What to see in Madrid in one day

Madrid’s center

Our proposal for what to see in Madrid in one day starts at the city center, at Puerta del Sol, where you have to take a picture in front of the nine-meter statue of Carlos III. Then you can stroll through the adjacent streets, which have many bars where you can try the delicious tapas, for example, Café del Príncipe. Nearby you will find the Plaza Mayor, one of the best places where try Madrid’s famous squid sandwich. Cervecería Plaza Mayor and Cafetería Magerit are two great options. If it's a cold day, don’t forget about the churros at Chocolatería San Ginés, which offers tradition and sweetness for everyone. To get to the area, take the metro to Sol, on lines 1, 2 or 3. 

From Sol station you can start a quick walk to the Congreso de los Diputados. If you spend 24 hours in Madrid, you can take the opportunity to visit it. They offer individual or group guided tours if you book in advance. You can also arrive there directly by public transport, getting off at the Cedaceros-Zorrilla bus stop on lines 3 or M1. 

Our one-day tour of Madrid continues to the Royal Palace, one of the city’s most well-known tourist attractions. This palace is surrounded by the spectacular Sabatini gardens. You can get there by taking the metro lines 2 or 5 to the Ópera station. 

When deciding what to see in Madrid in one day, you can’t miss the city’s most well-known neighborhoods: 

• Chueca is Madrid’s gay district. It’s one of the best options for visiting at night since it has some of the best party bars in the city. You can get there on line 5 of the metro (Chueca). 

• Visit the La Latina neighborhood to stroll through its medieval streets and stop at any bar in the area to taste the best tapas in Madrid. The area is also home to the famous Retiro Park. You can also get there on line 5 of the metro (La Latina). 

• Malasaña is the most bohemian and alternative neighborhood in Madrid, with graffiti all over the place. If you are in the neighborhood and want to go shopping, we recommend the Mercado de Fuencarral. You can get there on lines 1 and 10 of the metro (Tribunal).

Retiro, museums and the Broadway of Madrid

The Retiro area is also very interesting, whether you are travelling solo, as a couple or with kids. Nearby you will find monuments such as the Cibeles Fountain and the Neptune Fountain, in two traffic circles on the city’s main artery. Five minutes away is Retiro Park, the most classic green area in Madrid, where you can take an idyllic walk taking in the beautiful landscape full of flowers and the large lake (where boat rentals are available). It is a must if you are traveling with children. 

But certainly, when deciding on what to do in Madrid for one day, you have to consider the great museums that the city has around Retiro Park. For visitors who are looking for leisure activities and museums, the Prado Museum is one of the great museums in all of Europe, with a collection of paintings by artists such as Velázquez, Murillo, and Salvador Dalí. The entrance fee is 15 euros, although it is free in the afternoons, excluding temporary exhibitions. 

The Reina Sofia Museum is famous for being the home of the "Guernica", the famous painting by Picasso. It is free on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings. You can get there on line 2 of the metro (Retiro). Another option is the Thyssen Museum, which is free to visit on Mondays from 12:00 to 4:00. Otherwise, the entrance usually costs 12 euros, and you can easily get there on line 2 of the metro (Banco de España). 

Madrid's Gran Vía serves as a stage for great musicals and Broadway plays, offering successful productions for families and couples looking for entertainment. Mamma Mia, the mythical show that brings together ABBA’s greatest hits, and the musical The Lion King are very interesting options.

Madrid at its most modern

One of our tips if you are in Madrid and want to explore the business area is to go to the north of the city, where you will find what is known as the World Trade Center of Madrid. The skyscrapers of the Cuatro Torres Business Area stand out, but also the Picasso Tower, by the same architect who designed the Twin Towers, or the Titania Tower, 103 meters high and located where the Windsor building that burned down used to be. Inside it houses a department store. To get to the area, if you are in Madrid on business and have a free day, get off at the Nuevos Ministerios station, on lines 6, 8 and 10 of the metro.

Joining the Madrid crowds

If your short trip to Madrid happens to fall on a Sunday, then your choices for what to see in Madrid in one day have to include El Rastro market in Calle Ribera de Curtidores, in the Embajadores area. This is the largest and oldest flea market in Madrid and the thick crowd makes it seem like all of Madrid has come here to enjoy the special deals, street food and atmosphere. It can get very crowded (and loud) so be sure to get there early.

Madrid's shop till you drop zone

Although Madrid is not considered a fashion hotspot on a par with Milan, one day in Madrid suffices to discover great shopping opportunities, catering to all budgets. For exclusive fashion and designer labels head out to the Salamanca neighbourhood. For a bonafide shopping mecca, check out the ABC Serrano shopping centre in the same neighbourhood. Sprawling over an impressive 8 floors, it houses high-street as well as designer fashion stores. Madrid has plenty of temptations to offer fashion victims of all ages.

Sample the local delicacies of Madrid

Madrid has some extraordinary food specialties that are worth trying, so if your one day in Madrid allows you the opportunity to do so, sample as much of the local cuisine as possible. Huevos rotos is a dish of potatoes, eggs and traditional Spanish sausage - hearty food that warms one to the very core. Cochinillo Asado is roasted suckling pig - the tenderness of the meat is bound to have you asking for more. Finally there are the world-renowned churros, deep-fried dough that is dusted with sugar and cinnamon or dipped in chocolate - they are simply delicious when eaten smoking hot.

Tips for a day in Madrid

There are a couple of Madrid tips that will make your day in the city easier.
The local currency in Madrid is the Euro, making life particularly easy for those travelling within the European Union. There are foreign currency exchange booths at the airport and it is recommended to use these rather than other smaller, unaffiliated exchange booths.
Public transport in Madrid is excellent and can be very cost effective. Enquire about the Tourist Travel Pass when purchasing a ticket. Pickpocketing on the underground trains has become a recurrent issue however, so make sure to carry all valuables, including passports, in internal pockets. Alternatively, make use of any registered taxis within the city.
Tipping is not expected but it is common practice in Spain. In many instances, a service fee will be included on bills. If not, an average of 10% is the norm. 

Author: Tania Suárez

Guest Relations Manager of NH Collection Madrid Suecia

Hello, my name is Tania and I am part of the reception team at the Nh Collection Madrid Suecia hotel.
Working in the heart of this vibrant and wonderful city has allowed me to see first-hand the most touristic and interesting points that attract visitors from all over the world.
As a receptionist, it is a pleasure to share all kinds of tips, recommendations and experiences with all those who visit our city and help them create unforgettable memories during their stay.