When you only have one day to visit Madrid, you’re only able to get a glimpse of what this beautiful city has to offer, but here’s our one day itinerary to make the most of your time here.
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Stay
We stayed at Suites Viena Plaza de España, which we found to be very spacious and family friendly. It was clean and simple and the location was great!
Here are some other alternative accommodation I have found for places to stay which would suit any comfort level and budget:
Budget: LATROUPE Prado Hostel looks like an amazing budget accommodation that offers both private and dormitory rooms. The hostel looks clean and modern and is conveniently located near the Atocha train station.
Mid-Level: Woohoo Rooms Boutique Gran Vía offers clean, modern and affordable rooms and is 2 minute walk from Gran Via.
Luxury: If you’re looking for something more belle-époque, the Relais & Châteaux Heritage Hotel is a nice option with a roof-top sun terrace. For a more modern and art deco option, try the Gran Hotel Inglés, located only half a mile from El Retiro Park. Both have luxurious rooms and impeccable service.
For other accommodation options in Madrid, click here.
One Day Madrid Itinerary
One Day Madrid Itinerary at a Glance
MORNING
- Chocolatería San Ginés
- Palacio De Cristal
AFTERNOON
- Antón Martín Market for lunch picnic
- El Retiro Park stroll
- Walking tour of the old town and famous Royal Palace or guided bike tour of Madrid
EVENING
- Pre-dinner guided tapas food and drink tasting
- Dinner at La Bola
- Evening stroll through Plaza Mayor
Morning
We started our morning with a stop at Chocolatería San Ginés for their famous chocolate con churros, and it did not disappoint. The churros were perfectly crispy and light and the chocolate was thick but not too sweet.
We then headed over to the Palacio De Cristal and strolled through Parque del Buen Retiro. The park was beautiful and the glass palace was the perfect backdrop for photos.
Afternoon
Explore a local food market and pick up some food items for a picnic. We opted to go to Antón Martín Market, which had a nice variety of olives, fruits, cheeses and meats. Then we headed to edge of El Retiro Park and found a nice sunny spot to enjoy our purchases. Mercado de San Miguel is a popular market but we found it to be a bit too commercial. The food was on the pricier end and didn’t look very appetizing. But, it was nice to wander Mercado de San Miguel and enjoy the vibes and energy.
Then take a walking tour of the old town and famous Royal Palace or take a guided bike tour of Madrid. It’s a great way to learn a little bit about the city and history.
Evening
Start the evening with some pre-dinner tapas. We opted for a guided tapas food and drink tasting. It was so nice to have an authentic experience with a local and learn about the food culture in Madrid.
We ended the evening with dinner at La Bola, a historical tavern that serves traditionally slow-cooked recipes and delicious wine. The food and wine are tasty and the prices are reasonable. Make sure to make reservations!
Then take an evening walk. We strolled through a beautiful plaza where people were singing opera and young locals were catching up & readying for the weekend.
Though one day is never enough to fully appreciate a city, hopefully this itinerary will give you a taste of Madrid and you’ll make plans to visit again!
