Madrid is Spain's capital, a city of broad avenues, grand museums and lively old squares that can all be explored on foot. Spend the mornings among masterpieces and royal palaces, then follow the locals into a leafy park or a neighbourhood market.
Two days in Madrid set the royal old town beside the city's great avenue of art. The first day links the Prado Museum with the Royal Palace of Madrid, and the second moves from the Puerta de Alcalá past the Reina Sofía Museum and the Royal Botanical Garden to Matadero Madrid. It suits travellers who want famous paintings and long, varied walks.
Weekend · 2 days · 2 adults ·
1
2
3
4
5
6
714–18 min walk
10:44 Prado Museum · Morning · 2–3 h12–16 min walk
12:56 Barrio de las Letras · Midday · 1–2 h4–5 min walk
14:00 Puerta del Sol · Afternoon · 20–40 min13–17 min walk
14:33 Royal Palace of Madrid · Afternoon · 1–2 h8–10 min walk
15:41 Mercado de San Miguel · Afternoon · 45–90 min5–7 min walk
16:31 Plaza Mayor · Afternoon · 30–60 min5–7 min walk
09:30 National Archaeological Museum · Morning · 90–150 minBus · about 10–11 min
11:11 CaixaForum Madrid · Morning · 60–90 min4–5 min walk
12:15 Reina Sofía Museum · Midday · 2–3 h10–13 min walk
14:25 Royal Botanical Garden · Afternoon · 1–2 h9–12 min walk
15:34 Cuesta de Moyano · Afternoon · 30–60 minBus · about 15–21 min
16:25 Matadero Madrid · Afternoon · 1–2 hQuick answers to common questions.
Day one links Retiro Park and the Prado Museum with Puerta del Sol, the Royal Palace of Madrid and Plaza Mayor. Day two starts at the Puerta de Alcalá and the National Archaeological Museum and moves south past CaixaForum Madrid, the Reina Sofía Museum, the Royal Botanical Garden and the Cuesta de Moyano book stalls to Matadero Madrid. As of 25 Oct 2026.
Two days cover the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum and the royal quarter around the palace. The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, the Temple of Debod, Gran Vía and the old streets of La Latina come on later days of the Madrid plan, so a longer stay sees more of the city at an easier pace. As of 25 Oct 2026.
Give the first day to Retiro Park, the Prado Museum and the walk west to the Royal Palace of Madrid, and the second to the museums and gardens from the Puerta de Alcalá south to Matadero Madrid. Avoid a Tuesday for the second day, when the Reina Sofía Museum is closed, and a Monday, when the National Archaeological Museum is closed. The Reina Sofía usually takes 120 to 180 minutes, so give it the late morning. As of 20 Oct 2026.
A Saturday suits either day of the two-day plan, but Sunday hours are shorter. On Sundays the Royal Palace of Madrid and the National Archaeological Museum both close earlier, and the Reina Sofía Museum closes in the early afternoon, so the plan visits all three earlier in the day. Tap each stop to see its usual hours. As of 20 Oct 2026.