What to do in Madrid (Spain) with little time? Let’s say you have one (1), 2 or just 3 days in the Spanish capital. Here are some suggestions that could be useful for the business or leisure traveler who finds himself with a little free time, and doesn’t know where to go, or what to do in Madrid, you can enjoy even with very little free time. From 1 visit Flash or go to some of the must-see cities near Madrid. See.
If you have only one day, we recommend the following:
- Time: 10:00. The day begins. You can go on your own or in a guided way. Given the short time you have, I recommend Plan A.
- Plan A. A walk along the Madrid City Bus is a good alternative. With stops at multiple sites in the city, this tour takes you through the city’s most iconic landmarks. There are 2 routes: Historic Madrid or Modern Madrid. No waste of time and no getting too tired. Access to the bus varies in price according to the seasons, in winter it is usually cheaper. However, the uphill ticket doesn’t cost much. One option is to purchase the MadridCard which gives you access to the Tourist Bus, the entrance to the main museums of Madrid, the Tour of the Santiago Bernabéu (Real Madrid Field), discounts in shops, restaurants, and more things. It’s a quick alternative.
- Plan B. Go out on your own. The best option is to purchase a Tourist Transport Pass, sold in the Metro and tourist centers, there are 1-2-3—– days. For example, the 1-day pass costs €5.20. You can access the Metro and Buses without any problem and in an unlimited way during the day.
- Plan C. Going out to “kick” Madrid, with no fixed destination. Walk with map in hand through the main streets of Madrid. Getting lost and finding Madrid again, this option, a little more adventurous, will surely have greater anecdotes. Of course, always try to TAKE CARE and LOOK at your belongings well. And be sure to visit the places in Madrid that catch your attention the most.
- Time: 11:00. Tour buses usually stop at the city’s main attractions. Or on the Metro you can get to them without any problem. Depending on your preferences and the short time, you must decide which attraction you will dedicate more time to, some ideas, based on our Top 10+2 are: The Royal Palace, The Prado Museum, The Reina Sofia Museum, The Temple of Debod, The Retiro Park, Walking through the Center of Madrid, etc. Select the most interest and go for it.
- Time 14:00 – Time to recharge your batteries. Eat something light to continue the task. You can try the Tapas of Madrid, with a Caña (Beer) or a Tinto de Verano (red wine with soda). There are hundreds of them all over the city, depending on where you are, there are sure to be bars nearby for “Tapas” and a “Caña” (Beer). Favorite places. La Latina (Calle La Cava Baja – Metro Latina), Plaza Mayor and surroundings, Calle Huertas, Plaza del Museo Reina Sofía, among others. The bars in the center are usually very touristy, and therefore more expensive.
- Time: 16:00 . A walk through the center of Madrid. Browse, shop, look, and experience Madrid. I recommend the Callao area, Gran Vía, Calle Preciados, Puerta del Sol and Calle Arenal. Be sure to enter the Fnac store (Calle Preciados).
- Time: 18:00. Snack. Regain your strength with a small snack, 2 options: Churros with Chocolate in San Gines (Calle Arenal) or La Mallorquina in Puerta del Sol. Keep walking and enjoying Madrid.
- Time: 5:30 p.m. Back to the hotel and take a little break.
- Time: 19:00. Go out to dinner and enjoy some activity (again tastes prevail). A dinner with a flamenco tablao, a musical in Gran Vía, a quiet dinner, a dinner with a walk, tapas again with a walk, in short, the alternatives can be varied.
- Time: xx:00. End of the day. Let’s rest.
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And please, don’t leave Madrid without:
- Eat the Calamari Sandwich from El Brillante (Atocha) with a Caña (Beer). Plaza del Museo Reina Sofía.
- Try the churros with chocolate from San Gines (Calle El Arenal).
- Take the tour of the Santiago Bernabéu (Real Madrid Stadium). And buy something from your store. If you’re lucky, attend a football game.
- Travel by Metro, any station, even though I recommend the stations of Goya, El Retiro, etc.
- Visit the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.
- Visit El Rastro on a Sunday morning (that’s if you’re in Madrid on a Sunday).
- Leave Tapas through La Latina (Calle la Cava Baja). Metro: La Latina.
- Visit the Corte Inglés on Calle Preciados, very close to Callao.
- Visit the Royal Palace.
- Go shopping at Las Rozas Villaje (although far away it is worth it).
- Go to HardRock Cafe in Madrid, on Plaza Colón with Paseo La Castellana.
- Take the photo at Cibeles and the Palacio de Telecomunicaciones.
- Visit a Zara store.
- Walk around the Chuecas (Gay) neighborhood and have a bite to eat in one of its bars.
- Walk along Madrid’s Gran Vía, from Calle Alcalá to Plaza de España.
- Visit Toledo on the High Speed Train (AVE). Departs from Atocha.
- Visit a flamenco tablao.
- Go to a Bullfight (if it’s bullfighting season).