36 Hours in Madrid- The Adventuring Millennial Travel Blog

Madrid caught me by surprise.

I didn’t expect to fall in love with this city the way I did. But after visiting Madrid last September, I quickly learned why over 3 million people choose to live in this gorgeous Spanish city.

But, like most of my trips, I didn’t have a lot of time to spend in this city. I only had about 36 hours to fit everything in.

If you, like me, only have time for a quick love affair with Madrid, read on. I’ve created a 36 Hours in Madrid guide to help you decide how to spend your time.

Ready? Here we go!

Getting Here

Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas is the main international airport in the area. And (like every major airport should) this airport has a Metro stop. So you can easily take a train into the city center.

If you plan to take a train from another Spanish city, you will likely arrive at the Atocha Train Station.

Where to Stay

Like other major cities, Madrid is made up of a variety of unique neighborhoods. Some of the best neighborhoods for visitors are Chueca, Malasaña, and Retiro.

I stayed in the downtown Chueca neighborhood. This is Madrid’s gay-neighborhood. The area is filled with clubs, rooftop bars, and plenty of places to grab a drink with fellow travelers and locals.

Transportation in the City

Madrid offers a great public transportation system. Even if you don’t speak Spanish, it is easy to navigate the Metro system. You can buy a 10-journey Metrobus ticket that works on city buses and subway trains.

Madrid is also very walkable. I enjoy walking, especially in a new city. (And this is coming from directionally-challenged me!) But walking in a new city lets you see sites and architecture that you would miss underground.

Good to Know

Although Madrid is a large and historic capital city, it doesn’t have one main “icon.” You won’t find a Madrid-equivalent of the Eiffel Tower or Statue of Liberty.

Day 1

I arrived in Madrid in the late afternoon, so my itinerary follows that schedule. I had a half-day and then one full day in the city. Feel free to adjust this itinerary to fit your 36-hour timeline.

El Retiro Park

If I lived in Madrid, I know I would spend a lot of time in this park. Think of this as Madrid’s Central Park.

This park is filled with trails, cafes and plenty of greenspaces. You can also take a rowboat out on the artificial pond. While on the pond, take some time to notice the large monument dedicated to King Alfonso XII. This reminds visitors that the park belonged to the Spanish monarchy until the 19th century.

If you visit in the summer, you might be able to catch an outdoor concert. Otherwise, you will probably still see plenty of buskers offering entertainment.

Dinner on a Rooftop

Madrid’s streets are lined with stunning buildings. And one of the best ways to appreciate the architecture is from above. Consider visiting one (or a few) rooftop bars for dinner and a view.

Ok, so full disclosure, it rained a lot during my time in Madrid. So I was only able to visit one rooftop. Sadly, I didn’t even have time to order a drink before it started pouring. But I researched plenty of rooftops and these are the ones I wanted to visit:

Circulo de Bellas Artes– This is the rooftop I visited for a few minutes before the rainstorm. But I still had time to appreciate the great views. To reach this rooftop, you need to purchase a ticket (4€) in the lobby.
La Terraza de Oscar– Located at the top of a trendy hotel, this rooftop offers creative cocktails and impressive views. If you are not a hotel guest, you can pay a fee to use the rooftop pool.
Terrace at Hotel de las Letras– This small rooftop bar offers a great selection of tapas and cocktails. Drinks + good food + city views. What more do you need?

Churros

The best way to end the day in Madrid? Churros.

(And since this cafe is 24 hours, it is also the best place to start a day in Madrid).

You will see churro and chocolate shops all over the city. But if you are only going to visit one, make it Chocolatería San Ginés. This is the classic cafe in Madrid. They’ve been serving this delicious treat since 1894.

And since it is the churro place, you should expect a line. But don’t let this turn you away. They have it down to a science. You wait in line, order, and then a waiter brings you to an open table. And the line actually goes quicker than you might think.

And trust me, those crispy, golden churros are worth any wait.

Plus, the churros and cup of warm, melted chocolate are so affordable. This treat costs less than €4. (For other cheap eats in Madrid, check out my post here!)

Day 2

El Retiro Park

Madrid, like most of Spain, follows a different schedule than I am used to.

Ok, I am a chronic early bird. I like to get up early and get my day started.

One of the best parts about traveling is learning to adapt to another culture. So when you come to Spain, be prepared for days that start around 10 and can last until 2 am.

But, if you are anything like me, you might have a hard time adjusting. And with only 36 Hours in Madrid, you might not feel like sleeping in. I get that.

If you can’t sleep in, I suggest heading back to El Retiro Park. This is a large park that you can’t fully appreciate in such a short amount of time. I decided to go for a run around the park. But you could also spend a leisurely morning going for a stroll or reading a book in the park.

Cafe de la Luz

When the rest of the city wakes up, I suggest you head to Cafe de la Luz for breakfast. This cute, local-favorite doesn’t open until 10 am (see what I mean about the schedule?)

I feel in love with this cafe. Settle into a comfy booth and order a traditional Spanish breakfast-cafe con leche, zumo de naranja, and pan con tomate. SO GOOD.

And this place is also very affordable. My husband and I both ordered the traditional breakfast, and our bill came out to less than € 10.00.

Looking for other affordable food spots in Madrid? Check out my suggestions here.

Mid-Morning Stroll

Now that you’ve enjoyed a lovely breakfast and some of the best coffee on the planet, it’s time for our next activity.

Let’s head to the largest palace in Europe- the Royal Palace of Madrid.

To get here from Cafe de la Luz, you could take the Metro (the 5 or 2 lines are your best bet here). Another option is to walk 1.2 km (.75 miles) along Gran Via. This is Madrid’s main commercial street, you will pass many name brand shops, street performers, and beautiful buildings along the way.

Once you arrive at the Palace, take some time to stroll through the Sabatini Gardens and view the impressive structure. There are over 3,000 rooms inside the palace. Although it is the official residence of the Spanish monarchy, the royal family lives in a different palace outside the city. Today, it is mostly used for official ceremonies. Guests are also invited to tour the palace on select days. Check availability and purchase tickets here.

Mercado de San Miguel

If you are ready for lunch, you are in the right place! A five-minute walk towards Plaza Mayor will take you to the Mercado de San Miguel.

This market was originally built in 1916, but in the early 2000s, it was revamped into the lively food hall it is today. This is a popular eatery where you can find plenty of Spanish staples- paella, croquetas, sangria, etc.

Prado Museum

After a leisurely lunch, let’s head back towards El Retiro Park.

I told you earlier that Madrid doesn’t have it’s own Eiffel Tower or Statue of Liberty. The closest thing you are going to get is the Prado Museum.

This is a can’t miss stop in Madrid. The Padro is THE national Spanish art museum. It first opened in 1819 and includes many pieces that once belonged to Spanish royalty. You can see many impressive examples of European art from the 12th-20th centuries on display here.

If you can fit it in your schedule, the Prado offers free admission at the following times:

Monday-Saturday from 6pm-8pm

Sundays and Holidays from 5pm-7pm

But, don’t let the admission price deter you from visiting this collection. General admission tickets cost € 15.00.

Spend your time strolling through the galleries. This is a massive museum, so don’t expect to see everything. You could easily spend a few days exploring everything on display.

Mid-Afternoon & Evening

You might end up spending the rest of your afternoon at the Prado and I wouldn’t blame you! But if you have some extra time before dinner, here are a few places to explore:

Shop along Gran Via– head back towards Gran Via for some shopping. Here you can find my favorite affordable European clothing store- Primark. The Gran Via location is pretty massive, so try not to get overwhelmed.
Puerta del Sol– this busy public square is closer to Plaza Mayor than the Prado but isn’t too hard to get to. This is a lively square surrounded by cafes and shops, where you will often see street performers.
Museo Reina Sofia- if you end up spending a while at the Prado AND want to visit another museum, stop by the Reina Sofia during their evening free hours. Here, you can view Picasso’s famous Guernica painting. The museum is free from:
Monday from 7pm-9pm

Wednesday-Saturday 7pm-9pm

Sunday 1:30pm-7pm

Madrid at Night

The rest of the night is yours! It is your last night in Madrid, so live it up. Maybe you want to check out another rooftop bar for drinks or tapas. You could also stroll around Puerta del Sol, Gran Via or Plaza Major and check out some of the street cafes. There are plenty of options for some delicious Spanish delicacies.

Madrid’s streets really come alive at night. Keep an extra eye on your valuables, but this is a fairly safe city. As long as you stay smart, you shouldn’t have any trouble staying out with the locals.

But, if you are not a late-night person, you could end your evening by viewing the sunset in the Parque del Oeste. Every night, people gather around the Temple of Debod for a gorgeous view of the Spanish sunset. This Temple was originally built in Egypt in 200 BC. In the 1960s, the Aswan High Dam was being constructed. This threatened the temple, so Egypt decided to save the temple by donating it to Spain.

I hope you enjoyed my 36 Hours in Madrid Guide. What should I add to my itinerary for my next trip to Madrid? Let me know below!