# 2 days in Madrid: a route by day

> Two days in Madrid means the old town and the boulevard of art. Day one: Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral and sunset at the Temple of Debod. Day two: the Prado with Velázquez and Goya, a stroll and a row in Retiro Park, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza opposite the Prado, covering the whole history of painting.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/in-2-days

## Day 1

1. [Puerta del Sol](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/puerta-del-sol.md) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 25 min · Free
   ↓ 6 min on foot
2. [Plaza Mayor](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/plaza-mayor-madrid.md) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 40 min · Free
   ↓ 10 min on foot
3. [Almudena Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/almudena-cathedral.md) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · Cathedral free
   ↓ 5 min on foot
4. [Royal Palace of Madrid](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/royal-palace-madrid.md) — YesGo score 53/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 45 min · Paid
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 13 min on foot
5. [Temple of Debod](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/temple-of-debod.md) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · Free

Total with walks: 5 h 49 min

## Day 2

1. [Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/thyssen-museum.md) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Paid
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 6 min on foot
2. [Prado Museum](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/prado-museum.md) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h 30 min · Paid
   ↓ 12 min on foot
3. [Retiro Park](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/retiro-park.md) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 45 min · Free

Total with walks: 7 h 33 min

## How the two days work

Day one is a walk through the old centre; day two is on the Paseo del Prado, where the museums and park stand side by side. Book a morning Prado ticket online and save the Thyssen for the afternoon, as it's smaller and calmer.

On Mondays the Thyssen's permanent collection is usually free with a booking, and the Prado's last hours are free, so you can save money. Check the museums' sites before you go.

Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, add something nearby, and the timings update.

## Day two: the Prado, the Retiro and the Thyssen

In the morning, the Prado: Velázquez's Las Meninas, the Goya rooms, El Greco and Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights. From the museum it's five minutes to the Retiro gates: boats on the Great Pond, the Crystal Palace and lunch at a café by the water.

After lunch, return to the boulevard for the Thyssen: the Impressionists, Van Gogh, Hopper and Pop Art. In the evening, stroll to the Cibeles fountain and have dinner in the Barrio de las Letras.

## What else to see

With a third day, add the [Reina Sofía](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/reina-sofia), [Plaza de España](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/plaza-de-espana-madrid) and the [Santiago Bernabéu](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/santiago-bernabeu). A fourth is for [Toledo](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/toledo) or [Segovia](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/segovia).

## Tips

- The Prado in the morning, on a ticket.
- The Thyssen is free on Mondays with a booking.
- Row on the Retiro pond on a weekday.
- Churches require covered shoulders and knees and no beachwear; walking around town in swimwear is not allowed.
- Spain uses the euro. Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere. Book the Sagrada Família, Park Güell and the Gaudí houses ahead on their official sites, which list entry times and closing days.

## Questions

### What can you see in Madrid in 2 days?

The old centre with the Royal Palace and Temple of Debod, then the Prado, the Retiro and the Thyssen.

### Are two days enough for Madrid?

For the centre and the main museums, yes; Toledo and Segovia need extra days.

### When is the Prado free?

Usually in its last opening hours; check the museum's site.

### How do I get around on this route?

On foot: both days are central, with the metro only to reach the start.

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