The plan at a glance
| When | Entry | Stops |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1, morning | 0 € | Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, San Miguel market (on foot, around 9:30) |
| Day 1, afternoon | 18 € | Royal Palace (about 2 hours) then the Almudena cathedral |
| Day 1, evening | 0 € | Tapas in La Latina, calle de la Cava Baja, around 8 pm |
| Day 2, morning | 15 € | The Prado from opening at 10:00 (3 hours) |
| Day 2, afternoon | 0 € | Lunch in the Letras, then a loop of the Retiro (free, 2 hours) |
| Day 2, evening | 0-12 € | Reina Sofía and Guernica, free in the evening, then dinner in Lavapiés |
Entry for one adult at the standard rate, seen in October 2026; the Royal Palace is paid even in the evening for non-EU residents.
Day 1: royal Madrid
Start at the Puerta del Sol at 9:30, reach Plaza Mayor in 5 minutes on foot, then the San Miguel market, which opens at 10:00. The Royal Palace opens 10:00 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday from October to March (10:00 to 19:00 from April to September); entry is 18 euros, book online. On Wednesday and Saturday the changing of the guard runs 11:00 to 14:00. Finish with tapas in La Latina, where people rarely eat dinner before 9 pm.
Where to sleep for this itinerary: near the Puerta del Sol: the Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor and the Barrio de las Letras are on foot, and several metro lines stop there for the Prado, the Retiro or Atocha station. See hotels with free cancellation in Sol or read our guide on where to stay in Madrid.
Day 2: the Prado and the Retiro
Arrive at the Prado at opening, 10:00: general entry is 15 euros, free Monday to Saturday 18:00 to 20:00 and Sunday 17:00 to 19:00. After lunch, stroll 2 hours in the Retiro, free, open 6:00 to 22:00 from October to March. In the evening the Reina Sofía is free Monday to Saturday (closed Tuesday) from 19:00 to 21:00 and Sunday from 12:30 to 14:30; normal entry is 12 euros.
What to avoid or sacrifice
On Tuesday the Reina Sofía is closed: avoid placing day 2 then. On Monday the Temple of Debod is closed. If you stay 3 days, see Madrid in 3 days; for a single day, what to do in Madrid in one day.
