Itinerarly
One day in Madrid: a walking route in the best order
Madrid's historic centre, the royal quarter and the great museums sit within an easy walk of each other. This plan follows the Complete Madrid audio tour in the Itinerarly app: the old town and the Royal Palace in the morning, then the Prado, Retiro Park and Gran Vía.
At a glance: 7 stops, about 5.8 km in straight lines between them (expect a bit more on foot), and about 2 h 20 of walking and listening, plus the time you spend inside the sights.
Morning: Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Almudena Cathedral, Royal Palace
- Plaza MayorWelcome to Plaza Mayor, the beating heart of Habsburg Madrid. This vast rectangular esplanade, inaugurated in 1619 during the reign of Philip III—whose equestrian statue stands at the center—has witnessed everything from bullfights and markets to Inquisition trials and royal coronations.
- Puerta del SolThis is Puerta del Sol, the true nerve center of Madrid and all of Spain. It is home to 'Kilometer Zero', the starting point for all of the country's radial roads.
- Almudena CathedralThis is the Almudena Cathedral, Madrid's primary religious building. Its construction was only completed in 1993 after more than a century of work, explaining its unique blend of styles: Neo-Gothic inside, Neoclassical outside to harmonize with the neighboring Royal Palace, and a Neo-Romanesque…
- Royal PalaceWelcome to the Royal Palace of Madrid, Western Europe's largest royal residence by floor area. Built in the 18th century on the site of a former Moorish fortress, this Baroque and Neoclassical palace was the official residence of Spanish kings from Philip V to Alfonso XIII.
Afternoon: Prado Museum, Crystal Palace, Gran Vía
- Prado MuseumWelcome to the Prado Museum, one of the world's greatest sanctuaries of art. Opened in 1819, it houses the former Spanish Royal Collection, offering a unique panorama of European painting from the 12th to the 19th centuries.
- Crystal PalaceYou are admiring the Crystal Palace, the most romantic architectural feature of Retiro Park. Erected in 1887 for the Philippine Islands Flora Exhibition, this elegant iron and glass structure was designed by Ricardo Velázquez Bosco, modeled after London's Crystal Palace.
- Gran VíaWelcome to Gran Vía, 'Madrid's Broadway' and the most famous avenue in Spain. Carved out between 1910 and 1931 to modernize the historic center, this majestic artery is a showcase for early 20th-century architecture, blending French, Viennese, and American styles.
Only have an hour?
Take the Madrid Express tour instead: 3 stops, about 1 h: Plaza Mayor → Puerta del Sol → Royal Palace.
Practical tips
- The Royal Palace and the Prado sell timed tickets online. Book ahead in high season.
- The Prado has free entry during the last opening hours of the day; check the current times on its official site.
- The Crystal Palace stands in Retiro Park and is free to enter.
- Lunch in Spain is late, usually from 2 pm, and many kitchens close between lunch and dinner.
- Gran Vía is at its best in the evening, when the façades are lit.
Do it with a story at every stop
This route is the Complete Madrid tour in the free Itinerarly app. It walks you from stop to stop and plays a short narrated story when you arrive, in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese. See all the audio tours of Madrid.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you see Madrid in one day?
- You can see the main sights from the outside and visit one or two of them inside. This route links 7 of them in an order that avoids backtracking.
- What is the best order to visit Madrid's main sights?
- One efficient order is: Plaza Mayor → Puerta del Sol → Almudena Cathedral → Royal Palace → Prado Museum → Crystal Palace → Gran Vía. It is the order used by the Itinerarly Complete Madrid audio tour.
- Is there a free audio guide for Madrid?
- Yes. The Itinerarly app has 3 free self-guided audio tours of Madrid, narrated in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.