 8:23 AM

Bisagra’s Gate (Puerta de Bisagra)

Puerta de Bisagra is an ancient city gate of Toledo, Spain. The city gate was erected in the 10th century by the Moor rulers of Toledo at that time. When approaching, stay on the far side of the highway from the gate so that you can get a complete view. Due to the enormity of the gate, a picture from its side of the street will only capture a part of the site.

There isn’t a lot to see at this site so you don’t need to stay long. It’s definitely worth the visit though to get the picture and have the city gate as your welcome to the ancient city of Toledo.

Bisagra’s Gate Quick Info

• Website: N/A
• Fee: Free
• Hours of Operation: N/A
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Suggested Timeline: 8:45 AM – 9:15 AM

Alcázar de Toledo

The Alcázar de Toledo is the next stop of this day trip to Toledo. The Alcázar is a stone fortress that occupies one of the highest spots in Toledo. This building, while fascinating, is not original. Most of the Alcázar was rebuilt in the early to mid-1900s when much of Toledo was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. Like Bisagra’s Gate, this site is nice to look at and adds to the charm of a visit to Toledo.

The Alcázar de Toledo houses the Spanish Museum of the Army. If you are a history buff, are into Spanish history, or enjoy learning about military history, you may wish to spend more time at this site. For the average person though, I would suggest that you see the Alcázar from the outside and the park beside it (Mirador del Alcázar). Seeing the Museum of the Army takes 2 – 3 hours even if you do it quickly. This is too much time to spend in one area when you have only a day trip to Toledo.

Pro Traveler Tip: Breakfast at Mirador del Alcázar

While you are walking from Bisagra’s Gate to Alcázar de Toledo stop in a local cafe to pick up pastries, breads, or sweets for breakfast. Carry this with you to Mirador del Alcázar (the park right next to the Alcázar de Toledo) for a great view with breakfast.

Alcázar de Toledo Quick Info

• Website: https://turismo.toledo.es/museo-monumento-expo/alcazar/
• Fee: N/A
• Hours of Operation: N/A
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Suggested Timeline: 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Toledo Cathedral (Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo)

Cathedral Primada (or more officially Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo) is a Roman Catholic church located in the heart of Toledo. This cathedral was built on the site of a previous mosque in Toledo by the Christian monarchs. If you have traveled enough of Spain, you will see this occur quite frequently as the Christian monarchs tried to drive out Islam from the area after their conquest of the Moors.

The cathedral is a work of art with intricate carvings, white stone, and splashes of silver and gold accents. During high season (especially mid-day), the cathedral can become quite crowded. If you are going during high season, this is a reason to make this one of your first stops when getting into Toledo.

The entrance ticket also includes an audio guide that is well done. There isn’t much information posted inside the cathedral so the audio guide is good at providing this information as you move through the space. The full tour takes between 1.5 and 2 hours. Also while the Hours of Operation stated below are the normal hours, the cathedral has more special events than most tourist attractions and therefore is known to alter its schedule. It is advised to go to the cathedral website shown below and check their hours of operation for the day you will visit.

Toledo Cathedral Quick Info

• Website: https://www.catedralprimada.es/
• Fee: €10/person
• Hours of Operation: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
• Duration: 2 hours
• Suggested Timeline: 10:15 AM – 12:15 PM

Toledo Street Wandering/Lunch

At this point in the day, it is fun to have some free-form time to explore the streets of Toledo. Many of the streets in Toledo are small streets with wonderful architecture. Wandering up and down many of these streets really transports you back in time.

The most direct walk between the Toledo Cathedral and the Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes (the next stop on the itinerary) is only 1 kilometer or 15 minutes walking. I would encourage you not to take the most direct route, but instead, set off walking and turn down any street that catches your eye. Along the way find a place to eat lunch between 1 PM and 2 PM.

Street Wandering and Lunch Quick Info

• Duration: 2 hours (1 hour lunch + 1 hour exploring streetscapes)
• Suggested Timeline: 12:15 PM – 2:15 PM

Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes

The Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes is a Franciscan monastery built by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Construction started in 1477 to commemorate the birth of their son, John, and the Catholic monarch’s victory at the Battle of Toro against Portugal. The monastery was ornately planned and built as it was at one point the chosen burial place of Ferdinand and Isabella. The plans would later change to the Cathedral in Granada (as covered in our Granada itinerary: First Time in Granada – 2 Day Itinerary to See it All.)

This Monastery was completed in 1504 and was used by the Franciscan friars for centuries. The main buildings of the monastery were badly damaged in 1809 when Napoleon occupied Toledo. Because of the damage, the Franciscan friars abandoned the monastery until it was restored starting in 1883. However, the restoration of the monastery took over 80 years to complete resulting in the friars being unable to return until after 1960.

Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes Quick Info

• Website: http://www.sanjuandelosreyes.org/
• Fee: €3/person
• Hours of Operation:
  • March 1 – October 15: 10 AM – 6:45 PM
  • October 16 – February 28th: 10 AM – 5:45 PM
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Suggested Timeline: 2:15 PM – 3:45 PM

San Martin Bridge (Puente San Martin)

The second to last stop of the Toledo day trip is San Martin’s Bridge spanning the Tagus river. The bridge is located a short walk down towards the river from the monastery. There are several walkways down to the water before you get on the bridge. These are optimal spots from which to take picture of the whole bridge. The bridge is purely for pedestrians and is free to cross.

Walking across the bridge will also put you on the other side of the Tagus river from Toledo. If you are going to take a car (taxi or Uber) back to the train station and plan to travel via the viewpoint described below, being on the other side of the river will take some time and distance off the trip.

If you are in a hurry and running low on time to catch your train back to Madrid, this is the sight you should skip. However, if you find yourself with extra time there is a zip line across the Tagus river at the bridge. For those looking for some adventure, this is the longest urban zipline in Europe. It costs €10/person.

San Martin Bridge Quick Info

• Fee: Free
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Suggested Timeline: 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Toledo Viewpoint (Mirador de Toledo)

On the opposite side of the Tagus river from the city of Toledo is arguably the best location from which to see and capture a picture of Toledo. From the highway which runs along the Tagus river, there are several pull-off viewpoints on the north side of the road. From here you can capture amazing views of Toledo going away and up the hill.

Having walked from one side of Toledo to the other, I recommend hiring a ride back to the train station. Have your driver go to the train station via Mirador de Toledo. It’s a little longer of a ride to take this route to the train station, but it is well worth the view, new scenery, and the picture that you can capture.

Toledo Viewpoint Quick Info

• Duration: 30 minutes (15 minute driving + 15 minute at the viewpoint)
• Suggested Timeline: 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Train back to Madrid

After wrapping up your day trip to Toledo, make your way back to the train station. The last train of the day departing from Toledo to Madrid leaves at 5:25 PM and arrives back in Madrid just before 6 PM. As you are completing your exploration of Toledo keep this timetable in mind.

If you happen to miss this train or if the timeline doesn’t line up with what you want to see, there are hourly buses that run between Toledo and Madrid. These buses take longer than the train (approximately 1 hour in duration), but this can provide you more flexibility. The buses are also a cheaper option than the train at €5.58/person if that is more important to you than the time savings of the train. However, be aware that the bus drops further out from the city center (at Plaza Eliptica Madrid) rather than closer to the city center at Atocha station as the train does.

Train to Madrid Quick Info

• Website: https://www.renfe.com/es/es
• Fare: €11.10/person
• Duration: 33 minutes
• Suggested Timeline: 5:25 PM – 5:59 PM

Centro de Arte Reina Sofia

Madrid is famous for its artists and its art collections. While the Prado is the most famous art museum in Madrid, the Reina Sofia has its own amazing collection of art. The Reina Sofia concentrates its collection on 20th-century art (or modern art).

The most famous painters highlighted in the Reina Sofia are Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. Picasso’s Guernica is the most famous painting in its collection and a must-see for all visitors.

If you are a history buff, the lack of information in the museum could be frustrating. An audio tour is available, and in some rooms information cards are available in a box by the door. Be warned that the information cards are not in every room and don’t cover everything.

Backpacks are not allowed in the museum. They must be left in a locker when you arrive. The small lockers that will fit most backpacks are €1.

Pro Traveler Tip: Free Entry

During the last two hours of admission on weekdays and Saturdays and the last hour of admission on Sunday, entrance to the Reina Sofia is free. If this aligns with your schedule and you only want to see 1 – 2 hours of the museum, this is a great way to see the artwork economically.

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia Quick Info

• Website: https://www.museoreinasofia.es/en
• Fee: 10 €/person (Free during the Suggested Timeline)
• Hours of Operation:
  • Mon & Wed – Sat: 10 AM – 8 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM – 2:30 PM
  • Tuesday: Closed
• Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
• Suggested Timeline: 6:15 PM – 8:00 PM

Day 3: Madrid’s Final Day

The Royal Palace (Palacio Real de Madrid)

The Royal Palace is the official residence of the Spanish royal family. While it is their official residence, the royal family does not spend much time here preferring a more private and smaller home. As the royal family doesn’t have governmental power in Spain anymore, this palace is only used for state ceremonies.

At greater than 135,000 square meters (1,453,000 square feet) and 3,418 rooms, this is the largest palace in Western Europe. Because the palace is so large, the visitor route is changed every few months to show off different rooms at different times.

The exterior and interior of the palace are a show of opulence. The rooms in the palace are well-appointed with several staged to show furnishings from different eras. The palace also shows off grand chandeliers, tapestries, and some period instruments (violins and violas). The metalwork in the Armory building is exquisite. The pieces on display obviously take the armor well beyond function and transform it into a piece of art.

The Royal Palace Quick Info

• Website: https://www.patrimonionacional.es/
• Fee: €6/person
• Hours of Operation:
  • October – March: 10 AM – 6 PM except Sundays where closing is 4 PM
  • April – September: 10 AM – 7 PM except Sundays where closing is 4 PM
• Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
• Suggested Timeline: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Pro Traveler Tip: Guided Tour

During your tour of the Royal Palace, you will get to see about 20 of the palace rooms. While opulent and artistic, these rooms lack much in the way of historical notes or explanation of what you are observing. For this reason, if you are interested in the historical significance of the items or of the Spanish royal family, I suggest a guided tour.

You have two options for guided tours: in-person or audio tours. The audio tour is well done and takes about 1.5 hours. The cost is €3/person for the audio guide. The in-person guide is a little more expensive for small groups but can be almost the same cost for groups of 4 or more.

Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor is a large public square in downtown Madrid. The plaza was built in the 16th century as the primary place of the Madrid markets and gathering. The building surrounding the plaza are all built of deep burgundy red facades. In total, over 100 arches and 237 balconies face the square. This makes a great photo spot.

Today the plaza abounds with outdoor cafes, restaurants, and shops. The center of the Plaza houses a bronze statue of King Philip III who ordered the construction of the square. This statue dates to 1616 making it over 400 years old.

Tourists beware that this square attracts a number of street entertainers and “living statues” due to its popularity. The “living statues” have a way of injecting themselves into your photos and then becoming somewhat pushy requesting payment.

Plaza Mayor Quick Info

• Duration: 30 minutes
• Suggested Timeline: 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM

Train to Barcelona

Now that we have wrapped up our time in Madrid, it’s time to say goodbye and head to Barcelona. The quickest option for travel between Madrid and Barcelona is the high-speed train. The train takes just under 3 hours to go city center to city center. If booking far enough in advance, ticket prices can be found for less than €30 per person.

To maximize your opportunities for seeing Madrid, use the train ride as an opportunity to eat lunch. Pick up something in the Madrid train station as you are about to board. Enjoy your lunch as the Spanish countryside zooms past you.

Train to Barcelona Quick Info

• Website: https://spainrail.com/en?from=MADRI&to=BARCE
• Fee: Varies, but can be found for less than €30/person
• Hours of Operation: 6:30 AM – 8:40 PM
• Duration: 3 hours
• Suggested Timeline: 2:25 PM – 5:21 PM

Final Word

I hope you enjoy this Madrid Itinerary. It is jam packed with sightseeing and cultural experience to make the most of two and a half days in the area.

If you have any questions or comments on the above itinerary, leave them below. I will do my best to answer them.