Long overshadowed by Barcelona among travellers, Madrid reveals itself to those who take the time to discover it. A capital set at the geographic heart of Spain, it cultivates a unique art of living: you lunch late, dine even later, and at night the streets stay full of people. Add some of the world's greatest museums, and you have a first-rate city-trip destination.
Two days are enough to catch its energy. Here's our itinerary — find the visits on our what to do in Madrid page.
Day 1 — Royal Spain: Palace and Prado
Start with the Royal Palace, the largest royal residence in Western Europe by floor area, with its 3,000 rooms of dizzying opulence. Then reach the Plaza Mayor, a majestic 17th-century arcaded square that was the setting for coronations as well as autos-da-fé, and lose yourself in the lively lanes of old Madrid, from tapas bar to tapas bar.
In the afternoon, it's time for art: the Prado Museum unfolds masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya and Bosch. Impossible to see everything — target the must-sees, like Velázquez's Las Meninas. Nearby, the Reina Sofía Museum holds Picasso's Guernica, a devastating work not to miss.
Prado & Royal Palace to book
Skip-the-line tickets for the Prado Museum and the Royal Palace of Madrid.
Day 2 — Parks, markets and Madrid life
Ease into the day at Retiro Park, the city's green lung, where you can row on the pond in front of the monument to Alfonso XII and where the Crystal Palace seems straight out of a dream. Then stop at the San Miguel Market, a temple of gastronomy under glass where you nibble Iberian ham and croquetas.
In the afternoon, soak up the neighbourhoods: trendy Malasaña, La Latina and its taverns, festive Chueca. And if you stay for the evening, treat yourself to a flamenco show — because even in Madrid, Andalusian passion is never far away.
Flamenco & food tours in Madrid
Flamenco shows, tapas crawls and guided tours to book.
