Madrid is often overshadowed by it’s fun-loving sibling, Barcelona. The two cities are completely their own and Madrid is not to be missed. This guide details the best way to spend one day in Madrid, a majestic and often underappreciated city.
We exit the metro at Plaza de Cibeles. We exit the terminal into a different world. The sky is cotton candy blue with shades of pink and the Ayuntamiento de Madrid is glowing with the life of Spain. The city rushes by, unaware of the spectacle that they are missing.
At least, that was my introduction to Madrid.
The next stop on our Spanish road trip was Madrid and then onto Barcelona. I was feeling a little sad in Madrid because it was our second to last stop and we were done with the cute little Andalusian towns of the south, like Cordoba and Granada. Madrid was a whole different speed. But once we stepped out of the metro terminal, I was immediately taken with this vibrant and bustling city.
After we arrived and settled in our AirBnB, which was very nice but not extremely centrally located, we headed out to explore town. It was late, so we headed out for a quick drink and then dinner. Then, we got a good night’s sleep because we had a new city to explore in the morning!
How to Spend One Day in Madrid
Café Federal
We started with breakfast at Café Federal. After all our mornings of croissants or toast with tomatoes, Café Federal felt extravagant. The food was great. They had a golden latte made with turmeric which was very good.
Calle Gran Via
The Gran Via is a long row of shops, not to be missed when visiting Madrid. Even though I am not usually into shopping on vacation, I enjoyed the Gran Via because of the architecture. This is also the perfect place to pick up a gift or a souvenir.
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Retiro Park
Next head to this expansive park. I recommend watching the boats (or renting one yourself) at Estanque grande del Retiro and walking over to the Palacio de Cristal, although there are many other ways to spend time in this park.
Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor is a bit of a touristy spot, but it is a very pretty square with much activity. Sit and watch people play in the square while sipping drinks at one of the outdoor cafes. Eat churros with chocolate, a classic Spanish dessert and a must try when you are in Madrid. We visited Chocolatería San Ginés, which has been making churros for the people of Madrid since 1894.
Lunch
For some really good Italian food, head to Trattoria Malatesta. We went here for dinner, but the lunch sounds equally good. I ordered the truffle pasta and Luke a seafood pasta special. Both were amazing and carb-filled, but we ate it all knowing that we couldn’t save the leftovers. If you can sit in the basement, it feels classically Italian with brick walls and checkered tablecloths.
If you are feeling something a bit more Spanish, which you might be if you hadn’t already been in Spain for over a week, check out Mercado de San Miguel. At this 100 year old market, you will find tapas, drinks, pub fare, and desserts. It is truly a foodie’s heaven!
Royal Palace of Madrid
Next, head over to the Royal Palace of Madrid and the Almudena Cathedral. The Royal Palace is the residence of the Spanish royal family, although currently it is only used for state ceremonies. The entrance fee is 13 euros. The opening times vary so make sure you check before you visit, but they generally are open 10 am to 6 pm in the winter or 10 am to 8 pm April to September.
Entrance to the Cathedral is free, with a 1 euro donation request, but the museum is 6 euros. The hours also vary, so check their opening hours before you go. We did not go into either, but admired them from the outside and explored the grounds.
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Temple of Debod
I recommend a visit to Temple of Debod, an Egyptian temple that was gifted to Spain after the construction of the Aswan Dam. It is very pretty, especially around sunset. Visitors are allowed inside for free, but only 30 visitors at a time within certain hours.
While you are in the area, check out the lovely views of Madrid from the Mirador del Temple de Debod. Again, the golden hour is the perfect time to go. This park is also a nice place to sit and people watch, or perhaps listen to a nearby guitarist strum a few cords.
Bars
I loved all the bars that we visited during our time in Madrid, although Salmon Guru was my favorite. You can hit one or all three of these before or after dinner depending on how much time you have. Dinner is late in Madrid and you are on vacation, after all!
The Hat Rooftop Bar
The Hat is a hostel just off Calle Mayor, but there is a cute hidden rooftop bar on top of it. The views of the neighboring rooftops are classically European and the drinks are served in plastic bags (if single use plastics irritate you as well, you can order wine in a normal glass). The vibe is laid back. They also have food, but we didn’t try anything. We went in the afternoon, but their hours aren’t posted online so you will have to take your chances.
Azotea del Circulo
Atop the Azotea del Circulo, the views of the Ayuntamiento de Madrid, or the City Hall building, are magnificent. Madrid sprawls out in all directions below. This is where you go for excellent views of Madrid. It is $4 to go up to the rooftop and drinks are about $10. It was quite busy when we arrived and the party atmosphere isn’t our speed, but the almost 360 views of Madrid cannot be beat. The drinks are average. They open early every day and stay open until about 2 am.
Salmon Guru
Salmon Guru takes the cake for drinks. All the cocktails come exorbitantly decorated. It is an art form that they perform at Salmon Guru and it is incredible to watch. Sit up at the bar so you have a front row seat and chat with the bartenders. They were so nice and even gave us a list of bars to check out in Barcelona. When we visited, the bar was quiet but it was starting to fill up as we left. There are no views here except the interesting decor, although the cocktail crafting display was an acceptable substitute for a great view. They are open everyday except Monday from 5 pm to about 2 am.
Yakitoro
For dinner we went to Yakitoro, where we would return two days later for round two. Yakitoro is a Japanese restaurant that primarily serves small plates with Spanish flare. They use the Yakitori cooking style where chicken skewers are cooked on a charcoal grill. Everything we ordered was amazing, except for the ramen which I didn’t prefer.
Do you have additional time in Madrid?
It is difficult to limit yourself to just one day in Madrid as it is such a big city. If you have more time, get brunch at The Toast, explore more of the Royal Palace of Madrid and the gardens, or visit the inside of the Catedral de la Almudena.
I also enjoyed Casa de Campo, a huge park with a lot of walking trails and a lake (although the lake was drained when we visited). There are some great views here of the Palace and the Cathedral.
Madrid is only a two hour train ride away from Cordoba, which I adored. I highly recommend taking at least a day trip if you have several days.
Have you been to Madrid? How would you spend one day in Madrid?
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