One day in Madrid

Plaza Mayor

A closed 17th-century square of uniform facades and arcades, with a statue of Philip III in the middle and the Arco de Cuchilleros in one corner. Most visitors cross it between Sol and the palace and stop for a coffee.

40 min visitAlways open

Come in the morning, before the arcades fill. For food, walk a street away from the square's terraces.

Source: esMadrid, checked October 4, 2026

Royal Palace

The official residence of the Spanish crown, used today for state ceremonies. The self-guided route goes through the grand staircase, the throne room and a long series of decorated state rooms, and the official site gives about 45 minutes for it.

2 h visit (official site suggests 45 min)Open 10:00 am–4:00 pm · last entry 3:00 pm

Take one of the first slots. Large bags are discouraged, so leave them at the hotel.

Choose a date and time slot on the official site or buy a ticket through Civitatis. You can also queue at the ticket office, which closes one hour before the palace.

Winter hours run from October to March: Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 18:00, Sunday 10:00 to 16:00. In summer, Monday to Saturday runs to 19:00. Closed on 1 January, 6 January, 1 May and 25 December, and from 15:00 on 24 and 31 December. It can close at short notice for official events. In winter, Monday to Thursday 16:00 to 18:00, EU citizens and residents get free entry with ID, at the ticket office only.

See tickets

Source: Patrimonio Nacional, checked October 4, 2026

Prado Museum

Spain's national art museum, home to the main collections of Velázquez, Goya and El Greco. It is large, so most visitors choose a route through the highlights instead of trying to see everything.

3 h visitOpen 10:00 am–7:00 pm

Arrive at opening or after lunch and pick two or three galleries. Covering it all takes most of a day.

Book your ticket online for the day you want. The ticket-office queue can be long around midday.

Open Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 20:00, Sundays and public holidays 10:00 to 19:00. Entry is free in the last two hours of each day, when the queue is long. Closed 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.

See tickets

Source: esMadrid, checked October 4, 2026

Puerta del Sol

The central square of Madrid, where the Kilometre Zero plaque marks the point from which Spain's roads are measured. The bear and strawberry tree statue and the Tío Pepe sign are nearby. It works as a transit hub more than a place to stay.

30 min visitAlways open

Stop for photos at the Kilometre Zero plaque and keep walking. The square is busy at most hours.

Source: esMadrid, checked October 4, 2026

Almudena Cathedral

Madrid's cathedral stands across the square from the Royal Palace. It was consecrated in 1993 after more than a century of construction. Entry to the cathedral is free, and a donation of 1 euro is requested.

45 min visitOpen 10:00 am–8:30 pm

Pair it with the palace. The cathedral is a short stop unless you add the museum.

Open daily 10:00 to 20:30, and until 21:00 in July and August. Tourist visits are not possible during religious services.

Source: esMadrid, checked October 4, 2026

Temple of Debod

An Egyptian temple from the 2nd century BC, given to Spain in 1968 and rebuilt in a park west of the Royal Palace. The park outside is free to enter. The interior visit lasts about 30 minutes.

45 min visit (official site suggests 30 min)Open 10:00 am–8:00 pm · last entry 7:30 pm

Go before sunset to see the temple's pools and the sky over the park.

The interior needs a free reservation on the Madrid city website, for up to 6 tickets. Slots open on the 15th of the previous month. The outside can be seen without booking.

Open Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays, 10:00 to 20:00, with last entry at 19:30. From 15 June to 15 September it closes at 19:00. Closed on Mondays, 1 and 6 January, 1 May, 24, 25 and 31 December. The interior can close without notice for conservation.

Source: esMadrid, checked October 4, 2026