Madrid in 1 Day: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

The large number of monuments, palaces, museums and interesting places that Madrid offers means that only one day is not enough to enjoy the city in depth. Just to see the Prado Museum with tranquility and we would have to invest a lot of time, not to mention other museums such as the Reina Sofia.

However, if you only have that time, try to make the most of it and leave what you can not see for a next visit. Read on and discover a tour that can help you enjoy your stay and make the most of it.

To start your visit to Madrid nothing better than getting up early to be at the door of the Prado Museum. Of course, keep in mind that it is one of the most visited museums in the world so I recommend that you book tickets for the Prado Museum with direct access: in advance.

In addition, in view of the visit, I leave you information on prices, on how to get there, although it is not complicated thanks to the metro of Madrid. Located in an area where you can find some of the best museums in Madrid, the Prado houses, without doubt, the best art collection in the country. Obviously, if you only have one day it will be impossible to see it in its entirety, but you can at least try to admire its best paintings.

Unfortunately, with only 24 hours it will be impossible for you to enter the other two museums of the so-called Paseo del Arte: the Reina Sofia and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. The only positive thing is that this will give you a great excuse to return to the capital more calmly.

Continuing along the Paseo del Prado you will reach the Plaza de Cibeles, but not before passing by the Fountain of Neptune. This small square is one of the most visited places in the city and has some elements that you should pay attention to.

• The Fountain of Cybele: represents the Roman goddess Cybele. Built in 1782, it is one of the symbols of the city and, of course, for Real Madrid fans who celebrate their titles there. If you've been on a tour of the Santiago Bernabeu you will have undoubtedly seen a photo of it. And if you have not been and you are a Real Madrid fan, hiring a tour of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium will certainly be a great plan for you.
• Palacio de Cibeles: although the outside is really striking, if you can spare a few minutes I recommend that you enter to see the so-called Crystal Gallery, a dome located in the inner courtyard. Admission is free and it is open from 10 am to 8 pm every day, although you can also book a tour of the Retiro and the Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid.
• Bank of Spain: in neoclassical style, the headquarters of the Bank of Spain is considered one of the best examples of Spanish architecture of the nineteenth century.

Guided tour or on your own?

There are many types of guided tours that will take you through the center of Madrid. One of the advantages of going with a guide is that you will not waste any time looking for each of the attractions you want to see and you will learn more about the history thanks to the explanations you will hear. Some of the best options are the following:

• Book a bike tour in Madrid, from $28.
• Book a segway tour in Madrid, from $35.
• Book a bus tour in Madrid, from $70.
• Book an electric bike tour in Madrid, from $38.
• Book a private tour of Madrid, from $108.
• Book a private tuk tuk tour of Madrid, from $30.
• Book a private bike tour in Madrid, from $41.
• Book a personalized private tour of Madrid, from $52.

In case you want to go on your own, the tour for 24 hours does not present too many complications and can be done on foot. Another intermediate option is to use a tourist bus. In fact, booking a seat on the tourist bus in Madrid is one of the best ways to get to know the Spanish capital in a short time and at your own pace.

The next destination of the tour is another of the essential places for all those who visit Madrid: the Puerta del Sol. In this place is the kilometer 0 of the country, since it is from where you start to measure the six major roads that start from the capital. To remember it, a plaque was installed on the ground, right in front of the Presidency of the Government of the Community.

In that square is also the famous clock of the Puerta de Sol, which every New Year's Eve appears on Spanish television to mark the end of the year with its chimes. Another element that, over time, has become an icon of the square is the Tío Pepe sign, a wine advertisement without which the place would not be recognized.

But among all these symbols, one stands out in particular: the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, one of the main emblems of Madrid.

What to see near Puerta del Sol

Although I know you are on a tight schedule, if you feel like it you can go to see some other places near the square and that you may find interesting:

• La Casa Museo del Ratón Pérez: if you have been to Madrid with children is sure that this place is going to make you illusion. In this place (Calle Arenal, 8) is the house of this legendary character who leaves a gift for the little ones under the pillow in exchange for their milk teeth.
• Chocolatería San Ginés: it may not be the right time, but this chocolate shop is possibly the most popular in the city.
• Librería San Ginés: opened in 1650, this is an open-air bookstore with second-hand books.

From the passageway of San Ginés, where the chocolate shop of the same name is located, you have to walk to the left through several narrow streets until you reach the Plaza Mayor of Madrid. If you have gone on your own and not with a guided tour, try not to get too lost along the way. You can get there comfortably if you book the tourist bus through Madrid.

The square was designed by architects Juan de Herrera and Juan Gomez de la Mora. It is surrounded by arcades and three-story brick buildings, although many of them have been rebuilt several times after being affected by several fires throughout history.

In addition to seeing all the arches and walking through the arcades, always full of stalls selling stamps and other items, there are three points that you can not miss:

• Statue of Philip II: in 1616, the Duke of Florence gave the King of Spain this statue. For two centuries, it was located in the Casa de Campo and was later moved to the Plaza Mayor.
• Casa de la Panadería: the first building to be constructed in the Plaza Mayor, in 1590, no less.
• Arco de Cuchilleros: the best known of the nine gates surrounding the Plaza Mayor.

It is quite likely that at this time you already feel like eating something. My suggestion is to enter the Mercado de San Miguel, very close to the Plaza Mayor.

In this market you will find a good representation of the best food in the capital and you can book a gastronomic tour. It is located in a large iron building from the early twentieth century.

Turned into the first gastronomic market of the capital in 2009, inside you will find dishes made with products from all over the country, from Galician fish to gourmet cheeses. All this spread over more than 30 stalls inside. Learn more about the wine and tapas tour in Madrid.

Continuing the tour, you will pass in front of the Teatro Real, one of the great centers of opera in Europe. This theater was inaugurated in 1850, but in 1925 it closed its doors and did not host performances again until 1966.

After the great reform that took place at the end of the twentieth century, the theater can now accommodate 1,746 spectators.

The best way to see this theater is to attend one of the opera performances that take place there. If you can't, you can also take guided tours that include the auditorium, the workshops, the rehearsal rooms and the stage itself. And, to get there, nothing better than with your ticket for the tourist bus through Madrid

After contemplating the Royal Theater, the itinerary continues along the nearby Bailen street, which houses several interesting buildings that you will see along the way. This street leads to the Plaza de Oriente, where the next stop of the day is: the visit to the Royal Palace, also known as Palacio de Oriente.

This large building is one of the official residences of the kings of the country, although it does not currently function as such. Its size makes it the largest royal palace in Western Europe. My advice is to book a guided tour of the Royal Palace

Although in this article on what to see inside the Royal Palace you will have more in depth information, in summary its main attractions are as follows:

• Official halls: there are several huge and very well preserved halls. Among them all, the throne room stands out.
• Royal Armory: its collection of weapons, shields and other military objects is one of the best in the world.
• Royal Pharmacy: the best place to get an idea of how medicine was practiced a few centuries ago.
• Sabatini Gardens: located in front of the north façade of the Royal Palace.
• Campo del Moro: also near the building.

Very close to the Royal Palace is the Almudena Cathedral, the most important church in Madrid. Its construction began in 1879, when Francisco de Cubas presented the first plans for a pantheon for Queen Maria de las Mercedes.

However, in 1885, with the work already begun, it was decided that the project would become the construction of a cathedral. After a few years of standstill, the work picked up pace again and its facade was completed in 1960, although it was not until 1993 that Pope John Paul II consecrated the cathedral.

Although the interior of the church is free to enter, the complex houses a museum that tells the history of the diocese and, if you are interested in its history and architecture, I recommend you book a guided tour of the Almudena Cathedral, which also includes the Royal Palace. Regarding the dome, it costs about 6 € if you have time to go up, but the views are not particularly interesting.

Walking calmly back down Bailén street, you will end up in Plaza de España and, a little further on, in a park where you will find a monument that may seem rather strange: an Egyptian temple.

If you are wondering, the Temple of Debod is authentic. It is about 2,000 years old and was a gift made by Egypt to Spain in 1968 as a thank you for the help given to move the Abu Simbel temple when the Aswan Dam was built.

In addition to visiting the temple, I advise you to try to get to the site just when it starts to get dark. The views from the viewpoint located there are great, especially when the sun begins to set. Oh, and if you have booked your ticket for the tourist bus, you should know that one of its stops is precisely the Temple of Debod.

Among the plans that Madrid offers its visitors, you can not do without the Madrid night, one of the most vibrant of all Spain, so get ready to make special and end your trip in style.

Besides looking for somewhere to dine, one of the best things you can do is head to the Gran Via to see some of the fantastic musicals that are often represented in their theaters. Another option is to book a flamenco show in Madrid very interesting is to book a flamenco show in Madrid. You have several options:

• Flamenco show at Torres Bermejas in Madrid, from $35.
• Flamenco show at Teatro Flamenco in Madrid, from $71.
• Flamenco show at Corral de la Morería in Madrid, from $56.
• Flamenco show at Essential Madrid, from $36.

And, without a doubt, my favorite option is to book a pub crawl in Madrid to mimic the nightlife of the city.