What to do in Madrid over a weekend: the ideal itinerary

Written by Quentin de Bonjour Madrid

Published on June 27, 2025

Wondering if visiting Madrid in a weekend is really worth it? Good news: the Spanish capital is rather large, but most of its points of interest are easily accessible on foot or by metro. Royal heritage, museums, lively neighborhoods, tapas tasting... You can do a lot in 48 hours! Follow this program to discover all the must-sees in no time. And if you're lucky enough to have a little more time on your hands, we recommend the 4-day Bonjour Madrid program.

Day 1: Royal and historic Madrid

Morning: visit of the center

For a real eye-opener, start your visit in the historic heart of Madrid! Puerta del Sol, with its famous bear statue, is the ideal starting point for exploring the city. From there, make your way slowly towards the Plaza Mayor, a real must-see. Follow the crowds through the more pleasant streets and on to the Royal Palace, one of the largest and most beautiful palaces in Europe. If you have time and it's not too crowded, a visit inside will of course be an incredible experience. Next door, stop off at the Almudena Cathedral. Its modern style and colorful dome are well worth a visit.

Almudena Cathedral

Afternoon: Prado and nature

In the afternoon, it's time to visit the famous Prado Museum, to admire masterpieces by Goya, Velázquez or El Greco.

Afterwards, it's off to the Parque del Retiro for a stroll through the gardens.

Evening: Madrid atmosphere

In the early evening, stroll through the Las Letras district, with its pedestrian streets and warm atmosphere. Let yourself be carried away by the atmosphere, colorful facades and lively squares...

Day 2: Alternative and artistic Madrid

Morning: modern art and lively neighborhoods

To start the day on a cultural note, head for the Museo Reina Sofía, to admire (among other masterpieces) Picasso's Guernica. If you wish, and especially if you have the time, you can then enjoy an affordable lunch in Lavapiés, a multicultural neighborhood full of character, not far from here.

Afternoon: Shopping and views

After lunch, take a stroll along Gran Vía for a bit of shopping and to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of Madrid. From there, you can head to the Temple de Debod, an ancient Egyptian temple set in a park! As you can imagine, the atmosphere here is surreal.

Debod Temple

Evening: magical last hours

For your last night out, we recommend a stroll down La Latina, and more specifically La Cava Baja, which is the ideal street for enjoying Madrid's nightlife (tapas, music...). There's bound to be a bar or restaurant to your liking. Make sure you don't stay up too late for the return trip tomorrow!

And to find out more, take a look at our Spain guide.