One Day in Madrid (Walking Route Map Included!)
Madrid – Spain’s capital city. In the direct center of the country, it draws in thousands of tourists each year. If you’re short on time, follow my walking map for your one day in Madrid :
While living in Valencia, I traveled to Madrid several times. For a few of my visits I had only 1 day to introduce the city to newcomers. Through trial and error, here is the best way to maximize your time!
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Start your one day in Madrid at busy Puerta del Sol. This plaza is home to the famous bear statue (el oso y el madroño), the heraldic symbol of Madrid.
It is also a gathering place for political, holiday, and sports events. There are a variety of food options, but be wary of tourist places trying to overcharge you!
From here, walk 6 minutes towards the famous Plaza Mayor. This is the epicenter of Madrid, and on nice days is full of people dining outside. The Plaza has nine entrances, and is home to many traditional shops and cafes under its porticoes.
The Plaza Mayor (“Old Plaza”) has been around since the 16th century, and over the years has been the site of events such as bullfights, soccer games, markets, executions, and even public penances against heretics during the Spanish Inquisition!
Next, walk about 5 minutes to Madrid’s most famous food market, Mercado San Miguel. Take some time to shop and try amazing Spanish foods.
Walk 10 minutes after towards Spain’s Royal Palace: The Palacio Real. No need to go inside, just admire the beauty from beyond the front gate. While there, enjoy the activity in the Plaza de la Armería, and peek inside the Cathedral of Santa María La Real de la Almudena.
This part will be the longest stretch of your walk, but will allow you to really see the city. From the Palace, walk about 23 minutes towards the Plaza de Cibeles.
Known for its iconic statue of the goddess Cybele in the center, it is also home to the impressive Palacio de Cibeles, a government building that is one of the most recognizable structures in Madrid.
From this plaza, you can also see The “Gran Vía”, the city’s premier shopping district.
4 Comments
Very interesting article for newbies although I found out that the royal palace is not the place where Spanish royalty currently lives.
Michelle, thank you so much for putting this together! My sister and I followed it exactly and had a wonderful day! It was nice that you included fun facts about each place so we had an idea of what we were looking at! The map was especially useful and helped us know where we were in the city. I hope to explore more of the places you’ve written about in the future! Thank you again!!!
Wow Mary, thank you so much!! That makes me so happy 🙂 – I’m glad the map was helpful too!!
Madrid is a spectacular destination! I would love to experience it through a walking tour!