Whether you’re just passing through the Spanish capital, in transit or on a trip to Spain, it’s possible to visit Madrid in 1 day. Nous vous listons une liste des incontournables à découvrir ! Of course, you won’t be able to see everything in 24 hours, so we’ll only cover the essentials, as Madrid has a lot to offer. Here’s our selection for a first glimpse of the city.
Guide to Madrid in 1 day!
Must-sees in Madrid in 1 day.
1- Madrid’s Royal Palace
The Royal Palace, known as the Palacio Real, is the very emblem of Spain. It is classified as one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe. With its imposing architecture, it’s one of the must-see monuments on your visit to Madrid.
You can discover its fascinating history with a tour of the interior. Equipped with an audio guide, you’ll learn all about the secrets of the Spanish kings. It takes 2 to 3 hours to visit all the rooms.
If you’d like to visit the Palais Royal, it’s a good idea to plan ahead, as it’s very popular with tourists. I advise you tobuy your tickets online beforehand, so you can get through the queue without waiting.
Right next to the Royal Palace is the Almudena Cathedral. This cathedral, with its many different styles, is well worth a stop on your day out in Madrid. Admission is free, with a donation if you wish. For a 360° view, climb up to La Cupula de la Cathédrale.
Entrance is via the Cathedral Museum. Cost 7 euros to visit the museum and climb the Cupula. If you’re visiting Madrid in 1 day, this is clearly the place to be!
Before you leave, don’t forget to visit the royal gardens: the Sabatini Garden. The entrance to the gardens is opposite the entrance to the Royal Palace. These gardens were once the stables of the Palais Royal in the 1930s.
Le Campo del Moro est le jardin situé devant le Palais Royal, Il est accessible depuis le Palais mais aussi gratuitement depuis le Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto. Please note that it takes a good 20-minute walk to get there.
2 – Visiter Madrid en 1 jour : Plaza Mayor
This very touristy square is well worth a visit. Its colorful architecture, wrought-iron balconies and statue of Philip III are of particular interest. Située au cœur de Madrid, cette place est le point de départ de nombreuses visites de la ville.
Its arcades keep you cool in summer, and every alley around the 4 corners of the square will take you back to Madrid. However, despite its warm ambience, I wouldn’t recommend eating in the restaurants that feature it (prices are very high). It’s best to eat in the surrounding alleyways.
3- Mercado San Miguel and Calle Cava San Miguel
Le Mercado de San Miguel est aussi à découvrir lors de votre visite de Madrid en 1 jour. Not for its overpriced pinchos, but for the architecture of the building and its Madrid atmosphere, especially if you go around 3pm, when the central tables will be packed for lunch.
Just outside the market, between the Palza Mayor and the Mercado San Miguel, you’ll find an emblematic street: Calle Cava de San Miguel.
2 sites to discover on this street:
L’Arco de Cuchilleros qui est l’une des dix entrées de la Plaza Mayor. It is located in the south-west corner of the square. The height of the entrance almost makes it look like a watchtower. The entrance seems high, as the street is much lower than the square.
Take a stroll down this street of unusual, colorful facades, marked by the passage of time, and you’ll come to the oldest restaurant in the world: El Botin. This is where the 1st restaurant was created. The specialty is the Cochinillo!
4- Puerta del Sol
Puerta del Sol is probably the best-known square in Spain. Its name derives from the fact that a sundial was located on one of the buildings.
Today, it’s one of Madrid’s liveliest squares. Puerta del Sol is a lively place where locals and tourists mingle. Elle est aussi mondialement connue pour sa tradition : celle de manger des grains de raisin aux 12 coups de minuit.
Ce qu’il faut voir à la Puerta Del Sol, c’est la statue de bronze située près de la rue d’Alcala : L’ours et l’arbousier sont les symboles héraldiques de la ville.
The square is also home to kilometer zero, the starting point for all the country’s road networks. It is the symbolic center of Spain. A découvrir lors de votre visite de Madrid en 1 jour.
5- Templo d’Amon (Debod)
Located in the same district as Madrid’s Palacio Real, this place is well worth a stop. This temple was once located at Debod in Egypt. Ce temple a été offert à l’Espagne pour la remercier de son aide lors du plan de sauvetage des sites archéologiques de Nube. So, in Spain, we find ourselves with a Nubian temple from ancient Egypt.
If you’re looking to visit the unusual side of Madrid, check out our 5 unusual places in Madrid.
6- Retiro Park
If you still have some time left in your day to visit Madrid, I’d recommend a visit to one of Madrid’s last must-see spots: Retiro Parc. A veritable green lung for the Spanish capital, this is a haven of peace. The Reina Sofia Museum ‘s extensions, the Palacio Velázquez and the Palacio de Cristal, are ideal for lounging, relaxing and enjoying culture.
The diversity of the gardens and the cultural richness of the park will make you want to discover more!
L’essentiel à voir au parc du Retiro lors de votre journée à Madrid :
The Palacio de Cristal: probably Madrid’s most majestic palace. It can also host temporary exhibitions.
Le Grand Bassin: this pond in the heart of the park is perfect for a rowboat ride! Ideal for a relaxing break in the day.
The park features numerous statues and fountains. There’s even a puppet theater open every weekend for children. Retrouvez toutes les informations sur le parc du Retiro dans notre article dédié.
Practical information for visiting Madrid in 1 day
Getting around Madrid
A day goes by very quickly! You can opt for the sightseeing bus, which will take you to the most emblematic points of the city. Instead of taking the metro, the bus is a great alternative. You move up and down the points as you wish. All the info on the tourist bus.
Our top tip for visiting Madrid is the ‘free tours’: reserve your place for a free tour of Madrid in French, and learn the essentials about Madrid and its history. Booking and information here.
Getting to the airport
A day goes by quickly, so we recommend you book a chauffeur-driven transfer to take you straight to the center. No need to wait for the metro! Book your transfer here from €33 .
I hope these suggestions will help you enjoy your day in Madrid. Don’t forget to stop off for some tapas on the terrace, and for those with a sweet tooth, a chocolate con churros before you go!
Emilie