How Many Days in Madrid Are Enough – A Look at Spain’s Capital
Madrid regularly vies with Barcelona as the most visited city in Spain. Not surprising, given that it is Spain’s capital, and one of the main gateways into the country. But does Madrid stand on Its own as a destination worth visiting? Or is it best considered a quick stopping point on the way to visit other Spanish cities? And either way, how many days in Madrid are really enough?
That’s always a tough question to answer for a slow traveler like me. I really prefer to settle in and explore every nook and cranny of each place we visit. And true to form, we spent a full month in Madrid this past Spring. Our long stay gave me plenty of chances to determine what I thought were Madrid’s greatest assets. So how many days in Madrid are enough? Well, let me show you around the city a bit. Then it might be easier for you to decide.
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Contents
How To Get Around Madrid
One of the great things about visiting Madrid is the proximity of its major sites to each other. Most are separated by a walking distance of only 10 to 30 minutes. While metropolitan Madrid is huge (in fact Madrid is the second largest city in the EU), there isn’t much need to leave the historic center of the city. And the historic center of Madrid is very walkable.
But if you would prefer a subway system to walking, then Madrid’s Metro does have several lines criss-crossing underneath the historic center. The Metro can get you back and forth between the best sites quickly. Most are only separated by a few stops.
And you will also find Uber in Madrid, along with other popular ride share platforms like Bolt and FreeNow. I didn’t find that we really needed Uber when exploring the city. But we did use Uber to get back and forth from the Madrid airport.
The bottom line is that it’s very easy to get around central Madrid – an important consideration when deciding how many days in Madrid are enough. You won’t be wasting a lot of time getting from site to site.
(Transportation Side Note: We used Spain’s excellent high speed train system for some of our travel in the region. If you want to learn more, check out my post called Traveling on the Iryo High Speed Train From Madrid to Malaga)
Eating in Madrid
You will not have any problem finding places to eat in central Madrid. Restaurants are everywhere. And most offer streetside dining – one of my very favorite things about traveling in Europe.
Breakfast Is Simple
Breakfast in Spain is pretty simple. And when visiting Madrid, you should definitely make a morning stop into a cafe for Pan con Tomate (toasted bread with tomato puree, olive oil, and salt), or into a churrería for Churros & Chocolate.
In fact, Churros and Chocolate are a must when in Madrid. Madrid’s most famous churreria is Chocolatería San Ginés – it is a tourist attraction unto itself, due to its prime location and 130 year history.
But I personally don’t think it’s the best place to eat this tasty combination. If you want to know which is, then check out my Quest to Find the Best Churros In Madrid.
Plan on a Longer Lunch
Lunch is the biggest meal of the day in Spain. And in Madrid, lots of restaurants offer a lunchtime Menu of the Day. These are generally 3-course meals (appetizer, main, dessert). You will need to choose from a limited selection for each course, but the price can make the limitations worth it. I found that in most cases the entire meal cost about the same as a single entree from the menu. Plus, a drink of your choice is usually included too.
And while this is indeed a very economical way to enjoy a leisurely lunch, keep the time factor in mind. If you are on a shorter Madrid itinerary, a long daily lunch will cut into your sight-seeing. (Though if you are anything like me, you consider a long leisurely lunch, anywhere in Europe, the equivalent to sight-seeing.)
If you want to opt for a shorter lunch, then you’ll find plenty of places offering bocadillos – the Spanish sandwich. And no matter how many days you spend in Madrid, be sure to try the city’s most beloved bocodillo – the Bocadillo de Calamares. A Calamari Sandwich! Bar La Campana near the Plaza Mayor is considered one of the best places to get them.
Tapas For Dinner
And at night, you’ll certainly want to eat tapas. These are the small plates of delicious food that Spanish cuisine is famous for. Keep in mind though that Spaniards eat late. Many restaurants and tapas bars don’t open until 8pm.
I have an entire blog post all about eating tapas in Spain, so I won’t go into in great detail here. But I will definitely recommend that you eat at least one of your dinners at a restaurant called Vinitus. It’s located directly on the Gran Via, it offers a wide selection of tapas favorites from around the entire country, the quality is fantastic, and it was our favorite restaurant during our month in Madrid.
Can’t Miss Sites in Madrid
So let’s now look at the sites I don’t think you should miss, no matter how many days you decide to spend in Madrid.
Plaza Mayor and Surroundings
Plaza Mayor is the centerpiece of Old Madrid. It’s a large public square, completley enclosed on all sides by 3-story buildings dating from the late 1700s.
You enter and exit the Plaza via one of nine different archways. And each of these archways connects with one of Old Madrid’s very scenic streets.
The Plaza is filled with cafes, restaurants, and shops. But as you might expect, these are all quite touristy.
Important events have been held at this Plaza for centuries. And they still are. During most of our own visit, a clay tennis court was set up in the center – in celebration of the Madrid Open which was running concurrently.
When you visit this part of town, be sure to not only spend time within the Plaza. If you are anything like me, you will be sucked in by those charming side streets that surround the Plaza, too
Puerta Del Sol
Another very popular public square in Madrid is located only a few blocks away from Plaza Mayor. It’s called Puerta del Sol. This is perhaps the city’s most popular public gathering place nowadays. In fact, it’s where Madrid holds its annual televised New Year’s Eve celebration. And during our visit, a huge stage was constructed in the center for a big Spanish holiday, featuring live music performances for several days.
This town square is surrounded by 18th & 19th century buildings. And it’s filled with iconic Madrid sites like the building-top Tio Pepe sign, the Bear & Strawberry Tree Sculpture (a symbol of Madrid), and a fountain featuring Spain’s King Charles III atop his horse.
You won’t need much time in Puerta del Sol (unless there is a town party), but definitely check it out.
The Gran Via
The Gran Via is Madrid’s fancy street. It traverses the north edge of central Madrid. And it’s very fancy indeed. I think it’s one of the most beautiful streets I’ve ever walked on. This is due to the stunning early 20th century architecture that lines its length.
The buildings along this street were the city’s first skyscrapers, and they really are gorgeous. Many are topped with ornate cupolas or golden statues. And with the lights at night, it’s even more spectacular.
Also, along the Gran Via and its side streets, you’ll find some of Madrid’s best shopping. And this is where you will find many of the city’s nicest hotels. It is the perfect location for basing your exploration of the city – no matter how many days you stay in Madrid.
La Latina
This is the oldest neighborhood in Madrid. It’s not far from Plaza Mayor and we would go to La Latina regularly during our month in town. I loved its narrow winding streets and enclosed squares – the typical pattern of urban development during the Middle Ages. And the crowds of tourists aren’t as thick in La Latina as you’ll find in the streets surrounding Plaza Mayor and Peurta del Sol.
In fact, our favorite square during our time in Madrid was located within La Latina – named Plaza Paja. We would eat at various restaurants in Plaza Paja often.
And some of the best streets in Madrid for tapas are located in this neighborhood. One of the most famous is called Calle de la Cava Baja. If you want to hop from tapas bar to tapas bar while in Madrid, this street is one of best places to do it.
The Royal Palace
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest royal Palace in Europe and one of the largest in the world. And due to its size, it’s quite an amazing site to behold as you first approach it. Mrs. TT and I were immediately googling on our phones to see how big it really is (the answer….almost 1.5 million square feet!)
You’ll definitely want to spend some time walking around the Palace for perspective. And be sure to check out the Sabatini Gardens on the north side of the building for one of the Palace’s best views.
You’ll also certainly want to take the Palace tour, so you can check out the opulent interior. The self-guided tour takes about 45 minutes. If you want more detailed history, you also have the option of purchasing a guided tour.
But plan ahead! It’s best to buy your tickets ahead of time and online. And tickets sell out weeks in advance (here’s the site). The online pre-purchased tickets give you a fixed entry time. There is a second line onsite for people without tickets, but it moves painfully slow.
The Prado Museum
On the eastern edge of Madrid’s center, you’ll find what’s called the Golden Triangle of Art. This is where 3 different renowned art museums are lined up in close proximity to each other – the Prado, the Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza.
I’m including the Prado in my must-see section because well…it’s the Prado. It’s one of the world’s most famous museums, and most Madrid visitors go. It is Spain’s National Art Museum and is considered to have the single best collection of Spanish art in the world.
But for me personally, it was my least favorite of the three Golden Triangle Museums. That’s because the collection inside the Prado is a little too classical for my taste (including lots of religious arts, lots of portraits, and no modern art.) And, because it is very very crowded…even with its time-entry ticket system.
Though I will say that shouldering your way through the crowds to see Hieronymus Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights – considered by many as one of the greatest paintings ever – is probably worth dealing with those crowds.
Like the Royal Palace, definitely purchase your tickets online ahead of time, or risk discovering a sell out when you arrive.
Also, this museum is huge. It would require a full day (or three) to take it all in. So it really is best to plan your visit ahead of time, and focus on the styles and artists that might interest you most. I really came to like El Greco while in Spain for example – so I made it a point to seek out his section.
The Reina Sofia Museum
The Reina Sofia Museum is dedicated to displaying all the Spanish modern art that’s not in the Prado. The collection includes many works by Picasso, Dali, and Miro. The style here is more my preference, so I personally enjoyed this museum much more than the Prado. It’s not nearly as crowded either. Though, like the Prado, it is also very big, and would take quite a while to see everything.
One of the main reasons that I’m including the Reina Sofia on my Must List is because it is home to Guernica. This anti-war masterpiece is considered one of Picasso’s greatest works. And if you admire Picasso, you must see it.
The Second Tier
Beyond the Must-See, here are some other sites and activities that you may want to include on your itinerary, depending how many days you decide to stay in Madrid.
The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
This is the third museum in the Golden Triangle. I really liked it. It’s smaller than the other two, and you probably can see the entire permanent collection in an hour or two. Plus the collection here offers a wide variety of styles – from medieval religious art to current times. And you’ll find works by both Picasso and Dali too. Plus it has a great collection of French Impressionism.
The National Archeological Museum
If you aren’t into art, but like artifacts and history instead, then consider a visit to the National Archeological Museum.
It’s home to a very impressive collection of artifacts from throughout the entire Mediterranean region, dating back many millennia. Artifacts from Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire in Spain, and even prehistoric Spain. All very cool. We actually went back twice to ensure that we saw it all.
Retiro Park
Madrid’s most beloved and famous City Park is called El Retiro. And it definitely deserves some time on your itinerary if you can swing it. After all, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site – recognized as a quintessential example of 18th century urban green space development.
El Retiro is huge, and it would easily take a half day to explore the Park in its entirety. But it can also be quite enjoyable to spend a few hours here. You’ll find a good-size lake, multiple manicured gardens, wide paths for strolling, shaded park benches, food stands, monuments and fountains, and even a Crystal Palace.
Almudena Cathedral
While many Spanish cities have magnificent centuries-old cathedrals, Madrid’s main cathedral is a relatively new structure. The Almudena Cathedral was built during the 20th century and completed in 1993.
It’s located directly across from the Royal Palace, so it’s hard to miss. But you’ll need to decide whether or not to take the time to go inside.
I do think it’s worth it. The interior is very modern and unique. And sometimes after seeing one traditional cathedral after another while traveling Spain and Europe, it can be nice to see something different.
Flamenco
And finally, you can’t visit Spain without seeing a Flamenco performance. If you are traveling through Spain, you will have plenty of opportunity. Flamenco shows catering to tourists are common in many cities, and we’ve seen Flamenco in Seville, Granada, and Mijas Pueblo.
But my favorite Flamenco show so far has been in Madrid at Centro Cultural Flamenco. The performers were outstanding. And unlike most of the other Flamenco companies in town, which usually include dinner and drinks with their show (at a much higher cost), Centro Cultural Flamenco focuses solely on the performance itself.
And the singing, the guitar, the dancing… combined with the passion and intensity of Flamenco….is all worth focusing on. Here’s their Viator link.
So Then, How Many Days in Madrid?
Now that you have a better sense of this great city, let’s talk about how many days you should spend in Madrid.
You could see a lot of Madrid in a day. In fact, I’ve written another post outlining a 1 day Madrid itinerary on another website. But you will be quite rushed.
If you decide to spend two days in Madrid, you can certainly see all of the Must-Sees, spend a little more time inside the museums, eat some good meals, and maybe check one or two off the Second Tier.
If you decide to spend three days in Madrid, you should be able to see everything I have outlined here. Four days will allow you to do it more leisurely, and may even give you time to check out some of Madrid’s hidden gems.
But What About Day Trips?
True, I haven’t mentioned day trips yet. And regular readers know how much I love a good day trip.
Madrid is the perfect central hub for exploring the surrounding region. After all, as Spain’s capital city it offers lots of convenient bus and train connections for day trippers.
The most popular day trip from Madrid is undoubtedly Toledo (about 30 minutes away by high-speed train). It was the region’s most important city during medieval times and is filled historical sites and old world ambiance.
Segovia is also very popular, along with Ávila – both in the same general direction, northwest of Madrid. You can learn more about these two historic medieval towns by checking out my post entitled Avila or Segovia – Which is the Better Madrid Day Trip?
And we also really enjoyed a day trip to the small medieval town of Chinchon (pictured below). You can learn more about this magical place in my post entitled A Great Day Trip From Madrid to Chinchon Spain
So if you love day trips like I do, then you should add at least 1-2 more days onto your time in Madrid.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there is no easy answer to the question of how many days to spend in Madrid. It really depends on your own travel tastes and style.
But hopefully this post helped you figure out how many days in Madrid are right for you – whether it be a day, a week, or a month!
If you would like to read more about our travels in Spain then check out these posts:
Is Malaga Worth Visiting – All the Reasons the Answer is Yes!
Staying in a Cave House in Setenil De Las Bodegas Spain
Semana Santa in Malaga – An Amazing Travel Experience
And if you would like to read about some other great European capital cities we’ve visited, then check out these posts:
7 Important Lisbon Travel Tips