Madrid in 2 days: a full itinerary with museums and sunset
Quick answer
With two days in Madrid, spend the first on historic Madrid (Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Sol, Barrio de las Letras) and the Prado, and the second on the Reina Sofía and Guernica, the Thyssen, Retiro, Gran Vía and sunset at the Temple of Debod. Avoid Tuesdays (Reina Sofía closed) and Mondays (Debod closed).
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Day 1: historic Madrid and the Prado
Day one runs through the old town from west to east and ends at the Prado, in its free slot.
- 1
09:30 · Plaza de Oriente
Royal Palace
Visit the palace with a booked ticket. EU and Ibero-American citizens can get in free during an afternoon slot from Monday to Thursday, but there is a line and it is not suited to a relaxed visit; confirm the current schedule on the Patrimonio Nacional website.
- 2
11:30 · Calle Bailén
Almudena Cathedral
Cross the street to the cathedral, consecrated in 1993 after more than a century of works. The crypt is the oldest part of the complex.
- 3
12:30 · Plaza Mayor and San Miguel
Plaza Mayor and San Miguel Market
Walk under the arcades of Plaza Mayor and have a snack at San Miguel Market. For more local flavour, tapas-hop down Calle Cava Baja.
- 4
14:00 · Puerta del Sol · Calle de las Huertas
Sol and lunch in Las Letras
Stop at kilometre zero in Puerta del Sol and head down to the Barrio de las Letras for lunch. It is the neighbourhood where Cervantes, Lope de Vega and Quevedo lived.
- 5
16:30 · Paseo del Prado
Prado Museum
Go in with your ticket or wait for the free slot (Monday to Saturday 18:00–20:00; Sundays and holidays 17:00–19:00). The museum opens Monday to Saturday 10:00–20:00 and general admission is €15. Follow our 2-hour Prado route: Las Meninas, Goya and Bosch.
- 6
20:00 · Barrio de las Letras
Tapas dinner
End the day with tapas around Plaza de Santa Ana or a late dinner in the Huertas area, which fills up from 21:00.
Day 2: Reina Sofía, Thyssen, Gran Vía and Debod
Day two combines modern art, a walk along Gran Vía and sunset. If day 2 falls on a Tuesday, swap the Reina Sofía for the Thyssen and leave the other museum for another time; if it falls on a Monday, the Thyssen is free for the permanent collection from 12:00 to 16:00 but the Temple of Debod is closed.
- 1
10:00 · Calle Santa Isabel, 52
Reina Sofía Museum and Guernica
Open from 10:00 every day except Tuesday. Picasso's Guernica (1937) is in room 206 on the second floor and deserves 20 quiet minutes. Then spend time with Dalí, Miró and Gris. General admission is €12.
- 2
12:30 · Paseo del Prado, 8
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Ten minutes away on foot, the Thyssen runs through seven centuries of painting, from the Gothic to pop art. It opens Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–19:00; on Mondays it is free for the permanent collection from 12:00 to 16:00, box office only.
- 3
14:30 · Calle de Alcalá · Jerónimos
Lunch and a walk to Retiro
Eat near the museum and walk along the Paseo del Prado to Retiro Park. The Crystal Palace is free to enter and the lake is the best spot for a break.
- 4
16:30 · Calle de Alcalá
Puerta de Alcalá and Cibeles
Head down Alcalá to Cibeles square and its former Communications Palace (now City Hall), then continue along Calle de Alcalá to the start of Gran Vía.
- 5
17:30 · Gran Vía
Gran Vía
The great avenue opened in the early 20th century is an open-air architecture museum: the Metrópolis Building, the Telefónica building and the theatres. If you have energy left, go up to a rooftop with sunset views.
- 6
19:00 · Calle Ferraz
Sunset at the Temple of Debod
Arrive half an hour before sunset. This 2nd-century BC Egyptian temple was gifted to Spain in the 1960s and rebuilt stone by stone in the Parque del Oeste. Entry is free and the interior opens Tuesday to Sunday; the outside can be seen at any hour.
Tips for two days
- Book the Royal Palace and weekend Prado tickets in advance.
- Plan a maximum of two big museums per day; fatigue adds up.
- Check closing days when you pick your dates: Tuesday (Reina Sofía) and Monday (Thyssen and Debod).
- With the AnyArt app you can recognise a painting, statue or building through the camera and hear its story, handy at the Thyssen and on Gran Vía.
Frequently asked questions
What to see in Madrid in 2 days?
On day one, the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Sol, Barrio de las Letras and the Prado. On day two, the Reina Sofía (Guernica), Thyssen, Retiro, Gran Vía and sunset at the Temple of Debod.
Which days should I avoid in Madrid because of closures?
Avoid Tuesdays if you want the Reina Sofía, and Mondays if you want the full Thyssen experience or the inside of the Temple of Debod.
Where is Guernica?
At the Reina Sofía Museum, in room 206 on the second floor of the Sabatini building. It is one of the most visited works.
Is the Thyssen worth it if I have seen the Prado?
Yes: the Thyssen adds the Impressionism, Expressionism and 20th-century art the Prado lacks, and takes about 2 hours.
What is the best time for sunset at the Temple of Debod?
Arrive about 30 minutes before sunset, which changes with the season. In summer it happens after 21:00 and in winter around 18:00.