Madrid is the capital of Spain and a center for arts and finance. It is one of the largest cities in Spain and offers a ton of fun things to do and awesome places for tapas and wine. It is a perfect weekend trip in Europe. You can easily spend two days in Madrid exploring what the city has to offer. Plan to expand that time if you want to take some day trips from Madrid.
Disclaimer: Special thanks to Secret Food Tours for hosting me at several attractions on my trip to Madrid! As always, all thoughts and opinions remain my own. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you!
Table of Contents
History of Madrid
The area of Madrid has been occupied since prehistoric times. However, the first historical documentation of Madrid is during the Middle Ages and the Muslim age. Many fortresses were built up during this time as well as many kingdoms popped up in the area.
The Madrid area was under the control of various groups throughout the Middle Ages. Throughout the years, there were many revolts and battles where Madrid changed hands. For the most part, Madrid has been the capital of Spain off and on since 1561.
When to Spend Two Days in Madrid
Madrid has a variety of weather throughout the year. Winters can get cold and occasionally snow while summertime brings about hot weather and crowds. Spring and fall are typically the best times to visit if you want average weather and fewer crowds.
How to Get to Madrid
Madrid has one main airport, the Madrid-Barajas Airport, which is the busiest in Spain and one of the busiest in Europe. There are flights here from all over the world. Depending on where you are flying from, flights from the US can range from $300 and up round-trip.
How to Get from the Madrid Airport to the City Center
There are multiple ways to get to the City Center from the airport during your two days in Madrid. You can opt to take public transportations, take a taxi, or book a shuttle. It was very easy to use public transportation and also super affordable. A taxi will run around €30
To take the metro you have a couple of options depending on what terminal you are in.
If you are in Terminal 2, take the 8 to the C3 or C4. From Terminal 4, you can hop on the C1 to the C3 or C4.
Transportation in Madrid
To get around Madrid, there is no need to rent a car. Public transportation is widely available, cheap, and easy to use. You can opt to use the metro or use buses. I recommend getting a transportation card for the day which costs €8.50. You can buy these in the metro stations.
Where to Stay in Madrid
When visiting Madrid, you will want to stay near the Grand Via or Plaza Mayor. We opted to stay at the Petit Palace Posada del Peine which ended up being a great location. Although it was a bit pricer than the hotels I normally choose, it was worth the extra cost for the convenient location and decent-sized room.
You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel.
What to do During Two Days in Madrid
Although Madrid may be one of the larger cities in Spain, I found that two days in Madrid was the perfect amount of time to explore what the city had to offer. If you have more time, you can stay a few more days to take some day trips. There are many amazing highlights and hidden gems to explore.
GoCity Pass
GoCity offers a ton of different sightseeing passes for cities around the world. These passes allow you to visit the best of each city for one low price, rather than paying individually for each attraction. I have used it in several cities around the world and would recommend getting a GoCity pass! Check out the options for the Madrid GoCity pass here.
Day 1
Museo Nacional del Prado
Cost: €15
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-7pm
The Prado Museum is a must-visit attraction when spending two days in Madrid. This art museum contains the work of many popular European artists such as Francesco Goya, El Greco, and Titian. It easily has over 14,000 pieces of art. You can opt to book tickets online ahead of time or show up and see if tickets are available. They only let a certain number of people in at a time, so be prepared to wait a bit if you do not pre-book your tickets.
El Retiro Park
Cost: Free
Hours: 6am-10pm (12am in summertime)
After spending some time at the Prado, wander around El Retiro Park. This is one of the largest parks in Madrid and has been around since the 1800s. In total, there are 350 acres to explore. Make sure not to miss the Palacio de Cristal. You can also rent row boats on the lake in the park. If you are hungry, you can also grab a snack or a drink at one of the many cafes in the park.
Johnnie Walker Flagship
Cost: €
Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-9pm, Sun: 12pm-8pm
The Johnnie Walker Flagship store is a must-visit stop for scotch lovers during a two day Madrid itinerary. It is one of two locations in the world. At the store, you can buy all kinds of whiskey. There is also a bar where you can buy pours of various whiskeys and scotches. On certain days, you can book an experience such as a personalized bottle creation or a blue label experience.
Solo de Croquetas Echegaray
Cost: €
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 1:30pm-4pm, 7:30pm-12am, Fri: 1:30pm-4:30pm, 7:30pm-1am, Sat-Sun: 1pm-5pm, 7:30pm-1am
Once you are hungry, grab some lunch at Solo de Croquetas Echegaray. This restaurant only serves croquetas and has pretty much every flavor imaginable. You can opt to order them individually or order one of the preset combinations.
We ordered the Cro-Cata Maridaje de Vinos which came with 8 croquettes and 4 different wines that paired with them. There are plenty of options for people who are vegetarian and lactose intolerant as well.
La Venencia
Cost: €
Hours: 12:30pm-4pm, 7:30pm-12am
After grabbing some lunch, head to La Venencia for a glass of sherry. This tavern dates back to the 1930s and has an assortment of sherry and tapas. The Sherry prices start at €3 so it is incredibly reasonable to grab a glass or two.
Gran Via
This afternoon, take some time to stroll around the Gran Via. This street is one of the main shopping areas in Madrid, built between 1910 and 1929. You can find almost any store here. Around the area are also a ton of cool-looking buildings.
Tapas Crawl
Cost: €
Tonight for dinner, opt to head out on a tapas crawl! Madrid has some of the best tapas options in Spain. Some options to choose from include Casa Ciriaco, La Taberna Sanlúcar, Casa González, and Casa Alberto. Make sure to try papas bravas, croquetas, and grab some wine and vermouth to pair with it.
Day 2
Go on a Food Tour with Secret Food Tours
Cost: €75
Start your second of two days in Madrid by going on a food tour with Secret Food Tours. Food tours are a fun way to sample the cuisine of a city and visit more local places. With Secret Food Tours in Madrid, guests get to sample delicious Madrid cuisine and wine.
On this food tour, you will stop at 5 different secret places in the Central Madrid area while also learning about the history of the area. During the tour, you will get to sample Spanish foods such as local pastries, Iberian ham, Manchego Cheese, and several tapas options. This tour also comes with a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Puerta del Sol
The food tour starts in Puerta del Sol, but it is worth stopping by even if you do not embark on the food tour option. This area used to be the center of all of the Madrid roads. The square also contains the famous clock tower that rings every year to welcome the new year.
Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor is the other major square in Madrid. It was once the center of old Madrid and is surrounded by many restaurants, apartments, and a hotel. The Plaza is a fun place to wander around.
San Miguel Market
Cost: €
The San Miguel Market is a popular spot to grab some food during any two days in Madrid. Located close to Plaza Mayor, it was originally a food market established in 1916. Since then, it has expanded and become a haven for some of the finest products in Madrid.
Royal Palace of Madrid
Cost: €13
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the royal family of Spain. Present-day it is mostly used for ceremonies. You can opt to visit inside the palace on certain days where you can see various exhibits such as the Royal Kitchen. A guided tour in Spanish is also an option and should be added to any two days in Madrid.
Catedral de Santa Maria
Cost: €1
Hours: 10am-8pm
The Catedral de Santa Maria is one of the main cathedrals in Madrid, located right next to the Royal Palace. Visitors can enter to view the Gothic-style inside with a suggested donation of €1.
Dinner at Arroceria Casa de Valencia
Cost: €€
Hours: Mon-Sat: 1-11:30pm, Sun: 1-6pm
To finish off your two days in Madrid, opt to eat at Arroceria Casa de Valencia. This is one of the fancier restaurants in Madrid but it serves a lot of traditional Spanish cuisine options. We opted to get a chicken and rice dish.
Drinks at Josealfredo
Cost: €
Hours: 8pm-3am
After dinner, grab some drinks at Josealfredo, one of the popular cocktail bars in Madrid. It has a lounge/speakeasy vibe to it and tons of delicious cocktail options. Check their website for special events they sometimes host.
More Than Two Days in Madrid
If you have more than two days in Madrid, you can opt to take several day trips to some fun areas.
Day Trip to Toledo
If you have more than two days in Madrid, opt to take a day trip to Toledo. Toledo was at one point the capital of Spain and contains many Medieval and Gothic examples throughout the city. It has a long history of using swords (bladed weapons) and has emerged as a popular spot for tourists to visit.
During your day in Toledo, there is a lot to keep you busy such as the El Greco Museum, the Monasterio de San Juan de Los Reyes, and the Toledo Cathedral. You can even go ziplining across the river.
Go Wine Tasting
Cost: €40
If you have an extra day to spend in Madrid, you can opt to head out to the Vinos de Madrid DO wine area. We opted to visit Bernabeleva, which produces a variety of Grenaches and multiple other types of wine. The winery has been around since the 1920s and offers tours by reservation. You can make an appointment via email from Monday to Saturday.
Your visit will include a tour and tasting which will take about 2-3 hours. The unique part about Bernabeleva is that you get to taste the wine straight from the barrel prior to it being bottled. We ended up trying about 12 different wines. There are several wineries in the area if you would like to stop at more than one.
Other Things to do in Madrid
If you have more than two days in Madrid and want to spend more time in the city, opt to visit these places.
Real Madrid Stadium
Cost: €€
Visitors can opt to attend a game at the Real Madrid Stadium or if it is the off-season, you can tour the stadium. This stadium is the football stadium for the Real Madrid team since 1947 and is the second-largest stadium in Spain.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Cost: €13
Hours: 10am-7pm
The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is one of the three art museums in Madrid that creates the “Golden Triangle” of art. The Thyssen Museum focuses more on Italian, English, Dutch, and German Art. It has a collection of about 1600 pieces.
Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
Cost: €
Hours: Mon, Wed-Sat: 10am-9pm, Sun: 10am-2:30pm, Closed Tuesday
The Centro de Arte Reina is the final museum in the “Golden Triangle of Art” in Madrid. This museum focuses on 1900s Spanish art such as Picasso and Dali. It is one of the world’s largest museums for modern and contemporary art.
Final Tips for Two Days in Madrid
Madrid is such a fun city to eat your way around and get a sense of Spanish culture. You can also use it as a base for several day trips. If you have time, make sure to explore other areas of Spain such as Bilbao and Barcelona.
Madrid is such a cool city, I can’t wait to go back! Thank you so much for writing such a helpful travel itinerary 🙂