Full Itinerary for 24 Hours In Madrid, Spain
If you only have 24 hours in Madrid, it is important to maximize your time with the best things to do in Madrid! The city is filed with vibrant culture, cathedrals, markets, and exquisite cuisine. I created this Madrid City Guide with one thing in mind: experience as much as possible in just a short amount of time!
The guide below for 24 hours in Madrid is a walking guide – but be forewarned that you’ll be exhausted by the end of the day! It’s okay to use Taxis/Ubers or the Metro to get from one stop to another! Thankfully public transportation is fairly reliable in Madrid! You can also purchase tickets for a Hop on Hop Off Bus for $26 per person in order to get around the city!
Read my full guide for best things to know before going to Spain for other helpful tips!
24 Hours in Madrid
9:00AM – Breakfast
10:00AM – Palaces & Cathedrals
12:00PM – Plaza Mayor & Puerta de Sol
1:30PM – Lunch
3:00PM – Retiro Park
5:00PM – Rooftop Bars
7:00PM – Malasaña Neighborhood
9:00PM – Dinner
11:00PM – Nightclubs
9:00am – Breakfast
Start your 24 hours in Madrid with a hearty and healthy breakfast! La Rollerie is a popular chain of cafés in Madrid, offering a wide variety of breakfast options including sandwiches, pastries, and fresh juices. There are about half a dozen La Rollerie’s located around the city, so you should have one near your hotel, hostel, or Airbnb!
10:00am – Plazas, Palaces, and Cathedrals!
Start your day at Plaza de Oriente surrounded by some of my favorite touristy things to do in Madrid. If you only have 24 hours in Madrid, the palace and cathedral around Plaza de Orietne are the most important things to do in Madrid! Stand in awe as you admire the beautiful architecture, statues, and history.
Head to the Royal Palace of Madrid and explore the magnificent palace, which is the official residence of the Spanish royal family. It is the largest palace in Western Europe and the biggest building in Madrid! You may enter the palace for €12 per person (as long as it is not a national holiday).
After visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid, be sure to stroll through the Jardines de Sabatini. This free garden is located right next to the palace and offers beautiful flowers, hedges, fountains, and more!
Next, head over to Cathedral de la Almudena! This cathedral is free to enter and is absolutely breathtaking! If you’d like to visit the Museum and crypt, you’ll need to pay €6 per person.
12:00pm – Plaza Mayor & Puerta de Sol
Take a 10 minute walk towards the Plaza Mayor – which is the city’s main square, and soak up the lively atmosphere. The Plaza Mayor is a beautiful square with stunning architecture, including the Casa de la Panadería and the statue of Felipe III.
You can also visit the nearby Mercado de San Miguel for some tapas and drinks or go shopping for souvenirs and traditional Spanish items!
Walk another 10 minutes and you’ll find Puerta de Sol. This is another iconic square in Spain with stunning architecture, shops, and restaurants! Here you can visit the clock tower located on top of Real Casa de Correos building, take a picture with El Oso y El Madrono (an iconic statue in Madrid featuring a bear & strawberry tree), and find some sweet treats like churros or ice cream!
La Mallorquina is a historic pastry shop located near the Puerta del Sol, offering a wide variety of traditional Spanish pastries and baked goods if you need a quick pick me up before lunch!
1:30pm – Lunch
Surprised by the late lunch? Remember to live like the Spanish for your 24 hours in Madrid and make the most of their late lunches & dinners!
Stop for lunch at a traditional Spanish restaurant, such as Casa Lucio or La Bola, and try some of the local specialties like cocido madrileño or huevos rotos.
Related Post: 30 Things To Know Before Visiting Spain
3:00pm – Retiro Park
After lunch, take a stroll through the beautiful Retiro Park, one of the largest parks in Madrid, and enjoy the serene atmosphere. You’ll be blown away by the variety of activities to do in this park! Even if you don’t consider yourself an avid parkgoer, I still recommend Retiro Park as one of the best things to do in Madrid!
- Visit the Crystal Palace: The Crystal Palace is a stunning glass and metal structure located in the center of the park. It often hosts art exhibits and other cultural events.
- Take a boat ride: Rent a rowboat or paddleboat and enjoy a leisurely ride around the park’s central pond.
- Relax in the gardens: The park is home to several beautiful gardens, including the Rose Garden, the French Garden, and the Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez.
- Visit the Fallen Angel statue: The statue of Lucifer, also known as the Fallen Angel, is a unique and striking sculpture located near the Retiro Park entrance.
- See the Palacio de Cristal: The Palacio de Cristal is another beautiful glass building located in the park. It often hosts contemporary art exhibits.
- Take a bike ride: Rent a bike and explore the many paths and trails that wind through the park.
Alternatively, if it is a rainy day in Madrid or you’re looking to stay inside, you can visit the Prado Museum. and admire its impressive collection of European art from the 12th to the 19th century. Some of the most famous artworks at the Prado Museum include Diego Velázquez’s Las Meninas, Francisco Goya’s The Third of May 1808, and Hieronymus Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights. You can opt to take a guided tour or enjoy the museum at your own pace. Entry to the Prado Museum ranges from €15 to €24 per person.
5:00pm – Rooftop Bars
Ready to watch the sun set while enjoying a cocktail on a rooftop? Yes please!
There are a few rooftop bars in the heart of Madrid that are worth experiencing! One of my personal favorites is Ginkgo Sky Bar (located on top of VP Plaza España Design). Another great option is the Tartan Rooftop (located on top of NH Collection Madrid Suecia).
You may need reservations for the rooftops so plan ahead or arrive on the earlier side.
7:00pm – Malasaña Neighborhood
Take a stroll through the trendy Malasaña neighborhood and discover its many boutiques, bars, and restaurants.
9:00pm – Dinner
Enjoy dinner at one of Madrid’s many great restaurants, such as Botín or DiverXO, which are known for their excellent cuisine.
Another option for dinner is attending a Live Flamenco Show with Food and Drinks options! Tickets are about $26 per person and it’s a great way to experience some Spanish culture with dinner!
Remember – if you’re surprised to be eating dinner so late, you need to read the 30 Things To Know Before Going to Spain! Spanish culture tends to eat lunch & dinner much later than Americans.
Related Post: 30 Things To Know Before Going to Spain
11:00pm – Nightlife & Clubs
You have to experience the nightlife to make the most of your 24 hours in Madrid! Experience Madrid’s famous nightlife by visiting a local club or bar, such as Joy Eslava or Kapital, and dance the night away.
Final Thoughts on 24 Hours in Madrid:
This Madrid city guide will give you a taste of the many wonderful sights and experiences that Madrid has to offer in just 24 hours. Of course, there are many other things to see and do in the city, so feel free to customize this itinerary based on your interests and preferences. You’ll definitely be exhausted after your 24 hours in Madrid, but you’ll leave feeling like you’ve seen and done the best!
Disclosure: Some of the links in this guide for 24 Hours in Madrid are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. This helps me keep the content on my website free, like this itinerary for 1 Day in Madrid.
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This looks like a great itinerary! Bookmarking for our next trip.
Madrid is by far one of my favourite cities in Europe! The sangria there is always a highlight! This is such a great itinerary, thanks for sharing.
I’m heading to Madrid in September, this was very helpful on what the top things I shouldn’t miss while I’m there
So many great suggestions on things to do in Madrid. I’d love to check out Retiro Park, and Gingko Sky Bar. Going to save this post for my future trip there one day!
Madrid looks like a fantastic destination for a 24-hour trip. Those drinks on the rooftop bar look amazing! I would also love to see the Royal Palace of Madrid.
Madrid looks wonderful, and it looks like you can do so much with just 24hrs in Madrid! Rooftop drinks are the best.