Madrid in 1 day: itinerary with walking times

Spending one day in Madrid? This plan fits 6 sights into a single day, ordered so you walk as little as possible. Highlights include Puerta del Sol (Kilometre Zero, Bear and Strawberry Tree), Chocolatería San Ginés (chocolate con churros) and Plaza Mayor. Every stop lists opening hours, prices, the walk to the next one and good places to eat nearby.

Last updated: 20 October 2026

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Day 1 Sol & Gran Vía · Austrias & Royal Palace

Photo: Matt Joseph · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
Puerta del Sol (Kilometre Zero, Bear and Strawberry Tree)

Square & street · Sol & Gran Vía · 20 min

Madrid's central square, with Kilometre Zero, the Bear and Strawberry Tree statue and the Casa de Correos clock.

Opening hours: Always open
Price: Free

Eat nearby: Museo del Jamón (Carrera de San Jerónimo) (Tapas & bars · € · Sol & Gran Vía) · 🚶 3 min walk
Lhardy (Traditional Madrid · €€€ · Sol & Gran Vía) · 🚶 3 min walk
🚶 0.5 km · 7 min walk → Chocolatería San Ginés (chocolate con churros)
Photo: Tamorlan · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia
Chocolatería San Ginés (chocolate con churros)

Food & drink · Sol & Gran Vía · 30 min

Madrid's classic churros with thick hot chocolate since 1894, in a narrow passage near Puerta del Sol.

Opening hours: Always open, daily
Price: undefined

Eat nearby: Casa Puerto Rico (Traditional Madrid · € · Sol & Gran Vía) · 🚶 3 min walk
Bar Postas (Traditional Madrid · € · Sol & Gran Vía) · 🚶 3 min walk
🚶 0.3 km · 3 min walk → Plaza Mayor
Photo: Jorge Franganillo · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia
Plaza Mayor

Square & street · Austrias & Royal Palace · 25 min

The 17th-century arcaded square of the Habsburg city, with the Casa de la Panadería frescoes and the King Philip III statue.

Opening hours: Always open
Price: Free

Eat nearby: Bar La Campana (Traditional Madrid · € · Austrias & Royal Palace) · 🚶 2 min walk
Los Galayos (Traditional Madrid · €€ · Austrias & Royal Palace) · 🚶 2 min walk
🚶 0.2 km · 3 min walk → Mercado de San Miguel
Photo: Fernando · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
Mercado de San Miguel

Shopping & markets · Austrias & Royal Palace · 45 min

A cast-iron 1916 market hall turned gourmet tapas market, with stalls of ham, oysters, pintxos and wine.

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 10:00–24:00, Fri–Sat 10:00–01:00
Price: Free

Eat nearby: Mesón del Champiñón (Tapas & bars · € · Austrias & Royal Palace) · 🚶 1 min walk
Sobrino de Botín (Traditional Madrid · €€€ · Austrias & Royal Palace) · 🚶 2 min walk
🚶 0.8 km · 10 min walk → Royal Palace (Palacio Real)
Photo: Tim Adams · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
Royal Palace (Palacio Real)

Palace & church · Austrias & Royal Palace · 90 min

Europe's largest working royal palace, with 2,000 rooms, the Throne Room, Royal Armoury and Royal Pharmacy.

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 10:00–18:00, Sun 10:00–16:00 (Oct–Mar); Apr–Sep Mon–Sat until 19:00
Price: €18

Eat nearby: Café de Oriente (Café · €€€ · Austrias & Royal Palace) · 🚶 5 min walk
Casa Ciriaco (Traditional Madrid · €€ · Austrias & Royal Palace) · 🚶 6 min walk
🚶 0.4 km · 5 min walk → Almudena Cathedral
Lunch suggestion Café de Oriente (Café · €€€ · Austrias & Royal Palace)
near Royal Palace (Palacio Real) · 🚶 0.4 km · 5 min walk
Photo: Fernando · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
Almudena Cathedral

Palace & church · Austrias & Royal Palace · 40 min

Madrid's neo-Gothic cathedral facing the Royal Palace, with a colourful modern interior and a dome terrace.

Opening hours: Daily 10:00–20:30 (Sep–Jun); museum and dome Mon–Sat 10:00–14:30
Price: Free

Eat nearby: Casa Ciriaco (Traditional Madrid · €€ · Austrias & Royal Palace) · 🚶 4 min walk
Café de Oriente (Café · €€€ · Austrias & Royal Palace) · 🚶 6 min walk
Dinner suggestion Casa Ciriaco (Traditional Madrid · €€ · Austrias & Royal Palace)
near Almudena Cathedral · 🚶 0.3 km · 4 min walk