Madrid hums with old-world majesty and modern swagger—Bourbon boulevards, Habsburg lanes, and art that defined European painting. You’ll walk from Velázquez and Goya to 21st‑century cocktail bars in minutes, pausing for churros, market bites, and a plaza-side vermouth. In two days, this itinerary delivers the city’s greatest hits without the hurry.

Founded in the 9th century, Madrid later rose to royal prominence—its Royal Palace rivals Europe’s finest, while the Prado Museum holds the golden age of Spanish art. Food is a cultural script here: crispy bacalao, sizzling gambas al ajillo, cocido madrileño, and nap-worthy siestas that reset dinner to 9 pm.

Practical notes: Madrid is walkable and the Metro is fast; allow 20–30 minutes between most center-city stops. Beware pickpockets in crowds (Puerta del Sol, El Rastro). Museums can close for events or holidays; the Royal Palace occasionally shuts for state functions. Book timed tickets in advance when possible.

Madrid

Madrid’s center is a necklace of neighborhoods: stately Barrio de las Letras (where Cervantes lived), tapas-rich La Latina, cool-kid Malasaña, and glam Salamanca. Spend your daylight hours among masterpieces and palace courtyards, then follow locals into century-old taverns or up to skyline rooftops.

• Top sights: Prado Museum, Royal Palace & Almudena Cathedral, Retiro Park & Crystal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol (Kilómetro Cero), Gran Vía, Cibeles & Puerta de Alcalá.
• Essential bites: churros at San Ginés, gambas al ajillo at La Casa del Abuelo, huevos rotos at Casa Lucio, cocido at La Bola, crispy cod at Casa Revuelta, market grazing at Mercado de San Miguel.
• Fun facts: Sobrino de Botín (1725) is often cited as the world’s oldest restaurant; Madrid’s emblem is a bear and strawberry tree; the Bernabéu stadium reimagined the match-day experience with a cutting-edge revamp.

Where to stay (handpicked):

• Search stays: VRBO Madrid | Hotels.com Madrid
• Classic luxury near the museums: The Westin Palace, Madrid (stained-glass dome breakfasts, steps to the Art Walk).
• Refined heritage by the Royal Palace: Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques (lush gardens, rooftop views).
• Smart midrange with great access: Novotel Madrid Center (near Retiro/Salamanca) or Melia Madrid Princesa (west side, stylish rooms).
• Value stays in the heart: Hostal Persal (Letras) or social-budget Room007 Ventura Hostel.

Getting to Madrid (bookable options):

• Flights within Europe: compare on Omio (flights). Examples: Paris–MAD ~1h55, often $60–$150 one-way; Rome–MAD ~2h40, $50–$140.
• Trains in Europe: Omio (trains). Barcelona–Madrid high-speed (AVE/AVLO/OUIGO) 2.5–3h, typically $30–$80 if booked ahead.
• Buses in Europe: budget-friendly on Omio (buses), e.g., Valencia–Madrid ~4–4.5h from ~$20.
• Long-haul flights: compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. NYC–MAD nonstop ~7h, often $500–$900 roundtrip depending on season.

Airport to center tips: Taxi has a flat fare (~€30) to most central zones; the Cercanías train C1/C10 runs ~25 minutes to Atocha/Chamartín; Metro Line 8 connects T4 to Nuevos Ministerios (~25–30 minutes).

Day 1 — Historic Heart, Market Bites, and Flamenco

Morning: If you arrive early, ease in with specialty coffee. Try Toma Café (Malasaña) for perfectly extracted flat whites and a small pastry menu, or HanSo Café for matcha lattes, fluffy pancakes, and Asian‑leaning brunch plates. Prefer classic? La Mallorquina at Puerta del Sol serves layered napolitanas and custard-filled rosquillas loved by locals.

Afternoon: Check in, drop bags, then get an eye-level overview on a quiet, electric tuk-tuk. It’s a fun, panoramic way to connect the dots between neighborhoods before walking them.

Welcome Tour to Madrid in Private Eco Tuk Tuk — 120 minutes covering Cibeles, Alcalá Gate, Gran Vía, Plaza Mayor, and the Royal Palace.

After your ride, graze at Mercado de San Miguel: sample razor clams seared to order, gildas skewers (olive + anchovy + pepper), and jamón cones. For hot tapas nearby, pop into Casa Revuelta for the cult-favorite crispy cod, or La Casa del Abuelo for sizzling garlic shrimp and sweet house vermouth.

Evening: Settle into dinner and a show—an essential Madrid pairing.

Flamenco Show & Special Menu at Torres Bermejas — a legendary tablao with ornate interiors inspired by the Alhambra. Expect goosebump-inducing cante, guitar, and footwork; opt for the menu with Iberian starters and dessert if you want a one-stop evening.

If you prefer dinner before the show, book Sobrino de Botín (since 1725) for wood-fired roast suckling pig and Castilian soup, or go tapas-crawl in La Latina along Cava Baja: try Taberna La Concha (house vermouth and creative montaditos), Casa Lucio (iconic huevos rotos), and Txirimiri (Basque pintxos). Cap the night with cocktails at 1862 Dry Bar (pre‑Prohibition style) or skyline views at the 360º Rooftop atop RIU Plaza España.

Day 2 — Prado Masterpieces, Retiro Calm, and Royal Splendor

Morning: Start near the Art Walk. Grab a quick cortado and a flaky ensaimada at La Rollerie or a granola bowl and specialty brew at Monkee Koffee. Then head straight to Spain’s grand temple of painting with a guide who’ll whisk you to the highlights.

Prado Museum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket — in ~90 minutes, see Velázquez’s Las Meninas, Goya’s Black Paintings, and Rubens’ drama without getting lost.

Walk 10 minutes to Retiro Park: step into the iron-and-glass Crystal Palace (often hosting rotating art) and the boating lake crowned by the Alfonso XII monument. Pause for a pastry from nearby bakeries or an orange soda at a kiosk while street musicians play.

Afternoon: Make your way to the western heights for royal opulence and city views.

Royal Palace Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket — explore the Grand Staircase, Throne Room, Royal Armory, and tapestry-lined salons with context on the Bourbons who shaped Madrid’s skyline.

For lunch nearby: La Bola ladles out slow-simmered cocido madrileño (a hearty chickpea stew) from clay pots; El Anciano Rey de los Vinos pours tap vermouth with oxtail stew and callos; or keep it light with a tortilla wedge and salad at Casa Dani’s market bar. Grab a last churros-and-chocolate at Chocolatería San Ginés before you depart.

Heading out: allow ~45–60 minutes to reach MAD from the center (earlier in rush hour). If shopping time remains, browse Gran Vía for Spanish brands or slip into Salamanca’s boutiques for leather and espadrilles.

Evening (if you have a late flight or extra night): Reserve Lakasa for seasonal plates (wild game in season, top-tier cheesecake) or Fismuler for Nordic-Spanish riffs (crackling schnitzel, truffled omelets). Toast the trip at Azotea del Círculo above Círculo de Bellas Artes—one of the city’s best sunset perches over Cibeles and Gran Vía.

Optional Add-Ons (if you extend)

• Madrid in a Day: Royal Palace, Historic Center & Prado — a comprehensive guided day if you prefer a single, structured tour.

Insider tips:

• Dinner is late (9–10 pm); if you’re hungry earlier, order a half-ración of croquetas, boquerones, or patatas bravas with your drink.
• Sunday mornings are for El Rastro flea market (La Latina); watch your pockets and arrive by 10 am.
• Many museums are free in the last 1–2 hours—lines can be long; guided skip-the-line tours save precious time on short trips.

Quick reference (today’s ballpark prices): Metro single €1.50–€2.00; 10-trip ticket €12.20. Coffee €2–€3; tapas €3–€6 each; market tastings €2–€8 per bite. Flamenco shows €35–€80 depending on seating and menu. Guided museum or palace tours typically €35–€60.

With masterpieces at the Prado, the grandeur of the Royal Palace, tapas that tell Madrid’s story, and a night of flamenco, this 2‑day itinerary captures the city’s pulse without rushing its pleasures. You’ll leave with time well-spent—and a list of reasons to plan your return.